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What is diabetes?
Why is diabetes a health problem?
How can I prevent diabetes?
Nearly one million Canadians have diabetes and don't know it. Could you be one
of them?
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious disorder that affects the way that your body uses food for
energy. Most of the food you eat is broken down into glucose, which is a type of
sugar. Glucose is carried by the bloodstream to the cells, where it is used as
fuel for cell growth and energy.
To help glucose enter the cells, your pancreas (a small organ that is part of
your digestive system) produces a hormone called insulin. When you have
diabetes, your pancreas can't make enough insulin to meet your body's needs, or
your body can't effectively use the insulin it produces. Without insulin,
glucose can't pass through cell membranes and, instead, stays in your
bloodstream. This deprives the cells of an essential energy source and
interferes with normal bodily functions.
There are three types of diabetes:
| • | Type 1 - This type of
diabetes usually develops early in life, frequently affecting children and
young adults. Type 1 diabetes is caused when the immune system attacks and
destroys the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. People with type 1
diabetes must take insulin every day to stay alive. Approximately 10% of
people with diabetes have type 1.
| | • | Type 2 -
This is the most common form of diabetes. In type 2 diabetes, the pancreas
usually makes the right amount of insulin, but the body can't use it
properly - a condition known as insulin resistance. Type 2 diabetes develops
gradually and tends to affect people over the age of 40. This type of
diabetes is often considered a lifestyle disease because people who are
overweight and
lead a sedentary lifestyle have a higher risk of developing it.
Approximately 90% of people with diabetes have type 2.
| | • | Gestational diabetes
- This type of diabetes is temporary. It only affects pregnant women and
usually disappears after the baby is born. However, women with gestational
diabetes do have a greater risk of developing type 2 diabetes later in life.
Approximately 2% to 5% of all pregnant women develop gestational diabetes.
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Why should I be concerned about diabetes?
Diabetes is the leading cause of death by disease. When you have diabetes, the
glucose levels in your blood are higher than normal. The increased blood sugar
slowly damages your nerves and the small and large blood vessels in your body.
This leads to a variety of health problems and complications, including:
| • | Heart disease -
Diabetes is a major risk factor for heart disease. Heart disease is 2-4
times more common in people with diabetes.
| | • | Eye disease
- Diabetes is the leading cause of adult blindness.
| | • | Kidney disease
- Over 25% of people with diabetes develop serious kidney disease.
| | • | Nerve damage
- Nerve damage caused by diabetes can lead to numbness or tingling in your
limbs, insensitivity to pain and, in some cases, amputation.
| | • | Infections
- Because diabetes interferes with blood supply and damages nerves, you are
at higher risk of infection. Wounds heal more slowly and your immune system
no longer functions properly.
| | • | Impotence -
Between 8% and 13% of all men with diabetes are impotent, a condition caused
by blocked blood vessels.
| | • | Pregnancy
complications - Women with diabetes have a higher risk of
complications in their pregnancies and are more likely to deliver babies
with birth defects.
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How can I prevent diabetes?
There is no cure for diabetes. However, research shows that the disease can be
prevented or delayed, simply by making small, but important, changes to your
lifestyle. Eating nutritiously, exercising regularly and maintaining a healthy weight will
significantly reduce your risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Even if you have
already been diagnosed with diabetes, a healthy lifestyle will help you keep the
disease under control and reduce your risk of complications.
Here are some steps that you can take to prevent diabetes:
| • | Increase your physical
activity - Regular exercise has many health benefits. It increases
your energy levels, improves the health of your heart and lungs, decreases
insulin resistance, improves blood glucose control and helps with weight
loss. Learn more about
active living
| | • | Increase the amount
of fresh fruit and vegetables you eat
- Fruits and vegetables are packed with essential vitamins and minerals, and
are low in fat. They also contain antioxidants that help fight disease.
Learn more about healthy eating
| | • | Increase the amount
of whole grains and low glycemic index foods in your diet - The
type of food you eat can affect your blood sugar levels. All foods are
broken down into glucose at different rates. Foods that are broken down more
slowly have a low glycemic index
and will help to keep your blood glucose levels under control.
| | • | Reduce the fat
in your diet - Restrict the amount of
saturated fat
and
trans fats
that you eat - choose
unsaturated fats
whenever possible. A diet high in saturated and trans fats can contribute to
weight gain, which increases your risk of diabetes.
| | • | Eat more omega-3s
– Try to include more foods that are rich in polyunsaturated omega-3 fatty
acids, including soybean oil, canola oil, flaxseed, eggs and deep-sea fish
or "fatty fish," such as mackerel and wild salmon. They are a very healthy
alternative to saturated fats and will also help to reduce the risk of heart
attack and stroke.
| | • | Maintain a healthy
weight – Keeping your weight within a normal range is one of the
best ways to reduce your risk of developing diabetes. By losing as little as
5% to 10% of your body weight, you can improve your blood sugar levels and
improve your body's ability to use insulin.
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Symptoms of diabetes
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These are the symptoms most commonly associated with both type 1 and type 2
diabetes.
However, it's important to remember that some people with type 2
diabetes have no symptoms at all.
| • | unusual or extreme thirst
| | • | frequent urination
| | • | unusual weight loss
| | • | extreme fatigue or lack of energy
| | • | blurred vision
| | • | nausea or dizziness
| | • | irritability
| | • | sweet smelling breath
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Source: Canadian Diabetes Association
www.diabetes.ca
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Obesity and children
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Type 2 diabetes is becoming more common in children because of a growing problem
with obesity. Learn more
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Are you at risk for diabetes?
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You are at greater risk for type 2 diabetes if you:
| • | are 40 years of age or older
| | • | are overweight, particularly if you
have an "apple" shape because you carry most of the weight around your torso
| | • | are physically inactive
| | • | are of Aboriginal, Hispanic, Asian or
African descent
| | • | have a parent, brother or sister with
diabetes
| | • | developed gestational diabetes while
pregnant or gave birth to a baby that weighed more than 4 kg (9 lb)
| | • | have high cholesterol
| | • | have high levels of blood glucose
| | • | have high blood pressure or heart
disease
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