Diabetes

Whether you’re newly diagnosed or have been living with diabetes for a long time, your Pharmasave pharmacist can help you manage your condition with information on:

• Why keeping your blood sugar “at target” is so important and how lifestyle choices will affect you.
• Choosing and using the equipment to test your blood sugar.
• Easing discomfort you may have when finger-sticking.
• Using your insulin or insulin pen.
• Protecting your skin and feet.
• The importance of having good dental care and eye examinations.
• Managing your medication(s) if you’re going on vacation and more!

What is diabetes? Diabetes is a condition where people don’t produce enough insulin, or their cells don’t respond properly to insulin. Insulin is an important hormone produced by the pancreas that moves glucose, a type of sugar, into the body’s cells from the blood. Once inside the body’s cells, glucose is used as a source of energy. If insulin isn’t available or doesn’t work correctly to move glucose from the blood into cells, glucose will stay in the blood. Blood sugar levels will then increase.

In Canada, almost 3.4 million people have diabetes, and about 20% to 40% of those with the condition are unaware that they have it. According to Diabetes Canada, 5 million people in Canada will have diabetes by the year 2025.

Want to know if you are at risk? The Public Health Agency of Canada has a questionnaire. If you are concerned or have questions about your risk, speak with your doctor or one of our Pharmasave pharmacists about prevention. Here at Copperfield Pharmasave we have pharmacists who are certified diabetes educators.