A hormone called insulin is produced by the pancreas to control the amount of sugar in the blood. In diabetes, the sugar builds up in the blood because the body's response to insulin is impaired.

There are three main types of diabetes. Type 1 diabetes, usually diagnosed in children and adolescents, occurs when the pancreas is unable to produce insulin. Approximately 10 percent of people with diabetes have type 1 diabetes.

The remaining 90 percent have type 2 diabetes, which occurs when the pancreas does not produce enough insulin or when the body does not effectively use the insulin that is produced. Type 2 diabetes usually develops in adulthood, although increasing numbers of children in high-risk populations are being diagnosed.

A third type of diabetes, gestational diabetes, is a temporary condition that occurs during pregnancy. It affects approximately 4 percent of all pregnancies (in the non-Aboriginal population) and 8 - 18 percent of all pregnancies (in the Aboriginal population), and involves an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes for both mother and child.

Untreated diabetes can result in a variety of complications such as:

• Heart Attack or Stroke
• Nephropathy (Kidney disease)
• Blindness
• Erectile Dysfunction
• Loss of feeling in the hands, arms, feet, and legs

The first step in preventing complications caused by diabetes is recognizing the risk factors and symptoms of diabetes...etc. Click here to learn more about early detection.

You can do this by:

• Eating healthy meals and snacks
• Enjoying regular physical activity
• Taking diabetes medications (including insulin), if prescribed by your doctor
• Seeking medical help for permanent weight loss

Type 2 diabetes is a progressive, life-long condition; over time, it may be more difficult to keep your blood glucose levels in your target range.

Dramatic weight loss and weight loss maintenance accomplished through adjustable laparoscopic gastric banding is recognized by the American Medical Association as being effective for keeping blood sugar levels in check, and reducing dependence on medication to the point of eliminating the need for medication entirely.

Here are some other steps you can take to manage your diabetes and help maintain your overall health and wellness - today and in the future:

• Don't smoke
• Check your blood glucose levels regularly and keep them in your target range
• Keep your cholesterol and other blood fats in your target range
• Maintain a healthy weight
• Keep your blood pressure close to target level
• Take your medication as prescribed
• Manage your stress effectively
• Follow a balanced meal plan
• Be physically active
• Take care of your feet
• Regularly visit your dentist, eye care specialist (every one to two years) and doctor

Click here to learn more about how to treat diabetes.

Proper nutrition is vital to managing blood sugar, and, as people with diabetes should be monitoring their blood sugar levels, they will quickly learn the effects certain foods have on their blood glucose level. For instance, foods that are high in fibre help to keep blood sugar levels more stable than foods that are high in refined sugar.

Click here for more information on healthy eating and diabetes.

Your goal should be to complete at least 150 minutes of moderate- to vigorous-intensity aerobic exercise each week (e.g. 30 minutes, 5 days a week).

You may have to start slowly, with as little as 5 to 10 minutes of exercise per day, gradually building up to your goal. Multiple, shorter exercise sessions of at least 10 minutes each are as useful as a single longer session of the same intensity.

If you have been inactive for some time you should first see your doctor. He or she will want to ensure that you don't have any conditions or complications that might be aggravated by exercise.

Click here to find out more about physical activity and diabetes.