Welcome to the Q&A Forum

We were discussing Living with Diabetes
With Angela Blair, Kristen Hazelwood and the Department of Health and Ageing

Diabetes is a condition where the body cannot maintain normal blood glucose levels. Approximately 700,000 Australians suffers from diabetes, and many do not even know they have it. Risk factors include being over 45 years of age, being obese, and having a family history of diabetes. In relation to Type 2 diabetes, minimal physical activity and related weight gain can also compromise the effectiveness of your body’s natural insulin, which regulates the amount of sugar in the blood. Diabetes may lead to severe problems including damage to the heart, blood vessels, eyes, nerves and kidneys.

While Type 2 diabetes cannot be cured, its progression can be slowed. Doctors generally recommend that you make some simple lifestyle changes to control the effects of Type 2 diabetes. Sometimes they also prescribe medications. Some ways that you can help your diabetes include:

• eating good nutritious food,
• participating in physical activity,
• quitting smoking, and
• losing weight.

This forum seeks to answer your questions about the diagnosis, treatment and management of diabetes, as well as what positive steps you can take to lower your chances of getting it. There is never a question too simple or too complex for this forum!

For the months of May and June, the Seniors Portal Q&A Forum was exploring ‘Living with Diabetes.’ You can also have a read through the following questions and answers and view a short background to each of our panel members: Angela Blair (Diabetes Educator, Diabetes Australia), Kristen Hazelwood (Diabetes Educator, Diabetes Australia) and the Diabetes Section (The Department of Health and Ageing).There is a list of useful resources for further information and associations that you can get involved with and information on public access facilities.

The following questions were answered:

Question 1:	I heard stories about people completely reversing their diabetes and becoming diabetes free, is that true, can that happen?	View Answer
Question 2:	My husband is diabetic, a symptom is that he is depressed. His doctor said it was a symptom so I am wanting to know how to stop this.	View Answer
Question 3:	Will my children inherit my diabetes?	View Answer
Question 4:	Hi I have type 2 diabetes, I'm 52 years old and I'm worried about my eyesight, is there anything I can do about it? I heard that diabetes ruins your eyesight and mine is very good, I only use reading glasses.	View Answer
Question 5:	I am not a senior but my mother in law is, and we are meant to go on a family holiday together. Is there anything I should be aware of when I book things for us to do on holidays? Can people with diabetes do strenuous things like long mountain walks, swimming, etc, and is it okay for them to fly, do we have to be especially worried about DVT?	View Answer
Question 6:	I am 70 years old and have had diabetes for nearly 20 years. Are my organs of use to anyone when I die?	View Answer
Question 7:	I am 70 years old and have Type 2 Diabetes. My Doctor has suggested that I try to include some physical activity into my life to help manage my diabetes. However, I find this really difficult as I have arthritis in both knees and find walking very painful. Is there anything thing I can do to exercise that won’t be so hard on my knees but will help with managing my diabetes?	View Answer
Question 8:	I have been diagnosed with pre-diabetes, should I test my blood glucose level at home using a blood glucose meter?	View Answer
Question 9:	I have had diabetes for only a few months and my blood glucose tests are still over 10. My friend suggested that tablets might help. Before I visit the doctor can you advise what type of tablets there are for diabetes and how they work?	View Answer
Question 10:	I have just been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. What can I eat?	View Answer