To promote and protect the health of Canadians through leadership, partnership, innovation and action in public health.
—Public Health Agency of Canada
Did You Know?
You may be pre-diabetic and not know it. Pre-diabetes occurs when blood sugar levels are high, but not high enough to diagnose diabetes. Talk to your health care provider to learn more.
Diabetes is a chronic disease that results from the body's inability to sufficiently produce and/or properly use insulin, a hormone that regulates the way glucose (sugar) is stored and used in the body. The body needs insulin to use sugar as an energy source.
There are several forms of diabetes: type 1, type 2 and gestational diabetes.
Pre-diabetes occurs when blood glucose (sugar) levels are higher than normal, but not high enough for a diagnosis of diabetes. Glucose is the main sugar found in the blood and the body's main source of energy.
If left untreated, more than half of the people with pre-diabetes will have type 2 diabetes within 8 to 10 years.
Pre-diabetes can be prevented, and is most common in people over the age of 40 and in people who are overweight.
Pre-diabetes can be managed, or in some cases reversed, through healthy lifestyle choices.
Type 1 Diabetes | Type 2 Diabetes (Most Common) | Gestational Diabetes | |
---|---|---|---|
What Happens? | The body can no longer produce insulin. | The body does not make enough insulin and/or does not respond well to the insulin it makes. | High blood sugar (hyperglycemia) occurs during pregnancy, but usually disappears within six weeks of delivery. |
Develops When? | Usually develops in childhood or early adolescence. | Most common in people over the age of 40 and in people who are overweight. | Develops during pregnancy, affecting 4 per cent of all pregnant women. |
Actions | Healthy lifestyle choices
can reduce the risk of serious
complications. Requires multiple injections to regulate insulin levels. |
Healthy lifestyle choices
can reduce the risk of serious
complications. May require medication to regulate blood glucose levels. |
May be managed through
healthy lifestyle choices. May require medication to regulate blood glucose levels. |
Risks | Can lead to many complications, including: heart disease, kidney disease, vision loss and lower limb amputation. | Can lead to many complications, including: heart disease, kidney disease, vision loss and lower limb amputation. | Increases the risk of both the mother and child developing type 2 diabetes. |
Type 2 diabetes occurs when the body no longer produces enough insulin, or has difficulty using the insulin it produces, causing sugar to build up in the blood.
Over time, this damages blood vessels and nerves and can result in severe complications including: blindness, heart disease, stroke, kidney failure, nerve damage, amputation, and erectile dysfunction.
Adopting a healthier lifestyle can help prevent or control type 2 diabetes, and can significantly reduce your risk of heart disease, and stroke. It can also contribute to your overall well-being and quality of life.
Did You Know?
Nine out of ten Canadians with diabetes have type 2 diabetes. Seniors represent almost 45 per cent of the total number of people with the disease, and this number is expected to rise as Canada's population continues to age.
Diabetes is diagnosed by measuring blood glucose (sugar) levels. However, there are a variety of different ways to test for diabetes. Your healthcare provider can identify which test is best for you.
If you have one or more of the following factors, you may be at risk of developing type 2 diabetes:
Did You Know?
You can have type 2 diabetes, but may not notice any signs or symptoms. Regular check-ups with your healthcare provider are important to prevent or manage diabetes.
If you have any of these symptoms, you may wish to visit your healthcare provider. Good management can prevent or delay complications associated with the disease.
While you can't change some risk factors (age, family history, ethnic background, etc.), other risk factors for diabetes may respond to lifestyle changes.
Being overweight or obese puts you at risk for developing type 2
diabetes. BMI is an easy way to estimate excess fat. Even a small
change in body weight can reduce your risk of diabetes.
If your score is:
Below 18.5 = Underweight
18.5–24.9 = Normal
25.0–29.9 = Overweight/Pre-obese
30.0 and over = Obese
To calculate your BMI, you can use the BMI chart or the formulas at the bottom of this page or complete the Canadian diabetes risk questionnaire.
For more information on BMI.The risk of developing type 2 diabetes is higher if fat is stored around the abdomen (rather than the hips and thighs). BMI assessments do not take into account where fat is stored. Men with a waist circumference of 102 cm (40 inches) or more and women with a waist circumference of 88 cm (35 inches) or more are at higher risk. Measure after breathing out (do not hold your breath). This is not the same as the waist size on your pants.
By adding more fruits and vegetables to your diet, in addition to eating foods that are rich in fibre and low in sugar and fat, can help you maintain or lose weight.
In addition to monitoring the foods you eat, you should also monitor portion size, while still ensuring that they contain enough healthy nutrients. Visit Health Canada's Eating Well With Canada's Food Guide. to learn more.
Did You Know?
Your waist circumference is important to know (this is not the same as the waist size of your pants).
Increasing physical activity, which can help control weight, can also reduce your chances of developing type 2 diabetes. Visit PHAC's website for more information about how to be more active.
Studies show that managing your blood pressure, cholesterol, and glucose (sugar) levels can substantially reduce the risk of diabetes complications such as heart disease and stroke. A healthcare provider can help to create a plan to monitor and manage your blood pressure, cholesterol and glucose.
Living with diabetes involves working with healthcare providers to monitor and manage blood glucose (sugar), blood pressure and cholesterol levels to reduce the risk of complications.
This should be paired with healthy lifestyle choices, including a healthy diet and physical activity.
For all types of diabetes, education helps ensure that people living with the disease gain the skills, knowledge and resources needed to help them manage their condition.
Did You Know?
Steps can be taken to prevent or control diabetes and lower the risk of complications.
Life with type 1 diabetes poses lifelong challenges for every member of the family.
People with type 1 diabetes should:
While living with type 1 diabetes requires a certain amount of daily structure, newer pumps and insulin products have provided more flexibility in the management of this condition.
A healthcare provider can provide advice to help properly manage blood glucose levels.
People with type 2 diabetes can help regulate blood glucose (sugar) levels and reduce the risk of complications by:
Oral medications and/or insulin may be prescribed to help regulate blood sugar levels.
Gestational diabetes occurs during pregnancy, and usually disappears within six weeks of delivery. Women with gestational diabetes can often keep blood glucose (sugar) levels within an acceptable range by eating well and exercising regularly. In some cases, women with gestational diabetes will need oral medications or insulin injections.
Pregnant women with one or more of the following factors:
Gestational diabetes is regularly diagnosed by measuring blood glucose (sugar) levels. There are different ways to test for diabetes. Your healthcare provider can identify which test is best for you.
Did You Know?
Gestational diabetes develops during pregnancy, affecting four per cent of all pregnant women.You can help manage gestational diabetes by eating well and exercising regularly.
Did You Know?
A healthcare provider can help with monitoring blood glucose (sugar) levels, as well as ensuring that necessary preventive care treatments and advice are received in a timely manner.
People with diabetes are likely to develop other conditions such as dental disease and mental illness (depression).
To calculate your body mass index (BMI) you need to know your weight and your height. You can use the BMI chart or the following formulas to calculate your body mass index:
If you measure your weight in pounds and your height in inches:
BMI = (weight in pounds x 703) / (height in inches)2
If you measure your weight in kilograms and height in metres:
BMI = weight (in kilograms)/height(metres)2
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