Emslie's Floreat Pharmacy

Diabetes Care

What Is Diabetes?

Diabetes is a medical condition where there is a lack of insulin or no insulin action within the patient's body. Where there is no action of insulin, then diabetes is known as type 1, and where there is reduced insulin or insulin resistance, this is known as type 2.

Do I have Diabetes?

People who may have diabetes would have the following symptoms, but these may NOT be conclusive, further examination and tests will have to be performed by your doctor for formal diagnosis. If you have the following symptoms then contact your doctor as early as you can, so that a formal assessment can be carried out.

Symptoms of Diabetes

  • Thirst
  • Frequent urination
  • Lethargy or being very tired
  • Blurred vision
  • Constant hunger
  • Unusual weight loss (type 1 diabetes)
  • Possible weight gain (type 2 diabetes)
  • Infections or wounds that do not improve
  • Extreme fatigue and irritability
  • Tingling/numbness in the hands/feet
  • Recurring skin, gum, or bladder infections

Often people with type 2 diabetes or pre-diabetes may have no symptoms

Managing Diabetes

  • Insulin replacement (usually type 1 diabetes)
  • Medication - tablets and/or insulin (type 2 diabetes)
  • Monitoring blood glucose levels
  • Regular exercise
  • Healthy eating - low in fat, high fibre, low GI
  • Regular health checks

Diabetes treatment aims to keep blood glucose levels as near normal as possible. Together with control of cholesterol and blood pressure, this will help prevent the long term complications which can affect the eyes, kidneys, nerves, heart and circulation.

Reducing Your Risk

Reducing your RISK of onset or obtaining Type 2 Diabetes

1. Not overweight BMI (Body Mass Index) less than 25 kg/m2
2. Have no or little fat on your abdomen
3. Blood pressure is under 130/80 mmHg
4. Do not smoke
5. Drink less than 2 standard drinks a day
6. Exercise at least 30 minutes per day
7. Fasting blood glucose is less than 6 mmol/l
8. Total cholesterol is less than 4 mmol/l
9. Low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL) is less than 2.5 mmol/l
10.High density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL) is greater than 1.0 mmol/l
11. Eat a balanced diet (containing low fat and low GI foods).
12. Maintain a low stress balanced lifestyle

People at Greater Risk for Type 2 Diabetes?

  • Those with impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) and/or impaired fasting glucose (IFG)
  • Those over age 45
  • Those with a family history of diabetes
  • Those who are overweight
  • Those who do not exercise regularly
  • Those with low HDL cholesterol or high triglycerides, high blood pressure
  • Certain racial and ethnic groups
  • Women who had gestational diabetes, or who have had a baby weighing 9 pounds or more at birth

To help you assess your risk of Diabetes, The Australian Type 2 Diabetes Risk Assessment Tool has been developed by the International Diabetes Institute on behalf of the Australian, State and Territory Governments and is available at: http://www.health.gov.au/

Diabetes and Your Weight

It is now known that abdominal obesity significantly increases the risk of obesity-related diseases such as diabetes, abnormal cholesterol levels, high blood pressure, vascular disease, fatty liver and some cancers. It is thought that 40 to 60 percent of obesity may be inherited through obesity genes that influence body weight along with environmental influence. The body mass index (BMI) is regarded as a measure of abdominal obesity, and a score of greater than 30 indicates excess fat (obesity). Obesity is a significant global health problem.

Diabetes Australia NDSS sub-agency for diabetics

As a Diabetes Australia NDSS sub-agent, EMSLIE'S FLOREAT PHARMACY, provides

  • all listed needles, syringes and glucose test strips at the national Diabetes Australia government subsidised prices
  • blood glucose monitors
  • lancets and pens
  • diabetes record books
  • insulin penfill cartridges
  • sharps containers
  • thrush and tinea creams and lotions
  • products to help treat urinary tract infections
  • incontinence products
  • urine testing strips
  • first aid products for dressing wounds
  • we also offer Product Training & Instruction
  • glucose monitor calibration

To purchase products which are subsidised under the NDSS sub-agency you will need to bring your Diabetes Australia NDSS registration card or your medicare card and your concession/repatriation card/pension card if you have one.

PCCA