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Welcome to Chemist Discount Centre Member Portal!
HEALTH SERVICES
Health Services
Managing Diabetes Everyday
Diabetes is a serious and chronic condition which can affect the entire body. This condition occurs when there is too much glucose, a type of sugar, in the blood. Your blood glucose levels (BGLs) are normally controlled by a hormone called insulin, which converts glucose into energy.
Diabetes occurs when your pancreas can’t produce insulin or when your body can’t make use of the insulin because it’s grown resistant to it. Over time high glucose levels in the blood can damage blood vessels and nerves, resulting in long term health complications including heart, kidney, eye, and foot damage.
Diabetes does not define who you are or prevent you from enjoying and participating in life.
Exercise & Diabetes
For good health, aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate intensity physical activity everyday.
Diabetes Technology
Blood glucose monitoring can:
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Allow you to self-check as often as you need or as often as recommended by your GP or Credentialled Diabetes Educator (CDE)
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Help you understand how your diet, exercise or medication affect your BGLs
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Possible times to check are: Before breakfast (fasting), lunch, dinner, bed or rigorous exercise, two hours after a meal or when feeling unwell.
Healthy Diet Tips
Choose more whole, unprocessed foods and less processed or packaged foods
Eat regular meals and spread them evenly throughout the day
Know your type of diabetes and how much carbohydrate foods you can consume
Eat a diet lower in fat, particularly saturated fat
If you take insulin or diabetes tablets, you may need to have between-meal snacks, check with your healthcare team if this is necessary for you
Everyone’s needs are different – all people with diabetes should see an accredited practising dietitian in conjunction with their diabetes team for individualised advice
Choose more low GI foods or ‘slow’ carbohydrates as they take longer to absorb and are less likely to cause spikes in sugar levels (e.g. beans, fruit, lentils, etc.) Look out for the Low GI symbol when deciding what to buy
To find a dietitian in your area, contact:
Dietitians Australia – look for the “find a dietitian” search on https://dietitiansaustralia.org.au/ or call 1800 812 942
Diabetes Australia Contact Centre: 1800 177 055
or info@diabetesaustralia.com.au
Target Glucose Levels
Speak with your doctor about your individual target ranges. Normal blood glucose levels are between 4.0 to 7.8 mmol/L.
Sick Day Management
Follow your sick day action plan
A sick day is when you are feeling unwell. Illnesses such as the common cold, influenza, gastro, etc., can cause stress in the body and lead to increased blood glucose levels, consequently resulting in dehydration. This manifests as drowsiness and confusion. Severe dehydration requires urgent medical attention. If your blood glucose levels are higher than 15mmol/L for 8-12 hours or more, start following your sick-day action plan even if you feel ok.
Check your blood glucose levels more often
A sick day is when you are feeling unwell. Illnesses such as the common cold, influenza, gastro, etc., can cause stress in the body and lead to increased blood glucose levels, consequently resulting in dehydration. This manifests as drowsiness and confusion. Severe dehydration requires urgent medical attention. If your blood glucose levels are higher than 15mmol/L for 8-12 hours or more, start following your sick-day action plan even if you feel ok.
Diabetes and your
mental Health
Speak to our friendly team
on how to get your FREE*
LifeSmart Blood Glucose Monitor today!
Having a team of people around you can help support you through tough times. This could be family and friends but remember it can also include people in your diabetes support team and other health professionals.
Talk to our friendly pharmacist and team for advice on how to manage diabetes. For extra support there are a wide range of fee-based services available:
Diabetes support:
Diabetes Counselling Service
NDSS Helpline 1800 637 700
Your doctor
Your diabetes educator or diabetes health professional.
Online services and telephone lines:
Beyond Blue 1300 22 4636
Lifeline 13 11 14
Headspace: https://headspace.org.au/
Kids helpline (under 25 years old) 1800 55 1800
New Access https://www.beyondblue.org.au/get-support/newaccess-mental-health-coaching
Head to Health https://www.headtohealth.gov.au/
HealthDirect https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/etherapy
NDSS Adult Peer Support website https://peersupport.ndss.com.au
*Buy 1 of LifeSmart 2 Twoplus Blood Glucose Test Strips 2 x 50 Test Strips (LS-946 LS-946N) or LifeSmart Sterile Lancets LS-812 100 Pack to redeem your free LifeSmart 2 TwoPlus Blood Glucose Plus B-Ketone Monitoring System LS-946
References: https://www.diabetesaustralia.com.au/living-with-diabetes/daily-life/ | https://www.diabetesaustralia.com.au/about-diabetes/what-is-diabetes/ | https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/diabetes | https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/diabetes
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