Diabetes (Type 2) is a leading cause of disability and death in the United States. If it’s not managed, diabetes can cause serious health problems. That’s why its important to get a diabetes screening if you think you are at risk.
There’s no cure for diabetes, but it can be managed. Unmanaged diabetes increases the risk of:
The good news is that you can do a lot to prevent or delay getting type 2 diabetes, including:
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a disease. People with diabetes have too much glucose (sugar) in their blood.
Your body depends on glucose for energy. When you eat, most of the food turns into glucose. Your blood carries the glucose to other parts of your body.
When you have diabetes, your body has trouble turning glucose into energy. Instead of being used by your body, the glucose builds up in your blood. The rest of your body is starved of energy.
What is type 2 diabetes?
Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes. People who are overweight are more likely to get type 2 diabetes.
What are the other types of diabetes?
Type 1 diabetes is caused by a problem with the immune system (the system that helps fight infection). Type 1 diabetes can’t be prevented.
Gestational (“jes-TAY-shon-al”) diabetes is a type of diabetes that some women develop during pregnancy. Gestational diabetes increases the risk of developing type 2 diabetes after pregnancy.
Am I at risk for type 2 diabetes?
You may be at risk for type 2 diabetes if you:
What are the signs of diabetes?
Many people with diabetes don’t know they have it. Some signs of diabetes include:
What is prediabetes?
People with prediabetes have more glucose in their blood than normal, but not enough to be diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. Prediabetes increases the risk of developing type 2 diabetes and other serious health problems, like heart disease and stroke.
If you are at risk for type 2 diabetes, ask your doctor about getting tested. People ages 40 to 70 who are overweight or obese need to get tested for diabetes. Your doctor can tell you how often to get tested.
Your doctor may also recommend you get tested if you are younger than age 40 and at risk for other health reasons, like having high blood pressure or having a family member with type 2 diabetes.
Thanks to the Affordable Care Act, the health care reform law passed in 2010, insurance plans must cover:
Depending on your insurance plan, you may be able to get these services at no cost to you. Check with your insurance provider to find out what’s included in your plan.
For information about other services covered by the Affordable Care Act, visit HealthCare.gov.
Eat healthy. Eating healthy foods can help you control your weight – and help prevent or delay type 2 diabetes. Choose foods that are low in saturated fat, added sugars, and sodium (salt). Try these healthy recipes.
Get active. Getting active can lower your risk of type 2 diabetes. Aim for 2 hours and 30 minutes a week of moderate aerobic activity, like walking fast or biking. If you have a health condition or disability, be as active as you can be. Use these tips to stay active with a disability. Your doctor can help you choose the best activities for you.
Watch your weight. Studies show that if you are at risk for type 2 diabetes, losing 5 to 7 percent of your body weight can lower your risk. For example, if you weigh 200 pounds, 7 percent of your body weight is 14 pounds. To lose weight, you need to burn more calories than you eat.
Use a journal to keep a record of:
Starting at age 18, get your blood pressure checked regularly. Most men need their cholesterol checked at least once every 5 years. Women at risk for heart disease need their cholesterol checked every 5 years.
Immunization vaccines for adults — doses, recommended ages, and recommended populations vary: