Did you know almost 3 million Canadians live with diabetes every day – that’s 10% of our population. There are three types of diabetes: Type 1, Type 2 and gestational.
Gestational diabetes occurs in 1% of pregnant women when high blood sugar levels develop during pregnancy. This type of diabetes usually disappears after giving birth, but can increase the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes later in life1.
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease, where the pancreas does not produce insulin. Without insulin, sugar builds up in the blood instead of being used for energy. This can lead to organ damage, starvation and even death. The cause of Type 1 diabetes remains unknown and is unfortunately not preventable.
Type 2 diabetes is a metabolic disorder and occurs when the pancreas does not produce enough insulin or when the body does not properly use the insulin produced. Approximately 90% of Canadians who have diabetes are Type 22.
For the first time in history, the number of adults aged 65 years and older exceeds the number of children in Canada. Due to our aging population, the risk of Type 2 diabetes is on the rise.
That being said, many of the contributing factors that are resulting in the increase of Type 2 diabetes are things we can change. Increasing physical activity, eating more fruits and vegetables, not smoking and weight control can all help to reverse the severity and decrease the risk of Type 2 diabetes3.
As an RTIP/ARM member, your plan may cover the following diabetic supplies:
- Needles
- Syringes
- Chemical testing reagents for use in the treatment of diabetes
- Lancets for use in the treatment of diabetes
To learn more about which type of diabetic supplies your RTIP/ARM plan covers, contact OTIP Benefits Services by calling 1-800-267-6847.
Sources
1,2. Canadian Diabetes
3. Healthline