What is diabetes?

(from the Canadian Diabetes Association)

There are three main types of diabetes. Type 1 diabetes, usually diagnosed in children and adolescents, occurs when the pancreas is unable to produce insulin. Insulin is a hormone that ensures body energy needs are met. Approximately 10 per cent of people with diabetes have type 1 diabetes.

The remaining 90 per cent have type 2 diabetes, which occurs when the pancreas does not produce enough insulin or when the body does not effectively use the insulin that is produced. Type 2 diabetes usually develops in adulthood, although increasing numbers of children in high-risk populations are being diagnosed.

A third type of diabetes, gestational diabetes, is a temporary condition that occurs during pregnancy. It affects approximately 3.7 per cent of all pregnancies (in the non-Aboriginal population) and 8 - 18 per cent of all pregnancies (in the Aboriginal population), and involves an increased risk of developing diabetes for both mother and child.

What is the goal of the RDPCN diabetes program?

The goal of the program is to help people

• Take control of your lifestyle choices
• Be an active participant in health related decisions
• Decide what is important to you and set goals and make an action plan to meet those goals
• Be open and honest with health care professionals regarding your feelings, actions and progress on goals and the action plan
• Establish personal supports that help you adopt and maintain healthy living choices
• Make your health a priority and invest time and effort to achieve good health
• Regularly monitor health parameters and act on results.

Who would benefit from the RDPCN diabetes program?

• Anyone with diabetes who is interested in learning how to better manage their condition.
• People at risk for developing diabetes
• NOTE: This is not for emergencies

How does the RDPCN diabetes program work?

Your family doctor will refer you to this program. You can also ask your family doctor if you might benefit from this program.

Initial Appointment:

You will receive a phone call from your family nurse to arrange an initial meeting at your family doctor's office. This appointment which is approximately 45 minutes will be an opportunity to:

• get to know your family nurse and how she can help you
• learn how you can better manage your diabetes
• help you identify areas where you can make a positive improvement in your life.

Resources

Canadian Diabetes Association