Diabetes

Every day, your body works to change food into energy. Most of the foods that you eat can be broken down into glucose, which is then moved from your blood into your cells for fuel. When you have type 2 diabetes, your body doesn’t move glucose into your cells properly, instead too much glucose stays in your blood which can cause serious health problems if left untreated.

Learn more about type 2 diabetes below or take action today with Optima Health’s Healthy Habits, Healthy You - a diabetes and heart disease prevention program. 

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  • Quick Facts

    Diabetes causes abnormal levels of glucose, or sugar, in the blood. There are different types of diabetes, but most common is type 2 diabetes. Type 2 diabetes causes blood glucose to be higher than normal and overtime, this can lead to serious complications such as loss of vision, amputation, heart disease, kidney disease, or other health problems. 1 Prediabetes typically develops before type 2 diabetes 2.

    • More than a third (88 million) US adults have prediabetes, over 84% don’t know it. 3
    • Over 34 million Americans have diabetes, 1 in 5 don’t know it. 3
    • Type 2 diabetes makes up 90 – 95% of all diabetes (type 1, type 2, gestational, diabetes from other causes). 3
    • Type 2 diabetes can be prevented 4.

  • Prevention

    Type 2 diabetes can be delayed or prevented.

    • If you are overweight, lose a small amount of weight. Losing 5-7% of you body weight can significantly lower diabetes risk.
    • Engage in regular physical activity such as brisk walking for at least 150 minutes each week (that’s only 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week).
    • Learn how to mange your stress and solve for progress busting problems.
    • Eat healthy – drink fewer sugary drinks and eat more fruits and vegetables. 

    Take action today by visiting Healthy Habits, Healthy You – Optima Health’s free diabetes and heart disease prevention program.

    If you already have Type 2 Diabetes and are looking for condition management information, learn more here.  

    Reference (Prediabetes - Your Chance to Prevent Type 2 Diabetes | CDC)

  • Risk Factors

    Prediabetes

    Talk with your doctor if you believe you may be at risk for prediabetes or diabetes based on the risk factors below. You’re increased if you are:

    • Overweight
    • Active less than 3 times a week
    • 45 years or older
    • Have a family history of type 2 diabetes – having a parent, brother, or sister with type 2 diabetes
    • Had gestational diabetes (diabetes during pregnany)
    • Delivered a baby weighing more than 9 pounds
    • Have Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)
    • African Americans, Hispanic/Latino Americans, American Indians, Pacific Islanders, and some Asian Americans have an increased risk

    Diabetes

    In addition to the above risk factors, you are also at risk for developing type 2 diabetes if you have non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

    Find out your risk for prediabetes and type 2 diabetes

  • Signs and Symptoms

    Prediabetes frequently goes undetected as there are often no clear symptoms. Type 2 diabetes symptoms can develop over many years without being noticed. Like prediabetes, sometimes there are no observable symptoms at all. Consult with your health care provider for a simple blood test which will help you understand if you have prediabetes or type 2 diabetes.

    Reference: Type 2 Diabetes | CDC

1 What is diabetes? | CDC
2 Prediabetes - Your Chance to Prevent Type 2 Diabetes | CDC
3 Diabetes Quick Facts | Basics | Diabetes | CDC
4 Diabetes Risk - What Causes Diabetes