It is estimated that 10.5% of Americans have diabetes.
Diabetes is not easy on the wallet—most people with diabetes spend an average of $16,750 per year on medical costs. Fortunately, MotivHealth’s Diabetic Patient Care program can help you significantly reduce your costs on insulin and supplies.
Testing Supplies
MotivHealth partners with DiaThrive, a local Utah company, to provide free hospital-quality testing supplies to our members, which are delivered to members’ homes monthly. The first kit arrives within 2-3 days, and refill orders arrive within 3-5 days. Click here to view our plan options and frequently asked questions.
Supplies include:
- Glucose Meter
- FDA-approved
- Results in 4 seconds
- Requires tiny 0.4 µL sample size.
- The FDA regulates all meters and requires them to be within 15% of laboratory value. The studies done with DiaThrive meters find that they are more accurate than many of the meters in the market.
- Test Strips
- Accurate test strips that support re-dosing
- Lancet
- Universal design that is compatible with most lancing devices
- Control Solution
- Perfect tool to ensure test strips are providing accurate results
- Lancing Device
- Five depth settings for maximum comfort
- Carrying Case
- High-quality materials to restore and protect testing supplies
Here are 5 useful, trusted tips for managing diabetes:
- Manage stress.
Too much stress is unhealthy for anyone, especially for those living with type 1 or type 2 diabetes. In addition to stress causing people to forget or not have time to check blood sugar levels or plan healthy meals, stress hormones can directly alter blood sugar levels. Making an effort to reduce stress by implementing tactics such as fitness classes, breathing exercises, and other relaxing hobbies will only help in diabetes management.
- Get up and move at least 30 minutes per day.
Exercise helps increase insulin sensitivity. This means the cells in your muscles are better able to use any available insulin to take up glucose during and after physical activity. In addition to helping lower blood glucose in the short term, exercise on a consistent, regular basis can lower your A1C. Aim for a minimum of 30 minutes of moderate to vigorous exercise a day. Be mindful, however, that low blood sugars can occur during and up to 24 hours after physical activity, and are more likely to occur if you take insulin, skip meals, or exercise intensely or for a long period of time.
- Take advantage of low- and no-calorie sweeteners.
Dealing with diabetes on a daily basis is hard enough without having to give up the sweet treats you enjoy. There are several low- and no-calorie sweeteners available that are safe to consume and provide the same sweetness as sugar, but without impacting blood glucose levels. In addition to being found in packaged foods and beverages, many of these sweeteners can be purchased at the grocery store and serve as stand-alone sweeteners for use in your own recipes. Given the holiday treats enjoyed this time of year at seasonal gatherings, these sweeteners can help you have your sweet frozen hot chocolate – and drink it too! For more information on low- and no-calorie sweeteners and diabetes, including carb-smart recipes, visit here.
- Ward off sickness.
Physical stress, such as illness or injury, causes higher blood glucose levels in people living with diabetes. With cold and flu season upon us, make sure to get your flu shot, eat well, and wash your hands frequently. In addition, talk to your doctor about adjustments you may need to make to your personal diabetes management routine and insulin dosing (if appropriate) in the event you get sick.
- Remember, don’t let ‘perfect’ be the enemy of ‘good’.
Although there are differences in the management of type 1 versus type 2 diabetes, maintaining a perfect blood sugar 100 percent of the time is simply not possible, no matter how closely you monitor and manage your diabetes. Even those without diabetes experience moderate spikes and lows in their blood sugar levels. Instead, focus on living a balanced lifestyle full of things that motivate you, instead of letting occasional bad blood sugar levels discourage you. You control your diabetes – not the other way around!
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