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Diabetes Care

Diabetes and Teeth

Good food is good for your teeth. 

  • Keep your teeth and gums healthy;
  • Use a soft tooth brush;
  • Use fluoride tooth paste twice a day, morning and night before bed.

If you don’t take care of your teeth, you will be at risk of:

  • Mouth infections and ulcerations (sores)
  • Dry mouth – because of high blood glucose (sugar) levels
  • Diabetes medications mean you are more likely to get tooth decay and gum disease because these dry the mouth (less saliva)
  • Fungal infections such as thrush (sores in the mouth) caused by an increase of glucose (sugar) in the mouth
  • Poor wound healing after tooth removed and oral surgery

For more information speak to your Diabetes Educator.

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Healthy food is good for your teeth

Tooth care is a vital part of managing Type 2 Diabetes

Diabetes and Feet

Foot doctors are known as podiatrists. Foot care is especially important for people with diabetes as a simple foot sore can lead to amputation. Podiatrists will show you how to look after your feet so you can run, walk, dance and skip for many years to come.

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Take care of your feet

Foot care mug to remind people to look after their feet

Healthy Eating for Diabetes

Healthy eating helps keep your blood sugar low.

You will soon begin to know which foods affect your blood sugar levels.

Here are some handy tips for healthy eating:

  • Drink plenty of water and eat regular healthy meals
  • Eat more fruit and veg (2 and 5)
  • Eat healthy snacks
  • Eat less fat, sugar, salt
  • Eat high fibre foods
  • Eat low GI carbohydrates
  • Cook via grilling, streaming, boiling methods wherever possible

Our Diabetes Educators and our Healthy Eating team of Nutritionists, Dietitians and Health Workers are always willing to have a chat to you about healthy food choices.

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Good food, good health

A healthy diet is an integral part of managing and preventing Type 2 Diabetes

Keep Fit

Keeping active and doing a little bit of exercise will help to keep your blood sugars under control. You will be surprised at what you can do! Fishing counts, so does gardening and swimming. Try to aim for 30 minutes of moderate activity most days of the week. We have a wide range of programs such as Walking Groups and BEAT IT that will help you keep fit and manage your diabetes.

Walking Groups

Walking Groups are a great way to get active and have a yarn at the same time. To see if there is a walking group in your community go to your community page. If there is no walking group but you would like to start one talk to a Health Worker about how to go about it.

BEAT IT

The BEAT IT program is for anyone who needs some help to get started in a fun supportive environment. Over a number of weeks you will get together with other people also interested in getting healthy and join in classes that are fun, safe and supportive. Keep a lookout for upcoming classes in your community!

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Family fitness

Running around with your kids helps your fitness, improves family relationships and is a lot of fun

Diabetes Care

The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare estimates that diabetes is three times more common among Indigenous Australians than non-Indigenous Australians.

Apunipima Cape York Health Council Diabetes Educators visit Cape York communities on a fortnightly or monthly basis. You may find them at a Queensland Health Clinic, an Apunipima office, a Wellbeing Centre or under a tree wearing distinctive orange shirts.

Diabetes Educators will work with you if:

  • You have diabetes;
  • Are at risk of developing diabetes; or
  • Have gestational diabetes (diabetes in pregnancy).

Apunipima Diabetes Educators provide information, education and self-management plans to people with diabetes or at risk of developing diabetes. We can talk to you by yourself or with your partner, friend or family – it’s up to you.

If you are worried you may be at risk of diabetes we can do a screening (check your blood) and if we find that you are at risk of diabetes we will support you by:

  • Setting up a care plan; or
  • Letting you know how to avoid getting diabetes.

If you have diabetes we will help you to manage the diabetes. We will talk to you about healthy food, exercise and taking medications (including insulin). We will also talk you through the effects the diabetes is having on your body.

You may be referred to the Diabetes Educator by the doctor; however Diabetes Educators are also able to see you without a referral. Any other visits after that will be arranged with the Diabetes Educator.

Self - Managing Diabetes

There are lots of ways to take care of yourself if you have diabetes:

  • Check your blood sugars
  • Take medications regularly
  • Have regular eye, teeth and foot checks
  • Seek support, share your worry
  • Tackle smoking
  • Avoid overdoing alcohol
  • Keep up your reviews with health staff
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FELTMAN

Diabetes Nurse Educator Cathryn Dowey demonstrates the importance of good nutrition in the management of Type 2 Diabetes

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Insulin is the key

Insulin is a key way of managing Type 2 Diabetes