Chronic Diseases

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Diabetes Management

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Diabetes is a disease that can affect many other body functions. It is a common disease, which has been increasing in recent years, perhaps because of modern lifestyles. The main aim of diabetes treatment is to control blood sugar levels. This is best done in patnership between the patient, their doctor and other diabetes services. A good partnership can achieve a high quality of life. Some recource centres which will give you more detailed information and help in effective management of the problem are:

Asthma and other Respiratory Diseases Management

Asthma affects 1 in 7 Australian adults, and 1 in 5 children, and causes much disability and discomfort, as well as time lost from work, school and other activities. Some two million Australians are estimated to have COPD, which is a major cause of disability and hospital admissions.

Respiratory diseases rank second (after cardiovascular diseases) in terms of mortality, incidence, prevalence and costs. According to the latest WHO estimates (2007), currently worldwide there are 300 million people with asthma, 210 million people have chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) while countless millions have allergic rhinitis and other often under diagnosed chronic respiratory diseases.

Common to all forms of illness is the need to keep active, be informed about the illness and it’s treatment (whether that be medicines, inhalers, or other forms of treatment such as rehabilitation, exercise, or self-management action plans). The Asthma Foundation of South Australia can provide a free Asthma Control Pack offering detailed information about asthma management. You can also call The Breathe Better Information Line on 1800 645 130, between 9am and 5pm, Monday to Friday to talk to their friendly educators.

You can find information about lung health for patients on different websites.

National Asthma Council Australia http://www.nationalasthma.org.au/

 Australian Lung Foundation http://www.lungfoundation.com.au/

 The Lung Health CheckList http://www.lungfoundation.com.au/lungaware09/lung-health-checklist?view=onepage&catid=3

 Thoracic Society of Australia and New Zealand http://www.thoracic.org.au/

 The COPD-X Plan – Australian and New Zealand Guidelines for the management of COPD http://www.copdx.org.au/

 2010 The Year of the Lung http://www.2010yearofthelung.org/1357-about.htm

 European Lung Foundation  www.european-lung-foundation.org

 American College of Chest Physician (ACCP) www.chestnet.org/patients/guides

 American Thoracic Society patients.thoracic.org

Arthritis Management

One in 5 Australians are affected by Arthritis which can take many forms and affect many ages. However, common to all forms of the illness, is the need to keep active and be informed about the illness and it's treatment (whether that be medicines or other forms of treatment such as physical therapy). Arthritis SA provides information and phone counselling to people with arthritis, as well as offering 'Moving Towards Wellness' courses. These self-management courses can help people manage their health and get the most out of life. The courses are run in both city and country locations. Call Arthritis SA (08 83795711 or 1800 011 041 (country freecall)) for further information or visit their website (www.arthritissa.org.au). Arthritis Australia provides extensive information sheets about Arthritis and its treatment for the public. These information sheets are also available in Arabic, Chinese, Greek, Italian and Vietnamese. The website is www.arthritisaustralia.com.au