State Member for Wallsend, Ms Sonia Hornery MP, is calling on the community to help raise awareness about the early detection of diabetes during National Diabetes Week.
Each day 290 Australians are diagnosed with diabetes, but too many people are being diagnosed too late. Whether it’s type 1 or type 2, this delay in diagnosis is putting many people at risk of major health problems.
Every year as many as 640 Australian’s end up in hospital with dangerously high blood glucose levels because the early symptoms of type 1 diabetes – severe fatigue, thirst and weight loss – are not recognised. Around half of these hospital admissions are children and teens and if not diagnosed in time type 1 diabetes can be fatal.
In addition, almost half a million Australians are living with type 2 diabetes but don’t know it. That’s because the condition is “silent” and can occur without obvious symptoms. When type 2 diabetes goes undiagnosed there is the danger of developing complications like damage to the eyes or kidneys, foot ulcers and even damage to the heart.
Quotes attributable to Member for Wallsend, Sonia Hornery
“Over 400,000 people in NSW are self-identified as having diabetes and that number is increasing at a faster rate than heart disease and cancer.”
“It’s concerning that 290 Australians develop diabetes a day. You don’t have to be overweight or elderly, but you will have to spend the rest of your life managing your diabetes.”
“Prevention is always the best cure, and there are a number of prevention initiatives to encourage people to get healthy.”
“Diabetes doesn’t discriminate. It is important that we work to raise awareness of the signs of both type 1 and type 2 diabetes.”
With earlier detection we can reduce the risk of Australian’s developing life threatening health problems and in turn save lives.”