We conclude that, first, asthma prevalence, which was on the increase in the 1980s and early 1990s, either stabilized or declined during the latter part of 1990s in Saskatchewan. Second, preschool children and older adults of Registered Indian origin had increased asthma prevalence. Finally, during the study period, rural populations in Saskatchewan had similar or lower asthma prevalence in comparison to urban populations in all age groups. Further research is required to elucidate the findings in this study.

Study objective: Single-breath diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide (Dlco) is used as a pulmonary function test (PFT) to assess gas transfer in the lungs. The implications of a low Dlco are well-recognized, but the clinical significance of a high Dlco is not clear. The aim of this study was to identify the clinical correlates of a high Dlco.

Patients and methods: We identified 245 patients with a high Dlco (ie, > 140% predicted) and a matched group of 245 patients with normal Dlco (ie, 85 to 115% predicted), who were selected from a laboratory database of 45,000 patients tested between January 1997 and December 1999. We compared the demographic features, clinical diagnoses, and PFT data between the two groups.

Settings: Large multispecialty group practice.

Results: The patients in the high Dlco group were heavier (mean [± SD] weight, 96.0 ± 22.9 vs 85.0 ± 21.3 kg, respectively; p < 0.001), had a higher mean body mass index (32.9 ± 7.4 vs 29.4 ± 6.4 kg/m², respectively; p < 0.001), larger body surface area (p < 0.001), and larger mean total lung capacity (p = 0.007) and alveolar volume (p < 0.001). The clinical diagnoses of obesity (p < 0.001) and asthma (p < 0.001) were more common among patients with high Dlco values. The majority of patients (62%) with a high Dlco had a diagnosis of obesity, asthma, or both. Polycythemia, hemoptysis, and left-to-right shunt were uncommon.

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My vagina has been really itchy and sore. My CP says it’s to do with my diabetes. Can this be right?

These problems are the result of infection (commonly known as thrush) from certain yeasts, especially Candida, which thrive on the high concentration of glucose in this region. If you keep your urine free from glucose by good control of your diabetes, the itching and soreness will normally clear up. Anti-yeast cream from your doctor or pharmacist may speed up the improvement but this is only a holding measure while glucose is cleared from your urine.

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I have had blurred vision for a few weeks and have just been found to have diabetes. Why has this affected my vision?

The lens of the eye is responsible for focusing the image on the retina. Blurred vision is usually a temporary change, which can be corrected by wearing glasses. The lens of the eye becomes swollen when diabetes is out of control and this leads to long-sightedness. As the diabetes comes under control the lens of the eye returns to normal. A pair of glasses fitted for a swollen lens at a time of uncontrolled diabetes will no longer be suitable when the diabetes is brought under control. If you have been newly diagnosed with diabetes and find that you have blurred vision, you should wait for a few weeks after the glucose levels have fallen before visiting an optician for new spectacles. The blurred vision may improve on its own and new glasses may not be needed.

Most of the serious eye problems caused by diabetes are due to damage to the retina (retinopathy). The retina is the ‘photographic plate’ at the back of the eye. Even minor changes in the retina take several years to develop but older people may have diabetes for years without being aware of it. In such cases the retina may already be damaged by the time diabetes is diagnosed.

In very rare cases the lens of the eye may be permanently damaged (cataract) when diabetes is badly out of control. This can be treated by removing the cataract and replacing it with an artificial lens.

Can diabetes be discovered by chance?

Yes, but this usually happens only in Type 2 diabetes. In Type 1 diabetes the diagnosis is more likely to be made because someone feels unwell and goes to the doctor.

In older people with no obvious medical problems, diabetes is often discovered as a result of a routine urine test – for example in the course of an insurance examination. Canadian Health and Care Mall Pharmacy Once the diagnosis is made, the person may realise that they have been feeling slightly thirsty or tired, but these symptoms may be so mild that they go unnoticed. However, even people who have had very few symptoms often feel they have more energy once diabetes is controlled.

Sometimes people are found to have diabetes when they suffer another medical condition such as a heart attack or a foot infection. In such cases diabetes, previously undiagnosed, has been the main cause of the new problem. The important message is that even though the symptoms may be minor, so-called ‘mild’ diabetes may lead to serious problems.