UAS UMR Cares – August: Prediabetes and Diabetes

Let’s talk about something that touches millions of lives — prediabetes and diabetes. Even if you haven’t been diagnosed, chances are you know someone who’s managing one of these conditions. What do these terms mean, and how can you take charge of your health?

  • Prediabetes is like a yellow warning light. It means your blood sugar levels are higher than normal, but not quite high enough to be called diabetes. With some changes, you can often hit the brakes and prevent things from progressing to type 2 diabetes.
  • Diabetes is a disease in which the body struggles to produce enough insulin or effectively use the insulin it produces. This leads to high blood sugar levels, which can affect all other organs.

Making lifestyle adjustments

Hearing you have prediabetes or diabetes can feel overwhelming, but managing it doesn’t have to turn your life upside down. A few small shifts can make a big difference. 

Look at your eating habits. Try to fill your plate with colorful veggies, whole grains, lean proteins and healthy fats. You don’t have to give up everything you love; just shift your focus to balance and portions.

Find new ways to get physical activity. A brisk walk for 30 minutes most days can help your body use insulin better and keep your blood sugar in check. Find something you enjoy — dancing, cycling or gardening all count.

Put down the tobacco. If you smoke, consider this your sign to quit. Smoking can actually increase your risk for diabetes due to the high levels of nicotine making your body less receptive to insulin.

Know your baseline. It’s important to monitor your blood sugar levels. Check in with your health care provider regularly to catch any changes early and adjust your plan as needed.

Use your benefits. As a university employee, you have access to benefits that you should take advantage of:

  • Diabetes Management Program: The Diabetes Management Program through UMR can help you better manage your condition and reduce your out-of-pocket health care costs.
  • Medical: Visit an in-network provider to establish your blood sugar baseline. If you’re enrolled in UMR’s Live Well Reward$ wellness program, you can earn 50 points for completing a diabetes screening.
  • Prescription drug: Your prescription drug benefits cover insulin if it is needed to manage your condition.
  • Vision: Regular eye exams are an important part of your overall health, even if your eyesight is 20/20. During an eye exam, a provider can detect the early stages of diseases like diabetes.
  • Real Appeal: Build healthy habits that last a lifetime with Real Appeal, a weight management program available to you at no additional cost. Take control of your future and ensure the best possible outcome!

Remember, you’re not alone. Millions of people manage prediabetes and diabetes every day, and you can find many resources to help. The most important thing is to take one step at a time. Small changes add up, and your future self will thank you.