Steps you can take today to prevent diabetes
For American Diabetes Month, Evernorth Care Group is focusing on sharing ways you can prevent Type 2 diabetes and related health challenges.
Type 2 diabetes is a disease where your body can’t make enough insulin to regulate your blood sugar levels—a phenomenon known as insulin resistance. Over time, it can lead to serious complications, including heart disease.
Here’s how you can take control of your health and prevent diabetes:
Understand your risk factors
Some diabetes risk factors are non-modifiable, meaning they are things you can’t change. This can include family history, age or race and ethnicity. There are many other risk factors, however, that you can control with the help of your care team.
To understand your risk, start by asking yourself these questions:
- Do you smoke?
- Do you have high blood pressure?
- Do you spend most of your day sitting down?
If your answer to these questions is ‘yes’, you may be at a higher risk for prediabetes or diabetes.
Develop a healthy lifestyle to help manage weight
Gradually developing healthy lifestyle habits like getting regular exercise, eating a balanced diet, improving your sleep and mitigating stress can help you prevent diabetes.
Exercise alone can make your heart stronger and help your body regulate blood sugar levels, even if you don’t lose weight. It’s recommended that you get at least 150 minutes per week of moderate-intensity exercise, or 75 minutes per week of vigorous exercise.
Your habits don’t have to change overnight. Take small steps and work with your primary care physician to set achievable health goals.
Get screened
Getting your A1C screenings on time can help you detect prediabetes or diabetes early, when it is usually more treatable. A1C screenings are simple blood tests that your doctor can use to get a picture of your blood sugar levels over the past three months. The higher your blood sugar levels, the higher your risk of diabetes-related complications.
It’s recommended that anyone age 45 or older get an A1C test, and that overweight individuals get A1C tested younger.
Schedule an appointment at Evernorth Care Group
Evernorth Care Group can help you manage your diabetes and get the necessary screenings to determine your risk. Call 800.233.3264 or go online to schedule an appointment today.
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