STRONGER THAN DIABETES: Blue Cross shares tips to lower risks, keep blood sugar in a healthy range – L’Observateur

 

BATON ROUGE – Do you know roughly one in eight Louisianians resides with diabetes? The state has one of many highest charges of diabetes nationwide, and this long-term situation is among the many main causes of loss of life in Louisiana.

 

In recognition of Diabetes Consciousness Month, Blue Cross and Blue Protect of Louisiana encourages Louisianians to speak with their healthcare suppliers and concentrate on their dangers. Be taught extra about diabetes and preventive steps you possibly can take on this animated video (1:07).

 

Diabetes is a situation the place somebody’s physique both can not make sufficient or can not correctly use a hormone referred to as insulin that regulates blood sugar. This causes blood sugar ranges to extend within the physique, which may result in critical well being points if not addressed. Individuals dwelling with diabetes are at the next danger for well being points affecting their eyes and imaginative and prescient, toes or limbs, kidneys and nerves. They’re additionally at increased danger for strokes and heart problems. 

 

“Diabetes is quite common, and there are various different people who find themselves pre-diabetic and don’t comprehend it  – that may silently trigger harm to eyes and kidneys earlier than you’ve even been recognized,” mentioned Dr. Dee Barfield, Blue Cross senior medical director and vp of medical administration. “That’s why it’s so necessary to have at the very least one checkup a 12 months along with your major care supplier. You may go over your well being and household historical past, examine in your blood sugar ranges and concentrate on any danger components for diabetes you might have.”

 

The excellent news is that life-style modifications like consuming a nutritious diet, limiting sugary or processed meals, quitting or avoiding smoking and repeatedly doing mild workout routines like strolling for 20 minutes a day are very efficient at retaining blood sugar ranges in examine, Dr. Barfield added. “Adopting these habits may also help you keep on prime of diabetes and handle your blood sugar,” she mentioned. “And, for people who find themselves pre-diabetic, making these modifications can usually stop growing full diabetes.”

 

Dr. Barfield shares tricks to be “Stronger Than Diabetes” on this video (2:33).

 

Louisianians can see their well being care suppliers to have their blood sugar ranges checked and get a therapy plan for life-style modifications and drugs, if wanted. “In case your supplier prescribes treatment for diabetes, it’s essential that you simply take it precisely as directed,” Dr. Barfield mentioned. “This helps you keep wholesome blood sugar ranges and forestall additional points. When you have bother taking a medicine due to unwanted side effects, prices or another causes, let your well being care supplier or pharmacist know and ask them about different choices.”

 

Blue Cross members who’ve diabetes can get well being teaching – for free of charge! – from the insurer’s medical workforce of nurses, dietitians and social staff. Well being coaches provide customized suggestions, academic supplies and help for sticking to therapy plans. Go to www.bcbsla.com/Stronger to attach with a Blue Cross well being coach or be taught extra about Care Administration packages and providers.

 

Individuals with diabetes have the next danger for gum illness (gingivitis) that may advance to extra critical dental circumstances, reminiscent of periodontitis, if not handled. Oral infections can contribute to a number of well being issues, so it’s good for diabetic sufferers to have common checkups with a dentist, Dr. Barfield mentioned.

 

“We’ve additionally seen COVID-19 infections having a better influence in individuals with diabetes,” Dr. Barfield mentioned. “If you’re diabetic or pre-diabetic, it’s essential that you simply get the COVID-19 vaccine if in case you have not already. The vaccines are protected and really efficient at stopping loss of life, hospitalization and extreme sickness from COVID-19.”

 

COVID-19 vaccines can be found to Louisianians ages 5 and older. Blue Cross covers the COVID-19 vaccine at $0 out of pocket for all eligible members of particular person and employer well being plans. Eligible members of Medicare and Medicaid plans or uninsured sufferers can also get a COVID-19 booster vaccine for free of charge. This no-cost protection is required by the Coronavirus Support, Reduction and Financial Safety (CARES) Act. When you have questions on vaccine protection in your well being plan, contact Buyer Service on the quantity in your member ID card.

 

Go to the Blue Cross and Blue Protect of Louisiana YouTube channel to see brief movies on varied well being subjects. Subscribe to know when new movies are added. You may join with Blue Cross on social media for normal updates. Blue Cross posts usually on Fb, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and TikTok.

 

About Blue Cross and Blue Protect of Louisiana

Blue Cross and Blue Protect of Louisiana is dedicated to our mission to enhance the well being and lives of Louisianians. Based in New Orleans in 1934, we’re a tax-paying nonprofit well being insurer with workplaces in each main area to serve our clients. We’ve been acknowledged for the previous three years as an honoree of The Civic 50, named by Factors of Mild as one of many 50 most community-minded firms in the USA.

 

Blue Cross and Blue Protect of Louisiana is an unbiased licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Protect Affiliation. We’re a non-public mutual firm, owned by our policyholders, with an unbiased Louisiana Board of Administrators and no shareholders. We invite all Louisianians to go to our web site at www.bcbsla.com or discuss to us on social media.

 

 

STRONGER THAN DIABETES: Blue Cross shares tips to lower risks, keep blood sugar in a healthy range - L'Observateur - lkblue