Diabetes Queensland First Nations Health in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia | Medical and health

Diabetes Queensland First Nations Health

Locality: Brisbane, Queensland, Australia

Phone: +61 1800 177 055

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24.01.2022 I didnt think hed make it through the whole country but he did. Does anyone know who put this together?

23.01.2022 Healthy food swap #3.

23.01.2022 Healthy food swap #4.

23.01.2022 DIABETES YARNING - CHANGES As access to our lands and waters was taken from us, so was access to our source of natures carbohydrates, fats and proteins. Government supplied stores and rations replaced much of the foods we hunted, gathered and farmed. When access to our lands and waters was taken from us, opportunities for physical activity through hunting, gathering and farming were also taken. The forced separation from our families and the legislated restrictions on our mo...vement affected our cultural and ceremonial practices and affected our previous levels of physical activity. These changes threw our health out of balance. After thousands of years of living healthy, conditions such as diabetes are now part of our life. The first diagnosis of diabetes among our people was recorded in 1923. Now, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are four times more likely to have diabetes than other Australians. If we acknowledge and learn from what happened to us in the past, we can create a new future. A healthy future.

22.01.2022 Healthy food swap #5. Have a great weekend everyone.

22.01.2022 DIABETES YARNING - TYPE 1 DIABETES Some people in our community have type 1 diabetes. A person with type 1 diabetes produces no insulin at all and they need insulin injections every day to live. Type 1 happens because the bodys immune system attacks the part of the pancreas where insulin is made. Type 1 diabetes cannot be prevented but it can be managed. Insulin is also used by people who have type 2 diabetes. Their pancreas still produces insulin but they need to inject insulin to keep their sugar levels in a healthy range.

21.01.2022 Can you guess whos foot this is? Take a few minutes to watch this video. Its important to take good care of your feet and to check them regularly.... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zjdIiQyTbfM

21.01.2022 Today, instead of an apple juice popper, I had a crunchy granny smith apple. Please share your swap photos with us.

21.01.2022 Healthy food swap #2.

20.01.2022 DIABETES YARNING: HOW WE MANAGE DIABETES The best ways to manage diabetes and keep our sugar levels in a healthy range is through eating well and keeping active. These are some ideas you might like to try over the weekend. HEALTHY EATING ... There is no special diet for diabetes. It is all about healthy eating. Healthy eating means getting a balance of fruit, dairy, meat, grains and vegetables. The size of your meals and snacks are important too. If we think about the foods we ate before time, we are on the right track to healthy eating. BEING ACTIVE Being active doesnt always mean you need to join a gym. It can include throwing a football around at the park, swimming, gardening, fishing, walking and housework. Being active every day helps us to burn off sugar. This helps keep our levels in a healthy range. Thinking about the way we moved before time with hunting, fishing and gathering bush tucker means we are on the right track to being active. 30 minutes (or more!) of being active every day can help us to stay healthy. This could be 30 minutes at one time, or 30 minutes broken down into a few 10 minute sessions throughout the day. Next week we will look at some more ways to manage diabetes.

19.01.2022 As some states continue to see 0 daily COVID-19 cases reported, others are starting to see a rise in community transmissions. The State and Australian Govern...ments involved are working to reduce these numbers again and get back on track. In the meantime, its understandable that some people may be feeling a little tense during this period and might have concerns and questions about their own safety. If people are worrying, it might to focus on the things in their lives that they can control. This helpful factsheet will help people manage worry about COVID-19. Read the factsheet here: https://www.ndss.com.au//managing-worry-about-covid19-fact

19.01.2022 We absolutely love getting out and about in the community, sharing the messages about diabetes and good health. Unfortunately, this hasnt been possible during COVID-19 restrictions, so weve put some of our programs online. Check into our website regularly to stay in touch with whats on offer. https://www.diabetesqld.org.au/events-and-education/ Well be posting upcoming events and whats on offer on this page also. Keep your eyes out for our Diabetes Yarning events. In the meantime, we thought wed share some photos of some of the deadly groups weve worked with in the past.

18.01.2022 Thanks for sharing your story Philip.

17.01.2022 Hi Everyone! Thank you for supporting this way to connect. Share your stories with us and let us know what you would like to see more of.....

16.01.2022 DIABETES YARNING Where do we get sugar (glucose) from? We get our sugar from carbohydrate foods. For thousands of years, our carbohydrates foods included bananas, quandongs, bush plums, taro, waterlily and of course sugarbag honey. ... These days, much of our carbohydrate foods include bread, milk, rice, pasta, potatoes and added sugar.

16.01.2022 Hi Everyone! We hope you are enjoying this way to connect. Share your stories and your photos with us. Please let us know what you would like to see more of.

16.01.2022 Sound advice from the team at the Better Together Health Van.

16.01.2022 Another little competition. When it comes to symptoms of diabetes, what are the most common symptoms people notice? The first two people to message the correct answer will win a face mask from Bundarra. https://www.bundarra.org//face-masks/products/red-dust-cam

16.01.2022 Hi there, here is a great app to beat some of those unwanted feelings. iBobbly is a social and emotional wellbeing self-help app for young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians aged 15 years and over from the Black Dog Institute. Available to download today. https://www.blackdoginstitute.org.au//digital-too/ibobbly/

16.01.2022 DIABETES YARNING COMPLICATIONS. NERVES Consistently high glucose levels in the blood makes us sick particularly when we don’t get treatment. They may cause damage to the nerves in your hands and feet. Early signs of this are tingling feelings or pins and needles. They may affect also the nerves that control body functions such as digesting food and blood pressure. Photo by Daria Shevtsova from Pexels

16.01.2022 This Murrie again. Too deadly...

15.01.2022 DIABETES YARNING PREVENTING OR REDUCING COMPLICATIONS. FOOT CHECK AND EYE TEST A foot check is recommended every six months. This is done by your health worker, nurse, doctor or through a visit to the podiatrist who will check the circulation and sensation in your feet as well as look for cuts, bruises, bunions, redness, swelling and changes in nail growth and colour. An eye check is recommended once a year and most of the time this is done through a visit to an optometris...t. They will take a special photo of the blood vessels behind your eyes to see if there is any damage that has been caused if you have had long periods of high sugar levels. Many Australians with diabetes miss out on regular diabetes eye checks. They might not be aware of how important they are, or they simply struggle to fit them in to their busy lives. That's why KeepSight has been developed. KeepSight is a new national diabetes eye screening program. It is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to prevent diabetes-related blindness by detecting problems early when they are treatable. Australia has world-class optometrists and ophthalmologists, but many Australians with diabetes lose their sight because they don't realise early enough that diabetes is affecting their eyes. KeepSight will change that by making it easier for people to schedule regular diabetes eye checks. Click here for more information: https://www.keepsight.org.au/ See more

15.01.2022 A blast from the past. A milestone moment in my life. November 2013. I was invited to a Diabetes Queensland Got Suga Workshop in Logan. My first introduction to what my diabetes was all about. Havent looked back since. The workshop was presented by the ever humble Grace Ward and Fleur Kelly (and of course they successfully avoided the photo), convened by Deanne Minniecon and facilitated by Anthony Newcastle and Uncle/Dr Mick Adams. COVIDs put a bit of a hold on face to face workshops at the moment but where theres a will theres a way. Looking forward to catching up with community in the near (or far) future. Even if we can only connect via our phone or computer screens.

14.01.2022 DIABETES YARNING Diabetes Queensland has been a relative newcomer around developing and delivering programs for the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community. Over the past 11 years though, weve delivered innovative and fun community programs like Got Suga and professional development programs like Feltman Training. Today, weve acted on feedback that has been provided over these years and we have started trialling the Diabetes Yarning Program. The program is based o...n the following foundations that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have told us over the years: Talk with us, not at us. Lets yarn. Its about education and empowerment, not compliance. When developing resources, a picture is worth a thousand words. When it comes to diabetes and health in general, you need to talk about our history and culture also, not just look at it from a medical model. Over the next 8 weeks or so, well be posting message according to the 14 themes that make up Diabetes Yarning program. These are 1. Health Before Time; 2. Changes; 3. How Our Body Works. Sugar / Glucose; 4. Where do we get sugar from. Carbohydrates; 5. How our body works. Insulin; 6. What happens in our body when we get diabetes; 7. Type 1 diabetes; 8. Symptoms of diabetes; 9. Complications of diabetes; 10. Preventing or reducing diabetes complications; 11. Managing diabetes; 12. Social and emotional wellbeing; 13. Connecting with support; and 14. Setting goals. While the key themes of the Diabetes Yarning program are consistent, there are various modes of delivery. These include: 1. Face to face community workshops (currently on hold); 2. Online community workshops; 3. Train the Trainer program for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Workers and Practitioners (Delivered online only at present); 4. Messaging through our First Nations Health Unit Facebook Page; and, 5. Self-paced, online Diabetes Yarning education module (soon to be released).

14.01.2022 Thanks NACCHO Aboriginal Health Australia for such a clear explanation.

14.01.2022 A few years ago we put together some diabetes Radio Plays with the deadly crew at 98.9FM Murrie Radio and the Aboriginal Centre for the Performing Arts (ACPA) in Brisbane. Heres one about eating healthy. Once again, weve got 5 polo shirts for the first 5 people who can provide an answer to this question: What is one feature of a Low GI food? (Hint: Listen closely at the 7 second mark).... The shirts on offer feature the Ocean Turtles design by Charlie Chambers Jnr. More information about Charlie here: https://www.bundarra.org/pages/artist-charlie-chambers-jnr Send us a private message with the correct answer and a shirt is yours. If youre quick enough of course. Keep in mind, our stock is limited so we may not have your size. If thats the case, you may want to enjoy the gift of giving and pass it on to that someone special who might need a lift during these challenging times.

13.01.2022 DIABETES YARNING: COMPLICATIONS Too much sugar in the blood makes us sick particularly when we dont get treatment. Serious complications can develop in the body. OUR SMALL BLOOD VESSELS ... Consistently high sugar levels can cause damage to our small blood vessels. They can become weak and leaky and this can lead to damage that we see in the eyes or kidneys. OUR LARGE BLOOD VESSELS Consistently high sugar levels can cause damage to our large blood vessels. They can become damaged and blocked leading to increased risk of heart attack or stroke. NERVES IN OUR FEET AND HANDS Consistently high sugar levels may cause damage to the nerves in your hands and feet. Early signs of this are tingling feelings or pins and needles. NERVES THAT CONTROL OUR BODY FUNCTIONS Consistently high sugar levels may affect the nerves that control body functions such as digesting food and blood pressure.

13.01.2022 DIABETES YARNING: PREVENTING OR REDUCING THE RISK COMPLICATIONS The best way to prevent or reduce the risk of diabetes related complications is by following an Annual Cycle of Care. It is a checklist that you plan, implement and review with your doctor. It involves visiting a number of different health professionals. Last week we looked at HbA1c check, blood pressure and foot checks. Here are some more: 4. Eye check every two years (can be done every year). Most of the time... this is done through a visit to an optometrist. They will take a special photo of the blood vessels behind your eyes to see if there is any damage that may have been due to high sugar levels over time. 5. Kidney test once a year. This is done through a blood pathology test and by examining a sample of your urine. These tests check your kidney health and filtering function. Your doctor may give you advice and medications if the results are outside healthy targets. 6. Cholesterol check once a year. This is done through a blood pathology test ordered by your doctor. This checks the level of blood fats, protective and harmful, in your blood. Your doctor may give you advice and medications if the results are outside healthy targets.

12.01.2022 This World Diabetes Day, 14 November 2020, we are celebrating the crucial role that nurses play in supporting people living with diabetes. As the number of people with diabetes in Australia continues to increase, the role of nurses is becoming increasingly important in helping to manage the impact of the condition. Nurses are often the first health professional that a person with diabetes interacts with. They can be the difference between someone letting their diabetes overwh...elm them or learning how to manage it so they live a long and healthy life with the condition. We would like to say a huge Thank You to Jenny Turner, one of these nurses doing great work with the First Nations Health Unit here at Diabetes Queensland.

12.01.2022 Kai kai for your mind. Did you know that your diet has a significant impact on your mood and mental health? Better quality diets (high in fruit and veg) are consistently linked with reduced depression risk, while unhealthy diets (higher in processed foods) are linked with increased depression and anxiety. Improving your diet for your mental health doesn’t need to be complicated or expensive. One of the key nutrients known to influence mental health and mood is fibre. Fibre s...upports energy levels and gut health both of which influence our mental health. Fibre is found in plant foods such as fruit, vegetables, nuts, legumes, wholegrains. Simple ways to increase your fibre intake include: - Switch from white bread to wholegrain or multigrain bread - Swap from tinned spaghetti to baked beans - Replace packet chips for nuts - Trade vegemite for peanut butter - Add tinned chickpeas or kidney beans to your stews and casseroles. Other foods which can help promote a healthy mind include fermented foods like yogurt and foods high in omega 3s, like seafood and nuts and seeds. To find out more about diet and mental health check out the Food and Mood Centre Australia’s website or take their free online course at https://www.futurelearn.com/courses/food-and-mood

12.01.2022 Hi There. Fleur here. Did you try any of the healthy food swaps from this weeks posts? Today I had baked beans on toast for breakfast (instead of tinned spaghetti on toast). Please share your swap photos with us.

12.01.2022 DIABETES YARNING SYMPTOMS: SLOW HEALING WOUNDS AND BLURRY VISION High glucose levels affect the lens in our eyes. This is what causes the blurry vision. Blurry vision can go away once glucose levels are back in a healthy range. High glucose levels affect the circulation of oxygen around our body. This lack of oxygen means that cuts and bruises take longer to heal.

11.01.2022 DIABETES YARNING - WHAT HAPPENS IN THE BODY WITH DIABETES? Diabetes is a condition where theres too much sugar in the blood. When sugar levels in our blood are too high and remain too high it is harmful to our body. The level of sugar in our blood is controlled by insulin. Type 2 diabetes happens when there is a reduced sensitivity to the insulin produced. This insulin resistance leads to a reduced production of insulin over time. ... This means, 1. our insulin does not work as well as it needs to 2. our body is not able to make enough insulin to do the job of keeping a healthy balance. Here is Shirley Kusu, Credentialled Diabetes Educator, in Umagico last week using Feltman to explain what happens in the body with diabetes.

11.01.2022 This week is National Stroke Week Did you know that living with diabetes increases a persons risk of having a stroke? There are ways to reduce your risk, in...cluding managing your BGLs and having regular checkups with your healthcare team. Its also vital that people are able to recognize the signs of a stroke and seek medical attention urgently if symptoms start to show. Stroke can be treated, but too many families continue to be devastated by this disease. By becoming a F.A.S.T. hero like Maree you will learn the F.A.S.T. (Face. Arms. Speech. Time) signs of stroke and to call triple zero (000) at the first sign. https://bit.ly/3fc8dMb #strokeweek2020

10.01.2022 DIABETES YARNING - SYMPTOMS We may notice changes in our body often before we even know we have diabetes. These changes are because our body is trying to get rid of or manage high sugar levels. There are many symptoms. The first three below are the most common. Tired Sugar provides our body with energy. When the sugar cant get into our muscles to give us energy, there can be a overall feeling of tiredness all the time.... Toilet As sugar builds up, the body attempts to flush it out of the bloodstream by peeing it out. Thirsty When youre peeing more often the body loses fluids. This results in signals which increase thirst. Often it is a thirst that you feel cant be satisfied.

10.01.2022 Understanding how our bodies work, and doing things to keep our physical health in balance is important. But it is social and emotional health and well-being that is the foundation for good physical and mental health for us. Feeling good puts us in the best place to feel healthy and happy. If our life is balanced then we can deal with challenges much better. We can stay strong.

09.01.2022 This week were going to look at some healthy food swaps. Try some of the ideas we post each day.

08.01.2022 Please meet Katherine Dixon, our psychologist, who is always here to support you: https://www.youtube.com/watch Please do not hesitate to contact Katherine on 1800 177 055.

07.01.2022 DIABETES YARNING - SYMPTOMS Blurry Vision High sugar levels can temporarily change the shape of the lens in our eyes. This is what causes blurry vision. Wounds That Are Slow to Heal... High sugar levels affect the blood circulation and the immune response in the body. This means that cuts and wounds may take longer to heal. No Symptoms Someone may have diabetes and not know it yet, as their sugar levels are not quite high enough to trigger these symptoms. Sometimes people do not notice these symptoms or may dismiss them as part of getting older. The good news is that all of these symptoms can disappear when sugar levels are in their healthy range again.

06.01.2022 Last fortnight we posted a foot care video and asked you to guess whose feet they were. But we didnt give you any clues did we. This week weve got a few little competitions where well give you clues. Youll be in the running to win one of our deadly Diabetes Queensland First Nations Health Unit polo shirts. These shirts feature the Ocean Turtles design by Charlie Chambers Jnr. More information about Charlie here: https://www.bundarra.org/pages/artist-charlie-chambers-jnr ...We have 5 of these polo shirts for the first 5 people who can correctly identify the foot model in the attached video. Its a multiple choice question and the options are provided at the end of the video. Send us a private message with the correct answer and a shirt is yours. If youre quick enough of course. Keep in mind, our stock is limited so we may not have your size. If thats the case, you may want to enjoy the gift of giving and pass it on to that someone special who might need a lift during these challenging times. Keep an eye out on Wednesday when well have another quiz.

05.01.2022 DIABETES YARNING COMPLICATIONS. BLOOD VESSELS Consistently high levels of glucose in the blood makes us sick particularly when we don’t get treatment. Serious complications can develop in our small blood vessels and also our large blood vessels. Consistently high sugar levels can cause damage to our small blood vessels. They can become weak and leaky and this can lead to damage that we see in the eyes or kidneys. Consistently high sugar levels can also cause damage to our large blood vessels. They can become damaged and blocked leading to increased risk of heart attack or stroke. Photo by Louis Bauer from Pexels

04.01.2022 Every now and then, I see an article about diabetes that really resonates. This recent article that featured in our Diabetes Queensland website was one of these. Its called 10 things not to say to people with type 2 diabetes. Six of these have actually been said to me. Make ya weak sometimes Hope youre all having a great weekend. https://www.diabetesqld.org.au//10-things-not-to-say-to-pe

03.01.2022 Some entertaining advice from the Bush Tucker Bunjie around getting more physical activity into your life. No need for the gym. Squats, lunges and shake-a-leg sweep-the-floor. All in the comfort of your own home. Don't be shame to move your frame.

03.01.2022 Are beans good for diabetes? Did you know not all carbohydrates are created equal? Beans are rich in complex carbohydrates, dietary fibre, minerals and are an affordable source of protein. Beans are a complex carbohydrate, which the body digest slowly. This helps you to feel fuller for longer and reduces spikes to your glucose levels as the carbohydrate from your bean meal is released slowly into your bloodstream. Apart from keeping your blood glucose levels stable, dietary ...fibre can also offer additional benefits for your heart health, keeping your bowel movements regular and may assist you to achieve a healthy weight. Dietary fibre improves blood cholesterol levels and lowers the risk of stroke and heart disease, reducing the risk of these diabetes related complications. Beans are also an excellent source of plant-based protein which is essential for body tissue growth and repair With all these benefits, are there any negatives effects if you have too many beans? (You know what we’re talking about.) Beans are high in digestive fibre and starches which our body’s natural intestinal enzymes cannot digest. Instead, a process called bacterial fermentation occurs, breaking down these starches and fibre, releasing extra gas as a byproduct. Although it is not harmful, some people might find it uncomfortable. So if you are new to beans try to increase your bean intake slowly to prevent embarrassing moments! And next time you want something that’s high in protein and fibre, low in GI and fat, that’s also packed full of vitamins and minerals, think BEANS! Photo by icon0.com from Pexels Photo by Digital Buggu from Pexels

03.01.2022 DIABETES YARNING: PREVENTING OR REDUCING THE RISK OF COMPLICATIONS The best way to prevent or reduce the risk of diabetes related complications is by following an Annual Cycle of Care. It is a checklist that you plan, implement and review with your doctor to help screen for any changes in your body related to diabetes. It involves visiting a number of different health professionals who can support you with your diabetes management. 1. HbA1c check at least every six months (...can be done every 3 months) This is done through a blood test at a pathology clinic or with a finger prick check with a special machine, at your local medical service. It gives you your average blood sugar level over the previous three months. Your doctor may give you health advice and medications if your levels are above your target range. 2. Blood pressure (BP) check at least every six months (or every visit) Your doctor, health worker or nurse will check your blood pressure to see if it is in a healthy range. Your doctor may give you advice and medications if your BP is above your target range. 3. Foot check at least every twelve months (or each visit) Your doctor, health worker or nurse can check your feet. A regular visit to the podiatrist is also recommended. They will check the circulation and sensation in your feet as well as look for cuts, bruises, bunions, redness, swelling and changes in nail growth and colour. Check out our post next Wednesday to look at more ways to prevent or reduce the risk of diabetes related complications.

03.01.2022 This song was put together almost 5 years ago but were still loving it. Great messages, great talent and a catchy little chorus to keep the message in our head. Once again, weve got 5 polo shirts for the first 5 people who can correctly identify four examples of saltwater life that the Aunties can see in the water (at the 2:40 mark). The shirts on offer follow a similar theme as they feature the Ocean Turtles design by Charlie Chambers Jnr. More information about Charlie he...re: https://www.bundarra.org/pages/artist-charlie-chambers-jnr Send us a private message with the correct answer and a shirt is yours. If youre quick enough of course. Keep in mind, our stock is limited so we may not have your size. If thats the case, you may want to enjoy the gift of giving and pass it on to that someone special who might need a lift during these challenging times Keep an eye out on Friday when well have the final quiz for the week.

01.01.2022 DIABETES YARNING - HEALTH BEFORE TIME Before others came to our lands all was in balance. We connected physically and spiritually to our lands and our waters; our animals and our plants. We also connected to the sun, the moon and the stars. Nature provided the perfect balance of carbohydrates, fats and proteins.... Carbohydrates to fuel our bodies came from seeds, honey, fruits and roots. Fats to protect our bodies came from oily fish, nuts and some seeds. Proteins to build and repair our bodies came from fish, turtle, dugong, goanna, kangaroo, grubs and birds. Our hunting, gathering and farming lifestyles ensured there was a lot of physical activity in our lives. Our cultural and ceremonial practices also meant that our lives were filled with physical activity. This included visiting extended families and neighbours, getting together for cultural ceremonies and engaging in trade.

01.01.2022 DIABETES YARNING SYMPTOMS. TIREDNESS AND NO SYMPTOMS Glucose provides our muscles with energy. When the glucose can’t get into our muscles we may feel tired all the time. Sometimes people who have diabetes, and are not yet diagnosed, may not notice any of these symptoms until their glucose level is high enough for the body to respond in this way. People may also dismiss these symptoms as part of ‘getting older’.... Try to resist the urge to yawn.... Image by Luis Wilker Perelo WilkerNet from Pixabay Image by vicran from Pixabay Image by dexmac from Pixabay