Diabetes in Canada: An Overview

Diabetes is a chronic condition that affects the body's ability to produce or use insulin, a hormone that regulates blood sugar levels. High blood sugar levels can lead to serious health complications, such as heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, nerve damage, eye damage and lower-limb amputations.

According to Diabetes Canada, 11.7 million Canadians currently live with diabetes or prediabetes. Prediabetes is a condition where blood sugar levels are higher than normal, but not high enough to be diagnosed as diabetes. Prediabetes can increase the risk of developing type 2 diabetes, the most common form of diabetes in Canada.

There are two main types of diabetes: type 1 and type 2. Type 1 diabetes occurs when the body's immune system destroys the cells that produce insulin. People with type 1 diabetes need to take insulin injections or use an insulin pump to manage their blood sugar levels. Type 1 diabetes usually develops in childhood or adolescence, but can occur at any age.

Type 2 diabetes occurs when the body becomes resistant to insulin or does not produce enough insulin. People with type 2 diabetes may be able to control their blood sugar levels by following a healthy diet, exercising regularly and losing excess weight. Some people may also need to take oral medications or insulin injections to maintain their blood sugar levels. Type 2 diabetes usually develops in adulthood, but can also affect children and adolescents.

Gestational diabetes is a temporary condition that occurs during pregnancy, when the body's hormones interfere with insulin action. Gestational diabetes can affect the health of both the mother and the baby. Women with gestational diabetes need to monitor their blood sugar levels and follow a healthy eating plan during pregnancy. Some women may also need to take insulin injections to manage their blood sugar levels. Gestational diabetes usually goes away after the baby is born, but can increase the risk of developing type 2 diabetes later in life.

Living with diabetes requires cooperation between the person affected and their health care providers to monitor and manage their blood sugar levels and to prevent or delay the onset of complications. Learning about diabetes can help people with diabetes acquire the skills, knowledge and resources they need to cope with their condition.

Canada has one of the most comprehensive chronic disease surveillance systems in the world, which helps monitor changes in diabetes patterns over time and inform programs and policies to improve the lives of Canadians with diabetes.