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.
Diabetes Medication Table
The Complete Diabetes Medications Table on the Diabetes Educators Calgary website provides a comprehensive overview of medications used in diabetes management. It includes different classes of medications, their uses, and how they work to control blood glucose levels.
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.
Medication Self-management Info Sheets
Medication information sheets have been developed by Diabetes Canada to give detailed insights into the various diabetes medications that patients might be prescribed. These sheets are categorized according to the different types of medications.
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.
Lows and Highs of Blood Sugar Levels
This information sheet provided by Diabetes Canada explains the causes of low blood sugar and how to manage it. Use this step-by-step approach to better manage your blood glucose levels.
Medication Adjustments for Low Carb Diet
When following a low-carb diet in type 2 diabetes, medication adjustments may be necessary to prevent low blood sugar levels. Diabetes Educators of Calgary provide you with information to better manage your diet and medications.
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.
"Skinny" Type 2 Diabetes - Are Thin People at Risk?
Type 2 diabetes can affect individuals of healthy weight due to factors like insulin resistance, visceral fat accumulation, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, and genetic predispositions.
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.
Are you Thinking of Starting Insulin
Insulin, a hormone crucial for regulating blood sugar, is essential in some cases to manage diabetes and preventing serious complications like heart disease and nerve damage.
Getting Started with Insulin
A Step-by-Step Guide
This guide provides a simple step-by-step overview of how to get started with insulin, including how to use your insulin pen and give yourself an injeciton.
FIT Tools - Insulin Injection
Forum for Injection Technique (FIT) Tools is a new series of educational tools based on FIT Canada’s Recommendations for Best Practice in Injection Technique. These tools have been written and reviewed by FIT members and can be downloaded for use in your practice.
FIT Recommendations
The Forum for Injection Technique (FIT) was developed to establish and promote best practice in injection technique for all involved in diabetes care.
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.
CBD and Diabetes
The American Diabetes Association (ADA) discusses CBD (cannabidiol) in relation to diabetes, highlighting that while CBD is popular for its potential health benefits, there is insufficient evidence to support its effectiveness in managing diabetes.
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
Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) Dexcom
Dexcom Canada provides patient support services for their Dexcom G7, G6, and Clarity users, including user guides and training videos, as well as training sessions provided via video call.
Flash Glucose monitor - FreeStyle Libre Abbott
Abbott Canada, the provider of FreeStyle Libre devices offer free training videos and user guides on their devices as well as MyFreeStyle program that you can sign up for additional support
Insulin Pumps - OmniPod Insulet Canada
Insulet Canada, provider of Omnnipod insulin pumps hosts a catelogue of patient training resources on their website, including pre-pump preparation, post pod initiation, and patient and caregiver guides.
Insulin Pumps - MiniMed Medtronic Canada
Medtronic Canada providers comprehensive customer support for their diabetes management devices, including all models of their MiniMed insulin pumps.
Insulin Pump - YpsoPump YpsoMEd
YpsoPump insulin pump provides an intuitive easy-to-learn pump system that connects directly with the YpsoPump App and Cloud Based digital management system
Health and Activity Trackers
Is there something we missed?
We’d love to hear your suggestions on how we can improve our Network
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.
FitBit Activity Tracker App
While the full experience often involves a Fitbit device, the free version of the app itself offers valuable features such as tracking physical activity, sleep patterns, and setting fitness goals. It helps monitor how exercise impacts blood sugar and overall health.
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.
Glucose Buddy App
Offering a more comprehensive diabetes management system, this app tracks blood glucose, meals, medications, and exercise, with additional features like test strip delivery and a 12-week educational program.
Fooducate App
Known for its meal planning and nutritional tracking capabilities, Fooducate helps users make healthier food choices by scanning barcodes and providing detailed nutrition information.
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.
LifeSum App
A nutrition and meal tracking app that assists with managing dietary intake, water consumption, and exercise, helping users make healthier lifestyle choices
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.
Calm App
Calm is a leading meditation and sleep app designed to help users reduce stress, improve mental health, and achieve better sleep. Offering guided meditation, soothing soundscapes, sleep stories, and breathing exercises, Calm aims to create a peaceful environment for its users.
Headspace App
Headspace is another mindfulness and meditation app, helping to reduce stress, a key factor that can affect diabetes. Regular meditation can lower cortisol levels, improving insulin sensitivity and reducing the likelihood of stress-related blood sugar spikes.
Lose It! App
Lose It! is another popular app that offers a free version with features similar to MyFitnessPal, including food tracking and goal setting. It also has a premium version for advanced features. It’s user-friendly and provides extensive food data, making it a strong alternative.
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.