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Diabetes Centre

Your local diabetes center can be a source of information, education, support and comfort. Current estimates suggest diabetes affects over 246 million people around the world. Diabetes has become the fourth leading cause of death, but many people don’t even know they have the disease.

You can find out if you are at risk at your local diabetes center. People older than 40 years of age should be tested for diabetes. People who are overweight may also be at risk. Those of African, Aboriginal, African and Asian descent are also identified in a high risk category. People with a close family member with diabetes are also more prone to the disease.

Some of the symptoms of diabetes include the need to urinate more frequently, or an unusual thirst. You may feel tingling or numbness in your hands and feet. You may experience blurry vision or extreme fatigue. Unexplained weight change can also be a sign. You should also question a cut or bruise that takes too long to heal.

Some medical conditions may also be a sign of diabetes, such as high cholesterol or blood pressure. Diabetes leads to a number of serious consequences such as kidney disease, nerve damage, heart disease, blindness, and amputation. If you suspect you may have diabetes, you can get more local information from a diabetes centre, or your doctor.

A diabetes centre can also help you understand how diabetes affects you, and what you can do to control the disease. People with Type One diabetes don’t produce any insulin. Type Two diabetes means either your body is not producing enough insulin or it doesn’t use it effectively. Insulin is a hormone made in the pancreas. It helps cells absorb glucose from the blood and turn it into energy. Without enough insulin, the glucose remains in the blood where it lead to serious consequences.

People with diabetes Type One need to take insulin injections. People with diabetes Type Two may be able to avoid insulin injections by making life style changes. A diabetes centre can help you develop a diabetes management plan.

What you eat has a major effect on your blood glucose levels. Carbohydrates contain glucose and should be limited to less than sixty per cent of your total caloric intake. Carbohydrates include foods such as grains, fruits, vegetables and dairy products. You need to eat carbohydrates in combination with other foods to slow the movement of glucose into your blood. Your diabetes centre can help you plan meals and snacks to help keep sugar in your blood stream at an even keel.

You will also learn how exercise and weight will impact your blood glucose levels. A blood glucose meter will be a key tool in management of the disease. Your doctor or local diabetes center will explain how testing your blood multiple times every day will help you determine your target glucose levels.

You may have to take insulin injections to help control blood glucose levels. Insulin injection can be made with several different tools such as a syringe, pen or pump. You can discuss the options with your doctor, or your health management team at your local diabetes centre.

So far there is no cure for diabetes. Insulin will help you control it so you can live a long and vital life. Using the services of a local diabetes center will help you manage your diabetes, and learn more about your condition.

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