Getting your head around ‘diabetes lingo’? If you’ve just been diagnosed with diabetes, read on…
When should I test my blood glucose levels (BGLs)?
This varies depending on the type of diabetes and your medication, but possible times include before meals, two hours after eating, before bed, before you exercise and if you’re feeling unwell.
What should my BGLs be?
As a guide, if you have type 1 diabetes, a healthy target to aim for is 4-6mmol/L before you eat, and 4-8mmol/L two hours after starting a meal. If you have type 2 diabetes, aim for 6-8mmol/L before meals, and 6-10mmol/L two hours after starting a meal. Ask your doctor or Credentialed Diabetes Educator for more guidance.
What’s mmol/L?
It stands for millimoles per litre of blood, and is how BGLs are measured.
What’s HbA1c?
It’s your average BGLs over a period of 10-12 weeks and, used in conjunction with the blood glucose monitoring you do yourself, paints a picture of your blood glucose management. Your doctor will arrange a HbA1c test every three to six months.
What’s a hypo?
Short for ‘hypoglycaemia’, a hypo is when BGLs drop below 4mmol/L. A hypo can make it hard to concentrate, so some activities (like driving) aren’t safe, and it needs to be treated quickly using specific foods. Usually only people who take insulin or some types of glucose-lowering tablets are at risk of a hypo.
Will I have to use insulin?
Yes, if you have type 1. But 50 per cent of people with type 2 will also need insulin six to 10 years after being diagnosed, because the pancreas produces less insulin over time.
What’s pre-diabetes?
It’s when BGLs are higher than normal, but not high enough for a type 2 diagnosis. Lifestyle changes can delay or prevent pre-diabetes from becoming type 2.
Type 1 versus type 2
What’s the difference?
TYPE 1 is an auto-immune condition caused by a combination of genetics and unknown factors. It accounts for 10 per cent of all diabetes, and occurs when the body’s immune system destroys the cells in the pancreas that produce insulin, the hormone that’s vital for converting glucose into energy. People living with type 1 diabetes need to use insulin to reduce the level of glucose circulating in their blood.
TYPE 2 is caused by a combination of genetics and lifestyle factors. It accounts for 85-90 per cent of all diabetes, and is a progressive condition where the body becomes resistant to the normal effects of insulin, or where the pancreas slowly loses its ability to produce enough of the hormone – both of which leave too much glucose in the blood. Lifestyle modifications or medication (and sometimes both) are used to manage type 2 diabetes.
Food myths for PWD*
*that’s People with Diabetes
It’s my sweet tooth!
It’s not that simple. While type 1 is triggered by genetics and unknown factors, type 2 is caused by a mix of genetics and lifestyle factors. One of those is being overweight, but it’s not just sugar that causes that. Plus, if you are overweight, that’s only a risk factor, not a direct cause of type 2.
No more chocolate!
False. As long as chocolate, or other foods containing added or natural sugars, are eaten as part of a healthy meal plan or combined with exercise, people with diabetes can definitely still enjoy them in moderation. Talk to your GP or dietitian for more info.
Ugh. A ‘special diet’
Not really. These days ‘healthy eating’ for people who have diabetes is no different to the ‘healthy eating’ guidelines recommended for the general population. You don’t need to prepare separate meals or buy special food – the recipes in DL are designed for everyone.
Living with diabetes
Being diagnosed with diabetes isn’t the end of a life well lived. Take this to heart…
You’re not alone
About 280 Aussies develop diabetes every day – one person every five minutes. And for every four people diagnosed, someone else is living with diabetes but doesn’t know. The longer diabetes goes undiagnosed, the more it can impact your overall health.
It’s your move
Continuing or starting regular physical activity will help lower your short- and long-term BGLs and can also help certain diabetes medications work more effectively. Plus, along with a healthy diet, losing weight – as little as five per cent of your body weight – can also have a positive impact.
We’re here
Wondering where to start? In every issue of Diabetic Living, you’ll find practical, helpful advice, expert responses to questions that might sound familiar, and a whole heap of healthy recipes. The magazine is available to buy from supermarkets and newsagents, every second month, or buy a subscription here, with free home delivery. Always follow the advice from your healthcare team before making any lifestyle changes.
