While COVID –19 currently dominates the news cycles around the world, people living in our communities are often faced by dealing with other diseases that are equally troubling.
Diabetes affects some 2,000 people in the region with GV Health having some 1,760 active patients attending their clinics.
According to the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP), the COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in many people delaying or avoiding a trip to the GP. A June 2020 survey of more than 700 people found 32% of respondents had delayed or avoided a visit to a GP in the last three months.
GV Health Diabetic Centre, nurse practice manager, Tara Jones said, “We are now having high consultation attendance on Telehealth. Due to COVID, some people are afraid to come to the hospital, so Telehealth is making a difference.”
While isolation is having an effect on many people, diabetics are at high risk of suffering anxiety and depression leading into mental health issues.
People with diabetes need to carefully monitor their condition and should consult with their GP regularly, particularly if any health problems emerge. It is also vital that anyone with diabetes symptoms, including fatigue, urinating often and heightened thirst, consults their GP right away as this may be a sign of undiagnosed diabetes.
“We know that the number of people with type 2 diabetes is growing and this can probably be attributed to rising overweight and obesity rates and an ageing population.
“One of the key challenges is that the most socially disadvantaged Australians are twice as likely to develop diabetes. We must be proactive in helping people adjust their diets and lifestyles to support better diabetes management.”
According to RACGP, in early-onset type 2 diabetes, life expectancy is reduced by 14 years in males and 16 years in females compared to people without diabetes. This is particularly troubling because in recent years there has been an increase in the incidence and prevalence of type 2 diabetes in children, adolescents and young adults.
Around half of all people living with diabetes have experienced mental health challenges in the past year related to their diabetes. It is a relentless condition – day in, day out, 365 days a year.
