Helping you better understand diabetes | Sponsored by Pharmasave

According to national data, almost 3.2 million Canadians are living with diabetes. Generally, the number of people diagnosed with diabetes increases with age. 

Diabetes is a disease in which your body either can’t produce insulin or can’t properly use the insulin it produces which results in having too much sugar in the blood. Insulin is a hormone secreted by the pancreas that helps the muscles use sugar for energy, stores sugar in the liver, or helps turn the extra sugar into fat to store for later use. This extra sugar in our bloodstream can damage organs, blood vessels, and nerves. This can cause complications with our heart, eyes, kidneys, feet, and overall immune system.  

There are 2 main types of diabetes,  Type 1 and Type 2 as well as a condition called Prediabetes. Pregnant women may also develop diabetes which is referred to as Gestational.

Type 1 Diabetes is usually diagnosed in childhood or early teens but can occur later in life. A Type 1 diabetic cannot make insulin naturally and will need insulin injections for life. This type of diabetes affects normal or underweight people. There is a higher risk in those with a family history but the cause is often unknown. 

 Type 2 Diabetes is the majority of all diabetes. It typically occurs after the age of 40, especially in overweight or obese individuals. The body starts to not use the insulin it makes (resistance) and/or begins to produce less insulin over time. 

It can often be controlled by diet and exercise but will eventually need pills and/or insulin injections. Risk factors include age, inactivity, high body mass index (BMI over 30), high blood pressure and cholesterol, family history, and genetics/ethnicity.

Almost 6 million Canadians have prediabetes.

Prediabetes refers to blood sugar levels that are higher than normal but not yet high enough to be diagnosed as type 2 diabetes. Taking steps to improve lifestyle can make a huge difference but if left untreated or improperly managed, prediabetes can lead to type 2 diabetes and related complications. 

Diabetes Canada recommends anyone aged 40 and above be tested in the lab every 3 years for Type 2 diabetes.  Anyone with additional risk factors should be tested early and more often.  

Type 1 diabetes is tested based on symptoms.  Pregnant women are tested within 24-28 weeks of being pregnant unless symptoms require earlier testing.

How does one know if they have diabetes???

Signs and symptoms:

• Always thirsty
• Always need to urinate
• Feeling extra tired
• Weight changes
• Blurred Vision
• Slow-healing cuts or bruises

Type 1 will present with sudden symptoms and can become a medical emergency if confusion/unconsciousness is present.

Type 2 will present with a slow onset of symptoms, often an increase in bladder infections or possibly tingling in hands and feet.

How can we prevent developing diabetes?

Type 2 diabetes can best be prevented with a nutritionally balanced diet, maintaining a normal weight, and exercising at least 150 minutes/per week with a combination of both cardiovascular and resistance training. 

Unfortunately, a way to prevent Type 1 diabetes has not been identified as of yet. Once diabetes is diagnosed it can be controlled but not cured.

Diabetes can lead to many health complications:

• stroke
• heart attack
• kidney damage
• blindness
• nerve damage
• infections
• skin ulcers
• oral health issues
• foot problems
• depression

Treating Diabetes to reduce or prevent these complications involves keeping blood sugar levels as close to normal as possible.  It means both avoiding very low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) and avoiding very high blood sugar (hyperglycemia).  Controlling risk factors and symptoms are very important.

Managing diabetes involves learning about the condition from your doctor, Diabetes educator, your pharmacist, and support groups.

Maintain a healthy lifestyle:

• eat a healthy diet
• get regular physical activity
• quit smoking
• control weight, cholesterol, blood pressure
• restrict alcohol
• have regular check-ups 
• check feet regularly
• understand your medication – one can have a diabetes medscheck with your Pharmacist if they have a specialty in diabetes eg. A Certified Diabetes Educator is a recognized expert.
• monitor your blood glucose levels
• wear a diabetes ID bracelet (especially if Type 1)
• carry glucose tablets or sugar candies if you tend to have low blood glucose levels

Diabetes is a complex disease that requires a lot of care.  Your Pharmasave pharmacist can help with:

• medication Reviews
• blood glucose meter training
• injection training
• sick day management
• support for all medications. how to use and side effects
• managing diabetes in daily life
• explaining complications of the disease 

Talk to your pharmacist today!

Sandra Cox, Pharmasave Owner & Pharmacist, Certified Diabetes Educator, Nutrition Certified PN1, Certified Personal Trainer & Fitness competitor. Sandra owns Pharmasave in downtown Huntsville with her husband Troy Cox.  She has been a CDE for 15 years and specializes in health and fitness.