The remaining 90 per cent are affected by type 2 diabetes, which occurs when the pancreas does not produce enough insulin or when the body does not effectively use the insulin that is produced. Type 2 diabetes usually develops in adulthood, although recently, increasing numbers of children in high-risk populations are being diagnosed.

A third type of diabetes, gestational diabetes, is a temporary condition that occurs during pregnancy. It affects two to four per cent of all pregnancies and involves an increased risk of developing diabetes for both mother and child.

It is very important to identify diabetes early in the course of the disease. Early recognition and treatment are key to bringing blood sugar levels under good control and this in turn minimizes the risk of the long term complications of the disease. Excellent information on the diagnosis and treatment of this common ailment is available at www.diabetes.ca. Diabetics commonly have trouble with infections, and frequent vaginal yeast infections may be a clue to your physician that your blood sugar control may need attention. Diabetics may be more susceptible to yeast infections both because of altered sugar levels in the vaginal environment and possibly because of altered immunity to certain types of organisms. If you suffer frequent infections of any kind, check with your doctor.

Diabetes and Yeast Infections - What You Should Know
Yeast feeds on glycogen, a form of sugar. When the blood sugar is high, additional sugar is available, so the yeast multiplies in excess. When the large numbers of yeast organisms produce symptoms this is known as a yeast infection.

The correlation between diabetes and yeast infections is so strong doctors often test women who suffer recurring bouts of infections for diabetes.

If you have diabetes and currently have a yeast infection, or you have recurring yeast infections, it may mean that your diabetes is out of control. You should immediately contact your doctor, especially if you're following a prescribed diet, exercise and medication program, as there may be other factors responsible.

Valuable Educational Links

The Canadian Diabetes Association
The Canadian Diabetes Association is the largest non-governmental supporter of diabetes research, education and advocacy. If you have any questions or concerns about diabetes, or you are simply looking for more information, take a look at: *http://www.diabetes.ca/

Quebec Diabetes Association
The Quebec Diabetes Association is committed to promoting awareness, providing services, education and research on diabetes, and to acting as an advocate for the social and economical interests of people with diabetes. *http://www.diabete.qc.ca/

Northern Diabetes Health Network
The Northern Diabetes Health Network is an innovative network approach committed to increasing people's access to a multidisciplinary team of diabetes education programs in communities across Northern Ontario. *http://www.ndhn.com/

Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation of Canada
Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation has a focused mission: To find a cure for diabetes and its complications through the support of research. *http://www.jdfc.ca/

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