Diabetes

Diabetes causes abnormal levels of glucose, or sugar, in the blood. There are different types of diabetes, but most common is type 2 diabetes. Type 2 diabetes causes blood glucose to be higher than normal and overtime, this can lead to serious complications such as loss of vision, amputation, heart disease, kidney disease, or other health problems. 1 Prediabetes typically develops before type 2 diabetes 2.

• More than a third (88 million) US adults have prediabetes, over 84% don’t know it. ³
•  Over 34 million Americans have diabetes, 1 in 5 don’t know it. ³
• Type 2 diabetes makes up 90 – 95% of all diabetes (type 1, type 2, gestational, diabetes from other causes). ³
• Type 2 diabetes can be prevented. ⁴

Type 2 diabetes can be delayed or prevented.

• If you are overweight, lose a small amount of weight. Losing 5-7% of you body weight can significantly lower diabetes risk.
• Engage in regular physical activity such as brisk walking for at least 150 minutes each week (that’s only 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week).
• Learn how to mange your stress and solve for progress busting problems.
• Eat healthy – drink fewer sugary drinks and eat more fruits and vegetables. 

Take action today by visiting Healthy Habits, Healthy You – the free diabetes and heart disease prevention program offered by Sentara Health Plans.

If you already have Type 2 Diabetes, learn more about condition management and how to stay healthy.  

Reference (Prediabetes - Your Chance to Prevent Type 2 Diabetes | CDC)

Prediabetes

Talk with your doctor if you believe you may be at risk for prediabetes or diabetes based on the risk factors below. You’re increased if you are:

• Overweight
• Active less than 3 times a week
• 45 years or older
• Have a family history of type 2 diabetes – having a parent, brother, or sister with type 2 diabetes
• Had gestational diabetes (diabetes during pregnany)
• Delivered a baby weighing more than 9 pounds
• Have Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)
• African Americans, Hispanic/Latino Americans, American Indians, Pacific Islanders, and some Asian Americans have an increased risk

Diabetes

In addition to the above risk factors, you are also at risk for developing type 2 diabetes if you have non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

Find out your risk for prediabetes and type 2 diabetes

Diabetes Risk Factors | CDC

Prediabetes frequently goes undetected as there are often no clear symptoms. Type 2 diabetes symptoms can develop over many years without being noticed. Like prediabetes, sometimes there are no observable symptoms at all. Consult with your health care provider for a simple blood test which will help you understand if you have prediabetes or type 2 diabetes.

Reference: Type 2 Diabetes | CDC