Diabetes Awareness Month:
What You Need to Know

51 million. ¹ That’s how many adults in North America and the Caribbean suffer from diabetes. Symptoms can be similar for all types; however, they’re most often identified in those suffering from type 1. Type 2 diabetes is the most common type, accounting for around 90% of all diabetes cases. It is generally characterized by insulin resistance, where the body does not fully respond to insulin.² According to the Mayo Clinic, common symptoms³ include:

·         Increased thirst and urination

·         Fatigue

·         Blurred vision

·         Unexpected weight loss

·         Increased hunger

·         Slow-healing sores and frequent infections

·         Red, swollen gums

·         Tingling or numbness in your hands or feet

Learn more about the different types of diabetes, how each is managed and what new treatments are on the horizon.

Type 1 Diabetes

The facts. Previously called juvenile diabetes, type 1 is most often diagnosed in kids and younger adults. In total, it accounts for about 5.2% of all diagnosed cases of diabetes, and affects nearly 1.6 million people.⁴ This form of the disease triggers an autoimmune response to a virus. If a person also has a gene that causes the pancreas’ beta cells to resemble the cells of the virus, the immune system attacks those cells as well, leaving the body unable to produce insulin. If the body cannot produce insulin, a hormone needed to transport glucose from the blood to the cells for energy, diabetes results.⁴

The treatment. While there’s currently no cure for type 1 diabetes, the condition can be controlled with proper management of glucose and insulin levels, as well as leading a healthy lifestyle through regular exercise and proper nutrition. People with type 1 diabetes need to take one of the several types of insulin available to control their blood glucose levels. The types of insulin needed depends on how quickly they work, when they peak, and how long they last.⁵

What’s new? Unfortunately, a cure still hasn’t been found and isn’t likely on the short-term horizon. It will probably be more achievable to try and prevent or delay type 1 diabetes for people at risk or who are already diagnosed, slowing down the auto-immune destruction of beta cells and protecting those cells that are still active.⁶

Type 2 Diabetes

The facts. This is the most common form of the disease. With type 2 diabetes, the pancreas can’t keep up with the high blood sugar levels that come from a poor diet and little exercise. As a result, people with type 2 diabetes end up with “insulin resistance. ” This is when the pancreas is producing insulin but the body fails to recognize it.⁷

The treatment. Being physical active is important. It makes your body more sensitive to insulin. That’s why it’s central to diabetes management. Of course, there’s no need to wait until you’re diagnosed with diabetes to become more active. Take action now and you’ll be better off. You will also want to lose weight, avoid high blood sugar, cut stress levels and get enough sleep.⁸

What’s new? Type 2 diabetes research and technological breakthroughs have made significant advances in how the condition is treated and managed including insulin pumps as an alternative to self-injecting multiple times a day. Also, continuous glucose monitors place a tiny sensor just below the skin to measure how much glucose is in the fluid between cells every few minutes and sends the information to your mobile phone. ⁹

Gestational Diabetes

The facts. Between 3 – 20% of pregnant women develop gestational diabetes in Canada. This type of diabetes occurs during the second or third trimester of pregnancy. Typically, women who develop gestational diabetes did not have diabetes before they were pregnant. Fortunately for most women who get type 2 diabetes it usually goes away after giving birth. However, the mother and her baby may have a higher chance of developing health problems including type 2 diabetes and heart disease later in life.¹⁰

The treatment. Women who have been diagnosed with gestational diabetes during pregnancy should breastfeed immediately after birth. They should also continue breastfeeding for at least 4 months to help prevent hypoglycemia in the baby, childhood obesity and diabetes for the mother and child.¹¹

Looking ahead. It is important for a mother diagnosed with gestational diabetes to reduce her body weight, and get screened for type 2 diabetes after the pregnancy (ideally within 6 weeks to 6 months of giving birth) and before she plans to get pregnant again.¹² Speak with your doctor about the type and amount of physical activity for you after pregnancy. Try to be active for up to 30 minutes daily or at least walk for 10 minutes after you eat. This activity could include chores around the house, playing with other children or and walking around the block. However, to be safe, always check with your obstetrician before you exercise.¹³

Whether in Canada or the U.S., supplement insurance through Combined Insurance can help patients manage the unexpected medical and hospital expenses that often arise when diabetes strikes. Contact an agent today for the products that might be right for you.

For the United States: Policies underwritten by Combined Insurance Company of America (Chicago, IL) in all states, except New York. In New York, policies are underwritten by Combined Life Insurance Company of New York (Latham, NY). Combined Insurance Company of America is not licensed and does not solicit business in New York. Exclusions and limitations apply. See policies for complete details.

For Canada: Policies underwritten by Combined Insurance Company of America. Exclusions and limitations apply. See policies for complete details.

References: 

1, 2, 5, 6“Diabetes in North America and Caribbean.” International Diabetes Association www.idf.org/our-network/regions-members/north-america-and-caribbean/diabetes-in-nac.html

3 “Diabetes symptoms: When diabetes symptoms are a concern”, Mayo Clinic, June 3, 2021, www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/diabetes/in-depth/diabetes-symptoms/art-20044248

4. “Diabetes Statistics”, Diabetes Research Institute, 2020, https://diabetesresearch.org/diabetes-statistics/

7. “Health & Wellness”, South China Morning Post, Nov. 14, 2021, https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3155677/world-diabetes-day-2021-trillion-dollar-year-disease

8 “Insulin, Blood Sugar, and Type 2 Diabetes”. CDC, Aug 10, 2021, https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/basics/insulin-resistance.html

“9 Advancements That Have Changed Type 2 Diabetes Treatment”, Everyday Health, June 1, 2021, https://www.everydayhealth.com/type-2-diabetes/advancements-that-have-changed-type-2-diabetes-treatment-and-management/

10, 11, 12, 13 “Gestational diabetes”, Diabetes Canada, 2022, https://www.diabetes.ca/about-diabetes/gestational