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Diabetes: Types, tests and what to do if you are at risk

May 11, 2022 - McMaster University - 17 minutes

Diabetes is a chronic disease that disrupts the body’s ability to regulate blood sugar. In this video post, Dr. Diana Sherifali discusses the different types of diabetes and how it is diagnosed. Learn what prediabetes is and how lifestyle changes can delay or even prevent the onset of diabetes.

Learn the answers to the following questions:

1:40 - What is diabetes?
2:23 - What are the different types of diabetes?
4:33 - What is prediabetes?
6:45 - What tests are used to diagnose diabetes?
11:02 - Are multiple tests needed for a diagnosis?
13:20 - What lifestyle changes would you recommend for someone with prediabetes?

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Featured Resources

Web Resource: Use this risk calculator from the Public Health Agency of Canada to determine your personal risk for developing diabetes.

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Author Details

Anthony Levinson

Dr. Anthony J. Levinson is a Professor at McMaster University and holds the John R. Evans Chair in Health Sciences Educational Research and Instructional Development. One of the co-leaders of the McMaster Optimal Aging Portal, Dr. Levinson is also a psychiatrist with a special interest in medical psychiatry and neuropsychiatry. His area of research interest includes online learning to improve healthcare provider and patient education.

Author Details

Diana Sherifali

Dr. Sherifali is an Associate Professor at McMaster University in the School of Nursing. Her research program aims to optimize the management of diabetes and quality of life for older adults and people with diabetes across their lifespan.

References

McMaster Optimal Aging Portal. Diabetes care and prevention strategies. (2019 Nov 19). Accessed April 25, 2022. Available from: https://www.mcmasteroptimalaging.org/blog/detail/hitting-the-headlines/2019/11/19/diabetes-care-and-prevention-strategies
McMaster Optimal Aging Portal. 3 strategies to add to your diabetes self-management toolkit. (2020 Nov 24). Accessed April 25, 2022. Available from: https://www.mcmasteroptimalaging.org/blog/detail/hitting-the-headlines/2020/11/24/3-strategies-to-add-to-your-diabetes-self-management-toolkit
McMaster Optimal Aging Portal. 3 strategies for managing type 2 diabetes. (2021 Nov 10). Accessed April 25, 2022. Available from: https://www.mcmasteroptimalaging.org/blog/detail/hitting-the-headlines/2021/11/10/3-strategies-for-managing-type-2-diabetes
National Institute on Aging. Diabetes in Older People. (2019 May 1). Accessed April 25, 2022. Available from: https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/diabetes-older-people
Hosseini Z, Whiting SJ, Vatanparast H. Type 2 diabetes prevalence among Canadian adults - dietary habits and sociodemographic risk factors. Appl Physiol Nutr Metab. 2019 Oct;44(10):1099-1104.
Sherifali D, Bai J, Kenny M, et al. Diabetes self-management programs in older adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Diabet Med. 2015; 32(11):1404-1414.
Sharma S, Kerry C, Atkins H, et al. The Ipswich Touch Test: A simple and novel method to screen patients with diabetes at home for increased risk of foot ulceration. Diabet Med. 2014; 31:1100-3.
Punthakee Z, Goldenberg R, Katz P. Diabetes Canada 2018 Clinical Practice Guidelines for the Prevention and Management of Diabetes in Canada: Definition, Classification and Diagnosis of Diabetes, Prediabetes and Metabolic Syndrome. Can J Diabetes. 2018;42(Suppl 1): S10-S15.
Ekoe JM, Goldenberg R, Katz P. Diabetes Canada 2018 Clinical Practice Guidelines for the Prevention and Management of Diabetes in Canada: Screening for Diabetes in Adults. Can J Diabetes. 2018;42(Suppl 1): S16-S19.
Prebtani APH, Bajaj HS, Goldenberg R, Mullan Y. Diabetes Canada 2018 Clinical Practice Guidelines for the Prevention and Management of Diabetes in Canada: Reducing the Risk of Developing Diabetes. Can J Diabetes. 2018;42(Suppl 1): S20-S26.

Acknowledgements

This work is supported through the McMaster Institute for Research on Aging and funds provided by the Dean and Vice-President, Faculty of Health Sciences at McMaster University.

DISCLAIMER: These summaries are provided for informational purposes only. They are not a substitute for advice from your own health care professional. The summaries may be reproduced for not-for-profit educational purposes only. Any other uses must be approved by the McMaster Optimal Aging Portal (info@mcmasteroptimalaging.org).

Many of our Blog Posts were written before the COVID-19 pandemic and thus do not necessarily reflect the latest public health recommendations. While the content of new and old blogs identify activities that support optimal aging, it is important to defer to the most current public health recommendations. Some of the activities suggested within these blogs may need to be modified or avoided altogether to comply with changing public health recommendations. To view the latest updates from the Public Health Agency of Canada, please visit their website.

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