What is diabetes and how do I manage mine? A guide for new diabetics
If you have recently been diagnosed with diabetes, you are not alone.
Diabetes is one of the most common conditions in Australia and worldwide (1). It is estimated that 5-7% of all Australians have diabetes and unfortunately, diabetes contributes to over 10% of all deaths in Australia (1). Therefore, understanding, preventing and managing diabetes is now a national priority.
Due to the sheer number of diabetic patients, it is really important that people with diabetes learn to self-manage their condition as best they can. Not only does this reduce the burden on the healthcare system, but it is also the best way for them to avoid the complications associated with diabetes.
In this post, I will briefly outline what diabetes actually is and how it is managed in the early stages.
What is diabetes?
Simply put, diabetes means there is too much sugar in the blood.