About 1 in 10 Americans—that’s 37.3 million—have diabetes.1 Alarmingly, 1 in 5 people with diabetes don’t know they have it.2 In fact, 96 million American adults—more than 1 in 3—have prediabetes.3
Diabetes is a chronic, long-term health condition that affects how the body turns food into energy. The body naturally produces the hormone insulin, which helps convert sugars from food into energy.4 With diabetes, the body doesn’t get enough insulin, or the cells stop responding to insulin. Over time, serious health problems occur, such as heart and kidney disease or vision loss.5
Type 1 diabetes develops early in life and is believed to be caused by an autoimmune reaction.6 Type 2 diabetes develops over the course of many years and is related to lifestyle factors such as being inactive and carrying excess weight.7
People with type 2 diabetes have insulin resistance. The body is producing insulin but it’s unable to use the insulin effectively.
What are the causes of type 2 diabetes?
Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes and is caused by genes and lifestyle factors, such as:
- Weight: Being overweight makes a person more likely to develop insulin resistance. Extra belly fat is also linked to insulin resistance, along with heart and blood vessel disease.8
- Physical inactivity: Lack of exercise and movement may raise a person’s risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Physical activity helps control blood sugar (glucose), weight and blood pressure.9 Exercise also helps raise “good” cholesterol that protects against heart attack and stroke and lowers “bad” cholesterol that contributes to fatty buildup in arteries. By participating in at least 150 minutes of moderate activity a week, a patient may help reduce the risk of heart disease and nerve damage, which are often problems for people with diabetes.10
- Insulin resistance: Type 2 diabetes generally starts with insulin resistance, a condition in which muscle, liver and fat cells don’t use insulin well. The pancreas creates more insulin to keep up with added demand. Eventually, the pancreas can’t make enough insulin and blood glucose levels rise, causing health issues over time.11
- Genes and family history: As in type 1 diabetes, certain genes make a person more likely to develop type 2 diabetes. In addition to family tendencies, the disease occurs more often in certain racial and ethnic groups, such as African Americans, Alaskan and Native Americans, Asian Americans, Hispanics/Latinos, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders.12
What are the symptoms of type 2 diabetes?
Patients with type 2 diabetes may be living with the disease for years without knowing it because symptoms often develop slowly. When symptoms are present, they may include:13
- Increased thirst and hunger
- Persistent urination
- Unexpected weight loss
- Fatigue and weakness
- Blurred vision
- Frequent infections and slow-healing sores
- Numbness or tingling in the hands or feet
What are treatments for type 2 diabetes and its symptoms?
People with type 2 diabetes play an active role in managing the disease for themselves, including blood sugar monitoring and maintaining healthy habits.14
Here are some treatments and ways to deal with type 2 diabetes:
- Blood sugar monitoring15
A blood glucose meter is an at-home device used to measure the amount of sugar in a drop of blood. Patients keep a record of measurements to share with their healthcare team.
Continuous glucose monitoring is an electronic system for recording glucose levels every few minutes from a sensor placed under the skin. Information is transmitted to a cellphone or other mobile device. The system can send alerts when levels are too high or too low.
- Healthy diet16
While there’s no specific diabetes diet, keeping a regular schedule of meals and healthy snacks helps maintain glucose levels. Patients are also advised to eat smaller portions with fewer calories.
A healthy diet helps patients to manage the disease, including eating:
- More fruit, non-starchy vegetables, whole grains and high-fiber foods.
- Fewer refined grains, sweets and starchy vegetables.
- Small servings of low-fat dairy, low-fat meats and fish.
- Healthy cooking oil, such as olive oil or canola oil.
- Regular exercise17
Physical activity and a regular exercise routine helps patients to stay fit and maintain a healthy weight. Types of exercise to consider are:
- Aerobic exercise, such as walking, biking, running or swimming. Adults are advised to aim for 150 minutes of moderate exercise a week.
- Resistance exercise, such as weightlifting and yoga to increase strength and balance. Adults living with type 2 diabetes are advised to schedule 2 – 3 sessions of resistance training weekly.
- Limit inactivity by scheduling breaks away from sitting in front of the computer or TV. Patients are advised to make time to stand up, walk around or do other light activity every 30 minutes.
- Weight loss18
By maintaining a healthy weight, people living with type 2 diabetes may be better able to control blood sugar levels, cholesterol, triglycerides and blood pressure. A healthcare provider and dietitian can help set weight loss goals and provide guidance on lifestyle changes.
- Diabetes medication19
For patients who have difficulty keeping their target blood sugar level with diet and exercise, diabetes medication will be prescribed, such as Meformin, Sulfonylureas, Glinides, Thiazolidinediones, DPP-4 inhibitors, GLP-1 receptor agonists or SGLT2 inhibitors.
In addition to diabetes medications, healthcare providers may prescribe blood pressure and cholesterol-lowering medicines, as well as low-dose aspirin, to help prevent heart and blood vessel disease.
- Insulin therapy20
Insulin therapy is used if lifestyle changes (and other medicines) aren’t able to help people with type 2 diabetes maintain their blood sugar targets. Long-acting insulin is designed to work overnight or throughout the day to keep blood sugar levels stable. Short-acting insulin is generally used during mealtimes. Most types of insulin are taken by injection.
People living with type 2 diabetes may be better able to manage the disease by understanding the types of treatments available and making healthy lifestyle choices.
Go365 by Humana® makes wellness fun and easy. We help Humana Medicare members with Go365® on their plan reach health goals as well as take care of their physical and emotional health—allowing members to thrive at any age.
Humana Medicare members with Go365 on their plan can activate their Go365 account at
Go365 is a well-being and rewards program for many Humana Medicare Advantage members. Rewards have no cash value and can only be redeemed in the Go365 Mall. Rewards must be earned and redeemed within the same plan year. Any rewards not redeemed by December 31st will be forfeited.
If you need to enroll in Medicare Advantage or change your plan outside of the usual Medicare Annual Election Period, a Special Election Period (SEP) could be the answer. For information on eligibility, visit Humana’s
To learn more about Humana Medicare Advantage, call to speak with a licensed Humana sales agent at 844-321-5843 (TTY: 711), Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 8 p.m. local time or visit
Sources:
1“The Facts, Stats and Impacts of Diabetes,” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, last accessed July 13, 2023,
2“The Facts, Stats and Impacts of Diabetes.”
3“The Facts, Stats and Impacts of Diabetes.”
4“What is Diabetes?” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, last accessed July 13, 2023,
5“What is Diabetes?”
6Corinne O’Keefe Osborn, “Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes: What’s the Difference?” Healthline, last accessed July 13, 2023,
7Osborn, “Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes: What’s the Difference?”
8“Symptoms & Causes of Diabetes,” National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, last accessed July 13, 2023,
9“Physical Inactivity,” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, last accessed July 13, 2023,
10“Physical Inactivity.”
11“Symptoms & Causes of Diabetes.”
12“Symptoms & Causes of Diabetes.”
13“Type 2 Diabetes - Overview,” Mayo Clinic, last accessed July 13, 2023,
14“Type 2 Diabetes,” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, last accessed July 13, 2023,
15“Type 2 Diabetes – Diagnosis & Treatment,” Mayo Clinic, last accessed July 13, 2023,
16“Type 2 Diabetes – Diagnosis & Treatment.”
17“Type 2 Diabetes – Diagnosis & Treatment.”
18“Type 2 Diabetes – Diagnosis & Treatment.”
19“Type 2 Diabetes – Diagnosis & Treatment.”
20“Type 2 Diabetes – Diagnosis & Treatment.”
Consult your doctor before beginning any new diet or exercise regimen.
This information is provided for educational purposes only. It is not to be used for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Consult your healthcare provider if you have questions or concerns.
Humana is a Medicare Advantage HMO, PPO and PFFS organization and a stand-alone prescription drug plan with a Medicare contract. Humana is also a Coordinated Care plan with a Medicare contract and a contract with the state Medicaid program. Enrollment in any Humana plan depends on contract renewal.
)
