Take Steps to Prevent Diabetes
November 12, 2024 | Tags:
More than 37 million Americans, or one in 10 people, have diabetes. In the last 20 years, the number of adults diagnosed with diabetes has more than doubled due to an aging population. People with diabetes face risks of various health problems and medical costs twice as high as people who don’t have diabetes.
Diabetes explained
Diabetes is a chronic health condition that affects how your body turns food into energy. Most of the food you eat is broken down into sugar, or glucose, and released into your bloodstream. When your blood sugar goes up, your pancreas should release insulin, which acts like a key to let the blood sugar into your body’s cells for use as energy.
“If you have diabetes, your body either doesn’t make enough insulin or can’t use the insulin it makes as well as it should, and too much blood sugar stays in your bloodstream,” said April, a Senior Case Manager and diabetes educator at Medical Mutual. “Over time, diabetes can cause heart disease, vision loss, kidney disease or other health problems.”
There are two primary types of diabetes: Type 1 and Type 2.
What is prediabetes?
More than 96 million Americans have prediabetes, which means their blood sugar levels are higher than normal, but not high enough yet to be diagnosed as type 2 diabetes. The good news is that it can be reversed with early treatment as well as moderate lifestyle changes.
Do you know your risk?
You can take this simple 60-second Type 2 Diabetes Risk Test created by the American Diabetes Association to help assess your health status and risk. It asks a few questions about your background, your body and habits.
You can also ask your provider about getting an A1C test. It’s a simple blood test that can identify prediabetes or diagnose type 1 or type 2 diabetes.
These lifestyle changes can reduce your risk of developing prediabetes and diabetes:
- Maintain a healthy weight and get regular exercise.
- Stop using tobacco products.
- Monitor your blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar at your annual physical exam.
- Get 7-8 hours of sleep.
- Practice stress management.
Medical Mutual’s Diabetes Prevention program
If you have a family history of diabetes or feel you are at risk for developing diabetes, Medical Mutual offers a digital Diabetes Prevention program, fully recognized by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Call 1-800-590-2583 (TTY 711) to learn more or to enroll. Our care management specialists are available Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. (confidential voicemail available 24/7).
Talk to your provider
It’s always a good idea to talk to your primary care provider (PCP) if you have concerns about prediabetes or diabetes. If you don’t have a PCP, you can use the Find a Provider tool after logging in to My Health Plan.