Links to further information:
http://www.healthnavigator.org.nz/health-topics/diabetes/
Diabetes
Video - ABC's | Key Points | Risk | Quick Links | Other Languages
Scroll down for sections on | Overview | Symptoms | Self-help | Treatment | Clinical Tools | Support | Learn More | Prevention
Diabetes occurs when there is too much glucose (sugar) in the blood. Over time, this can cause damage to many parts of the body if it is not well controlled. There are three main types of diabetes:
- Type 1 diabetes - the pancreas stops producing insulin. Mostly starts in childhood and is not related to body weight.
- Type 2 diabetes - most common. Main risk factors are being overweight or obese, genes and ethnicity. Mostly starts in adults, now appearing in teenagers as obesity increases. The insulin produced is not working effectively in transporting glucose from the blood to the body's cells.
- Gestational Diabetes - diabetes during pregnancy. Have regular checks as it can progress to Type 2 diabetes.
Video -ABC's of Diabetes (2 mins)
Key Points:
- Diabetes is common and many people do not know they have it. Check with your nurse or doctor about when you need a screening test.
- 80% of all Type 2 diabetes is preventable if we keep to a healthy body weight, eat healthier foods and keep physically active.
- Early treatment is important to reduce damage to your eyes, kidneys, heart, feet and brain.
- Know what your HbA1c, blood pressure and cholesterol are.
- Attend a Diabetes self-management course and learn as much as you can
- See your doctor/nurse every 3 months or more for regular check-ups, not just when something is wrong.
Am I at risk of diabetes?
If you have any of the following risk factors, check with your doctor/nurse about a test for diabetes.
- You are overweight for your height
- A family member has diabetes
- You are Maori, Pacific or Asian and aged 35 or over
- OR are aged 45 or over
Quick Links
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Overview
For brief information on diabetes, start here.
 | About diabetes | Diabetes NZ | |
| Type 1 Diabetes | Diabetes NZ | |
| Type 2 Diabetes | Diabetes NZ | |
| What is gestational diabetes? | Diabetes NZ | |
 | Diabetes and Dialysis Video | Faultline Productions | |
| Maori | |||
| Diabetes Quiz | Health Navigator NZ | |
Symptoms, Tests & Diagnosis
People can have Type 2 diabetes for some years before any symptoms develop. Earlier treatment is important so don't waste time - see your doctor for a checkup and to discuss your risk factors for diabetes.
| Symptoms of diabetes | Best Health - UK | |
| How do doctors diagnose diabetes? | Best Health - UK | |
| Understanding your lab tests | Diabetes NZ | |
What can I do? - Self help measures
The most important person in managing your diabetes is YOU and your family. In this section you will find help to do this as well as you can.
| Attend a diabetes self management programme | Health Navigator NZ | |
| Questions to ask your doctor | Best Health - UK | |
| Managing stress | Diabetes NZ | |
| Be smoke free - smoking & diabetes | Diabetes NZ | |
| Keeping Well with Diabetes | Ministry of Health | |
| Read online or view booklets | Multiple Languages | ||
| Diabetes - how to treat your feet | CMDHB & Diabetes Project Trust | 1 Page |
| Easy to Read | |||
| Basic Food Guide for People with Diabetes | CMDHB & Diabetes Project Trust | |
| Multiple Languages | |||
 | Diabetes & Healthy Food Choices | Diabetes NZ | 24 Pages |
| Diabetes & Physical Activity | Diabetes NZ | 2 Pages |
| Staying well with Type 2 diabetes | Diabetes NZ | 24 Pages |
| Make sure half your meal is vegetables | Lets Beat Diabetes | 1 Page |
Treatments & Medication
There are hundreds of resources on treatment and medications for diabetes. Here are some to get you started.
| What treatments work? | Best Health - UK | |
| The Nutritional Management of Diabetes |  | |
| What's the evidence for metformin? | Best Health - UK | |
| Easy to Read | |||
| Diabetes & Insulin booklet | Diabetes NZ | 20 Pages |
| Starting insulin for Type 2 diabetes | Waitemata District Health Board | |
| Multiple Languages | |||
Clinical Resources
This section is more likely to be of interest to health professionals and includes a range of tools, CME activities, clinical guidelines and diabetes reviews.
| NEW - Guidance on the Management of type 2 diabetes - 2011 |  | |
| Slide Show | Diabetes presenter slide set (2011) | | |
| Update on laboratory testing in the monitoring of diabetes - 2007 | | |
| Detailed | |||
| Detecting Diabetes - Tools for Better Care | | |
| range of resources including powerpoint presentation, practice action plan, recall letter and posters | |||
| PMS Alerts to identify at risk people | | |
| Healthier shopping and eating - DVD resources | Diabetes Project Trust | |
| website has ordering information for DVD and videos | |||
| Laboratory Testing in Diabetes | | 17 Pages |
| Detailed | |||
| Glycaemic Index & Glycaemic Load | | 1 Page |
Support
Living with diabetes can be challenging at times. Here you will find a wide range of resources from magazines, people's stories, support groups, helplines and online discussion forums to help you through the highs and lows.
| Diabetes - the magazine of Diabetes NZ | Diabetes NZ | |
| Dia-Log Magazine | Diabetes Auckland | |
| Diabetes Support Groups - Auckland & Northland | Diabetes Auckland | |
| Local Diabetes Societies | Diabetes NZ | |
| Support, groups, educators, shop | |||
| People's stories | Oxford Centre for Diabetes, UK | |
| Interesting website by author, educator, and 'expert patient' | Diabetes Stories | |
Want to Learn More?
Information on statistics, additional references and resources.
| Driving & Diabetes | Diabetes NZ | |
| Diabetes in NZ | Ministry of Health | |
Prevention
Most cases of Type 2 diabetes could be prevented. Find out how.
| Pre-diabetes | Diabetes NZ | 2 Pages |
| What can I do to prevent diabetes? | Diabetes Project Trust | |
| Easy to Read | |||
| Diabetes & Obesity | Best Health - UK | |
Pamphlets
This section includes links to commonly used pamphlets, educational videos and online resources relating to diabetes.
| Keeping Well with Diabetes | Ministry of Health | |
| Read online or view booklets | Multiple Languages | ||
| Range of diabetes resources & pictures of healthy meal options | Diabetes Project Trust | |
| Easy to Read | Multiple Languages | ||
| What can I do about diabetes? | Ministry of Health | |
| Order Diabetes Resources | HealthEd Govt | |
| Multiple Languages | |||
| Chinese Pamphlet on managing diabetes | Diabetes NZ | 4 Pages |
| Chinese | |||
| Handout - Why test me for diabetes? | | |
| Also pdf & Word versions 1 page | |||
Date last reviewed