'De-Stress' for Diabetes

12 July 2012

St John of God Murdoch Hospital recently recognised National Diabetes Week (8-14 July), helping to raise awareness about the importance of stress management.

Murdoch Diabetes Clinical Nurse Consultant Theresa Rose said managing stress is particularly important for people with diabetes, as during a tough period they may see a change in their blood glucose levels.

"Stress is a part of everyday life, however it’s not stress itself that is harmful but how we deal with it. We need to know that people living with a chronic condition, such as Diabetes, are exposed to a major source of stress in the condition itself. Stress can affect their blood glucose levels making the person more susceptible to a variety of long term physical complications," she said.

Diabetes WA is asking people with diabetes to de-stress by:

• Recognizing they’re stressed and doing something about it
• Reminding themselves that they have managed through bad times before
• Talking to their family and friends about how they feel
• Adding some physical activity to their routine
• Spending time having fun, doing things they enjoy
• Monitoring their blood glucose levels

Ms Rose said that approximately 1 out of 4 patients admitted to Murdoch Hospital have diabetes or are at risk of developing diabetes.

“For every person diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes, there is another person who does not yet know that they have it. Awareness, education, life style changes and stress management are part of the keys to the prevention of Type 2 diabetes,” she said.

National Diabetes Week also aims to increase awareness of how Diabetes is Australia’s fastest-growing chronic disease with over 100,000 people across Western Australia with the condition. Living with a chronic condition such as diabetes, can in itself be a major cause of anxiety for many people.

Image: Murdoch Diabetes Clinical Nurse Consultant Theresa Rose with the hospital display