Tracy Kovalench
Northern News Services

NNSL (Jun 17/98) - Eighteen months ago Judy Saunders was overweight, depressed and fatigued. After rapidly losing almost 10 pounds and suffering from constant thirst, she decided to seek medical attention.

A blood test confirmed Saunders' suspicions. She was diagnosed with diabetes.

In our bodies, the pancreas secretes insulin to break down sugars generating energy. Those who have diabetes can't produce insulin or do not produce enough. Sometimes the insulin their bodies produce is no longer effective in sugar breakdown.

Type 2 diabetes is the most common, effecting the lives of almost 1.5 million Canadians. Unlike type 1, it's usually non-insulin dependent. People can control their condition with proper diet and exercise and don't require insulin injections.

Like 90 percent of diabetics, Judy has type 2 diabetes. She began walking every day and cut fatty foods from her diet. Within 10 months she lost 40 pounds, reclaiming control of her life, medication-free.

"I felt really good because I lost weight and my sugars were normal."

Six months ago, Judy began to feel sluggish again so she made an appointment with her doctor. After experiencing side effects from oral medications, Judy required an insulin prescription.

She now injects herself once in the morning and uses a device called a glucometer to monitor her blood sugars throughout the day.

From the time she was diagnosed, Judy's lifestyle has changed dramatically. By paying a little more attention to her body, she can lead an active and healthy lifestyle.

"I think that when people hear 'diabetes' they think amputations and blindness," she says. "They don't realize those are only the extreme cases."

In fact, the Canadian Diabetes Association estimates that 750,000 Canadians have diabetes and don't know it.

High-risk factors include obesity, ethnic origin and a family history of the disease.

Aboriginal peoples are three to five times more likely to have or develop diabetes. Scientists speculate it may be due to the switch from traditional to westernized lifestyle. Studies are currently under way for a more concrete explanation.

In Yellowknife, the Stanton Regional Hospital has created a diabetes education program. Nurse Onalee Randell teams with dietitian Mabel Wong to hold information workshops for diabetics and their families.

The two women hold information workshops for diabetics and their families, concentrating on specific groups. Over the past two years of operation, they have reached over 336 people.

"We are aimed for learners," says Randell. "Whatever your learning style is, we will accommodate you."

The women have conducted classroom discussions, sat in sharing circles and have been known to discuss issues over tea.

Funding is not yet available to send them across the territories, but it doesn't stop community groups from finding them.

"It's about 50-50," says Randell. "So far half of the groups are from Yellowknife and half are from the communities."