National Diabetes Week (8-14 July) is an annual campaign dedicated to raising awareness about diabetes.
“We know that rates of type 1 and 2 diabetes are increasing across the country, with type 1 diabetes increasing at a rate of about 1 to 3 per cent per year,” Professor Gunton explained.
Professor Gunton and other researchers at the Centre for Diabetes, Obesity and Endocrinology are researching ways to help treat, manage and, potentially, cure diabetes.
- One Australian is diagnosed with diabetes every five minutes
- Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition that prevents the body from producing insulin, the hormone that helps convert the sugars we consume into energy
- Type 2 diabetes is a progressive condition where the body becomes resistant to, or stops producing enough insulin
- Untreated diabetes can lead to complications, including organ failure, heart disease, blindness and nerve damage
- With the right treatment and lifestyle changes, diabetes can be managed
Find out more about the diabetes clinics at Westmead Hospital.
Professor Jenny Gunton is researcher at the Westmead Institute, clinician at Westmead Hospital, and Chair of Medicine, University of Sydney, Westmead Hospital.
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