Municipal Retiree Benefit Trust

Prevent and manage type 2 diabetes

Friday, Jan 31, 2020

In 2019, 520,000 British Columbians had diabetes. It’s estimated that more than 704,000 BC residents will have diabetes 10 years from now — a 35% increase.

YOU ARE NOT alone if you, or someone you know, has been diagnosed with diabetes or prediabetes. Diabetes impacts a person’s ability to produce (type 1) or properly use (type 2)insulin — a hormone created by the pancreas to manage the amount of glucose (sugar) in the blood. Type 1 diabetes often develops in a person’s younger years. Type 2, the most common form of diabetes, most often occurs in adulthood and can generally be managed through diet and lifestyle changes, but may also require medication or insulin.

It’s important to know if you have potential risk factors for developing diabetes, including family history. If you have a mother, father, brother or sister with diabetes, your chances of getting the disease is higher. On the flip-side, if you have diabetes, your brother, sister or children may also be at risk.

The good news? If you are diagnosed with, or are at-risk of developing type 2 diabetes, there are steps you can take to improve your health and wellbeing. For example, by eating a healthy diet, exercising, and achieving a healthy weight, you may be able to reduce or even come off of your type 2 diabetes medication (changes should only be made in consultation with your health care provider).

Tips for preventing and managing type 2 diabetes

  1. Reduce sugar intake. Did you know that a single serving of pop contains about 10 teaspoons (40 grams) of sugar? That’s the equivalent of four Purdy’s Hedgehogs. Limit your sugar intake on items such as pop, desserts, alcohol, and candy.
  2. Exercise. If you have diabetes, it’s especially important to incorporate exercises such as walking and resistance training (using bands or weights) into your exercise routine. As a first step, try walking 5 to 10 minutes per day, and gradually increase the number of minutes each week. You’ll be surprised at how this will lower your blood sugars and help you feel better!
  3. Watch for the signs. If you might be at risk of diabetes, watch for early signs. This can include unusual thirst, frequent infections, and blurred vision after a meal. If your mother, father, brother or sister has diabetes, it’s recommended that you get tested.

Blood glucose test strips

Test strips are one method of monitoring blood sugar levels, and can help with your diabetes care when used appropriately.

Most people with type 2 diabetes that can manage their condition without insulin don’t need to test their blood sugar levels as often as they think.

It’s important to test with purpose (such as when you significantly adjust your diet, exercise or medication) and keep in mind that less frequent testing will not affect your diabetes control.

Frequency of testing blood glucose levels

Check with your health care provider or the websites below to learn more about testing frequency and diabetes management tools:

Metformin

Metformin continues to be the best medication option for type 2 diabetes. It’s been in use for decades, we know its long-term benefits and side effects, and it’s recommended as the first course of treatment.

Metformin reduces high sugar levels. It’s also associated with weight loss, a prolonged lifespan, possible heart benefits, and may reduce the risk of cancer in older people with diabetes.

Some side effects include nausea and diarrhea, but they generally go away within one to two weeks as the body adjusts to the medicine. Starting at a very low dose and gradually increasing it will also help.

Diabetes Risk Questionnaire

It’s important to know if you have potential risk factors for developing diabetes. The Diabetes Canada Risk Questionnaire (CANRISK) is an online resource that can help you determine if you’re at a higher risk of having or developing prediabetes or type 2 diabetes.

If you check any of the boxes on the questionnaire, or you have any questions or concerns, please talk to your health care provider about being tested for diabetes.

Diabetes Resources

If you are concerned about your risk of developing diabetes, or if you have already been diagnosed, it’s important to stay informed on the best ways to manage your health. In addition to consultations with your health care provider, there are also many opportunities for education provided by trusted resources, such as Diabetes Canada.

The Diabetes Canada website offers information on diabetes management and self-care, as well as healthy living tools, resources, and more. They also offer educational sessions throughout the year hosted by certified diabetes educators.

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