Haldimand Norfolk Diabetes Program
216 West St, Suite 302 N3Y 1S8 Simcoe, ON, Canada

Diabetes and foot care.... why is your health care team always asking about your feet? More sugar than normal in the blood stream can damage the blood vessels and nerves in your body. The blood vessels narrow the further away they are from the heart. When you have diabetes, and there’s more blood sugar than normal in the blood stream, the blood can become thicker, more sluggish. The nerves may not feel things as well as they used to. So people with diabetes are more at risk ...for having a foot injury due to poor sensation, and then healing more poorly due to sluggish blood flow. How can you prevent foot issues? Keep your A1C under 7 to reduce your risk of injury to the blood vessels and nerves. Don’t smoke (which constricts the blood vessels further). Look at your feet every day. Protect them from injury by wearing footwear that fits you properly (no friction, no pressure). Deal with foot issues immediately, don’t wait for them to get better on their own. Have your health care provider check your sensation every year with a monofilament. For more information, check out this handout on foot care: https://www.diabetes.ca//Tools%20and%20Reso/foot-care.pdf

March is National Kidney Awareness Month. What does Diabetes have to do with the kidneys? Poorly controlled diabetes can damage the small vessels in the body, including the blood vessels in the kidneys. When this happens, the kidneys cannot clean the blood properly. Your body will retain more salt and water than it should, and you may leak protein in your urine as waste materials build up in the blood stream. It is recommended that people with diabetes have their kidney fun...ction assessed yearly by a blood test (eGFR) and a urine test (ACR). Your doctor will order these tests for you. To protect your kidneys, aim for glucose control (A1C less than 7), blood pressure control (BP less than 130/80), don’t smoke (constricts the blood vessels) and ask your doctor about an ACEi or ARB as well as an SGLT2i. These medications have been shown to reduce the risk and slow the progression of kidney disease.

One year ago the World Health Organization declared Covid-19 a global pandemic, signifying a health crisis that would impact more than 210 countries and more than 118,000,000 people world wide. More than 2.5 million people have died due to covid so far. This has been a year of loss for so many people, and we wanted to take a moment to honour all those who suffered this year, whether you suffered with isolation and loneliness, fear of an unknown virus and its impact on your ...health and life, or whether you lost a loved one due to covid or its ramifications in our community. What do we know about Covid19 and Diabetes? We know that people with diabetes have the same susceptibility to catching covid as those who do not have diabetes. We know that health outcomes are often worse in those who have diabetes or in those who struggle with weight, have high blood pressure or lung disease, or are already immuno-compromised. We also know that clinical trials involving the covid 19 vaccine had people with both Type One and Type Two Diabetes (~6000 people in the Moderna and Pfizer trials had diabetes), and their side effects were similar to those of the general population without diabetes. Due to the potential side effects post vaccination, it is important to stay vigilant in testing your blood sugars for the first 24-48 hours after you have had the vaccine, Stay hydrated and be familiar with your sick day plan. Ensuring you have a sick day plan for if you decide to get vaccinated, is vital to keeping care of yourself and your health. Diabetes Canada has published the following guidance for people living with diabetes: https://www.diabetes.ca//Diabetes_-COVID-Vaccine-Public-Le

Insulin was discovered 100 years ago, thanks to the research done by Dr’s Frederick Banting and Charles Best, along with JJR Macleod and James Collip. Although not a cure, it has been a much needed treatment for Diabetes. Everyone with Type One Diabetes requires this lifesaving medication, and many people with Type two Diabetes also benefit from this medication.

Today, around the world, people are celebrating the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. Here are some of the women who work at the Haldimand Norfolk Diabetes Program to serve you better, to help you realize your goals for living with diabetes. (This photo is missing 4 other amazing women (and many volunteers) who also work at the HNDP). #internationalwomensday2021 #IWD2021 #diabetes

Did you know that more than 300,000 Canadians live with Type 1 Diabetes? Type 1 Diabetes, formerly known as Juvenile Diabetes, is an autoimmune condition where the pancreas quits making insulin. We don’t know what causes it and we don’t know how to cure it yet. People living with Type 1 diabetes require insulin injections to live. 1 in 4 individuals with Type 1 diabetes are diagnosed as adults. #EndDiabetes #WorldDiabetesDay #diabetes... #DiabetesAwarenessMonth Diabetes Canada See more

Did you know that being physically active is one of the best things you can do to prevent or delay Type 2 diabetes as well as a key intervention in managing this disease? Most Canadians, whether they have diabetes or not, do not meet the recommendations for activity, which, for adults, includes a minimum of 150 minutes per week of physical activity similar in intensity to brisk walking, as well as some form of resistance exercises about 3 times per week. Let us know in the co...mments what activity you enjoy doing. #diabetesawarenessmonth #WorldDiabetesDay #diabetes #EndDiabetes Diabetes Canada See more

Today is World Diabetes Day, a day to bring awareness to this chronic condition. The date was chosen in honour of the birthday of Canadian Sir Frederick G. Banting, who, along with Dr. Charles Best (founder of the Canadian Diabetes Association now known as Diabetes Canada), JJR Macleod and James Collip, are credited with the discovery of insulin. #WorldDiabetesDay... #EndDiabetes #diabetesawarenessmonth #diabetes Diabetes Canada See more

Wondering about flash or continuous glucose monitoring systems? Check out this little video by Diabetes Canada

Not sure what to eat? Feel free to make an appointment with our Registered Dietitians - we offer both virtual and in clinic appointments. Did you know that Diabetes Canada also has a recipe section, including a 7 day meal plan to get you started? Check it out here: https://www.diabetes.ca//meal-pl/7-day-diabetes-meal-plan #diabetesawarenessmonth #diabetes... #EndDiabetes #WorldDiabetesDay Diabetes Canada See more

Diabetic retinopathy is an eye condition that can cause vision loss and blindness in people who have diabetes. It affects blood vessels in the retina (the light-sensitive layer of tissue in the back of your eye). If you have diabetes, it's important for you to get a dilated eye exam at least once a year (covered by OHIP)... not to check if you need glasses, but to see how healthy the blood vessels in your eyes are. #WorldDiabetesDay #DiabetesAwarenessMonth #diabetes #DiabeticRetinopathy #enddiabetes Diabetes Canada

Save the date!!! Saturday Sept 12 and 19, 2020 from 12-5:30. A virtual summit on Type One Diabetes. $20 includes access to both days and speakers such as Dr Alice Cheng, Dr Bruce Perkins, Dr Shawn Wharton, and Dr Michael Vallis to name just a few....

Do you know the symptoms of diabetes? Diabetes can often be misdiagnosed when it first presents itself, but a quick finger stick test will reveal it for what it is. #WorldDiabetesDay #DiabetesAwarenessMonth #diabetes #enddiabetes... Diabetes Canada See more

Free webinar on Eating Well with Diabetes. See post for details.

It’s Nurses Week this week and we are so grateful for our nurses who are also Certified Diabetes Educators. Thanks for all you do. Elaine Wylie Anita Addison Pat Hiebert Esther Lessard

It’s November which means it’s Diabetes Awareness Month. Did you know that about 10% of Canada’s population is currently diagnosed with diabetes (both T1 and T2) and that 20% of Canadians older than age 60 are diagnosed with diabetes? Also, about 90% of all diabetes is Type 2 diabetes, with about 10% being Type 1. Watch this space to learn the differences between these two main types of diabetes. #WorldDiabetesDay #DiabetesAwarenessMonth #diabetes... #enddiabetes See more

Want to learn about how COViD19 may impact you because you have diabetes? Check out this webinar from Diabetes Canada with #dralicecheng and #drpeterlin

Please call us to book your appointment by phone. #staysafe #stayhome #covid19 #diabetes

Looking for some online resources to help you manage your diabetes? Why not check out these videos at https://diabetesquest.ca/resources/diabetes-videos/ on how to self monitor blood sugars, how to prevent and treat low blood sugar, or how to use an insulin pen, among many others.

Looking for some online resources to help you manage your diabetes? Why not check out these videos at https://diabetesquest.ca/resources/diabetes-videos/ on how to self monitor blood sugars, how to prevent and treat low blood sugar, or how to use an insulin pen, among many others.

In response to the current COVID-19 pandemic, governments in many countries have restricted the movement of their citizens, confining them to the home environment. Daily physical activity is an integral part of diabetes management. Here is a link to some exercises put out by the International Diabetes Federation during this time. Please remember to always adapt exercise intensity to your individual ability and fitness level. ... https://www.idf.org//covid-19-and/home-based-exercise.html

Wondering about how COViD19 may impact you when you have diabetes? Check out this post from Diabetes Canada https://www.diabetes.ca//covid-19-(coronavirus)-and-diabet #covid19 #diabetes

Wondering about how COViD19 may impact you when you have diabetes? Check out this post from Diabetes Canada https://www.diabetes.ca//covid-19-(coronavirus)-and-diabet #covid19 #diabetes

If your log book is getting full, and you need a new one, why not print this one up and give it a try... https://smbg.diabetes.ca/CDA_SMBG_Log.pdf

Having a sick day plan in advance is always a good idea, just in case.... #covid19 #diabetes

Some strategies to help cope during unsettled times...

Looking for an easy plant based meal for all the people at home? Substitute whatever veggies you have on hand, or raid the freezer for roasted veggie options. Broccoli, cauliflower, carrots all fit well on your sheet pan. https://minimalistbaker.com/sweet-potato-chickpea-buddha-b/

So grateful for our team of dedicated dietitians. #dietitiansday Jessica Brown Bridget Korobka and Jaime Anderson.

Looking for an easy plant based meal for all the people at home? Substitute whatever veggies you have on hand, or raid the freezer for roasted veggie options. Broccoli, cauliflower, carrots all fit well on your sheet pan. https://minimalistbaker.com/sweet-potato-chickpea-buddha-b/

Looking for new easy recipe options with simple ingredients now that everyone is at home? This recipe takes just a few minutes to prep, is easily doubled for larger crowds, and tastes delicious. https://www.chatelaine.com//hong-kong-chicken-thighs-/amp/