What is type 2 diabetes?
You can have type 2 diabetes and not know it because there may be no obvious symptoms. Type 2 diabetes is a chronic (long-term) disease marked by high levels of sugar in the blood. It occurs when the body does not produce enough insulin (a hormone released by the pancreas) or respond well enough to insulin.
Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes. People with diabetes have a higher risk of developing heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, circulation problems, lower limb amputations, nerve damage and damage to the kidneys and eyes.
Are you at risk of Diabetes?
If you scored 12 points or more in the AUSDRISK assessment you may have undiagnosed type 2 diabetes or be at high risk of developing the disease. See your doctor about having a fasting blood glucose test. Act now to prevent type 2 diabetes. If you scored 6–11 points in the AUSDRISK assessment you may be at increased risk of type 2 diabetes. Discuss your score and your individual risk with your doctor. Improving your lifestyle may help reduce your risk of developing type 2 diabetes.If you scored 12 or more you are at high risk of developing diabetes in the next 5 years, approximately one person in every 14 will get diabetes. If your score is 20 or higher, one person in every three will get diabetes.
What can you do to lower your risk of developing type 2 diabetes?
Your lifestyle choices can prevent, or at least, delay the onset of type 2 diabetes. You cannot change risk factors like age and your genetic background. You can do something about being overweight, your waist measurement, how active you are, eating habits, or smoking. If there is type 2 diabetes in your family, you should be careful not to put on weight. Reducing your waist measurement reduces your risk of type 2 diabetes. By increasing your physical activity and improving your eating habits you can lower your risk. Eat plenty of vegetables and high fibre cereal products every day and use a small amount of fats and oils. Mono-unsaturated oils,such as olive or canola oil, are the best choice. It is very hard to reduce your risk on your own, but there is support available to help you be successful.
Baker Institute Education Programs
A number of specialised diabetes courses are available at Baker Specialist Clinics located in Prahran and Footscray. Advice on managing diabetes is delivered by our team of highly qualified and experienced health professionals with direct links to the latest clinical research.
Education programs for people with Type 2 diabetes are offered along with advice and understanding on how best to manage living with Diabetes.
Baker Specialist Clinics
The combination of medical and educational services is what makes the Baker Specialist Clinics the most comprehensive facility for the treatment of diabetes. All patient appointments can be made by phoning the Baker Specialist Clinics reception on (03) 8532 1800 during clinic hours 8.00am–5.30pm Monday to Friday. A Doctor’s referral is required to make an appointment to see one of our medical staff. A referral is not required to make an appointment with one of our education staff.
The Australian Type 2 Diabetes Risk Assessment Tool was developed by the Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute on behalf of the Australian, State and Territory Governments as part of the COAG initiative to reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes. For permission to reproduce this tool, email copyright@health.gov.au