Diabetes Australia campaign- 'It's About Time'

Diabetes Australia (DA) is launching a new campaign “It’s About Time” to encourage the community, families, schools and health professionals to recognise the early signs of type 1 diabetes and help avoid many of the hospitalisations.

Up to 640 Australians are hospitalised each year in serious life threatening situations before diagnosis with type 1 diabetes.  “Each year hundreds of Australians including many children end up in hospital emergency rooms in serious, life-threatening situations because the early signs of type 1 diabetes are not recognised,” DA CEO Professor Greg Johnson said.  “Failure to recognise the early symptoms of type 1 diabetes such as severe fatigue, thirst,  increased visits to the toilet and weight loss can lead to a dangerous condition called diabetes ketoacidosis.  “This can be life threatening. But most of these hospitalisations could be avoided if the early signs were identified and the type 1 diabetes treated before progressing to ketoacidosis.”

Johnson said pharmacists should be aware of, and people should look for, the 4T’s: Thirst – are they really thirsty and unable to quench that thirst? Toilet – are they going to the toilet a lot? Tired – are they more tired than usual?  Thinner – have they recently lost weight? These signs are a red flag for a GP referral, Johnson explained.

People with Type 2 Diabetes can manage their diabetes including the assistance of GlucoControl.  Find out more about this product in the education module below.

Source: pharmcydaily.com.au, Tuesday 18 July 2017