Diabetes is a serious disease that affects more than 38 million people in the United States. Another 97 million people have prediabetes. Normally, our body breaks food down into blood sugar (glucose) and sends it into the bloodstream. Your pancreas
makes a hormone called insulin. Insulin helps get blood sugar from the bloodstream to your body’s cells to be used for energy. Diabetes is a group of diseases that share a common trait of having a hard time balancing insulin with blood sugar.
The three forms of diabetes occur when the body can’t produce or use insulin properly. There are ways that you can figure out if you have diabetes. Columbia Pacific CCO covers those screenings and most medications to manage diabetes.
Types of diabetes
- Type 1 diabetes. Type 1 diabetes was formerly known as juvenile diabetes because it was usually diagnosed in children and young adults. The body does not produce insulin with type 1 diabetes.
- Type 2 diabetes. Type 2 is the most common form of this health condition. With type 2 diabetes, the body can’t use insulin appropriately. When your body can’t use the insulin it makes, your blood sugar rises. Type 2 diabetes is often associated with obesity. It occurs more frequently as obesity increases.
- Gestational diabetes. This occurs when blood sugar levels are high during pregnancy. Like type 2 diabetes, the body is not able to make or use all the insulin it needs. However, this form of diabetes occurs during pregnancy, and affects about 4% of all pregnant women.
Diabetes can be a deadly disease. If not managed properly, complications like kidney failure, heart attack, tooth loss, blindness and amputation can occur. However, diabetes can be managed and these complications can be avoided. For some, weight loss will cause diabetes to go away.
Columbia Pacific’s Care Coordination team can help you learn how to take control of your diabetes. Call 503-488-2822, toll-free 855-722-8206 or TTY 7111. Ask to speak with a Care Coordination team member.
See a dentist if you have diabetes
- Dental check ups are part of routine diabetes care.
- Check your Member ID card for the name of your dental care provider.
- Our Diabetes and Oral Health brochure explains why keeping your mouth healthy can help take care of your diabetes, too: English | Spanish
Resources
Let us help you
Send us a secure message through our Member Portal at colpachealth.org/portal or call us at 503-488-2822, toll-free 855-722-8206 or TTY 711. We can help you get started with diabetes services.
