Importance of staying healthy with diabetes
Taking care of diabetes is a shared effort between you and your health care team. Diabetes can damage many parts of the body such as the heart, blood vessels, eyes, nerves and kidneys. You and your team can prevent or slow down these complications, or if already present, prevent them from getting worse. This means you will need to manage your diabetes every day. Take positive action by learning as much as you can about diabetes and how to avoid its consequences. Those consequences can be very serious:
- 31 per cent of all heart disease and stroke hospitalizations occur in people with diabetes
- 34 per cent of people who begin kidney dialysis already have diabetes
- 64 per cent of hospitalizations for heart disease among Aboriginal people involve those with diabetes
- 97 per cent of limb amputations among Aboriginal people occur in those with diabetes
- 75 per cent of Canadians with diabetes also have at least one other chronic health condition (ex: arthritis, high blood pressure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, heart disease, cancer or mood disorders) – and most of these people have two or more chronic health problems in addition to diabetes
- people with diabetes are much more likely to develop chronic and severe infections and ulcers in their feet
- diabetes is the number one cause of blindness
Talk to your diabetes health care team to develop a plan to keep you healthy while living with diabetes or contact your regional health authority office to find out where you can receive diabetes care and services in your area.
Regional Health Authority Office
How does diabetes affect you?
Disclaimer: Your health care provider knows you, your health history and the kinds of changes you can make to improve your health. This website is not intended to replace advice from your health provider.
