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. | Diabetes
One million Canadians have diabetes. With diabetes, the body's cells cannot absorb and use sugar properly. It is a serious, chronic disease that can be life threatening. However, diabetics can help to control their disease by actively managing their lifestyle.
Diabetes occurs when the body stops producing the hormone insulin or becomes unable to use the insulin it produces. Without insulin, blood sugar (or glucose) cannot enter our cells. It builds up in the bloodstream and eventually turns up in the urine. The high sugar content of the urine draws water out of the body, causing increased urination and thirst.
Diabetes causes narrowing of the small blood vessels throughout the body resulting in poor circulation. This in turn leads to the complications of poorly controlled diabetes: kidney disease, poor wound healing, and foot and eye problems. Diabetics should examine their feet daily for early signs of infection, which if severe enough, may result in amputation. Eye exams annually may prevent serious eye damage. The disease can also alter fat metabolism, increasing the risk of hardening of the larger blood vessels; thus diabetics are at greater risk of heart disease.
There are two main types of diabetes:
1. Type I or "insulin dependent". Insulin dependent diabetics must inject the hormone daily to control their blood sugar.
2. Type II or "non-insulin dependent". These diabetics produce their own insulin, but their cells don't respond to it properly. They can sometimes control their blood sugar through weight loss and diet, sometimes in addition to oral medication. 80-90% of diabetics are Type II.
The symptoms of diabetes include:
unusual tiredness or lethargy
increased thirst
frequent urination during the day and at night
appetite changes and unexplained weight loss
blurred vision
slow healing of cuts and wounds
abdominal pain and nausea
sweet smelling breath
tingling in the arms and legs
Diabetes requires the ongoing participation of a health care practitioner, but there is a tremendous amount that diabetics can do for themselves to manage the condition effectively and minimize their risk of developing complications:
1. Monitor your glucose level to keep levels as normal as possible.
2. Manage your diet and maintain a stable weight. A good diabetic diet follows the same guidelines as Canada's Food Guide to Healthy Eating.
3. Control your risk factors for heart disease.
4. Get involved with the Canadian Diabetes Association to help you get started or maintain a healthy lifestyle to fully manage your diabetes.
5. Very high or very low blood sugar levels can lead to confusion, lethargy and, if not corrected, coma. Discuss with your health care practitioner what to do if these symptoms develop.
For more information, contact The Canadian Diabetes Association.
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