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A diabetes information session will be held this Friday

Smithereens will get a chance to learn more about type I and type II diabetes this week
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In honour of diabetes month, Northern Health in collaboration with the Canadian Diabetes Association will be hosting an information session on Nov. 24 at the Healthy Living Centre in Smithers.

The information session will feature two presentations on type I and type II diabetes.

Wendy Mario-Orienti, dietitian and nutritionist for Northern Health, will be speaking at the first presentation from 2 to 4 p.m. about prevention and management of type II diabetes.

“Type II is largely preventable,” Mario-Orienti said. “It’s very much a lifestyle disease.”

There is a strong connection between the consumption of sugar sweetened beverages and type II diabetes risk. Excessive sugar consumption is linked to weight gain and being overweight, which are risk factors for type II diabetes.

According to Diabetes Canada, one in three Canadians living with diabetes or pre-diabetes, and without action 50 per cent of people living with pre-diabetes will go on to develop type II.

The first presentation will also include a cooking demonstration and a test to assess risk levels.

The second presentation, which will go from 7 to 9 p.m., will focus on type I diabetes and will be led by Shelley Irvine, diabetes nurse educator with Northern Health, and Johanna Sear, the parent of a type I diabetic.

The presentation will focus on changes in insulin and pump therapies, particularity the discontinuation of Animas Vibe and OneTouch Ping insulin pumps in the U.S. and Canada.

Irvine says she will discuss finding a new pump and will have samples of the medtronic or omnipod pump for attendees to use.

The presentation will also talk about highlights from the type I expo in Vancouver which include information about diabetes distress and updates on research in type I diabetes.

“Life is very difficult for people with type I diabetes and just trying to manage their type I is very overwhelming so I’m hoping they’ll see what’s out there,” Irvine said.