Living well with diabetes

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention¹, as of 2015:

• 30.4 million Americans, 9.4 percent of the U.S. population, have diabetes, and
• 84.1 million have prediabetes

Diabetes is a serious condition. It can lead to big health problems when it isn't well-managed. But when you take charge, you can help yourself live a much healthier life.

The buildup of glucose in your blood can cause diabetes-related complications, and:

• Cause plaque (fatty material) to narrow your blood vessels
• Damage the lining of your blood vessels
• Keep blood from freely moving through your blood vessels
• Slow blood flow to vital tissues and organs

To reduce your risk of these diabetes-related complications, your doctor should, at least once a year, perform (and/or give you a):

• Cholesterol profile test, to measure cholesterol (e.g., total cholesterol, HDL, and LDL) and triglycerides in your blood
• Dental exam, every six to 12 months
• Flu shot
• HbA1c test, to measure your blood sugar over a three-month period
• Kidney (blood) test, to check your glomerular filtration rate, which tells how well your kidneys filter
• Kidney (urine) test, to check for a protein called Albumin, which can help detect kidney disease or nephropathy
• Pneumonia shot, if suggested by your healthcare provider
• Retinal or dilated eye exam, to help find glaucoma, cataracts, diabetic retinopathy, and other eye conditions

If you have diabetes, you should:

• Ask questions about your treatment plan
• Avoid or quit smoking²
• Check, monitor, and record your blood sugar levels at home
• Eat a healthy diet that includes fruit, vegetables, and whole grains, AND fewer animal products, refined carbohydrates, and sweets³
• Get the right amount of sleep³
• Limit salt and alcohol intake³
• Manage stress
• Reach and/or keep a healthy body weight
• See your healthcare provider, who will check your blood pressure, weight, and feet
• Share your blood sugar level records with your healthcare provider
• Stay active³
• Take medications (such as an oral medication or insulin) as prescribed

For more information, call our Disease Management Team at 800-229-9880 (TTY: 711), Monday – Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m., Eastern time.

Talk with our Disease management Team about scheduling an appointment with a Certified Diabetic Educator or Weight Management Coach

To help our members with diabetes, our Care Managers may reach out by phone. Through the Federal Lifeline Program, households may be eligible for a smartphone with monthly minutes, text and data. Visit SafeLink to apply.

We also can help you set up and get to your appointments. Learn more on our Transportation page.

Our Neighborhood Centers are a great place to join up with friends, take a class and more online, Watch Diabetes: Managing the highs and lows – Humana Neighborhood Center

Resources

1. “More than 100 million Americans have diabetes or prediabetes,” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2017/p0718-diabetes-report.html. Last accessed April 4, 2023.
2. “Diabetes tests and checkups,” National Library of Medicine – Medline Plus. http://www.medlineplus.gov/ency/patientinstructions/000082.htm. Last accessed April 4, 2023.
3. “Living With Diabetes,” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/managing/index.html. Last accessed April 4, 2023.

Further reading

Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/diabetes/in-depth/diabetes-management/ART-20047963. Accessed April 4, 2023.

National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/diabetes/overview/managing-diabetes/4-steps. Last accessed April 4, 2023.