Over 2 million Canadians have diabetes.
There are three types of diabetes.

Healthy eating and watching your weight are important to help manage your diabetes. Remember to see your dietitian who can help you to develop or update your personalized meal plan.

Type 1 diabetes occurs when the pancreas no longer produces insulin. The body needs insulin to use sugar for energy. Approximately 10 per cent of people with diabetes have type 1 diabetes.

Type 2 diabetes occurs when the pancreas does not produce enough insulin or when the body does not effectively use the insulin that is produced. 90 per cent of people with diabetes have type 2 diabetes.

Gestational diabetes is a temporary condition that occurs during pregnancy. It affects approximately 3.5 per cent of all pregnancies and involves an increased risk of developing diabetes for both mother and child.

Is diabetes serious?

If left untreated or improperly managed, diabetes can result in a variety of complications, including:

• Heart disease
• Problems with erection (impotence)
• Kidney disease
• Nerve damage
• Eye disease

The first step in avoiding the onset of these complications is recognizing the risk factors, as well as signs and symptoms that may indicate you have diabetes. Careful management of diabetes, for those living with it, can delay or even prevent complications.

What are the risks?

Risk factors for developing diabetes include the following:

• Being age 40 or older
• A member of a high-risk ethnic group (Aboriginal, Hispanic, Asian, South Asian or African descent)
• Overweight (especially if you carry most of your weight around your middle)

Having:

• A parent, brother or sister with diabetes
• High blood pressure
• Given birth to a baby that weighed more than 4 kg (9 lb) at birth
• High cholesterol or other fats in the blood
• Had gestational diabetes (diabetes during pregnancy)
• Health complications that are associated with diabetes
• Impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) or impaired fasting glucose (IFG)

Having been diagnosed with any of the following conditions:

• Polycystic ovary syndrome
• Acanthosis nigricans (darkened patches of skin)
• Schizophrenia

What are the symptoms?
Signs and symptoms of diabetes include the following:

• Unusual thirst
• Frequent urination
• Weight change (gain or loss)
• Extreme fatigue or lack of energy
• Blurred vision
• Frequent or recurring infections
• Cuts and bruises that are slow to heal
• Tingling or numbness in the hands or feet
• Trouble getting or maintaining an erection

It is important to recognize, however, that many people who have type 2 diabetes may display no symptoms.

Can you prevent diabetes?
Scientists believe that lifestyle and type 2 diabetes are closely linked. This means that lifestyle is one area individuals can focus on to help prevent or delay the onset of the condition. A healthy meal plan, weight control, physical activity and stress reduction are important prevention steps.
Lifestyle Management: Learning to reduce stress levels in day-to-day life can help people with diabetes better manage their disease.
For more information, contact the Canadian Diabetes Association in Owen Sound at 371-0153.

Story Corner

In Appreciation

As one of the earlier members of the coffee connection group I would like to submit my feelings regarding the services Seniors Connect offers.

I was born and raised in Lions Head but left for Toronto in my early teens. My husband was a Torontonian and we were summer residents at a cottage on Gillies Lake for 25 years. I moved back to Lions Head in a bungalow two years ago and I must admit that I felt very much alone with winter just beginning. After having spent a long snowy winter, I read an article in the paper regarding the opening of Seniors Connect. I immediately went to see Val, the coordinator in the office for assistance. I found it was necessary to make medical trips to Owen Sound and Wiarton frequently. Val, referred me to Home & Community Support Services which I did not know about. I joined the coffee group when it first started; I found some of my old friends there and made a good number of new friends as well. Without the services of Seniors Connect, particularly Val, I could not have coped with the difficulties that I have encountered. The coffee group has been very helpful and I feel like they are my family. I do hope that this group is able to carry on. I am so happy to be back home and have good friends, I feel totally contented. May you all have a very Merry Christmas!

Lee Knight

Seniors Connect Events

Our seniors coffee group went to the Tamarac Island Inn on Wednesday November 16th for lunch. They had the dining room set up so cozy. It was a blustery day and when we walked in they had the fireplace going with linen tablecloths and candles on the table. Lunch was excellent.

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Home & Community Support services is now offering the Day Away program in Lion’s Head.

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On Wednesday November 23rd our coffee group joined the Day Away program for the day to better understand what the program is all about.

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We had our regular coffee to start with, then an exercise program and lunch to follow. After lunch there was a puzzle game; followed by entertainment later on. It was an enjoyable day. Well, it’s hard to believe Christmas is just around the corner. To celebrate; we will be having a Christmas luncheon in the office (the old municipal office) on Friday December 16th from 11:30 – 2:00. We will have a light lunch and coffee & tea as well as entertainment. We do have limited space in our office so an RSVP would be appreciated. Lorraine White will be celebrating her 90th birthday this December.

December 3rd 2005

International Day of Disabled Persons

The aim is to promote an understanding of disability issues and to mobilize support for the dignity, rights and well-being of persons with disabilities.