11/14/2025
💙 November is Diabetes Awareness Month in Canada
📅 World Diabetes Day — November 14th
Every November, Canadians come together to raise awareness, support research, and encourage early detection for diabetes — a condition that affects millions of people and their families across the country.
🇨🇦 Diabetes in Canada — The Facts:
📊 Over 5.7 million Canadians live with diagnosed diabetes (Types 1 & 2)
⚠️ About 1.7 million more have prediabetes, meaning they’re at high risk of developing Type 2 diabetes.
🕒 Every 3 minutes, another Canadian is diagnosed with diabetes.
💰 The total cost of diabetes to Canada’s healthcare system and economy is estimated at over $30 billion annually.
👶 Type 1 diabetes (about 10% of all cases) is an autoimmune condition often diagnosed in children or young adults.
🏃♀️ Type 2 diabetes (around 90% of cases) can often be delayed or managed through healthy eating, regular exercise, and early detection.
⚠️ Understanding the Side Effects of Diabetes
When blood sugar levels stay too high for too long, diabetes can cause short-term and long-term health problems:
Short-term side effects
🔹 Fatigue, frequent urination, and excessive thirst
🔹 Blurred vision and slow-healing wounds
🔹 Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia): shakiness, sweating, confusion, or fainting
Long-term complications
❤️ Heart disease and stroke — Diabetes increases cardiovascular risk.
👁️ Eye disease (retinopathy) — Can lead to vision loss or blindness.
🦶 Nerve damage (neuropathy) — Tingling, numbness, or pain in hands and feet.
💧 Kidney disease (nephropathy) — May lead to kidney failure.
🦷 Gum disease and other oral health problems.
💔 Sexual health issues and mental health challenges (depression, anxiety).
The Good News? 🙌
With proper management — regular blood sugar checks, a balanced diet, staying active, and seeing healthcare providers — many of these complications can be prevented or delayed.
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