| |
Diabetes Health Centre
Medical Description |
What is Diabetes?
Diabetes Mellitus is the name given to a common, chronic health condition, characterized by above-normal levels of glucose (a type of sugar) in the blood. In people who do not have diabetes, a hormone called insulin regulates the amount of glucose in the blood. Diabetes occurs when there is a problem with the body's ability to make or use insulin.
Today, diabetes affects approximately five to ten percent of Canadians. About half of Canadians with diabetes are women (46 percent). Diabetes is particularly common among aboriginal peoples. Two thirds of aboriginal people with diabetes are women.
There are three main types of diabetes that may affect women:
Type 1 Diabetes
Type 2 Diabetes
Gestational Diabetes
|
|
|
