Diabetes is a BIG Deal!
As I was getting ready to record this podcast, I looked at the updated statistics for diabetes in Canada and in the US.
In Canada, 11 million individuals, or 29% of the population has some type of diabetes!
In the US, 29.1 million or 9.3% of the population has diabetes!
These are HUGE numbers. It is not only the diagnosis of diabetes but often the ramifications and complications that happen as a result of it.
There are different types of diabetes
The different types (I’ve outlined more about each of them here) include
- PreDiabetes or Borderline Diabetes
- Type 1 Diabetes (T1DM)
- Type 2 Diabetes (T2DM)
- Gestational Diabetes
The difference between T1DM and T2DM is how it develops. Diabetes in general is a lack of sensitivity to blood sugar. When we eat, our body releases insulin to take the sugar out of the blood stream. In T1DM, this doesn’t happen because our body does not have the cells that produce this hormone (called our beta cells). In T2DM, it is because our body can no longer meet the demands we have placed on it and it begins to shut down.
T2DM is generally diagnosed in adulthood (though sadly it is being diagnosed younger and younger).
The Complications of T1DM and T2DM are many
In this podcast episode, we break down the different complications that can happen as a result of T1 and T2DM.
Some of these are
- Eye Damage (retinopathy)
- Nerve Damage (neuropathy)
- Kidney Damage (nephropathy)
- Infections and wounds (especially on the feet)
- Anxiety and depression
- Heart disease and stroke
How we Manage it Follows the Acronym ABCDEs
A = A1C level
B= Blood Pressure
C = Cholesterol
D = Drugs (Medical Management)
E= Exercise (my personal favourite!)
S = Stress and Smoking
Making sure that each of these areas of your health are under the proper control and management is vital to your management of diabetes.
Diabetes doesn’t have to have complications if properly managed.
I hope this episode gave you some of the information you needed.
Ask away if you have any questions!
*Check out other podcasts in the Senior Rehab Project family at http://www.SeniorRehabProject.com
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