Diabetes affects many of us and November is a time to bring this disease to the headlines as it is diabetes awareness month.
Lisa Miller – the manager of the Grey Bruce Diabetes Program — says there are over 150 thousand people in Grey Bruce and 7 per cent suffer from the disease.
Miller points out there are two types of diabetes – type one which is where your body does not produce insulin – this used to be called juvenile diabetes.
Type two is where you have an increased resilience to insulin in your body – the pancreas does not produce enough insulin.
Miller points out type two generally develops in adults when people tend to be overweight – dont watch their diet and do not exercise.
Miller says its is also showing up in children as 41 per cent of children in Grey Bruce are overweight or obese.
Miller says people that are overweight tend to carry their weight in the middle and that can cause stress on the body and the heart.
She adds the best defence is offence – watch your weight – eat properly – exercise.
Miller also suggests to visit your doctor and get screened – watch for signs such as being tired more than often – noticing if you have to use the washroom more than normal.
Miller adds there are certain nationalities that are more prone to the disease as well – first nations and Asian and African Canadian.
Miller says the Ontario government is investing a lot on money into the research and prevention and resources for diabetes therefore more people are becoming educated on the subject.
Miller says the most important thing on prevention is just to take care of yourself – because diabetes is the gateway to so many other diseases such as heart disease.