DIABETES A Growing disease among the North American population

1. DIABETES A Growing disease among the North American population

2. What Is Diabetes?

3. What Is Diabetes? (Continued)  Diabetes appears when the amount of sugar in the blood (glycemia) is above the normal level. Sugar (glucose) circulating in the blood moves into the cells of different organs and transforms into energy. A hormone produced by the pancreas, insulin, acts like a key that unlocks the cell to let sugar in. If insulin is unable to play its role properly, sugar cannot move into the cells normally and accumulates in the blood instead. There are two types of diabetes: Type 1 and Type 2

4. Type 1 Diabetes What is Type 1 Diabetes?  Type one diabetes appears when the pancreas does not produce insulin anymore. Usually diagnosed before the age of 40 Accounts for approximately 10% of diabetics Insulin injections are necessary to treat this type of diabetes

5. Type 2 Diabetes The pancreas does not produce enough insulin OR the insulin produced does not work effectively because the cells are resistant to it. This results in an increase of sugar in the blood. 90% of diabetics have type 2 diabetes. Strong link between type 2 diabetes and unhealthy lifestyle. Research demonstrates that heredity does play a role.

6. Causes of Diabetes Type 1: Genetic pre-disposition (however-MUCH more likely in type 2 diabetes) Environmental factors (e.g: certain viral infections) Race (type 1 diabetes is most common among non-Hispanic white persons of Northern European descent and is rare among Asians). Type 1 diabetes is slightly more common in men than in women

7. Causes of Diabetes (continued) Type 2: strong genetic link high blood pressure high fat diet high alcohol intake sedentary lifestyle obesity/being overweight

8. … … Ethnicity is shown to be a contributing factor among diabetics. Who is at risk? African Americans, Native Americans, Hispanic Americans, and Japanese Americans, have a greater risk of developing type 2 diabetes than non-Hispanic whites. Aboriginal people of Canada are experiencing a diabetic epidemic (see next slide)

9. “From a disease that was virtually unknown among First Nations, Inuit and Métis people fifty years ago, the prevalence of diabetes among First Nations is now at least three times the national average, with high rates occurring in all age groups. Diabetes in First Nations communities is now considered an epidemic, and rates are continuing to increase. Rates of diabetes appear to be higher on-reserve than off-reserve.” -Statistics Canada

10. Age also seems to play a significant role in diabetes. Risk begins to rise significantly at about age 45 years, and rises considerably after age 65 years.

11. Symptoms of Diabetes Many of the symptoms in type 1 and type 2 diabetes are similar. In both, there is too much glucose in the blood, and not enough in the cells. The body lets you know that the cells aren’t getting the glucose that they need through certain symptoms. In type 1, high glucose in the blood is attributed to lack of insulin because all insulin producing cells have been damaged. In type 2, high glucose in the blood is because the body’s cells become resistant to the insulin being produced.

12. Symptoms Hyperglycemia Too much sugar in the blood is called hyperglycemia. That can happen when you eat too much sweet/starchy food, when you’re less active than usual, forget to take your diabetes medication, have an infection, or even when your experiencing strong emotions. Over the long run, hyperglycemia can cause serious complications.

13. Signs of Hyperglycemia Intense thirst Frequent and abundant urination Excessive hunger Drowsiness Blurred vision

14. Symptoms Hypoglycemia When blood glucose levels fall below 4mmol/L, that is hypoglycemia. Only people treated with oral anti-diabetics or insulin risk having hypoglycemic episodes. Skipping a meal or snack, extra or unexpected exercise, an incorrect dosage of diabetes medication, and drinking alcohol on an empty stomach are the main causes. Hypoglycemia can happen fast-If not treated quickly, it can make you pass out.

15. Signs of Hypoglycemia Trembling, weakness Cold sweats Dizziness Hunger Palpitations Mood changes (irritability, anger, etc.) Blurred vision Decreased judgment, loss of memory, confusion

16. Complications Diabetes is a very difficult disease to live with. A contributing factor to it’s severity is that diabetes can lead to many serious health consequences.

17. Complications (continued) Over time, excess sugar in the blood damages small and large blood vessels, affecting circulation. When diabetes is poorly controlled, the consequences on your health can be serious. The complications affect mainly the eyes, kidneys, nerves and heart. Deterioration of small blood vessels in the retina can cause gradual loss of sight. Diabetes is one if the MAIN CAUSES of blindness among adults in industrialized countries.

18. Complications (continued) Deterioration of blood vessels in the kidneys can lower their capacity to filter blood and eliminate waste. When kidneys stop functioning, dialysis and a kidney transplant are often needed.

19. Complications (continued) When the nerves are affected, there is a gradual loss of feeling, especially in the extremities (hands & feet). This is the most widespread complication of diabetes. Nerves of stomach and intestine can also be affected.

20. Complications (continued) Narrowing of the arteries (atherosclerosis) can affect the heart. Diabetics are more susceptible to developing high blood pressure or high blood lipids. Angina, gangrene, heart attack and strokes Diabetics have a TWO TO FOUR TIMES GREATER RISK of having cardiovascular disease.

21. Complications (continued) The deterioration of blood vessels and nerves can also lead to erectile dysfunction and impotence. Diabetics also have lowered resistance to infection and injuries heal more slowly.

22. Treatment of Diabetes Two types of medication are used to treat diabetes Oral anti-diabetics Insulin injections

23. Treatment (continued) ORAL ANTI-DIABETICS are used in the treatment of type 2 diabetes when changing lifestyle habits is not sufficient to maintain blood glucose levels within the desirable range. INSULIN is a hormone produced by the pancreas that lets sugar get inside cells. Insulin is vital to the treatment of people with type 1 diabetes. Insulin can also be used for Type 2 diabetes to get better control over blood glucose levels.

24. Fun Fact Insulin was discovered in 1921 by two Canadian researchers, Frederick Grant Banting and Charles Herbert Best. Unfortunately, Best was not recognized for his true value, and the Nobel Prize for medicine in 1923 was awarded to Banting and another researcher, Jon James Macleod, for a method of producing insulin.

25. Prevention and alternative methods of treatment Good lifestyle habits are usually sufficient to prevent complications associated with diabetes, and they reduce the risk of ever getting it. YOU DON’T HAVE TO WAIT TO GET DIABETES TO MAKE SOME CHANGES TO YOUR LIFESTYLE Diet is crucial to prevention and treatment. However, other lifestyle habits are just as important…

26. Prevention and alternative methods of treatment Control your weight- Obesity is a factor in getting type 2 diabetes. Excess weight keeps insulin from doing it’s job well, which increases sugar levels in your blood. Quit smoking- Smoking and diabetes are a double whammy on your health! Diabetes increases the risk of cardiovascular disease and smoking does even more! Be more active- Exercise helps lower blood glucose levels. Through regular physical activity, some type 2 diabetics do not require any medication. Also, being active lowers the risk of cardiovascular disease and can help you maintain a healthy weight.

27. Diagnosis of Diabetes Diabetes can only be diagnosed through a laboratory blood test. A person is diabetic when his/her fasting blood glucose level is equal or higher than 7mmol/L.

28. Local Resources on Diabetes Gatineau Hospital 909 boulevard La Vérendrye OuestGatineau,Québec J8P 7H2Tel : 819-561-8100; Fax 819-561-8306 Hull Hospital 116 Boul Lionel-Emond Hull, Québec J8Y 1W7 Tel : 819-595-6000 Fax: 819-595-6306 C.L.S.C-Aylmer 425 LeGuerrier. Gatineau (Aylmer), Québec, J9H 6N8 Tel: 819 684-2251; Fax: 819  684-2541 C.L.S.C-Hull 85, rue Saint-RédempteurHull, Québec J8X 4E6 Tel: 819-770-6900; Fax: 819-770-8707 C.L.S.C-Gatineau 777, boul. de la GappeGatineau, Québec J8P 7C3Tel : 819-561-2550; Fax 819-561-2021 • Diabétiques de l’Outaouais • 729, boul. St-Joseph suite 203 • Hull, Québec  J8Y 4B6 • Tel: (819) 770-0442; Fax: (819) 770-5919  • Club des jeunes diabétiques pour les 0-18 ans • Canadian Diabetes Association Ottawa & District Branch • 1355 Bank Street, Suite 403Ottawa, Ontario K1H 8K7 • Tel: 613-521-1902 ; Fax: 613-521-3667 • Holds free monthly information sessions on issues relevant to people with diabetes. • Provides guest speakers on request. • Equipment Supplies - Sales, Repairs and maintenance • SPORTHÈQUE 72 rue Jean-Proulx • Hull, Québec J8Z 1W1 • Tel: 819-777-5656; Fax: 819-777-9767 • training/nutrition programmes for diabetics.

29. Online resources • www.diabetes.ca or info@diabetes.ca • Diabetes hotline: (1-800-2268464) • www.diabetes.qc.ca • (1-514-259-3422) or (1-800-361-3504) www.kraftcanada.com/en/ProductsPromotions/ SensibleSolution/SensibleSolution.htm healthycanadians.ca/eat-manger_e.html www.diabetes.ca/getserious/