Diabetes Management

• Diabetes Review with GP
• HBA1c Blood Test
• Weight
• Blood Pressure Check
• BMI calculation
• Waist Circumference

• Weight
• Blood Pressure Check
• Examination of Feet
• BMI calculation
• Review of medication
• Waist Circumference

• Flu vaccination before winter (To all those susceptible influenza and pneumonia can be serious and even life threatening)
• Weight
• Blood Pressure Check
• BMI Calculation
• Examination of Feet
• Review of medication
• Pathology including HBA1c, lipid profile, microalbinuria, creatinine, etc..
• Referrals to allied health services, including a dietician, optometrist, podiatrist, etc.
• Self Care Education
• Waist Circumference

Diabetes is a chronic health condition primarily characterised by an excess of glucose (sugar) in someone’s bloodstream. This happens due to either a lack of insulin in the body or inefficiently using the little insulin that is produced. The role of insulin is to help convert glucose into energy for use throughout the body, and without it, too much glucose will stay in the bloodstream and bring negative health consequences.

The short-term consequences of excessive glucose in the bloodstream include feeling lethargic and becoming very dehydrated. Long-term, high glucose levels are more dangerous, causing damage to the kidneys, nerves, blood vessels, eyes, heart, and more potential health complications.

The most common types of diabetes are type 1, type, 2, gestational diabetes, and pre-diabetes. 

Type 1 diabetes is a very serious condition, characterised by insulin  no longer being produced by the pancreas. Managing type 1 diabetes is very hands-on, requiring significant lifestyle changes, consistent monitoring, and regular insulin injections. 

Meanwhile, in type 2 diabetes, the pancreas isn’t working effectively enough to convert glucose into energy and it must be managed through lifestyle changes and medication.

Gestational diabetes mellitus occurs during the pregnancy process when a woman’s placenta releases hormones that cause insulin resistance in her body. Typically, this type of diabetes can be managed through lifestyle factors like exercising regularly and eating well.

Pre-diabetes is a precursor to diabetes, which involves an individual having higher than normal glucose levels in their bloodstream. If left unaddressed, pre-diabetes has a high chance of becoming type 2 diabetes in the future. Individuals can manage their symptoms and prevent the condition from escalating by following healthy lifestyle recommendations like staying active and following a nutritious diet.

Diabetes results from an excess of glucose in the bloodstream, but the underlying reason for this happening depends on the type of diabetes. 

• Type 2 diabetes usually results from insulin resistance, which means that the cells within the liver, fat, and muscles of the body don’t respond to insulin properly. Insulin resistance may occur due to conditions and factors including diet, hormonal imbalances, genetics, lack of exercise, obesity, and certain medications.
• Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease that results from having a genetic predisposition that reacts with an environmental trigger like a viral infection. Once this happens, the immune system begins to attack the cells in the pancreas responsible for producing insulin, eliminating someone’s ability to create their own insulin.
• Gestational diabetes tends to result from hormonal imbalances in a woman’s body during pregnancy.