November is National Diabetes Month—a time to bring awareness and attention to the disease. For those living with diabetes, it’s also a time to learn how to successfully manage it, and how Kaiser Permanente’s treatment and care options can help you live life on your terms.
According to the Centers for Disease Control, 34 million Americans have diabetes, and 1 in 3 people, or 88 million, have prediabetes, which indicates higher than normal blood sugar levels that aren’t high enough to be diagnosed as diabetes.
There are two types of diabetes:
Type 1 (also known as juvenile or insulin-dependent) is when the body stops producing insulin. Typically, this occurs when the immune system destroys the cells that release insulin. Without insulin, the cells are unable to absorb sugar, which is necessary for energy. Type 1 is usually diagnosed in childhood or in young adults, and hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) is a typical symptom.
Type 2 (also known as adult-onset or non-insulin-dependent) is the most common form and is diagnosed at any age but appears most often during adulthood. However, Type 2 diagnoses among children are on the rise. Patients with Type 2 diabetes suffer from insulin resistance, when the body doesn’t use insulin properly, and deficiency results when the pancreas produces less insulin. Type 2 diabetes can be prevented or delayed by making healthful choices when it comes to diet and exercise.
Maintaining a healthy lifestyle is key to managing diabetes
Diabetes can be controlled with a proper diet, regular exercise, and weight management:
- Be mindful of carbohydrates and choose smarter snacks—the right diet can prevent, put off, or help manage diabetes more easily.
- Keep a routine of regular physical activity, such as walking for 30 minutes at least 5 days a week.
- Aim for and maintain a healthy, manageable weight. Even losing as little as 10 pounds can make a difference to your health.
Stay on top of your diabetes care from anywhere
In addition to working with you to make sure you regularly test your blood sugar and take your prescribed medications, your Permanente physician can enroll you in a remote monitoring program which wirelessly delivers your blood glucose statistics to your physician from anywhere in real time. This means your doctor can provide immediate care if needed and share the results with your entire care team.
Hear how Kaiser Permanente’s integrated system fully supports care and treatment for diabetes—and all chronic conditions:
Learn more about diabetes care at Kaiser Permanente.
