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Keeping blood glucose (sugar) levels in a healthy range can be challenging. When the amount of sugar in your blood has dropped below your target range (less than 4 mmol/L), it is called low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). If your blood sugar has dropped, you may feel: shaky, light-headed, nauseated. nervous, irritable, anxious.
- lows and highs: blood sugar levels
When the amount of blood glucose (sugar in your blood) has...
- lows and highs: blood sugar levels
Apr 22, 2023 · In Canada, a blood glucose level that is 7.0 mmol/L or higher means that a person has diabetes. A level of 6.1 to 6.9 mmol/L indicates that someone has prediabetes. This test also involves analyzing a sample of your blood in a laboratory. A1C is measured as a percentage and reflects your average blood sugar over the past 2-3 months; in Canada ...
Apr 19, 2018 · The chart below shows the recommendations for blood glucose levels for most people with diabetes. *An A1C is an average of your blood glucose levels over the past three months. Learn more about the A1C here. Note that the CPG’s recommend a realistic range for levels, rather than a single number at any particular point in time.
When the amount of blood glucose (sugar in your blood) has dropped below your target range (less than 4 mmol/L), it is called low blood sugar or hypoglycemia. What are the signs of a LOW blood sugar level? You may feel: • Shaky, light-headed, nauseated. • Nervous, irritable, anxious. • Confused, unable to concentrate.
- Overview
- Table of Contents
- Your Guide to Diabetes
- What is diabetes?
- What is pre-diabetes?
- Type 2 Diabetes Prevention
- Prevention Checklist
- Living With Diabetes
- Complications
- Diabetes – Terms to Know
•Your Guide to Diabetes
•What is diabetes?
•What is pre-diabetes?
•Type 2 Diabetes Prevention
•What is type 2 diabetes?
•How is diabetes diagnosed?
•Diabetes affects roughly two and a half million Canadians. Left untreated, diabetes can lead to many serious complications, including: heart disease, kidney disease, vision loss, and lower limb amputation.
•The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) estimates that 5 million Canadians over the age of 20 are currently pre-diabetic. An additional 1 million new cases of pre-diabetes are expected by 2016. Pre-diabetes is a key risk factor for type 2 diabetes, and if left untreated more than half of the people with pre-diabetes will develop type 2 diabetes within 8 to 10 years.
Diabetes is a chronic disease that results from the body's inability to sufficiently produce and/or properly use insulin, a hormone that regulates the way glucose (sugar) is stored and used in the body. The body needs insulin to use sugar as an energy source.
There are several forms of diabetes: type 1, type 2 and gestational diabetes.
Pre-diabetes occurs when blood glucose (sugar) levels are higher than normal, but not high enough for a diagnosis of diabetes. Glucose is the main sugar found in the blood and the body's main source of energy.
If left untreated, more than half of the people with pre-diabetes will have type 2 diabetes within 8 to 10 years.
Pre-diabetes can be prevented, and is most common in people over the age of 40 and in people who are overweight.
Pre-diabetes can be managed, or in some cases reversed, through healthy lifestyle choices.
What is type 2 diabetes?
Type 2 diabetes occurs when the body no longer produces enough insulin, or has difficulty using the insulin it produces, causing sugar to build up in the blood. Over time, this damages blood vessels and nerves and can result in severe complications including: blindness, heart disease, stroke, kidney failure, nerve damage, amputation, and erectile dysfunction. Adopting a healthier lifestyle can help prevent or control type 2 diabetes, and can significantly reduce your risk of heart disease, and stroke. It can also contribute to your overall well-being and quality of life. Did You Know? Nine out of ten Canadians with diabetes have type 2 diabetes. Seniors represent almost 45 per cent of the total number of people with the disease, and this number is expected to rise as Canada's population continues to age.
How is diabetes diagnosed?
Diabetes is diagnosed by measuring blood glucose (sugar) levels. However, there are a variety of different ways to test for diabetes. Your healthcare provider can identify which test is best for you.
Who is at-risk?
If you have one or more of the following factors, you may be at risk of developing type 2 diabetes: Pre-diabetes Overweight or obesity Age (people 40 years of age or older are at higher risk) High blood pressure Physically inactive Family history of diabetes Member of some ethnic populations including South Asian, East Asian, Aboriginal and Black History of gestational diabetes Did You Know? You can have type 2 diabetes, but may not notice any signs or symptoms. Regular check-ups with your healthcare provider are important to prevent or manage diabetes.
Know Your Body Mass Index (BMI)
Being overweight or obese puts you at risk for developing type 2 diabetes. BMI is an easy way to estimate excess fat. Even a small change in body weight can reduce your risk of diabetes. If your score is: Below 18.5 = Underweight 18.5–24.9 = Normal 25.0–29.9 = Overweight/Pre-obese 30.0 and over = Obese To calculate your BMI, you can use the BMI chart or the formulas at the bottom of this page or complete the Canadian diabetes risk questionnaire.
Measure Your Waist Circumference
The risk of developing type 2 diabetes is higher if fat is stored around the abdomen (rather than the hips and thighs). BMI assessments do not take into account where fat is stored. Men with a waist circumference of 102 cm (40 inches) or more and women with a waist circumference of 88 cm (35 inches) or more are at higher risk. Measure after breathing out (do not hold your breath). This is not the same as the waist size on your pants.
Eat a Healthy, Balanced Diet
By adding more fruits and vegetables to your diet, in addition to eating foods that are rich in fibre and low in sugar and fat, can help you maintain or lose weight. In addition to monitoring the foods you eat, you should also monitor portion size, while still ensuring that they contain enough healthy nutrients. Visit Health Canada's Eating Well With Canada's Food Guide . to learn more. Did You Know? Your waist circumference is important to know (this is not the same as the waist size of your pants).
Living with diabetes involves working with healthcare providers to monitor and manage blood glucose (sugar), blood pressure and cholesterol levels to reduce the risk of complications.
This should be paired with healthy lifestyle choices, including a healthy diet and physical activity.
What are common complications from living with diabetes?
Cardiovascular Disease Over time, diabetes can damage arteries, which may result in high blood pressure. If not controlled, this can lead to stroke, heart failure or heart attack. People with diabetes need to keep their blood pressure and cholesterol under control. Kidney Disease Kidney damage can develop in some people with diabetes. If left untreated, this can lead to more severe kidney damage or kidney failure. If you have diabetes, you should have your kidney function tested regularly. Did You Know? A healthcare provider can help with monitoring blood glucose (sugar) levels, as well as ensuring that necessary preventive care treatments and advice are received in a timely manner. Vision Loss Diabetic eye disease (diabetic retinopathy) can lead to loss of vision and blindness. Regular eye exams can help find problems that can be treated if found early. Lower Limb Amputation Over time, diabetes can damage sensory nerves, especially in the hands and feet. As a result, people with diabetes may not feel a foot injury, such as a blister or cut. Even a small injury, if left untreated, can quickly become infected. This can lead to serious complications such as amputation. People with diabetes should regularly check their feet and skin for ulcers and wounds (such as blisters and cuts). Other Complications People with diabetes are likely to develop other conditions such as dental disease and mental illness (depression).
For those diagnosed with diabetes, you can reduce the risk of complications:
Monitor blood glucose (sugar) levels with appropriate testing and an A1C blood test every three months to measure the average amount of sugar in your blood If you smoke, it's never too late to quit Be physically active Eat a healthy, balanced diet in accordance with Health Canada's Eating Well with Canada's Food Guide Maintain a healthy cholesterol level Control blood pressure Examine feet and skin every day Have an eye exam at least once a year Have a kidney function test at least once a year Visit your healthcare provider regularly
A1C A1C also known as HbA1c, is a blood test that shows the average amount of sugar in your blood over three months. It shows how well you are controlling your diabetes.
Acanthosis Nigricans Acanthosis nigricans is a skin condition, which leads to dark markings found typically around the neck, underarms or groin area. It is most often associated with obesity and may occur at any age.
Blood Glucose Blood glucose is the main sugar found in the blood and the body's main source of energy. The A1C blood test is used to measure a person's average blood glucose level over 2 to 3 months. Type 2 diabetes is usually diagnosed based on elevated fasting blood glucose (7.0 millimole/litre (mmol/L) or greater).
Blood Lipid Blood lipid is a term for fat in the blood and is measured with a lipid profile blood test. The lipid profile test measures total cholesterol (the fat produced by the liver and found in some foods), triglycerides (the storage form of fat in the body), high-density lipoprotein ( HDL) cholesterol (or "good" cholesterol), and low density lipoprotein ( LDL) cholesterol (or "bad" cholesterol).
Blood Pressure Blood pressure is the force of blood on the inside walls of blood vessels. It is measured by analyzing both the systolic (the pressure when the heart pushes blood out into the arteries) pressure and the diastolic (pressure when the heart is at rest) blood pressure.
Cardiovascular Disease Cardiovascular disease is a term that refers to diseases of the circulatory system including the heart and blood vessels.
May 28, 2023 · For most people, the A1C target should be 7% or lower (this is usually attained by having pre-meal blood sugars of 4-7 mmol/L and post-meal blood sugars of 5-10 mmol/L). If a person is very elderly or frail, a young child, or someone at risk of having low blood sugars, then the A1C target can be a bit higher (8% or 8.5 %). It is important to ...
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What does a high A1c level mean?
When your blood sugar level drops below 4.0 mmol/L, you will usually have symptoms of low blood sugar. This can happen quickly, in 10 to 15 minutes. If your blood sugar level drops just slightly below your target range (mild low blood sugar), you may feel tired, anxious, weak, shaky, or sweaty.
