Diabetes is common, and it is on the rise. It is estimated that 9.3% of Canadian adults have diabetes, and about 22% have pre diabetes. You read that right – that’s almost one third of Canadians that do not have normal blood sugar.
It is important to know if you have diabetes, as diabetes can lead to many health issues and complications, especially if it goes undiagnosed and/or untreated. Diabetes can go on for many years without any symptoms, so just because a person feels well doesn’t mean they don’t have it. Prediabetes (when blood sugars are between the normal and diabetic range) can also be associated with health complications even before diabetes develops.
As per the 2018 Diabetes Canada Guidelines on screening for diabetes in adults, you should be tested if you are:
- Age 40 or older – and retesting at least every 3 years
- If you have risk factors that increase the likelihood of developing type 2 diabetes, you should be tested more frequently and/or start screening earlier. Some of these risk factors including having a family history of type 2 diabetes; a history of pre diabetes or gestational diabetes; being a member of a high-risk population; or having overweight or obesity.
