Week links stress to diabetes

After being diagnosed with type two diabetes five years ago, Neil Jones knows just how much the disease can affect a person’s life.

The upcoming Diabetes Week serves as a reminder for people over 50 to be checking for the condition at least once a year.

The week will focus on the link between stress and diabetes and encouraging people to be healthier to keep blood sugar levels down in hectic times.

Since being diagnosed, Mr Jones has dramatically changed his lifestyle to include a lot more exercise and a new diet.

After making the changes, the 78-year-old said his mood had changed and he felt calmer.

‘‘I am more palatable now. I used to be really irritable,’’ he said.

‘‘I’ve taken up cycling and do that quite a lot now.’’

Mr Jones has lost 10kg since he started eating healthier and exercising more.

‘‘And now I feel like magic,’’ he said.

Bunbury Primary Health diabetes educator Jenny McDonnell said it was important to exercise.

‘‘Managing stress is particularly important for people with diabetes, as during a tough period they may see a change in their blood glucose levels,’’ she said.

‘‘The effect stress can have on your diabetes is likely to be caused by the way you deal with it, rather than the stress itself.’’

Bunbury Primary Health will host supermarket tours to coincide with Diabetes Week from July 8 to 14.

The tours will teach people how to read food labels and make healthier food choices.

Call Bunbury Community Health Services on 9795 2888 to book a place on a tour.