Health For Women - Diabetes

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Diabetes

Type 2 diabetes: a health concern for women

Cause of death chart for women While breast cancer is the number one health concern among women it is heart disease and stroke that is a greatest health risk. In a survey conducted in the USA in 2002 many women said that heart disease was “a man’s disease” rather than one that women should worry about. There was no difference in understanding of risks seen between women with and without heart disease. Many women indicated that heart disease occurred among men in their families, but the women simply did not realize that they could inherit that risk.

Heart disease and stroke are complications of diabetes and less than 10 per cent of women listed heart disease and stroke as their greatest health risk.¹

In fact, 50 per cent of deaths in Australian women are attributed to a combination of coronary heart disease and stroke. Breast cancer makes up only 4 per cent.

The good news is that with lifestyle changes, people who are at risk for diabetes or pre-diabetes may reduce their chances of developing Type 2 diabetes and its associated complications.

Reference: 1. Marcuccio E, Loving N, Bennett SK, Hayes SN. A survey of attitudes and experiences of women with heart disease.
Womens Health Issues. 2003 Jan-Feb;13(1):23-31. (http://www.womenheart.org/pdf/WH_Survey_Results.pdf)

Diabetes explained

Diabetes prevalence for women Diabetes is a condition in which there is too much glucose (a type of sugar) in the blood because the body’s method of converting glucose into energy is not working as it should. Blood glucose levels are controlled by a hormone called insulin.

Type 1 diabetes formerly called Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus or Juvenile Onset Diabetes, occurs when the body does not make insulin. It usually affects people under 30 years of age, but can occur at any age. Type 1 diabetes affects approximately 10 -15 per cent of people with diabetes.

Type 2 diabetes, formerly called Non Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus or Mature Age Onset Diabetes, usually occurs in people who are over the age of 50 years and have a family history of diabetes. Being overweight and inactive also increases your risk. In people with Type 2 diabetes (85 - 90 per cent of all diabetes) the body does not use insulin properly, does not produce enough insulin or both.

Gestational diabetes can develop during pregnancy and usually disappears after the birth of the baby, but women who have had gestational diabetes are at greater risk of developing Type 2 diabetes.

Pre-diabetes (sometimes called impaired glucose tolerance, or impaired fasting glucose) is where blood glucose levels are higher than normal, but not at the level of diabetes. People with pre-diabetes are at increased risk of developing Type 2 diabetes.

Potential risk of developing Type 2 diabetes

People who:

Are over 45 years of age and have high blood pressure, are overweight or have a family member with diabetes
Are over 55 years of age
Have heart disease or had a heart attack
Have/had gestational diabetes
Have pre-diabetes
Have Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome
Are over 35 years of age and are an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander or are from Pacific Islands, Indian subcontinent or Chinese cultural background

Signs and symptoms of Type 2 diabetes

Increased thirst
Slow healing of cuts
Frequent urination
Itching, skin infections
Feeling tired and lethargic
Blurred vision
Constant hunger
Unexplained weight loss

With lifestyle changes, people who are at risk for diabetes or pre-diabetes may reduce their chances of developing type 2 diabetes and its associated complications.

Diabetes, Midlife and Menopause

The risk of developing pre-diabetes, diabetes and heart disease increases significantly at midlife and beyond. As women age, weight gain is common. Weight gain, particularly concentrated around the abdomen, is associated with a greater risk of developing Type 2 diabetes.

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in postmenopausal women. Diabetes significantly increases the risk of developing cardiovascular disease.

Complications of diabetes

Diabetes related complications include damage to the blood vessels and nerves that often cause problems to the eyes, kidneys, heart and feet. However, the risk of developing such complications can be minimised by:

Managing blood glucose levels
Managing cholesterol and triglycerides (blood fats)
Not smoking
Managing high blood pressure
Appropriate foot care
Regular medical reviews to check the backs of eyes, blood pressure, kidney and nerve function

Making Sensible Lifestyle Changes

Almost one in four Australians aged 25 years and over has either diabetes or pre-diabetes. A healthy lifestyle reduces the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes and forms the cornerstone of management once a person has been diagnosed with diabetes.

How to reduce the risk

People with diabetes are advised to attend an Accredited Practicing Dietician to discuss their nutritional requirements. Dieticians can be accessed through local Community Health Centres. A list of Private Practice Dieticians can be obtained from the website www.daa.asn.au or by phoning 1800 812 942.

The guidelines below aim to reduce the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes.

Healthy Eating

Salad Healthy eating is the basis of managing and preventing diabetes. The Dietary Guidelines for Australian Adults (2003) recommends:

1. Enjoy a wide variety of nutritious foods by eating plenty of vegetables, legumes, fruit and wholegrain cereals. It is important to also include lean meat, fish, poultry and/or alternatives. Reduced fat dairy products are preferred and water is the best fluid option.

2. Take care to limit saturated fat and moderate total fat intake, choose foods low in salt and limit alcohol if you choose to drink. Only moderate amounts of sugars and foods containing added sugars are recommended.

3. Prevent weight gain by being physically active and eating according to your energy needs.

4. Care for your food through preparing and storing it safely.

Be active

Keeping physically active for good health

Everyone can benefit from regular physical activity. The National Physical Activity Guidelines for Australians recommend a minimum of 30 minutes of moderate activity on most days of the week, plus being as active throughout your day as possible.

Think of movement as an opportunity, not an inconvenience.
Be active every day in as many ways as you can.
Put together at least 30 minutes of moderate intensity physical activity on most, preferably all, days.
If you can, also enjoy some regular, vigorous exercise for extra health and fitness.

Make a start

Woman walking her dog Recent research has shown that even the most inactive or sedentary people can gain health benefits if they become even slightly more active.

Small increases in daily activity can come from little changes carried out throughout the day. For example, making a habit of walking or cycling instead of driving or riding in a car; doing some gardening; walking up stairs instead of using the lift or an escalator; and/or doing things by hand instead of using labour-saving machines. All these things can add to the level of daily physical activity.

It is important to remember that some activity is better than none, and more is better than a little.

Choose an activity that you enjoy doing and one that will fit into your daily routine. You can exercise with a friend or a group or on your own. There are many activities that cost little or nothing. Start with moderate levels of activity and work your way up. If you can’t do 30 minutes in one go, try to be active for 10 minutes, three times a day.

Being active in lots of little ways, using any chance for physical activity as an opportunity to improve health, is likely to provide health advantages to most people, irrespective of age, weight, health condition or disability.

It is important to remember that some activity is better than none, and more is better than a little.

Over time regular exercise actually increases your energy levels improves your ability to sleep.

Please note: People with diabetes should consult their health professional before starting a physical activity plan.

The Jean Hailes Foundation for Women's Health gratefully acknowledges the use of the latest facts and statistics from Diabetes Australia – Victoria. For further information and support contact Diabetes Australia – Victoria on 1300 136 588 or log on to their website at www.dav.org.au.

Diabetes Australia’s website is www.diabetesaustralia.com.au