Diabetes Month - Gaining Awareness

Canadian Diabetes Association - Kawarthas Branch is celebrating Diabetes Month with a Celebrity Challenge. A group of local people will be living the next two weeks as diabetics to see and report back on the experience.

During this time we will test our blood glucose levels, eat according to the guidelines, get active, take placebo meds and for those who have a profile that requires insulin, give a placebo injection to their pillow. Everything must be documented so that we can report on our experiences.

I was a bit nervous when I arrived as I am afraid of needles. I was pleased to find out that my profile simply required diet and exercise (we'll come back to that word - simply later).

The group of people selected was strategically divided into categories based on our regional diabetes profile. Some were labeled as Type 1 diabetes, many more as Type 2. The Type 2 profiles varied from management by diet and exercise to management including insulin.

Our Dietitian talked to us about the importance of a proper balance of all of the food groups, but most importantly the method to measure our carbohydrate intake. We weren't to avoid carbs, as they are needed, but we need to know how much we take in to ensure the body can manage the sugar created by these carbs.

The next demonstration was how to work with our glucometers and test our blood glucose. There is a bit of finesse needed to make sure you have your blood sample ready before your meter times out, as TVCogeco Producer Marcus Ferguson found out, but after a few tries all was well. These new meters are very smart and they can provide a reading very quickly once you know what you are doing.

The final demonstration was for the few who would be required to do the placebo insulin injections. They were provided with an injectable pen and needed accessories, saline solution and a little green pillow that would accept the injection.

After all training was done we left the meeting ready to assume our role as diabetics for the next two weeks.

Now, I was thinking that diet and exercise was going to be fairly simple as I have already made many changes recently due to my husband's health issues. We don't eat prepackaged food any longer. I make almost everything from scratch now and seldom use a recipe. Sounds ideal until you have to calculate carbohydrates. I can guess - but that might mean a trip to the hospital for a diabetic. I have some homework to do obviously.

Also - I was surprised to find out that even though a person may manage their diabetes by diet and exercise, they would also be taking a host of medications for other issues such as high blood pressure, arthritis, high cholesterol etc.

Read all about our experiences here: http://cda-celebritychallenge2009.blogspot.com/

The incidents of diabetes in on the rise.
Currently, over two million Canadians have diabetes and that number is expected to reach three million by 2010. It's important to recognize the warning signs and get tested, as you can avoid or prolong other health issues if you manage your diabetes properly. http://www.diabetes.ca/about-diabetes/what/at-risk/