Is Diabetes a Leading Cause of Death in Australia?

Diabetes is a health condition that everyone is hearing about every day. It affects how the body metabolizes sugar, which is important because sugar gives us energy. But diabetes is not only a health condition; it can lead to serious problems and even death if not managed properly. So, is diabetes a top cause of death in Australia? The short answer is yes — but there’s more to learn about how and why.

Let’s dig into it and examine diabetes in Australia, why it is important, and what can be done.

What Is Diabetes?

First, a brief refresher. Diabetes is a condition where the body either does not make insulin, or cannot use insulin. Insulin is a hormone tasked with moving sugar from the blood into cells, where it’s used to create energy. When insulin is not functioning properly, sugar builds up in the blood, leading to high blood sugar levels.

Diabetes comes in two general categories:

• Type 1 Diabetes: Most often diagnosed in young individuals or children, it is caused when the body stops producing insulin.
• Type 2 Diabetes: Typically found in adults, it is caused when the body is not capable of utilising insulin, usually due to lifestyle factors.

Gestational diabetes is also present, which develops during pregnancy but generally disappears after pregnancy.

How prevalent is diabetes in Australia?

Diabetes is very common in Australia. More than 1.5 million Australians live with diabetes, and the numbers are increasing. Type 2 diabetes affects about 85-90% of them.

The rise in numbers of diabetes can be attributed to a variety of reasons, such as:

• an ageing population
• unhealthy diet
• reduced physical activity
• rising rates of overweight and obesity

Diabetes and Death: Is It a Leading Cause?

Yes, diabetes is a major cause of death in Australia. Recent data indicate that it is the seventh major cause of death. That means that huge numbers of people die from diabetes or diabetes complications every year.

In 2022, for example, diabetes caused over 6,000 deaths in Australia. The figure has been increasing over the past decade, which is alarming.

Why Does Diabetes Kill?

Diabetes itself is not always a direct cause of death, but they become susceptible to several severe health complications that will cause their death. Some diabetes complications are:

• Heart Disease: Diabetics are two to four times more likely to experience cardiovascular complications such as heart attacks and strokes. It is the most common cause of death in diabetics.
• Kidney Disease: Diabetes injures kidneys over a period and results in kidney failure. If kidneys are not functioning, it can be fatal unless treatments like dialysis are done.
• Nerve Damage: Nerve damage caused by high blood sugar results in pain, numbness, usually in hands and feet. This may result in severe infection and amputation at times.
• Eye Disease: Diabetes may result in eye disease like diabetic retinopathy, which causes blindness if not treated.
• Infections: High levels of blood sugar weaken the immune system, resulting in infections occurring more often and being hard to eliminate.

Strict diabetes control is required due to these complications to avoid life-threatening disease or death.

Who Is Most at Risk?

There are some groups of people in Australia who are at greater risk of developing diabetes or complications of diabetes. These are:

• Older people: The risk for type 2 diabetes gets higher as one gets older.
• Family history: There is a genetic component to the risk for diabetes.
• Indigenous Australians: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are at higher risk of developing diabetes and complications of diabetes.
• Overweight persons: Overweight is among the strongest risk factors for type 2 diabetes.
• Unhealthy lifestyle persons: Smoking, inactivity, and unhealthy diet increase the risk.

How Is Diabetes Prevented?

Since the majority are cases of type 2 diabetes, prevention by lifestyle modification receives a lot of attention. A couple of simple and good ways of lowering the risk are as follows:

• Eat well: Consume whole grains, fruits, vegetables, lean meat, and healthy fat. Avoid food that is highly processed and sweets.
• Move more: Regularly exercise to ensure the body’s efficient use of insulin and a healthy weight.
• Healthy weight: Even modest weight loss can minimize the risk.
• Stop smoking: Smoking contributes to a heightened risk for numerous disorders, including those related to complications of diabetes.
• Regular check-ups: Diabetes may be controlled before complications arise with early detection.

What Happens After Diagnosis?

If someone is diagnosed with diabetes, managing it well is key to living a healthy life and reducing the risk of serious problems. This usually means:

• Monitoring blood sugar regularly
• Taking medication or insulin when necessary
• Following a healthy, balanced diet
• Regular exercise
• Visiting doctors for check-ups and screenings

Most individuals lead healthy, active lives with diabetes by doing these things.

Healthcare’s Role in Australia

Australia has a strong healthcare system which gives preference to diabetes patients in facilities like the National Diabetes Services Scheme. The scheme provides patients with access to equipment, education, and support for living with diabetes.

Doctors and public hospitals even attempt to cure complications of diabetes as well as diabetes itself. But as diabetes is very widespread and on the increase, the healthcare system is not able to cope with the increasing demand.

Conclusion

Is diabetes therefore a major killer in Australia? It is. It is the seventh leading cause of death, which means that it has a major effect on the health and wellbeing of Australians in large numbers.

The good news is that type 2 diabetes can be very well prevented by following a healthy way of life. And for patients who already have diabetes, effective control and appropriate medical care can reduce the chance of severe complications and early death.
It is being aware of diabetes, the danger, and taking simple steps (like finding a good “Diabetes Clinic Near me”) that can save a lot of grief. Minor changes in habit, exercise, and diet are all it requires if you do or wish to avoid diabetes.