It has been three years since Kings Meadow resident Kerrie Skilton was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and she still hears plenty of myths
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
“There’s a myth that if you get your sugar levels right, you can get rid of it,” Mrs Skilton said.
But it was not the case.
“Once a diabetic, always a diabetic.”
“I think people do think people with diabetes are overeating and eating sweet stuff … with a sedentary lifestyle that people grow into a diabetic person,” Mrs Skilton said.
Many did not appear to be aware how an ordinary illness was amplified by diabetes, she said.
A common cold could make keeping diabetes under control even harder and the condition exacerbated the illness, she said.
Education was important in exposing myths and creating better understanding and acceptance which a Living Well with Diabetes Expo, held on Sunday, had improved, she said.
The condition is caused by too much glucose (sugar) in the bloodstream, because there is not enough insulin produced by the pancreas.
Insulin is used to allow glucose to move from the bloodstream to the body cells for energy.
Symptoms include being thirsty and drinking more than usual, feeling tired and low on energy, and blurred vision.
The rate of diabetes has risen with the equivalent of one person every five minutes, or 280 people across Australia, developing the condition each day.
Diabetes Tasmania diabetes educator Traci Lonergan said there were several risk factors that made people more susceptible to diabetes that were out of people’s control.
A family history of diabetes, having an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander background, having gestational diabetes during pregnancy and women with polycystic ovary syndrome are all risk factors.
Lonergan said the greatest challenge for people with diabetes started with acceptance.
“Diabetes is something that if you don’t invest the time in it initially to manage it, it certainly takes your time away later on when you’re unwell.
“Living with diabetes means people have to be mindful of their activity levels, what they eat, when they eat, taking their medication, taking blood sugar levels and work out the best way to manage from day-to-day is.”
For people requiring insulin injections, they need between two to four each day as well as taking blood sugar counts, she said.
“Then they fit in the rest of their life as best as they can.”
Diabetes Tasmania chief executive Caroline Wells said the Living Well with Diabetes forum, held on Sunday, had provided a great opportunity to bring health professionals from across the country.
It was an important forum for educating people on a variety of aspects about diabetes, including mental health and exercise, she said.
Anyone wanting to find out more could contact the Launceston branch on 03 6333 0233.