Geraldton Diabetic Clinic

The Diabetic Clinic is available to provide education, promote awareness and registration for patients with diabetes. Blood tests, healthy food advice, care plans and other relevant information is available to help patients manage their diabetes. Healthcare professionals are also available including dieticians and podiatrists. Glucometres are available for use by diabetes patients as well as chronic disease prevention health checks.

Availability

The Diabetic Clinic is available for:

AgeAvailability
Under 40 years Available every Thursday
Age 40 years and over Available every Tuesday

What is Diabetes

Diabetes is a condition that affects the entire body in which the body is unable to maintain healthy levels of glucose (sugar) in the blood. The amount of sugar in the body is facilitated by a hormone called ‘insulin’ which helps break glucose down to produce energy for the cells.

When the body does not produce enough insulin or if the insulin is unable to work properly, this causes diabetes, resulting in high blood sugar levels and risk of serious health conditions.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are nearly four times more likely to have diabetes or pre-diabetes than non-Indigenous Australians.

There is no cure for diabetes and a diagnosis requires daily self-care to prevent complications. If not managed properly, diabetes can lead to serious conditions including heart attacks, strokes, limb amputation, kidney disease, blindness, anxiety and depression.

There are three main types of Diabetes:

Diabetes Type 1: Also called - juvenile diabetes

Type 1 diabetes is an auto-immune condition in which the immune system is activated to destroy the cells in the pancreas which produce insulin. We do not know what causes this auto-immune reaction. Type 1 diabetes is not linked to modifiable lifestyle factors. There is no cure and it cannot be prevented.

Diabetes Type 2: Also called – adult onset diabetes

Type 2 diabetes is a progressive condition associated with hereditary factors and lifestyle risk factors such as poor diet, weight gain or obesity, insufficient physical activity and high blood pressure. Treatments include diet, exercise, medication and insulin therapy.

Gestational diabetes

Gestational diabetes occurs during pregnancy and the condition usually goes away once the baby is born. However, women who have had gestational diabetes are at higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes in the future. Treatment strategies include daily blood sugar monitoring, a healthy diet, exercise and monitoring the baby. If blood sugar is too high, medication is required.

Symptoms

You can have diabetes and experience no symptoms. If symptoms occur, they are commonly:

  • Feeling very thirsty
  • Abnormal weight and muscle loss (type 1)
  • Gradual weight gain (type 2)
  • Cuts healing slowly
  • Itchy, skin infections
  • Mood swings
  • Dizziness
  • Leg cramps
  • Feeling fatigued or tired
  • Frequently urinating

Consult with your doctor to find out if you have diabetes and how you can manage it.