Are you at risk for developing type 2 diabetes? Or have you recently been diagnosed with diabetes or prediabetes? At  Bluestem Health in Lincoln, Nebraska, we’re committed to providing comprehensive diabetes education and support to empower you to live a healthier life. Understanding your risk factors and taking proactive steps is crucial in managing your health and preventing complications.

Identify Your Diabetes Risk Factors

The first step in preventing or managing diabetes is understanding your individual risk factors. These can include:

• A family history of diabetes
• Obesity
• Physical inactivity
• High blood pressure or cholesterol
• Gestational diabetes (diabetes during pregnancy)

If you have any of these risk factors, it’s essential to monitor for potential warning signs of elevated blood glucose. Common indicators may include increased thirst, frequent urination, and changes in vision. Early detection and intervention are key to preventing the progression of prediabetes to type 2 diabetes.

Comprehensive Diabetes Education Program

Bluestem Health’s Diabetes Education program offers personalized support and guidance to help you manage your condition effectively. Our certified diabetes educators, including Molly Petrik, RD, LMNT, CDCES, and Jeni Wood, RN, CDCES, work closely with you to develop a customized plan that addresses your specific needs and goals.

When to Seek Expert Diabetes Care

We recommend scheduling a consultation with our diabetes education team if:

• Your HbA1c (A1c) level is elevated above target.
• You have recently been diagnosed with diabetes or prediabetes.
• You are experiencing significant lifestyle changes that impact your diet or medication.
• Your Bluestem Health provider recommends specialized diabetes education.

Personalized Diabetes Management Strategies

Our team develops individualized strategies to help you manage your diabetes. We carefully evaluate your current habits, identify challenges to positive change, and create custom plans to improve blood sugar control. This may include:

• Setting achievable dietary goals
• Developing an exercise program that fits your lifestyle
• Learning how to monitor your blood glucose levels
• Understanding your medications and how they work

Nutrition Counseling and Support

Proper nutrition plays a vital role in managing diabetes and prediabetes. Our diabetes educators provide comprehensive nutrition counseling to help you make healthy food choices and develop balanced meal plans. We can help you:

• Understand the impact of food on your blood glucose levels
• Learn about portion control and meal planning
• Make informed decisions when eating out
• Develop healthy recipes and cooking strategies

Free Resources and Support

Bluestem Health is dedicated to providing access to diabetes education and resources to everyone in our community. We offer a variety of free services to support you in managing your diabetes, including:

• Assistance with accessing food resources
• Recommendations for food tracking apps and tools
• Guidance on Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) systems
• Multilingual support to overcome language barriers

Proactive Diabetes Screening

We encourage everyone to get screened for diabetes, especially if you have risk factors. Early detection is essential for managing the condition effectively and preventing complications.