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What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious problem that costs our entire planet. Most people don’t realize that it is not only the world’s 4th leading cause of death, diabetes is increasing daily and now affects an estimated 246 million people globally.
- Diabetes Facts
- Type 1 diabetes
When you or someone you care for is diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, you may feel scared, shocked, angry or overwhelmed. These are all normal emotions. Learning as much as you can about diabetes will reduce your fears. This fact sheet provides basic information about type 1 diabetes. Contact the Canadian Diabetes Association for additional resources.
- Type 2 diabetes
Your body gets energy by making glucose from foods like bread, potatoes, rice, pasta, milk and fruit. To use this glucose, your body needs insulin. Insulin is a hormone that helps your body control the level of glucose (sugar) in your blood. Type 2 diabetes is a disease in which your pancreas does not produce enough insulin, or your body does not properly use the insulin it makes.
- Are You at Risk?
You could be one of many Canadians who have type 2 diabetes and don’t know it.
- Gestational diabetes
Pregnancy is a time of promise and expectation, but it can also raise the possibility for some women that they will develop gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM).
- Prediabetes
Prediabetes refers to blood glucose levels that are higher than normal, but not yet high enough to be diagnosed as type 2 diabetes (i.e. a fasting plasma glucose level of 7.0 mmol/L or higher). Although not everyone with prediabetes will develop type 2 diabetes, many people will.
- The prevalence and costs of diabetes
An estimated 246 million people worldwide are affected by diabetes. With a further 7 million people developing diabetes each year, that number is expected to hit 380 million by 2025.
- Type 1 Diabetes and Pregnancy: One Mother's Story
- Metabolic Syndrome
These terms are often used interchangeably to describe a group of conditions that puts people at higher risk for developing heart disease, type 2 diabetes and other heart problems.
- Diabetes Dictionary
- The History of Diabetes