Diabetes

Diabetes mellitus is a condition where the body cannot maintain normal blood glucose levels.

Insulin is a hormone that helps glucose move from the blood into the cells. When the body does not produce enough insulin, the blood glucose level rises. Three main types of diabetes affect Australians - type 1 (previously known as insulin-dependent diabetes), type 2 (previously known as non-insulin-dependent diabetes) and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM).

Diabetes affects an estimated 800,000 Australians, and many of these are not aware they have the disease. If undetected or poorly controlled, diabetes can lead to blindness, kidney failure, lower limb amputation, heart attack, stoke and impotence.

The following websites contain information about diabetes:

Follow the links below to find general information about diabetes and information about specific diabetes topics.

Updated July 2007

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Related HealthInsite Topics
Diabetes Mellitus - One of Australia's top six health priorities
HealthInsite Expert View by Prof. Paul Zimmet. Diabetes mellitis is recognised as a serious global health problem often resulting in substantial morbidity and mortality, primarily from cardiovascular complications, eye and kidney diseases and limb amputations, and will be one of the major health problems facing Australia in the 21st century.
Types of Diabetes
HealthInsite Topic Page
Explains the different types of diabetes.
Prevention of Diabetes
HealthInsite Topic Page
Links to resources which cover issues relating to the prevention of diabetes.
Risk Factors for Diabetes
HealthInsite Topic Page
Links to information about the risk factors for diabetes.
How to Recognise Diabetes
HealthInsite Topic Page
Links to information on recognising and diagnosing diabetes.
Complications of Diabetes
HealthInsite Topic Page
Links to information about the complications that might occur for people with diabetes.
Living with Diabetes
HealthInsite Topic Page
Links to information on issues associated with living with diabetes.
Treatments for Diabetes
HealthInsite Topic Page
Links to information on the treatments available for diabetes.
Diabetes and Pregnancy
HealthInsite Topic Page
Links to information about gestational diabetes, as well as pre existing diabetic conditions that may effect pregnancy.
Diabetes Support Services
HealthInsite Topic Page
Links to information on support services, counselling and contacts for people with diabetes.
Diabetes Statistics
HealthInsite Topic Page
Links to statistical information about diabetes.
10 Resources Found
Results 1 to 10 displayed.
Title:   Diabetes
Publisher:   Child and Youth Health - CYH (South Australia)
Description:   Diabetes happens when someones body does not have enough insulin. Our bodies need fuel to give them the energy to keep working. We get the fuel from our food.
Date:   Nov 2007
Title:   Indigenous diabetes
Publisher:   Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet
Description:   This web resource is a 'one-stop info-shop' for people interested in addressing diabetes within Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
Date:   Nov 2007
Title:   Hyperglycaemia
Publisher:   Better Health Channel
Description:   Hyperglycaemia means too much glucose is circulating in the blood. When blood glucose is persistently high, a diagnosis of diabetes is made. Most people have either Type I or Type II diabetes. Some people may have conditions that can cause diabetes, such as Cushing's syndrome, pancreatitis or liver disease.
Date:   Sep 2006
Title:   Diabetes explained
Publisher:   Better Health Channel
Description:   Diabetes is a chronic condition marked by high blood glucose levels. These levels are normally regulated by a hormone called insulin, which is made by the pancreas. When people have diabetes, the pancreas doesn't produce enough insulin or the body's cells don't respond to the hormone.
Date:   Jul 2006
Title:   Diabetes
Publisher:   Department of Health and Human Services, Tasmania (DHHS)
Description:   Diabetes mellitus (Diabetes) is a condition where the body cannot maintain normal blood glucose levels.
Date:   Apr 2005
Title:   Diabetes explained
Publisher:   International Diabetes Institute, Australia
Description:   Contents: Overview; What is diabetes; Impaired glucose tolerance; Risk factors; Risk test; Preventing diabetes; Factsheets
Title:   What is diabetes?
Publisher:   Diabetes Australia - Victoria
Description:   Diabetes Mellitus is present when there is too much glucose in the blood. Insulin is a hormone that lowers glucose levels in the blood. Glucose (a form of sugar) is the main source of fuel for our bodies.
Date:   Feb 2004
Title:   Frequently asked questions
Publisher:   Diabetes Australia - Victoria
Description:   What is diabetes? At what age do you develop diabetes? Who is at risk of developing diabetes? How can I tell if I have diabetes? Can diabetes be cured?
Date:   Feb 2004
Title:   Diabetes training manual - for Samoan speaking people
Publisher:   Multicultural Health Communication Service (NSW)
Description:   Bilingual Community Educator diabetes training manual for Samoan speaking people. Training manual and overhead transparencies (62 pages!)
Date:   Jul 2003
Title:   Diabetes: Australian facts 2002
Publisher:   Australian Institute of Health and Welfare
Description:   Diabetes - Australian Facts 2002 is a concise summary of the latest data and trends relating to diabetes in Australia.
Date:   Nov 2002
Results 1 to 10 displayed.