Diabetes is a chronic disease that prevents the body from producing enough insulin or from using insulin effectively. Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas, and is essential for turning glucose (sugar) in the food we eat into energy.

Types of diabetes
Symptoms
Complications
Measuring glycemia
Treatment
Pharmacy services

Types of diabetes

Type 1 or juvenile diabetes
In people with this type of diabetes (approximately 10% of cases), the pancreas produces very little or no insulin. Patients must absolutely receive an external dose of insulin to manage their blood glucose levels. Type 1 diabetes normally appears before the age of 30. It is believed to be hereditary, but its exact cause remains unknown at this time.

Type 2 diabetes
People with type 2 diabetes represent 90% of cases. Their pancreas produces sufficient amounts of insulin, but the body does not use it appropriately. In certain cases, there is also an insufficient production of insulin. Type 2 diabetes often occurs in people over the age of 40 and those who are overweight.

In addition to age and weight, here are other risk factors related to type 2 diabetes:

 
- Physical inactivity and poor nutrition
- Heredity and belonging to an ethnic group at risk for the disease (Native, Latin American, Asian or African)
- Elevated cholesterol levels and blood pressure.

Gestational or pregnancy diabetes
This temporary disorder, which normally disappears right after the delivery, occurs in 2 to 4% of pregnancies. However, it does increase a woman’s risk of developing type 2 diabetes at a later time.

Symptoms
The most common symptoms of type 2 diabetes are generally the same as those for type 1:

- Fatigue, drowsiness
- Slow wound healing
- Frequent need to urinate
- Intense hunger and thirst
- Tingling of the hands or feet
- Itchiness
- Blurry vision
- Genital infections.

In many cases, symptoms are so mild that they go unnoticed for years.

 
Complications
Left untreated or poorly managed, diabetes can lead to serious consequences and various complications, such as:

- Heart disease
- Kidney failure
- Vision problems
- Problems with blood circulation
- Cerebrovascular accidents (strokes).

However, by managing your blood glucose levels, you can prevent diabetes complications or delay their onset.

 
Measuring glycemia
Glycemia corresponds to glucose levels in the blood. Your fasting glycemia level should range between 4 µl/L and 6 µl/L. It can be measured at home using a blood glucose monitor, available at your pharmacy.

Talk to your Uniprix affiliated pharmacist about selecting the model that best meets your needs.

Treatment
While diabetes cannot be cured, it can be prevented, its onset can be delayed and it can be managed by adopting a healthier lifestyle.

Education
The first step to take in living as normally as possible with diabetes is definitely to read and learn more about it. Knowledge is the key to better control of diabetes.

 

Nutrition
Good nutrition is, without a doubt, the starting point for any offensive against diabetes. Essentially, you need to eat right to: 

- Better control the level of sugar and fat in your blood
- Better control your blood pressure
- Reduce the risk of complications
- Reach and maintain a healthy weight.

A balanced diet is the best course of action. Choose foods that are low in fat, added sugar and salt. You should also increase your intake of fibre-rich foods.

Physical activity and weight management
Many specialists agree that physical activity offers more benefits than many other types of treatments. Combined with a 5 to 10% weight loss, moderate physical activity for just 30 minutes per day, 5 days a week can reduce the risk of diabetes by 58%.
 
To better manage your weight and learn your healthy weight, use our BMI calculator.

Medication
Often, healthy eating and an exercise regimen aren't enough to keep blood glucose levels within target. The doctor may therefore prescribe certain drugs to help you control your blood sugar. Each case is unique and may require different medications.   
 
Insulin
In some people, oral medication doesn't work for them, and injections may be necessary to either supplement or replace oral anti-diabetic drugs. While administering insulin can be less than pleasant, it has become much easier thanks to new devices available on the market. Talk to your pharmacist.

 

Pharmacy services
If you have been diagnosed with diabetes, you will want to monitor your glycemia closely. We offer several professional pharmacy services to help you do just that:

- Medication management services
- Blood glucose monitoring
- Consultation for diabetes follow-up.

Keywords
Diabetes, hyperglycemia, high blood glucose levels, glycemia level, type 1 diabetes, diabetes mellitus, insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, IDDM, non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, adult diabetes, gestational diabetes, juvenile diabetes, pregnancy diabetes
Notes (champ pour l’interne)