Diabetes is a health condition that affects your blood sugar. Blood sugar is also called glucose. This page explains diabetes in simple terms and shares tools to help you.
Diabetes means your blood sugar is too high. Your body needs insulin to move sugar from your blood into your cells for energy. When insulin does not work well, sugar stays in the blood. Over time, high blood sugar can harm many parts of the body.
Call 911 if you have trouble staying awake, confusion, fast breathing, or vomiting that will not stop. These may be signs of a medical emergency.
Call your doctor if you are sick and cannot manage blood sugar or have vomiting or diarrhea for many hours.
Community Health Choice offers Care Management support for members with diabetes. This program can help answer questions and connect you to resources.
Some diabetes symptoms can get serious fast. When that happens, it’s important to know where to go for help.
Knowing the right place helps you get care faster and stay safe. If something doesn’t feel right, don’t wait—get help right away.
Call 911 right away if you have:
These may be signs of a medical emergency. Call your doctor right away if:
Living with diabetes can feel like a lot, but you don’t have to do it by yourself.
Community Health Choice has a Care Management program to help you stay healthy and reach your goals. With Care Management, you can:
Care Management is here to support you and help you stay healthy, so you can avoid bigger health problems or trips to the emergency room.
Some people do not have symptoms right away. Others may notice:
If you have symptoms, talk with a doctor. Blood tests can help confirm diabetes.
Type 1 Diabetes: Type 1 diabetes happens when the body stops making insulin. People with type 1 need insulin every day. It often starts in children or young adults, but it can start at any age.
Type 2 Diabetes: Type 2 diabetes happens when the body cannot use insulin the right way. Over time, the body may not make enough insulin. Some people have no symptoms at first.
Doctors use blood tests to check blood sugar. One test is called an A1C test. It shows average blood sugar over time.
Doctors may also check blood pressure, cholesterol, kidney health, eye health, and foot health.
Your plan may include extra benefits called Value-Added Services (VAS). These are extra services beyond your regular coverage that can help you manage diabetes and stay healthy.
Depending on your plan, you may get things like:
These benefits are not the same for everyone. To learn what you have check your Member Handbook or call Member Services for help.
Treatment depends on the type of diabetes and your health needs.
Type 1 diabetes treatment often includes insulin, blood sugar checks, healthy meals, and regular activity.
Type 2 diabetes treatment may include healthy meals, activity, weight loss, and medicines. Some people may need insulin.
Do not stop or change medicine without talking to your doctor.
Small changes can help lower your risk:
These daily steps can help manage diabetes:
As a local nonprofit health plan, Community Health Choice gives you plenty of reasons to join our Community. From the benefits and special programs we offer to the way our Member Services team helps you make the most of them, Community is always working life forward for you and your family.
“Community Health Choice is always there to answer my questions and help me and my family with our medical needs. I truly appreciate and value their customer support and service.”
– Cecily
Member of Community Health Choice
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