News

While we still don’t know what directly causes type 2 diabetes, a new study could reveal how obesity and high levels of a fat-derived hormone called leptin can increase a person's risk of developing insulin resistance.

This is one of the reasons behind the link between obesity and type 2 diabetes as obesity changes the brain’s response to insulin.

Researchers from Monash University plan to block leptin action in the brains of obese mice with the hope of dramatically lowering glucose production by the liver.

A new study is underway to explore a link between cardiomyopathy and Alzheimer’s disease.

Cardiomyopathy occurs when the heart is not able to pump enough blood around the body, which can cause symptoms such as breathlessness, tiredness and swelling in the legs and abdomen.

People with type 2 diabetes are predisposed to developing cardiomyopathy, known as diabetic cardiomyopathy, which means the heart’s ability to relax and refill with blood becomes impaired.

Heart disease is one of the most common and serious complications of diabetes. It refers to a number of heart-related conditions including cardiomyopathy.

This week for Cardiomyopathy Week we are highlighting some of the research Diabetes Australia is funding in this important area.

Diabetes Australia today launched a new position statement Glucose self-monitoring in adults with type 1 or type 2 diabetes to help make it easier for Australians living with diabetes to self-monitor their glucose levels and better self-manage their condition.

Glucose self-monitoring is one of the most important parts of diabetes management. It is also an area that is rapidly changing and can be confusing for people with diabetes. The position statement is designed to give people the information they need to decide the type of glucose monitoring that is right for them. It explains the technologies available, the pros and cons and the evidence for each.

Diabetes Australia CEO, Professor Greg Johnson yesterday attended a Roundtable meeting with the Minister for Heath, Hon Greg Hunt, in Melbourne coordinated by the Consumers Health Forum to press for greater Government focus on the value of consumer-centred primary care, prevention and research.

Professor Johnson spoke about prevention at the Roundtable stressing the need for stronger leadership and action from many sectors to prevent the development of chronic conditions including type 2 diabetes, many cancers, cardiovascular disease, chronic kidney disease, dementia and mental health issues.

Recently, the media has been full of stories highlighting new and emerging advancements in type 1 diabetes research and devices. With such an influx of information it can be difficult keep up with all of the exciting developments taking place around the world. To shine a light on some of these, we’ve composed a short list of some of the most exciting stories emerging in the past few months.

Up to 640 Australians are hospitalised each year in serious life threatening situations before they are diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, Diabetes Australia warned.

Diabetes Australia is launching a new campaign “It’s About Time” to encourage the community, families, schools and health professionals to recognise the early signs of type 1 diabetes and help avoid many of the hospitalisations.

New research has found that only 5% of Australians aged over 40 have had a type 2 diabetes risk check in the past two years.

Also, more than half of people surveyed were unable name any diabetes related complication despite type 2 diabetes being a leading cause of vision loss, kidney damage, heart attacks, stroke and limb amputation.

In support of National Diabetes Week, Energizer® will once again be donating $1 from each specially marked pack purchased throughout the month of July.

An alliance of Australia’s leading health and community organisations has congratulated NSW Health for announcing it will phase out sugary drinks from all of its facilities in the next six months as part of its Healthy Choices in Health Facilities policy.

CEO of Diabetes Australia, Greg Johnson said it was important for health facilities to lead by example and provide healthier options for patients, staff and visitors.