Diabetes

Diabetes is a chronic condition. This means that it lasts for a long time, often for someone's whole life.

For our bodies to work properly we need to convert glucose (sugar) from food into energy. A hormone called insulin is essential for the conversion of glucose into energy.

In people with diabetes, insulin is no longer produced or not produced in sufficient amounts by the body.

So when people with diabetes eat glucose, which is in foods such as breads, cereals, fruit and starchy vegetables, legumes, milk, yoghurt and sweets, it can’t be converted into energy. Instead of being turned into energy the glucose stays in the blood. This is why blood glucose levels are higher in people with diabetes.

Glucose is carried around your body in your blood. Your blood glucose level is called glycaemia.

National Diabetes Services Scheme (NDSS)

The National Diabetes Services Scheme (NDSS) is an initiative of the Australian Government and administered by Diabetes Australia. The scheme delivers diabetes-related products, information and support services to almost 1.1 million Australians with diabetes.

NDSS aims to enhance the capacity of people with diabetes to understand and self-manage their condition. Diabetes Australia also seeks to support people with diabetes by providing timely, reliable and affordable access to NDSS services.

Registration with NDSS is free and open to all Australians who are diagnosed with diabetes.

You are able to register if you:

Live in Australia or are visiting from a country where Australia has reciprocal health care agreements on an applicable visa.
Have been diagnosed with diabetes by a doctor, endocrinologist or credentialled diabetes educator and;
Hold (or are eligible to hold) a Medicare or Department of Veterans' Affairs card.For more information, click here.

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Information contained in this document is not intended to replace medical advice and any questions regarding a medical diagnosis or treatment should be directed to a medical practitioner.