Managing Your Type 2 Diabetes Monitoring & Medication











The Cost of Diabetes to You
Since 2003, Diabetes Canada has tracked the out-of-pocket costs associated with managing type 1 and type 2 diabetes to highlight the financial burden on individuals. The 2022 report reveals that costs for diabetes medications, devices, and supplies can be as high as $10,014 annually for Type 2 diabetes, with significant variation across provinces.
Are your Type 2 Diabetes Supplies Covered in BC
In British Columbia, many diabetes-related supplies for Type 2 diabetes management, such as glucose testing strips, insulin, and certain medications, are covered under the BC PharmaCare program, particularly through the Fair PharmaCare plan. Coverage levels depend on your income and specific healthcare needs, ensuring that eligible residents have access to essential diabetes care resources.
Compare Type 2 Diabetes Drugs
CompareDiabetesDrugs.com is a comprehensive resource for evaluating and comparing medications used to manage type 2 diabetes. It provides detailed analyses of 24 drug classes, focusing on their impact on HbA1c levels, weight, and hypoglycemia risk. The platform includes an interactive graph and clinical trial simulator to explore treatment options and combinations.
Do You Need to Talk to a Pharmacist?
Pharmacists play a crucial role in your healthcare team, providing services such as treatment for minor ailments and free contraceptives. Since June 2023, over 409,000 people have benefited from these services—book an appointment or visit a pharmacy to learn more.
Continuous Glucose Monitoring
The Continuous Glucose Monitoring Advocacy Package from Diabetes Canada provides essential information for advocating the use of continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) in diabetes management. This resource includes valuable tools and guidelines designed to help individuals and healthcare professionals understand the benefits of CGMs, how to navigate the advocacy process, and ways to support better access to this technology.
Diabetes and Air Travel - Simple Tips
The Air Travel and Diabetes Rights page from Diabetes Canada outlines essential guidelines for individuals with diabetes when traveling by air. It provides practical advice on managing diabetes during flights, including how to carry necessary medical supplies, address potential security concerns, and ensure proper care during air travel.
Diabetes and Hormonal Change in Menopause
The menopause can make managing diabetes more difficult due to hormonal changes that affect blood sugar levels and increase the risk of insulin resistance. It's important to check blood sugar more frequently, adjust treatments, and consider lifestyle changes like staying active and eating well to help manage both menopause symptoms and diabetes.
Diabetes Risk and Your Waist Measurement
Waist size is important because excess fat around the middle can lead to insulin resistance, which increases the risk of high blood glucose and type 2 diabetes. Even if your BMI is healthy, a large waist measurement can still put you at risk. A healthy waist size is under 80 cm (31.5 inches) for women and under 94 cm (37 inches) for most men. Reducing waist size involves eating well and staying active, with achievable goals and small lifestyle changes. Support from healthcare professionals and loved ones can help you stay on track.
The Science Behind Normal-Weight Type 2 Diabetes
This article reviews the rise of T2D in non-obese individuals, especially among ethnic minorities and in developing countries, calls for further research into the mechanisms behind T2D in those without obesity and the need for effective prevention and personalized treatment to reduce the global diabetes burden.
Complementary and Alternate Medicines
Many individuals with diabetes use complementary or alternative medicine alongside or instead of conventional treatments, but it's crucial to inform your healthcare providers, as these therapies may be unproven or potentially harmful. Read more here from Diabetes Canada.
Staying on Track with Day-to-Day Factors
Mayo Clinic offers help in understanding the various factors that can cause fluctuations in blood sugar, sometimes rapidly. Understanding these factors and learning how to manage them effectively is key to maintaining stable blood sugar levels and overall health.
Insulin Delivery Systems and Devices




Health and Activity Trackers









mySugr Diabetes Management App
mySugr is a diabetes management app designed by people with diabetes for people with diabetes. It offers personalized logging, automatic connection with Accu-Chek meters, blood glucose tracking, and features like an estimated A1c, bolus calculator, and pump control. The app helps users better manage their diabetes with easy-to-understand data and motivational challenges. Available on iOS and Android, mySugr ensures secure data handling and offers free and premium features, including detailed reports and meal tracking.
Yuka Food Scanner App
Yuka is a mobile app designed to help users make informed food and cosmetic product choices. By scanning barcodes, it provides detailed health scores based on ingredients, nutritional value, and potential risks. The app promotes healthier choices by offering alternative suggestions and transparent product information. Available for both iOS and Android, Yuka aims to empower consumers to improve their overall well-being by making smarter, healthier purchases.
Carb Manager App
This app helps users track carbohydrates, which is essential for people with diabetes. It allows users to log their meals, count carbs, and track blood sugar and insulin levels. Carb Manager has a huge food database and offers personalized meal plans based on diabetes-friendly diets.
Sleep Cycle App
Sleep Cycle is a sleep-tracking app that uses advanced algorithms to monitor and analyze your sleep patterns. It helps users improve their sleep quality, which is important for maintaining balanced blood glucose levels. Better sleep can enhance insulin sensitivity and overall diabetes control.
Insight Timer Meditation App
Insight Timer is a free meditation app that offers guided meditations, music tracks, and talks from mindfulness experts, yoga teachers, and psychologists. It provides resources for stress relief, better sleep, and personal growth, catering to beginners and experienced meditators.
Beat Diabetes App
Beat Diabetes by Virtual Health Shed offers a comprehensive program designed to help individuals manage and potentially reverse diabetes through a combination of health education, lifestyle changes, and exercise. The program emphasizes the importance of diet, physical activity, and self-care routines in controlling blood sugar levels. It provides resources to guide users through nutritional advice, workouts, and practical tips aimed at improving overall health and reducing the risks associated with diabetes.
Cronometer App - Free Ver.
Cronometer offers personalized insights into your diet, exercise, and health data, helping you make informed health decisions. With lab-analyzed nutrition data, you can track over 84 essential vitamins and minerals, identifying areas where your diet may need adjustments for a balanced, healthier lifestyle.
Google Fit - Free
Google Fit helps you track your physical activity, monitor fitness goals, and improve your overall health. It syncs with various fitness trackers and apps, providing insights into your daily steps, calories burned, and heart health. By setting personalized goals, Google Fit helps you stay motivated and on track for a healthier lifestyle.
Garmin Connect - for Garmin
Garmin Connect is a fitness tracking app that works with Garmin devices to help you monitor and improve your health. It tracks various metrics like heart rate, steps, sleep, and workouts, while also offering personalized insights and challenges. The app syncs data seamlessly across devices and lets you connect with a community for extra motivation.