Wharton

Risks Factors

According to recent statistics more than 9 million Canadians are living with Diabetes or PreDiabetes

Type 1 diabetes, usually diagnosed in children and adolescents, occurs when the pancreas is unable to produce insulin. Insulin is a hormone that controls the amount of glucose in the blood. Approximately 10 per cent of people with diabetes have type 1 diabetes.

The remaining 90 per cent have type 2 diabetes, which occurs when the pancreas does not produce enough insulin or when the body does not effectively use the insulin that is produced.

Type 2 diabetes usually develops in adulthood, although increasing numbers of children in high-risk populations are being diagnosed.

Prediabetes refers to a condition where a person’s blood glucose levels are higher than normal, but not yet high enough to be diagnosed as type 2 diabetes. Can you prevent diabetes?

Scientists believe that lifestyle changes can help prevent or delay the onset of type 2 diabetes. A healthy meal plan, weight control and physical activity are important prevention steps.

People with diabetes can expect to live active, independent and vital lives if they make a lifelong commitment to careful diabetes management, which includes the following:

• Education: Diabetes education is an important first step. All people with diabetes need to be informed about their condition.
• Nutrition: What, when and how much you eat all play an important role in regulating blood glucose levels.
• Physical Activity: Regular physical activity helps your body lower blood glucose levels, promotes weight loss, reduces stress and enhances overall fitness.
• Weight Management: Maintaining a healthy weight is especially important in the management of type 2 diabetes.
• Medication: Type 1 diabetes is always treated with insulin. Type 2 diabetes is managed through physical activity and meal planning and may require medications and/or insulin to assist your body in controlling blood glucose more effectively.
• Lifestyle Management: Learning to reduce stress levels in day-to-day life can help people with diabetes better manage their disease.
• Blood Pressure: High blood pressure can lead to eye disease, heart disease, stroke and kidney disease, so people with diabetes should try to maintain a blood pressure level at or below 130/80. To do this, you may need to change your eating and physical activity habits and/or take medication.