Diabetes

Let's talk about diabetes
 

Diabetes happens when your body doesn’t make enough insulin, or when your cells become resistant to it. And although diabetes doesn’t go away, you can still live a long, active life by making healthy choices.
 

There may not be any symptoms early on — that’s why it’s important to get screened regularly. Diabetes can lead to blindness, kidney failure, heart attacks, stroke, and lower limb amputation. If not properly managed, it can affect your whole body.

Senior African man hands using lancet on finger
woman running outside by lake
A clinical doctor giving some test results to a couple of elderly patients in hospital.

How is it diagnosed?
 

Common tests used by doctors for diagnosis include:

  •  A1c test

Checks your average blood sugar levels over the last three months.

  •  Fasting blood sugar test

Checks your blood sugar after not eating for eight hours or more.

  •  Oral sugar tolerance test

Checks your blood sugar two hours before and two hours after consuming a sweet drink.

  •  Random blood sugar test

Checks your blood sugar at the time of test regardless of what you’ve eaten.
 

Doctors will usually perform a second test if the first test is positive. Learn more* about the medical tests used to diagnose diabetes.

*You are leaving the HealthHub website and are being directed to another site. Please refer to your Explanation of Coverage (EOC) for details on your benefits and coverages.

Certain factors can put you at risk
 

  •  A family history of diabetes
  •  Being overweight
  •  High blood pressure
  •  High cholesterol
  •  Smoking
  •  A history of gestational diabetes
  •  Age — your risk of diabetes increases as you get older

Is there anything I can do to prevent diabetes?
 

  •  Eat healthy and talk to a dietician.
  •  Exercise at least 30 minutes a day.
  •  Take medications as prescribed.
  •  Have your doctor check your blood sugar, blood pressure, and
    cholesterol.
  •  Complete necessary tests and exams.

How different ethnicities are affected

Diabetes is more common in certain ethnic groups. People who are African American, Latino/Hispanic American, or American Indian with diabetes also have a higher risk of developing kidney disease.

Learn more about diabetes in:

Latino/Hispanic Americans*

*You are leaving the HealthHub website and are being directed to another site. Please refer to your Explanation of Coverage (EOC) for details on your benefits and coverages.

African Americans*

*You are leaving the HealthHub website and are being directed to another site. Please refer to your Explanation of Coverage (EOC) for details on your benefits and coverages.

Get screened if you’re at risk
 

Download and sign in to the Sydney Health app or your online plan website
Then you can schedule an appointment with your provider. Remember — lab tests
require a doctor’s order or prescription first.
 

You can also use the app and plan website to schedule appointments with:

  •  Your doctor or primary care provider (PCP)
  •  Network labs
  •  Specialists
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