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Diabetes

Diabetes occurs when your body is unable to properly process the sugars in the food you eat. The excess sugars build up in your blood, damaging organs and causing a number of dangerous reactions. This happens because either your pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin, or you are unable to use the insulin that it does produce. Over 2 million Canadians have some kind of diabetes. Are you at risk?

Types of diabetes

There are three types of diabetes: Type 1, Type 2 and gestational diabetes.

If you have Type 1 diabetes, your pancreas cannot produce enough insulin to break down the sugars in your diet, so you have to take one or more daily insulin injections. Type 1 diabetes is the most serious kind of diabetes, and is usually diagnosed in childhood. It is caused by an abnormal autoimmune response that destroys insulin-producing cells. The causes of Type 1 diabetes are virtually unknown, and only about 10% of people with diabetes have Type 1 More about Type 1 diabetes

Type 2 diabetes occurs when your body cannot use the insulin it produces to process all your dietary sugars. This is by far the most common type of diabetes, and the incidence of it is growing, especially among young people. Your risk of developing Type 2 diabetes can be lowered significantly by maintaining a healthy weight, eating well and getting sufficient exercise. More about Type 2 diabetes

Gestational diabetes affects 2-4% of pregnant women, though the incidence among Aboriginal women is much higher. The effects of the disease are the same as Type 2 diabetes, but the symptoms usually go away following childbirth. If you have gestational diabetes while pregnant, both you and your baby are at an elevated risk of developing Type 2 diabetes later. More about gestational diabetes

How diabetes affects you

There are a number of warning signs that may indicate you have diabetes.

• extreme fatigue
• unusual thirst
• frequent urination
• unexplained weight loss or gain
• blurred vision
• frequent or recurring infections
• cuts and bruises that are slow to heal
• tingling or numbness in hands or feet
• trouble getting or maintaining an erection

*Source: Canadian Diabetes Association

These signs don’t necessarily mean you have diabetes, but check with your doctor to be safe.

The complications from diabetes are often more troublesome than the disease itself. If you have diabetes, you might experience some or none of these symptoms. Carefully sticking to your control program will lessen the chance of having complications.

• depression
• heart disease and stroke
• vision loss
• digestive problems
• skin problems
• erectile dysfunction
• thyroid disease
• foot problems

Treatment

All people with Type 1 diabetes and some people with Type 2 and gestational diabetes need to take insulin to balance out their blood sugar levels. Some Type 2 and gestational diabetes can be treated with diet and exercise alone. Your blood sugar level needs to be “just right” – not too high, not too low – so you need to test your blood frequently to make sure you aren’t slipping out of balance.

Proper diet is important to help control diabetes. Choose foods with a lower glycemic index. They take longer to break down into sugars in your digestive system, making it easier for your body to maintain a steady blood sugar level.

Though diabetes can’t be cured, most people with diabetes can live long, active lives with proper treatment.

• More about insulin.
• What’s my target blood sugar level?
• Nutrition.
• Dial-A-Dietitian
• Diabetes Dictionary
• Symptoms
• Causes
  • Type 1
  • Type 2
  • Gestational
• Treatment
• Resources & Support

By the Numbers

• Researchers project an increase of diagnosed diabetes in Canada to 2.4 million by the year 2016.
• 90% of diabetes cases are Type 2 diabetes
• Diabetes is the seventh-leading cause of death in Canada.
• 77% of people being newly diagnosed with diabetes are of Hispanic, Asian, South Asian, African or Aboriginal descent
• Some 60,000 Canadians are diagnosed with diabetes every year.
• About 25% of people with diabetes are diagnosed with depression
• Type 2 diabetes reduces life expectancy by five-to-ten years.
• 80% of people with diabetes will die from heart disease or stroke
• Diabetes is the most common cause of new blindness in North America
• Aboriginal people are three-to-five times more likely to develop diabetes than non-Aboriginal people
• The economic burden of diabetes is estimated to be $12.5 billion per year in direct and indirect costs, including physician care, medication, long-term disability and early death.

*Source: The Canadian Diabetes Association & Canadian Institutes of Health Research

Top Ten Tips for Healthy Meals
Eating right can help control diabetes, and help prevent Type 2 diabetes.

Diabetes Checkup

If you are over 40, you should be tested every 3 years for diabetes. If you are a member of a high-risk group or are overweight you should get tested earlier and more frequently.

6 Ways to Stay Healthy with Diabetes

1. Eat right
2. Exercise
3. Manage your weight
4. Reduce stress
5. Take care of your feet
6. Proper medication

TALK TO YOUR DOCTOR

Reading about conditions online should never replace a visit to your doctor. The information provided here can help you get educated about various conditions and their treatments. Always seek the advice of a physician or other licensed health care professional regarding any questions you have about your medical condition(s) and treatment(s).