Reduced flood flow to the heart increases risks of heart disease and heart attacks. People often don’t know they have heart disease until they develop symptoms such as shortness of breath or have a heart attack. Find out more in our Looking after your heart fact sheet.
Reduced blood flow to the brain increases the risk of strokes. Stroke symptoms can include weakness or numbness on one side, facial drooping, or speaking difficulties.
Decreased blood flow to the lower limbs can affect your legs and feet. This is peripheral vascular disease and can cause pain and changes in legs and feet. Long-term lack of blood flow can increase the risk of ulcers, infections, and amputations. Find out more in our Looking after your feet fact sheet.
Blood glucose levels above target can damage the small vessels causing eye disease (retinopathy). Other eye conditions like cataracts and glaucoma are also more common in people living with diabetes. Find out more in our Looking after your eyes factsheet. Register with KeepSight at keepsight.org.au to make it easier to remember to book regular eye checks.
Blood glucose levels together with blood pressure above targets for long periods can damage small vessels leading to kidney disease (nephropathy). Find out more in our Looking after your kidneys fact sheet.
High blood glucose levels can cause nerve damage, leading to pain, tingling, or numbness in your limbs. This is called peripheral neuropathy. Damage can also affect other parts of the nervous system such as the digestive system, bladder, and sexual health and is known as autonomic neuropathy. Find out more in our Diabetes-related complications fact sheet.
Overtime, blood glucose levels above target can increase the risk of dental issues like tooth decay and gum disease. Find out more in our Looking after your dental health fact sheet.
Blood glucose levels above target for long periods can also increase the risk of skin problems. This includes very dry skin.
This blood test gives an overview of blood glucose levels over the past 10-12 weeks. The result helps you and your diabetes health professionals decide if your diabetes management plan needs to be adjusted.
The general recommendation is to aim for a reading of 53 mmol/mol (7%) or less. HbA1c targets can be different for different people. Discuss how often you should have an HbA1c test and what your target range should be with your doctor, diabetes nurse practitioner or diabetes educator.
Ideally, your blood pressure should be checked at every visit to your diabetes health professionals.
As a general guide, the target for people with diabetes is 130/80 to 140/90 or less. Discuss your target with your doctor. Research shows that keeping blood pressure within the target range reduces the risk of diabetes-related complications such as stroke, heart, kidney and eye disease, and nerve damage.
Diabetes can reduce the blood supply and sensation to the feet. This can increase the risk of foot problems.
Depending on your risk of complications from diabetes, your feet may need checking once a year (low risk), once every 3 to 6 months (moderate risk) or once every 1 to 3 months (high risk). Ask your doctor or podiatrist how often you should have your feet checked.
Daily foot care is essential. Get to know your feet and check them every day. Use a mirror or have someone look at them if you can’t reach your feet. See your GP or a podiatrist if you notice any changes in your feet.
Optometrists or eye specialists (ophthalmologists) check the health of your eyes. Over time diabetes can damage the blood vessels in the eyes. Eye checks are recommended at least every 1 to 2 years, or more often as your doctor advises.
Contact your optometrist or eye specialist as soon as possible if you notice any changes in your vision.
Following a healthy eating plan will help you achieve the best possible blood glucose and cholesterol levels, and help you manage your weight.
Ask your GP if you are eligible for a GP Management Plan to get a Medicare rebate to see a dietitian.
Engage in physical activities that you enjoy and can maintain. Whether it’s walking, biking, swimming, or a team sport. The goal is to stay active at least 30 minutes on most days add in some resistance training 2-3 times a week.
Exercising with diabetes takes a bit more planning. You may need to take special precautions when balancing activity, insulin and carbohydrates (carbs).
Living with diabetes is challenging and can affect how you feel. Understanding how diabetes affects your mood means you can take steps to improve your emotional wellbeing.
This can help you manage your diabetes well. If diabetes is making you feel distressed, you’re not alone. Support is available. This can be friends, family or your diabetes health professional.
When you have type 1 diabetes, weight loss and weight gain will impact blood glucose management.
There are different ways to measure weight, including BMI and waist measurements.
Speak to your doctor about weight targets and plans that are right for you.
If you smoke, quitting is the best way to reduce the risk of diabetes-related and other health complications.
It’s important but it’s not always easy.
Help and support are available. Talk to your GP or call the Quitline on 13 78 48.
Ask your doctor, diabetes nurse practitioner or diabetes educator about your target ranges. They will work with you to make a plan to stay on track.
The general recommendation is to aim for a blood pressure less than 130/80 to 140/90, or lower. But your diabetes health professional will give you a target that's right for you. Try to keep your blood pressure as close to this target as possible. When you visit the doctor, ask them to check your blood pressure.
Your cholesterol and other blood fats such as triglycerides should be in the recommended range for people with diabetes. Your doctor may give you medicine to help you manage your cholesterol and protect your cardiovascular system.
Choose a variety of foods like whole grains, fruits, vegetables, beans, lean meats or poultry, fish, and reduced-fat dairy or non-dairy options. Try to limit foods with saturated fat, salt, and added sugars. A dietitian can help you develop an eating plan that meets your nutritional needs and food choices.
Physical activity and regular exercise is a great way to lower your blood pressure and blood fats. Aim for at least 30 minutes on most days. Don't sit too long—take breaks to move around. Check with your doctor before starting a new exercise program. An exercise physiologist or physiotherapist can help you develop an exercise routine that’s right for you.
Maintaining a healthy weight range makes is important for everyone. Ask your doctor what your target weight should be. It’s recommended to work closely with your diabetes doctor and dietitian to minimise the impact on your blood glucose management if you need to gain or lose weight.
If you smoke, try to quit. If it's too hard to quit on your own, ask for help. You can talk to your doctor or call the Quitline at .
Visit your diabetes health professionals regularly. Don't skip your annual cycle of care health checks. These checks help to see if your diabetes is on track so that your risk of diabetes-related complications can be minimised. They also help to find any signs of diabetes-related complications and other health problems early so that timely management can lessen the damage.
During times of illness it can become more difficult to manage your diabetes. Hospital stays require some extra consideration.
Regardless of the reason for your hospital stay, your diabetes still needs to be well managed. Planning ahead for your hospital stay can help you manage your diabetes. This includes changes to medication, activities, eating patterns, as well as any fasting requirements. Always let your nurses and treating doctors know you have type 1 diabetes.
Blood glucose levels can be higher during hospital stays, even if you don’t feel ill.
On the other hand, blood glucose levels can also be lower in hospitals if you eat less. You’ll need to check and monitor your blood glucose levels carefully. Your blood glucose target might need to be adjusted according to the circumstances. Talk to your diabetes health professional for advice.
If you’re fasting or “nil by mouth”, this means you can’t have any food or drink. As a result, you may need insulin and glucose via an intravenous infusion or “IV”. This is also called an “insulin drip”.
If you’re on an “insulin drip” you must have your blood glucose levels checked more often. Usually every hour.
A personalised sick day action plan is a written step-by-step guide for when you get sick.
Start following your sick day action plan immediately if you feel unwell or have any signs of illness. Contact your doctor early to get medical treatment. This will help you avoid becoming more unwell and needing emergency care. Being able to manage diabetes when you’re sick using a personalised sick day action plan can reduce the risk of developing serious problems.
Living with type 1 diabetes can add additional stress to key life events that already feel overwhelming. Events like losing a loved one, moving house, or changes in relationship can upset routines, test emotional resilience and challenge diabetes management.
Go to the NDSS Peer Support website peersupport.ndss.com.au to find out more about peer support, hear from others living with diabetes, find a peer support group that suits you.
Call the NDSS Helpline 1800 637 700 and ask to speak to a diabetes health professional.
Go to the Australian Psychological Society website at psychology.org.au.
A diagnosis of type 1 diabetes affects the whole family. It takes time and support to adjust to the diagnosis and lifestyle changes. Parents can feel anxious. Siblings can feel resentful. The family member with type 1 diabetes might feel angry and confused. Families need time and care to work through fears and emotions. Starting to manage type 1 diabetes is a steep learning curve for children and adults.
With the right planning everyone with diabetes can thrive and live their best life. Young people with diabetes are encouraged to check out the Diabetes Youth Zone, for information designed with young people in mind.
As young people grow up, they take more responsibility for their diabetes management and make decisions about their diabetes care.
Learning to manage diabetes is part of growing up and transitioning to adult care. Find out more about the transition and it’s challenges.
Teenage years can also be a time of rapid change, newfound freedoms, and potential risks. And young adults need information about smoking, alcohol, drugs, body image, sexual and mental health, and how these things interact with diabetes.
Check out these resources to start the conversation:
Diabetes can contribute to sexual problems for men and women. This is because, over time, blood glucose levels above targets may damage the blood vessels or nerves supplying sexual organs. In men, this can lead to problems with erections (erectile dysfunction). And in women it can decrease sensation or increase vaginal dryness. Raised blood glucose levels can decrease sexual desire in both men and women.
Sexual activities can cause low blood glucose levels (hypoglycaemia or hypo for short). If you’re concerned about your sexual health, talk to your diabetes health professionals. If you feel uncomfortable about raising the topic, it may help to prepare what you have to say beforehand.
Women with diabetes can have a healthy baby, but there are extra risks during pregnancy. You can reduce these risks by getting the right advice and support before you get pregnant. Use the Pregnancy planning checklist to plan and prepare 3-6 months before you start trying for a baby. Talk to your health professionals so they can prepare and support you during pregnancy.
If you’re pregnant keep in close contact with your diabetes health professionals. Discuss blood glucose levels, insulin requirements, and other challenges of diabetes and pregnancy. If you’re not planning pregnancy, talk to your health professionals about contraception.
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Hormonal fluctuations during the menstrual cycle can impact blood glucose levels. It’s possible to experience raised blood glucose levels in the days before and during your period.
Monitor your blood glucose levels more closely during this time and work with your diabetes health professionals to manage any fluctuations in blood glucose levels.
Changes in hormone levels can affect blood glucose levels. Menopausal symptoms such as hot flushes and sleep disturbances can affect diabetes management.
Schedule regular appointments with your diabetes health professionals to develop a plan for menopause considering your individual needs and circumstances.
As you age, you may need to change how you manage your diabetes. There may be additional challenges if you develop other health issues affecting your diabetes. Blood glucose targets may change. Reduced eyesight and mobility can mean early warning signs are missed.
As you age, you may develop other health issues which can make it harder to manage your diabetes.
Sometimes, it may be difficult to tell the difference between symptoms from diabetes versus those from other health condition or from ageing.
Therefore it’s essential to keep up with your diabetes health checks.
As you age your target range for your blood glucose levels are likely to change. It’s important to reduce the risk of hypos.
Especially if you have other health problems or are at risk of falls.
Your doctor should review your target range for your blood glucose levels regularly. Ask your doctor what target range is best for you.
Growing older can increase the risk factors for hypos. These risk factors include having a poor appetite, or having kidney disease or other health conditions.
You may find that your warning signs for high or low blood glucose levels change. The warning signs may become less noticeable or feel like a normal part of aging. Talk to your doctor if you feel your warning signs are changing.
When you were younger, and your blood glucose levels were above target, you may have felt thirsty. As you age, you may lose your sense of thirst when your blood glucose levels are above target. This may affect the way you manage your diabetes and may unknowingly cause you to become dehydrated.
As your body ages, it can change how it absorbs medicine. This could affect your blood glucose levels and how you manage your diabetes.
The Australian Government has a range of programs and plans that can help older people living with diabetes. If you’re eligible, your doctor can help organise access for you.
A GP Management Plan is a plan written by your GP that describes your health care needs, sets out the services your GP will provide, and explains steps you can take to manage your condition yourself. Medicare will provide a rebate but you might have to pay a gap fee (co-contribution).
A Team Care Arrangement is organised by your GP. It will give you access to 5 consultations in 12 months with an allied health professionals such as a dietitian, diabetes educator and exercise physiologist. You will be eligible for a Medicare rebate for the Team Care Arrangement and for the allied health consultations. Ask if there is a gap payment when you book your appointment.
A pharmacist can come to your home and review your medicines and medication routine. Your GP then works with you on any adjustments needed. This service is supported by Medicare and comes at no cost to you.
You can make an appointment with your pharmacist to discuss your medications. This service is supported by Medicare and comes at no cost to you.
This can be organised by your GP if you need some extra help at home or if you’re considering moving to aged care.
