Diabetes is a chronic condition in which the levels of glucose (sugar) in the blood are too high. Blood glucose levels are normally regulated by the hormone insulin, which is made by the pancreas. In people with diabetes, the pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin or there is a problem with how the body’s cells respond to it.

Around 5.1 per cent of Australians aged 18 years or older have diabetes. The risk of diabetes increases with age, from 2.8 per cent in people aged 35 to 44, to 15.0 per cent in those aged 65 to 74. Aboriginal people have one of the highest rates of type 2 diabetes in the world.*

Some types of diabetes have no symptoms, and can go undiagnosed for a long time, but some common symptoms can include:

• being more thirsty than usual
• passing more urine
• feeling tired and lethargic
• slow-healing wounds
• itching and skin infections, particularly around the genitals
• blurred vision
• nausea and vomiting
• weight loss
• mood swings

If you have Type 1, Type 2 or suspect you may have Diabetes our professional team of medical staff can assist you with the correct treatment.

After an initial assessment of your symptoms and a care-plan put in place, you will have regular and ongoing follow up appointments to monitor and track your condition.

*Source: Better Health Victoria