Diabetes Awareness Month
In the United States, the month of November is Diabetes Month and November 14, 2021 is
Global Diabetes Awareness Day. In 2019, one in eleven adults worldwide has diabetes and the majority having type 2 diabetes. In the U.S., one in three adults is living with prediabetes, many of whom have not been diagnosed.
Do you know the symptoms of type 2 diabetes?
·
Increased thirst and urination
· Increased hunger
· Feeling tired
· Blurred vision
· Numbness or tingling in the feet or hands
· Sores that do not heal
· Unexplained weight loss
Often these symptoms develop slowly, over a few years. Don’t forget to schedule your annual wellness check with your primary doctor. Your doctor can check your blood sugar levels with routine blood work.
What can you do to prevent diabetes and prediabetes?
Take small steps. Making changes to your lifestyle and daily habits can be hard, but you don’t have to change everything at once. It is okay to start small. Remember that setbacks are normal and do not mean you have failed—the key is to get back on track as soon as you can.
·Move more. Limit time spent sitting and try to get at least 30 minutes of physical activity, 5 days a week. Start slowly by breaking it up throughout the day.
Choose healthier foods and drinks most of the time. Pick foods that are high in fiber and low in fat and sugar. Build a plate that includes a balance of vegetables, protein, and carbohydrates. Drink water instead of sweetened drinks.
Lose weight, track it, and keep it off. You may be able to prevent or delay diabetes by losing 5 to 7 percent of your starting weight.
Seek support. It is possible to reverse prediabetes. Making a plan, tracking your progress, and getting support from your health care professional and loved ones can help you make the necessary lifestyle changes.
Omada for Diabetes
Serco employees participating in a Cigna medical plan and their covered spouses/partners may be eligible to enroll in the Omada for Diabetes program. Through the program, you will receive:
Professional health coach & diabetes specialist for personalized support
Strategies to better manage (or potentially reduce) medications
Connected devices selected for you, like a scale, blood glucose meter, and all the test strips you need
To see if you are eligible to participate, visit https://go.omadahealth.com/serco.