Understanding diabetes
Diabetes is a condition in which the body doesn’t make or use insulin correctly. Over time, diabetes can increase your risk for serious health conditions, including kidney failure, heart disease, stroke, limb amputation and blindness.1The most common types of diabetes are type 1, type 2 and gestational.
Type 1 Diabetes: In type 1 diabetes, the body is not able to make enough insulin. Type 1 accounts for 5-10% of diagnosed cases and can develop at any age. There are currently no prevention methods available for type 1 diabetes.
Type 2 Diabetes: Type 2 diabetes can develop at any age and accounts for over 90% of known cases.1 Type 2 diabetes occurs when the body does not use insulin properly or may not make enough insulin.
Gestational Diabetes: Gestational diabetes can develop during pregnancy, even if you do not already have diabetes. The body goes through a range of changes during pregnancy, like weight gain. These changes can cause insulin resistance, which increases the body’s need for insulin.1
There are both controllable and uncontrollable risk factors associated with diabetes. You are at risk for diabetes if you:1
- Are not physically active
- Are overweight or have obesity
- Smoke cigarettes
- Have high blood pressure
- Have non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
- Have ever had gestational diabetes
- Are over age 45
- Have family history of diabetes
Are an African American, Hispanic or Latino, American Indian, or Alaska Native person. Some Pacific Islander people and Asian Americans also have a higher risk of type 2 diabetes.
In the early stages of diabetes, some people may not show any signs or symptoms. That is why it is important to know your risk factors and attend your annual preventive care visits for monitoring and blood glucose tests.
Providers use a variety of tests to screen for diabetes and prediabetes. Your provider may recommend different tests depending on whether you have symptoms or are pregnant.
Your provider may perform a fasting plasma glucose test or an A1C (hemoglobin) test as part of your annual preventive care exam. These simple blood tests are the primary method for diagnosing and monitoring diabetes. An A1C test provides information about your average levels of blood sugar over the past three months.
The following A1c ranges are used to diagnose prediabetes and diabetes:2
- Normal: below 5.7%
- Prediabetes: 5.7% to 6.4%
- Diabetes: 6.5% or above
For most people with diabetes, their A1C goal with treatment is 7% or less. Your doctor will determine your specific goal based on your full medical history.
If your result shows you have prediabetes, there's good news: you can take steps right away to reverse prediabetes and to prevent or delay type 2 diabetes. Some of these steps include increasing your physical activity, losing as little as 5-10% of your body weight and taking medications (like metformin).
If you are diagnosed with diabetes, you may need to have your A1C tested more often based on your management plan or other health conditions. Your provider may also recommend more frequent, daily testing via an at-home glucose monitor to check your blood sugar, which can be influenced by food choices, medicines and physical activity throughout the day.
High Option Compass Rose Health Plan members can earn up to 100 wellness rewards points for meeting their A1C health target.
There is not yet a cure for diabetes. However, you can find ways to live with diabetes by improving your overall health. Here are some ways you can control diabetes:
- Maintain a healthy weight through diet and exercise. If you are overweight, losing just 5-10% of your weight can meaningfully improve your health. Access our weight management resources
- Work with a dietician to improve your nutrition. USDA MyPlate recommends filling half your plate with healthy fruits and vegetables, a quarter with protein and a quarter with whole grains.
- Find time for regular physical activity. Adults need 150 minutes per week of moderate-intensity physical activity or 75 minutes of vigorous activity. Adults also need 2 days of muscle-strengthening activity each week.3
- Control blood pressure to reduce your risk of cardiovascular disease, stroke, diabetes-related mortality and other complications. Access our blood pressure resources
- Test your blood sugar as directed by your provider to make sure you are in your ideal blood sugar range and avoid complications from it being too high or too low. Know the signs.
- Take medications as prescribed to lower your blood sugar. Improper medication use, such as missing a dose, can lead to worsening health problems, like heart disease, stroke or blindness.
- See your providers regularly to track blood sugar levels and reduce the risk of other health problems related to diabetes.
