Don't be complacent about diabetes, GP advises
The Murray Bridge Day and Night Surgery ask the community not to ignore diabetic symptoms that get pushed as an afterthought.
This sponsored story is brought to you by the Murray Bridge Day and Night Surgery.
Diabetes diagnoses have largely increased in the last ten years and not many people know just how dangerous the chronic disease is.
What is often well known is that there are two types but what are the differences?
Type one diabetes is an autoimmune condition where the body’s own immune system is activated to destroy the beta cells in the pancreas which produce insulin.
Type two diabetes is a condition in which the body becomes resistant to the normal effects of insulin and gradually loses the capacity to produce enough insulin in the pancreas.
Murray Bridge Day and Night Clinic Nurse Adam Wilkinson said one in 20 Australians live with type two diabetes.
In low socio-economic areas there is a 1.9 times higher chance of being diagnosed, he said.
"South Australia and Northern Territory have the highest rates in Australia... [and] up to 30 percent of South Australians are living with undiagnosed diabetes," Mr Wilkinson said.
Doctor Farooq Ahmad said this is usually due to the fact that people aren't sure they have it, which leads to not taking proper care of the disease.
"If any one of the following symptoms is present, it should raise some suspicion."
Symptoms for diabetes can include:
- Being excessively thirsty
- Passing more urine
- Feeling tired and lethargic
- Always feeling hungry
- Having cuts that heal slowly
- Itching, skin infections
- Gradually putting on weight, or some people will lose weight
In common cases patients will already have been living with diabetes for the last couple years before seeking help from their General Practitioner.
Diabetes related complications mean the whole body from top to bottom is at risk of other health issues, Dr Farooq said.
Complications can include:
- Sexual disfunction
- Heart disease
- Stroke
- Kidney disease
- Vision loss
- Ulcers (chronic)
So who is at risk of developing diabetes?
Mr Wilkinson listed the following high risk factors; obesity, smoking, poor diet, family history, age 45+, and poor physical activity.
"It's so simple to be tested... it's a simple blood test and once that's done we can start to help [the patient]," Mr Wilkinson said.
Recently he was able to attend the Wounds Australia Conference in Queensland with scholarship funding and support by the practice.
During the conference they spoke on providing care to chronic wounds, of which people affected by Diabetes are prone to.
"It was an amazing experience... I learnt so much to then bring back to the practice which is really great for the Murray Bridge community," he said.
There are so many resources out there such as The National Diabetes Services Scheme, Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation or Diabetes Australia, he said.
"But the best thing to do is stay in touch with your GP," Mr Wilkinson said.
World Diabetes Day is coming up on Novemeber 14 and this year the campaign is set to help people live well with diabetes.
"Don't ignore it," Dr Farooq said.
- Book a health check: Visit the practice at 35-37 Adelaide Road, Murray Bridge between 8am and 9pm on weekdays, call 8531 2988 or visit www.murraybridgemedical.com.au.
- More information on Diabetes: https://www.diabetesaustralia.com.au/
Advertising to more than 20,000 highly engaged locals can do wonders for your business. Call Murray Bridge News’ Jane Intini on 0418 835 768 or email jane@murraybridge.news.
Peri Strathearn
