Managing Diabetes? There’s An App For That

Diabetes is the costliest chronic condition in the U.S. For those living with diabetes or helping care for someone who has it, there are modern ways of managing the disease that your primary care physician can offer. From an app on your cell phone to social media groups, digital tools – partnered with care from your family physician – will not only help you regulate your blood sugar, but they also offer motivation to stay one track with your treatment plan. Here are some of the most creative ways to manage your diabetes.

Facts About Diabetes

With roughly 10 percent of the American population living with diabetes, there’s a high likelihood that you know someone who partners with a primary care doctor to manage the disease on a daily basis. Here are some highlights about diabetes and how it affects millions of people in the U.S. each year.

Diabetes is the 7th leading cause of deaths in the U.S. each year
More than 30 million Americans have diabetes
Healthcare costs are 2.3 times more for those with diabetes than those without it
Diabetes cost Americans $327 billion each year
$1 in $7 healthcare dollars is spent treating diabetes
Roughly 295 Americans undergo some form of amputation every day because of diabetes

More than 4,100 people are diagnosed with diabetes every day. Understanding what can lead to the disease will help you partner with your primary care physician to prevent diabetes.

What Causes Diabetes?

Because there are different versions of the disease, there are a number of causes that can lead to diabetes. Here’s a look at the most common causes of diabetes:

Type 1 Diabetes: Researchers say Type 1 diabetes is likely caused by genes. Environmental factors, like a virus, may also trigger the disease. If this form of diabetes runs in your family, be sure to communicate that with your family doctor.
Type 2 Diabetes: The most common form of diabetes is Type 2. This disease is caused by lifestyle factors and your genes.
Gestational Diabetes: This type of diabetes develops during pregnancy. Your primary care physician will explain that the hormonal changes of a pregnancy can spark gestational diabetes.

Modern Ways To Manage Diabetes

In an age where we can complete a doctor’s visit on an iPad, there are certainly modern ways to manage your diabetes. Check out these digital tools to help keep your sugar in check:

Let’s Be Well Diabetes Box: A box of wellness products and information to help people manage Type 2 diabetes
The Headspace App: An app that guides you through the meditation process to help keep your body and mind balanced
ADA’s Living with Type 2 Diabetes program: This yearlong program is designed to provide participants with information on how to eat healthy when dealing with diabetes and offers access to several online resources like support groups and local events.
BistroMD and Chef’D: Research shows we’re more likely to be healthy when it’s convenient. Meal boxes like BistroMD and Chef’D offer premade meals or the ingredients to create your own healthy dinner.

Living with diabetes doesn’t have to constantly be a struggle. There are options that give you support – mentally and physically – many of which are available with the click of a button.