Diabetes 

Diabetes is a common disease on First Nations communities, it usually targets the elderly and the middle-aged, but is now targeting a small group of younger people.  It is a genetic disease which means if one of your parents have had it than you are prone to get it at some point in one's life.  People usually develop type 1 diabetes before their 40th year, often in early adulthood or even teenage years.  Native people usually do not eat healthy meals or have poor living conditions which contribute alot to this disease, not exercising is another main factor along with obesity.

Diabetes mellitis describes a group of metabolic disease in which the person has high blood glucose (blood sugar) either because insulin production is inadequate, or because the body's cells do not respond properly to insulin, or both.  Patients with high blood sugar will typically experience polyuria (frequent urination), they will become increasingly thirsty (polydipsia) and hungry (polyphagia).  People may be able to control diabetes symptoms usually by losing weight, following a healthy diet, doing plenty of exercise and monitoring their blood glucose levels.  Experts are not completely sure why, but say that as we age we tend to put on weight and become less physically active.  

With lack of care for the elderly on First Nations it is hard to maintain a healthy diet.  If they had more programs such as meals on wheels with the right dietary foods from Canada's food guide we may be able to stabilize this disease.  Our health professionals on-reserve don't visit the elders on a regular basis to ensure that they are eating right.  Many of the elders have to rely on family members to cook and buy groceries.

This disease seems to target people of Middle Eastern, Africa, South Asian and North American Native descent at higher rates than the white population.  Over the past decade however, this disease has become an epidemic in North America.  We need more strategic planning and promotion of healthier living on and off reserves.

Meegwetch,

Arlene

References:   www.symtomfind.com/diabetes

                    Canadian Diabetes Association