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Whether you are at risk, you’ve been newly diagnosed, or you have been fighting against type 1 or type 2 diabetes over time, making changes to your lifestyle could be a huge step towards countering the effects of diabetes and pre-emptive prevention.
Types of Diabetes
In Type 1 diabetes, also known as insulin-dependent diabetes, the body does not produce insulin. People with Type 1 diabetes must take insulin or other medications daily. Type 2 diabetes is when your body does not use the insulin produced properly. It is the most common form of diabetes. Another type is gestational diabetes, it develops in pregnant women who have never had the condition.
Lower Your Risk
Fortunately, Type 2 diabetes is largely preventable and Type 1 is manageable. There are many ways to live a healthy, happy life, and keep diabetes under control.
- Keep Weight in Check- The American Diabetes Association recommends that people with diabetes lose at least 7% of their body weight to prevent progression.
- Being Active - Physical activity, specific to your muscles, puts less stress on your insulin-making cells and improves ability to use insulin and absorb glucose. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), mild exercises like brisk walking, swimming, or biking reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
- Eat a Healthy Diet - Avoid foods that are high in sugar with little fiber or nutrients. Foods high in fiber and foods with unsaturated fats, sometimes called "good fats" lower the risk of diabetes. In addition, limiting alcohol consumption can decrease the risk as well.
- Diabetes Screenings - The American Diabetes Association recommends routine screenings for type 2 diabetes for adults 45 or older. It’s beneficial to share your concerns about diabetes with your doctor as they may offer additional suggestions based on your medical history or other factors.
How We Can Help
USFHP’s TRICARE Prime plan offers benefits that support healthy living management. We’ve developed incentive programs that give rewards to our members for meeting certain health goals. The USFHP Care Management Team is designed to support members with individualized care, especially with managing chronic health conditions including diabetes.
The BlueStar app is a quick and easy way to track your meals, glucose levels, exercise, etc. While you are monitoring everything you’ll get real-time feedback on ways to make you feel better and manage your diabetes. Visit the App Store store and download the BlueStar Diabetes app. For more information about BlueStar, call 1-888-611-4794.
Visit usfhp.net or call 1-800-241-4848 for more information or assistance with the Care Management program.