Diabetic Care
Diabetes is a complex and challenging condition that affects millions of people worldwide, often requiring a lifetime of management to prevent complications and maintain a high quality of life. Through tailored diabetic management programs, ELIA Lifestyle Medicine Centre is dedicated to helping people with diabetes navigate their health journey with a holistic approach that combines medical treatment and lifestyle changes.
What is Diabetes Care?
Diabetes is a metabolic disorder characterised by high levels of glucose (sugar) in the blood due to the body’s inability to properly produce or use insulin. Insulin, a hormone produced by the pancreas, helps cells absorb glucose to use as energy. When the body doesn’t produce enough insulin or cannot effectively use it, glucose remains in the bloodstream, leading to various health complications over time.
There are four main types of diabetes:
Type 1 Diabetes: An autoimmune condition where the body’s immune system attacks insulin-producing cells in the pancreas, leading to insufficient insulin levels. Type 1 diabetes often develops in childhood or adolescence and requires insulin therapy.
Type 2 Diabetes: The most common type of diabetes, characterised by insulin resistance where the body can’t use insulin effectively. Type 2 diabetes is often linked to lifestyle factors, including diet, physical activity, and weight, though genetics also play a role.
Gestational Diabetes: This type of diabetes occurs during pregnancy and typically resolves after childbirth, although it may increase the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes later in life.
Pre-diabetes: People with this type of diabetes have blood glucose levels higher than average but lower than standard diabetes levels.
Find out more about our Diabetes Lifestyle Management program.
Symptoms of Diabetes
Recognising the symptoms of diabetes helps in understanding when diagnosis and management are needed.
Common symptoms include:
Frequent urination
Increased thirst
Fatigue
Blurred vision
Slow healing wounds
Unexplained weight loss
Skin infections or itchy skin
Diagnosing Diabetes
Diagnosing diabetes involves a few standard tests that measure blood glucose levels. Common tests include:
Fasting Blood Glucose Test: Measures blood sugar after an overnight fast.
HbA1c Test (Glycated Haemoglobin Test): Provides an average blood glucose level over the past two to three months.
Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT): Measures blood glucose levels before and after drinking a sugary drink. This test is especially useful in diagnosing gestational diabetes.
The Role of Lifestyle Medicine in Managing Diabetes
Lifestyle Medicine is a branch of medicine that focuses on preventing, treating, and even reversing chronic diseases by addressing lifestyle factors such as diet, exercise, stress management, and sleep. It plays a critical role in managing diabetes by targeting the root causes of the disease rather than solely focusing on symptoms.
How Lifestyle Medicine can complement Diabetes treatment
For those with Type 2 diabetes, lifestyle medicine is particularly effective. Through lifestyle medicine, diabetes management can be improved, potentially minimising the reliance on medications and preventing complications such as heart disease, neuropathy, and kidney disease.
Key components of lifestyle medicine for diabetes management include:
Nutrition Therapy: A well balanced low-glycaemic diet, rich in whole plant foods with minimal refined foods with added oils and sugars provides the best outcomes in the management of blood sugar levels. Our nutrition experts design tailored dietary plans to support sustainable blood sugar control. > More information on our nutrition services.
Physical Activity: Regular exercise increases insulin sensitivity and helps the body use glucose more efficiently, reducing blood sugar levels.
Stress Management: Chronic stress can elevate blood glucose levels due to increased cortisol production. Techniques like mindfulness, meditation, and deep breathing can help manage stress.
The ELIA Approach
ELIA Lifestyle Medicine Centre is a specialised health and wellness clinic dedicated to helping people achieve better health outcomes through lifestyle-focused care. Located in Wahroonga at Sydney Adventist Hospital, ELIA combines evidence-based medical practices with a personalised lifestyle approach. Our interdisciplinary team work closely with you and relevant GPs and specialists to develop and sustain healthy lifestyle habits that align with your personal goals and health needs.
Health Coaching: A Key Component of Diabetes Care
Health coaching is central to our approach to diabetes care. Our health coaches are skilled professionals who guide clients in making meaningful changes in their daily lives, such as adjusting diet, incorporating physical activity, and managing stress. Health coaching provides accountability, support, and the tools necessary to establish sustainable habits that support long-term health.
At ELIA Lifestyle Medicine Centre, we understand that managing diabetes is a lifelong journey that requires a combination of medical treatment, lifestyle adjustments, and personal commitment. Our holistic approach, focusing on lifestyle medicine and personalised support, allows us to partner with clients in their pursuit of better health and diabetes management.
Whether you’re newly diagnosed or have been managing diabetes for years, ELIA is here to guide you every step of the way. Contact us today to learn more about our diabetes clinical program and start your journey towards sustainable diabetes management. Together, we can build a path to health that fits your life.
The 7 Dimensions of Wellness
Lifestyle Medicine incorporates the whole person, with the understanding that factors in one area of life impact the other areas. Lifestyle Medicine uses the 7 Dimensions of Wellness to create a whole-person snapshot to identify where a particular dimension is within the Harm to Heal™ scale.
The FREE ELIA Diabetes Clinical Program
Our 12-week Diabetes Clinical Program is specifically designed to meet the unique needs of individuals managing diabetes. The program aims to empower clients with the knowledge and support they need to make lasting lifestyle changes that complement their medical treatment and improve their quality of life.
The program involves in-person appointments with our interdisciplinary team of doctors, nurses, health coaches, exercise physiologists, and diabetes dieticians over a 12-week period. Each week you will receive personalised appointments and access a series of educational videos, articles, nutrition and diet plans, exercise and workouts, and other activities aimed at guiding you towards positive lifestyle habits.