What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a disease in which your body has too much sugar in the bloodstream. When left unmanaged, diabetes can lead to serious health problems.
There are two types of diabetes:
Type 1 diabetes: A condition in which the pancreas is unable to produce insulin. It is also called Insulin Dependent Diabetes.
Type 2 diabetes: A condition in which the body doesn’t produce enough insulin or use it properly, or fails to properly use and store glucose.
Monitoring your blood sugar level and sticking to healthy habits established with your doctor are key to keeping diabetes under control.
How can I manage my diabetes?
Managing diabetes means keeping your blood sugar levels normal. Treatments can differ for the two types of diabetes.
Starting a diabetes care plan
Diabetic care planning is a process that aims to provide patients with more control over the management of their condition. As diabetes can affect everyone differently, health professionals work with the patient to create and follow a diabetic care plan based on the patients’ individual needs. Diabetic care plans are an integral component of successful, long-term diabetes management.
A diabetes care plan is:
- Healthy eating
- Being active
- Monitoring sugar levels
- Taking medication
- Problem-solving
- Reducing risks
- Podiatry services
- Diabetic educator
Healthy Habits:
- Brush and floss your teeth. Brush at least twice a day and floss at least once a day.
- Check your feet.
- Move your body.
- Eat at regular times.
- Relax and meditate.
- Get some positive social contact and physical contact.
- Practice good sleep hygiene.
- Take medications as prescribed.
Managing your diabetes on a daily basis
Your health is much more than what happens at the doctor’s office—especially when you’re living with diabetes. Here are some important habits that can make a difference to your long-term health:
- Work with your CHPW health coach or case manager.
- Follow your doctor’s instructions for taking any pills.
- Limit alcohol use.
- Follow a physical activity plan.
- Don’t smoke. Quit if you do.
- Join a support group.
How Community Health Plan of Washington (CHPW) can help
As your health plan, CHPW wants you to feel your best every day. You may want to take advantage of the following resources:
- Health Assessment. A health assessment looks at your whole health through a series of questions about your physical, mental, and emotional health. CHPW can give you a health assessment over the phone.
- Quit for Life program. Ready to quit smoking? Get peer-to-peer support and personalized coaching at no cost to you.
- One-on-one counseling with a registered dietitian. CHPW’s Diabetes Care team can help you build healthy daily habits that are shown to help people with diabetes feel better.
➔ Find out more information and resources to help manage your diabetes
