New research by the Australian Diabetes Council however suggests by the year 2030 no-one will have a decision to make, "…the reality of this situation is that if diabetes continues to grow at the rate it currently is, by 2030 it will consume the entire federal budget of this country." (www.heraldsun.com.au/news/breaking-news/diabetes-toll-blowing-out-report/story-e6frf7kf-1226420651084)
In Australia there is estimated to be 1.7 million people with this chronic disease and 290 new diagnoses each day. By 2016 diabetes will likely become the major cause of morbidity and mortality. (australiandiabetescouncil.com)
Diabetes has been linked to heart and kidney disease, blindness, limb amputation, erectile dysfunction and persistent infections. These complications arise because the cells can't absorb glucose, an energy source, and the blood becomes like syrup. (australiandiabetescouncil.com)
The lacking ingredient for someone with diabetes to properly absorb this glucose is insulin. Insulin acts as a key into a door between the blood and our cells and when it is not produced (or not enough) and/or isn't used properly, there is a constant struggle throughout our entire body.
The signs and symptoms of diabetes are extreme fatigue, numbness in the extremities, constant thirst, frequent urination, blurred vision, slow healing of cuts and bruises and sudden and unexplainable weight loss. The symptoms will vary for each person and in some situations there are no signs indicating the disease at all.
Now you know the frightening reality of diabetes and what it is, we need to consider how we should respond.
While this recent study, conducted within NSW, brings some alarming figures to the fore 60% of type II diabetes may be prevented with lifestyle choices. (australiandiabetescouncil.com)
There are three types of diabetes: type 1, type 2 and gestational. Prediabetes is usually added as a fourth category but these people do not actually have diabetes. Of the first three, type 2 accounts for about 90% of those with diabetes and currently costs Australia $10.3 billion a year. (australiandiabetescouncil.com)
I believe therefore, our best individual response to this pandemic is to look at the risk factors we can change and inform others about the diabetes crises.
There are risk factors that we can't change, such as our family history, age and ethnicity. However, if everyone begins to take responsibility for the factors we can alter there will hopefully be as a dramatic slide in the number of diagnosis as much as there has been a rise.
"By losing 5-7% of excess weight and participating in 150 mins [two and a half hours] of moderate intensity exercise each week you can reduce your risk of type 2 diabetes by almost 60%" http://australiandiabetescouncil.com
This percentage is a staggering number but if Australians begin to change their eating habits and physical activity levels it should feed directly into the next study about diabetes in Australia.
If you would like more information on diabetes, the lifestyle choices you can make to prevent or manage (if you already have it) diabetes of if you are concerned you may have this disease please contact the Australian diabetes council or your health care professional.
Tim Wilson is married with two children who served with YWAM for five years in Brisbane and now serving in mission in Canada.
Tim Wilson's archive of articles may be viewed at www.pressserviceinternational.org/tim-wilson.html