How can Inertia Health Group dietitians help you with your type 2 diabetes?
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First, It is essential to understand what Type 2 Diabetes is
Inertia Health Group dietitians explain what type 2 diabetes is.
Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes, with 1.2 million people currently diagnosed in Australia (ABS 2016). It is a chronic disease in which a person has high blood sugar levels, either due to not producing enough insulin (a hormone produced in the pancreas) or because the cells are not responding to the action of the insulin that is produced (Diabetes Australia, 2015). It is a progressive disease associated with modifiable lifestyle risk factors such as diet and physical activity.
Who Does Type 2 Diabetes Affect? What is epidemiology?
People are at a higher risk of developing Type 2 diabetes if they:
have a family history of Diabetes
are older (over 55 years of age), the risk increases as we age
are overweight
lead a sedentary lifestyle
have high blood pressure
are from an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander background
are from Pacific Island, Indian subcontinent or Chinese cultural background
have had gestational Diabetes
have been diagnosed with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome
What are the symptoms of type 2 diabetes?
Being excessively thirsty
Passing more urine
Feeling tired and lethargic
Increased hunger and appetite
Itching and skin infections
Blurred vision
Gradually putting on weight
Mood swings
Headaches
Feeling dizzy
Leg cramps
What is the difference between pre-diabetes and type 2 diabetes?
Type 2 diabetes develops over a long period of time and begins with insulin resistance, often called “pre-diabetes”. The pancreas is an organ in the body that produces the hormone insulin. Insulin is responsible for transporting the sugar (glucose) from your blood into your cells, which can be used for energy. When you are in the early stages of insulin resistance, or ‘pre-diabetes’, the cells within the body do not respond to insulin as they should, and glucose remains high in the blood (Baker IDI, 2012). The pancreas responds by producing more and more insulin in an attempt to reduce blood sugar levels. Eventually, the cells responsible for producing insulin become tired, and some of them will stop producing insulin altogether; at this point, a person will usually be diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. When people refer to Type 2 as a progressive condition, they refer to the ongoing destruction of insulin-producing cells in the pancreas.
How can Inertia Dietitians assist you in managing and controlling your diabetes or pre-diabetes?
In the early stages and sometimes long-term, type 2 diabetes can be managed through diet and increasing physical activity. Making these lifestyle changes can help people avoid the need for medication. Inertia Health Group’s dietitians assist in monitoring your total carbohydrate intake and balancing your carbohydrate intake over the day. It is also essential for patients with diabetes to choose low-GI, high-fibre carbohydrates to minimise the impact these foods will have on their blood sugar levels. If an individual is carrying extra weight, then a reduction in calories will be necessary for weight loss and help improve health outcomes for people with diabetes. Inertia Health Group Dietitians are accredited practising dietitians. They can provide education and menu plans to help manage blood sugar levels, assist in weight loss, and manage support to prevent the progression of this condition in the long term.
Please don’t wait until it is too late to make an appointment to see an Accredited Dietitian at one of our Inertia Health Group locations to assist you in managing your type 2 diabetes today.
References and useful websites:
Diabetes Australia: https://www.diabetesaustralia.com.au/type-2-diabetes
Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) 2016, Diabetes Mellitus: National Health Survey 2014–15, ABS, Canberra
Diabetes SA: http://www.diabetessa.com.au/
