Programs: Health - Diabetes
Aboriginal people have a three to fives times higher rate of Type 2 diabetes than the general population. Due to this risk, aboriginal people need information to help them live a long and healthy life, free from diabetes.
The diabetes prevention program began in October 2001 with funding from the Aboriginal Diabetes Initiative, Health Canada. The program offers education in diabetes prevention to off-reserve aboriginal people on the island of Newfoundland. Our goal is to provide our people with the information needed to prevent or, at least, delay Type 2 Diabetes.
You are more likely to develop diabetes if any of the following apply to you:- You are overweight (especially if most of your weight is around your middle) .
- You have a parent, brother or sister with diabetes.
- You have trouble dealing with stress.
- You had a baby that weighed over 4kg (9lbs) at birth.
- You had diabetes during your pregnancy.
- You are not active.
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› FAQs
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a lifelong condition that occurs when your body does not produce enough insulin or cannot use the insulin it produces. Your body needs insulin to change the sugar from food into energy. When you don’t have enough insulin, the sugar stays in your blood so that your blood sugar level gets too high. High blood sugar levels over long periods of time can cause complications such as damage to blood vessels and kidneys, and difficulties with circulation.
Is there only one kind of diabetes?
There are three main types of diabetes:
- Type 1 occurs when the body makes little or no insulin.
- Type 2 occurs when the body makes insulin but cannot use it properly.
- Gestational diabetes occurs when the body is not able to properly use insulin during pregnancy. This type of diabetes usually goes away after the baby is born.
Nine out of ten people with diabetes have Type 2.
Why are aboriginal people at greater risk for diabetes?
Many years ago, diabetes was not a concern for aboriginal people. In earlier times, aboriginal people needed to be very active in order to survive, and they also ate traditional foods. Some people think that the change in lifestyle for aboriginal people has caused people to be less active and eat different foods. The sudden change of lifestyle puts aboriginal people at a greater risk for developing diabetes than other Canadians.
Aboriginal people in Canada are at greater risk for developing Type 2 diabetes than other Canadians. Aboriginal children are also now being diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes, a condition that in the past occurred mainly in older persons. Inuit rates of diabetes are not as high as other aboriginal populations, however there is fear that the rates of Type 2 are increasing among Inuit as well.
Is diabetes serious?
Yes. Poor blood glucose management can lead to kidney failure, heart disease, impotence, blindness, and amputation. The good news is that by keeping your blood glucose levels in a target range determined by your doctor, you can live a long and healthy life.
How do I know if I have diabetes?
You might have Type 2 diabetes if:- You are often thirsty
- You go to the bathroom a lot (urinate)
- You lose weight without knowing why
- You do not have much energy
- You can’t see well (blurred vision)
- You get more infections than usual
- You have cuts and bruises that heal slowly
- You feel tingling or numbness in your hands or feet.
On the other hand, many people who have Type 2 diabetes may not have any of these signs. This is why it is important to be tested regularly for diabetes if you are an aboriginal adult, or if you have any of the signs listed above.
It is important to know if you have diabetes. The sooner you know, the sooner you can take steps to help you live well with diabetes. People with diabetes can live long, healthy, happy lives.
What are the risks?
Aboriginal people in Canada are at greater risk for developing Type 2 diabetes than other Canadians. Generally, the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes increases as you age, but if you are an aboriginal person, you are at greater risk for developing Type 2 diabetes earlier in life. Aboriginal children are now being diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes—a condition that in the past occurred mainly in older persons. Inuit rates of diabetes are not as high as other aboriginal populations, however there is fear that the rates of Type 2 diabetes are increasing among Inuit as well.
Can smoking affect diabetes?
Cigarette smoking causes many health problems. These problems can be even more serious for people with diabetes. Most people know that smoking causes cancer and breathing problems, but it can also cause other problems, especially if you have diabetes. Because smoking decreases the way blood flows through your body, it increases the chance of long-term complications of diabetes including heart disease and amputation.
Here are some facts about smoking:
- When you smoke, less oxygen flows inside your body. This can cause a heart attack or stroke.
- Smoking damages your blood vessels, which makes it harder for your body to heal. This can lead to infections in your legs and feet.
- If you smoke and you have diabetes, you are more likely to get nerve damage and kidney disease.
- Smokers are more likely to get colds and respiratory infections.
- Smoking can lead to impotence.
- Children are more likely to start smoking if their parents smoke.
The good news is that no matter how long you’ve smoked, your health will start to improve right after you quit smoking or cut down a lot on the amount you smoke. Kicking the habit is hard to do—but worth it.