National Diabetes Month
Are you at risk for having diabetes? November is National Diabetes Month — a great time to test your knowledge and get help if you need it.
Prediabetes and type 2 diabetes — the most common — have many of the same risk factors, according to the US Centers for Disease Control, including:
- Being overweight or obese
- Are age 45 or older
- Have a parent or sibling with type 2 diabetes
- Are physically active less than 3 times a week
- Have non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)
- Have ever had gestational diabetes (diabetes during pregnancy) or given birth to a baby who weighed over 9 pounds
- Are African American, Hispanic or Latino, American Indian, or Alaskan Native. Some Pacific Islanders and Asian Americans also have a higher risk
If you’re at risk, talk to your healthcare provider about whether you should have your blood sugar (glucose) levels tested. If you do have diabetes or prediabetes, there are things you can do to manage your blood sugar, reduce your risks of complications, and live life to the fullest. And the experts at Montage Health can help.
Our specially trained team including registered nurses and dietitians provides care and education on topics such as:
- Nutrition, focusing on helping you make healthy food choices while still enjoying what you eat
- Diabetes technologies: blood sugar monitoring by meter or continuous glucose monitors, and insulin pumps
- Diabetes medication management: Insulin injections, GLP-1 injections, and insulin pumps
- Gestational (during pregnancy) diabetes
We offer one-on-one appointments and group sessions, in English and Spanish. A doctor’s referral is required to bill insurance; talk to your doctor and call your specific plan to find out about coverage for diabetes.
In the meantime, here are some things you can do to manage your diabetes:
- Eat well: Consume more whole foods from fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy sources of fat. Decrease added sugars and salt in your diet. Try to eat consistently throughout the day to best manage blood sugars
- Exercise: Aim for 30 minutes a day, five days a week of physical activity to help reduce your risk of developing diabetes and/or help manage blood sugars
- Mind your medication: Take your medications as prescribed by your doctor
- Monitor your blood sugar: Tracking your food intake, exercise, medication management, and blood sugars can show you what affects your blood sugars
For more on diabetes and nutrition:
