Pre-diabetes and Prevention
Q:If you have pre-diabetes, how can you prevent developing diabetes?
A: Two recent studies showed that a small amount of weight loss (5 to 10% from your starting weight) and by becoming more active (30 minutes 5 times a week) you can prevent and/or delay the onset of type 2 diabetes and diabetes symptoms at least for a few years. The study also showed that people need education and support to do this.
Diabetes reimbursement
Q:Is diabetes education / self-management training covered / reimbursed by your health plan?
A: More and more health plans are seeing that covering the cost of diabetes education and/or nutrition counseling (known as medical nutrition therapy) is beneficial. Medicare does cover both under Part B (outpatient services) and many other health plans do as well. The best advice is to call the 800 number on the back of your health plan card to determine what they pay for. Put up a fuss if they say they don't!!
Finding a diabetes education program
Q:How can I find a diabetes educator or diabetes education program?
A: As the saying goes, knowledge is power! The best way for you to learn about diabetes and take care of yourself now and for the long run is to get to know a diabetes educator or a group of educators at a diabetes education program. You'll find diabetes
Diabetes on the incline
Q:Why is the diagnosis of pre-diabetes and type 2 diabetes on a huge incline?
A: If you have recently been diagnosed with pre-diabetes or type 2 diabetes or know people with diabetes symptoms, you aren't alone. There are now more than 21million people (about one in 7) in the U.S. with diabetes and nearly 250 million people with diabetes worldwide. As obesity rises, so goes pre-diabetes and type 2 diabetes. Obesity and diabetes are rising in epidemic proportions. The rise of diabetes in the U.S. and worldwide is due to:
Diabetes blood glucose and hemoglobin A1c goals
Q:What are the blood glucose and hemoglobin A1c goals for diabetes management?
A: To stay healthy and complications-free with diabetes for years to come control your blood glucose levels day to day and over the years. If your blood glucose levels aren't under control, work with your health care provider and diabetes educator to get and keep them under control
Managing Diabetes Symptoms
Q:How should you manage your diabetes symptoms?
A: If you are diagnosed with diabetes, get serious NOW! Too many people don't realize that it is so important to take care of diabetes from day 1 to prevent and/or delay the complications of diabetes. Most people with diabetes have type 2 diabetes (about 90%). Many people with type 2 diabetes are overweight (at least 80%). Therefore early on the most important thing to do is loose a few pounds. Accomplish this by taking steps to eat healthier.
Diabetes Diagnosis
Q:How is diabetes diagnosed?
A: Diabetes is actually quite easy to diagnose. It's managing it that is the bigger challenge! If you suspect you have diabetes, ask your health care provider to check your blood glucose level using blood drawn from your vein (not from your finger). People diagnosed with type 1 diabetes most often develop symptoms of diabetes prior being diagnosed. The common diabetes symptoms are: thirst, frequent urinating, hunger, weight
