Diabetes
More than 38 million adults in the U.S. have diabetes – yet one in five doesn’t know they have it. Learn more about this condition and what Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan can do to help you manage or treat it.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic condition that affects how your body processes food into energy.
When people digest food, carbohydrates and starches break down into blood sugar, also known as blood glucose. This triggers the body to produce insulin, a hormone naturally made by the pancreas to regulate glucose levels in the blood.
When people have diabetes, their body either doesn’t produce enough insulin or doesn’t produce any at all, leading to unregulated blood sugar.
Definitions
Type 1 diabetes – This usually develops in children and young adults but can occur at any age. With this form, the body cannot produce insulin at all.
Type 2 diabetes – With Type 2, the body cannot produce enough insulin or the body is unable to use insulin properly. Although there is no cure, Type 2 can be managed with exercise, diet and medications (if prescribed). It can often be prevented with healthy lifestyle changes.
Prediabetes - A diagnosis for this condition is given when blood sugar levels are higher than normal, but not yet high enough to be diagnosed Type 2.
Gestational diabetes - This occurs when blood sugar levels become too high during pregnancy, typically between the 24th and 28th week. This can occur in all women but certain factors can increase risk, such as a family history of Type 2 diabetes.
Why control matters
Diabetes can often have other complications. For example:
- 85% of people living with diabetes also deal with weight challenges
- 69% live with hypertension
- 44% experience abnormal cholesterol or fat levels in the blood
- More than 30% of people with diabetes experience depression and anxiety
For answers to your health questions and how your health plan covers diabetes, contact your doctor. You can also call the 24-Hour Nurse Line.
Your Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan or Blue Care Network health plan may also include access to these programs:
- Hypertension management program (PDF)
- Diabetes prevention program (PDF)
- Diabetes management program (PDF)
You can find out if these programs are benefit of your health plan by logging in to your member account.
Health issues linked to diabetes
Left untreated, diabetes can lead to other serious health concerns:
Kidney problems - Over time, diabetes can damage your kidneys so they stop working effectively, requiring dialysis or a transplant. Dialysis is a procedure that removes waste products and excess fluid from the blood.
Cardiovascular disease - People diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes are twice as likely to develop heart disease or have a stroke compared to people without diabetes. Many individuals with diabetes also have conditions such as high blood pressure, obesity, and unhealthy cholesterol and triglycerides, or fat, levels in the blood which increase this risk.
Neuropathy - High blood sugar levels can damage nerves, a condition called diabetic neuropathy. This can lead to numbness in the fingers, hands, toes and feet, or tingling, burning, or shooting pains that usually begin at the fingers or toes and spread upwards.
Dental complications – Diabetes can increase the risk of periodontal (gum) disease, an infection of the gum and bone that hold the teeth in place. Periodontal disease can lead to pain, persistent bad breath, chewing difficulties, and even tooth loss.
Vision problems - People with diabetes may have damage to the blood vessels, lenses, or nerve in the eyes leading to diseases such as diabetic retinopathy, cataracts or glaucoma which could lead to blindness.
Manage and lower your risk
You can manage your diabetes by eating a healthy diet and making healthy lifestyle choices such as:
- Eat nutritious, well-balanced and portion-controlled meals
- Focus on fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins and heart-healthy fats in everyday meals
- Incorporate exercise and physical activity
- Practice stress management techniques
- Get good sleep
- Wear an ID bracelet that says you have diabetes in the event of an emergency
- Schedule yearly physicals, including urine and blood tests to monitor your kidneys and blood sugar levels
- Schedule regular eye exams
- Keep vaccinations up to date as high blood sugar can weaken the immune system
- Consider smoking cessation if you use tobacco
BCBSM members can save on gym memberships and fitness trackers through Blue365® Member Discounts.
If necessary, your doctor can help you manage your diabetes by advising on medications such as oral or injected medications to help control blood sugar levels and Statin medications to help control high cholesterol and prevent cardiovascular disease. Diabetes tends to lower the HDL, the "good" cholesterol levels and raise LDL, the "bad" cholesterol levels, which can increase the risk of heart disease. It is also important to take all medications as directed by your physician or clinical provider. If you experience side effects, you should contact your provider to discuss as there may be an alternative available.
What are statins?
Statins are a class of medications which are often prescribed to patients with diabetes or other cardiovascular risks. They can lower your risk for a heart attack or stroke by decreasing cholesterol levels in the blood and reducing inflammation. Statins lower LDL, or “bad” cholesterol, by slowing down the liver’s production of cholesterol and increasing the liver’s ability to remove LDL cholesterol already in the blood.
Too much cholesterol in the blood can lead to buildup on the walls of your arteries called plaque which increases your risk for heart disease and stroke. Statins also stabilize these plaques so they are less likely to break off and cause a heart attack.
Your health care provider may prescribe a statin if:
- You have already had a heart attack or stroke, or you have peripheral arterial disease
- Your LDL cholesterol level is 190 mg/dL or higher
- You are 40-75 years old with diabetes
- You are 40-75 years old with a high risk of developing heart disease or stroke