You probably know someone who has diabetes or prediabetes. Diabetes is a long-lasting condition that happens when your body does not produce enough insulin or cannot properly use the insulin it produces. It is usually treated with a combination of medicine and living a healthy lifestyle.

Type 2 diabetes is “not so bad”

A common myth about diabetes is that type 1 is the “bad” kind of diabetes and that type 2 is the less serious or “good” kind. It’s not clear where this idea started, but it could be our fear of needles. People with type 1 diabetes need insulin injections to control their blood sugar while people with type 2 diabetes can usually control their blood sugar with medicine they take by mouth and lifestyle changes, or even by lifestyle changes alone.

However, some people with type 2 diabetes also have to inject themselves with insulin as diabetes can worsen over time. Both types of diabetes can lead to serious health complications, such as heart disease, stroke, blindness, kidney failure and nerve damage.

Thin people can’t get type 2 diabetes

Being overweight is a major risk factor for developing type 2 diabetes. Being even slightly overweight increases diabetes risk by up to five times, according to research done by Harvard School of Public Health Professor Walter Willett, and being seriously obese increases it 60 times.

Being overweight is not the only major risk factor for type 2 diabetes. Genetics are just as important. People with a family history of diabetes are at higher risk for both type 1 and type 2 diabetes.

Eating something really sweet can “give you” diabetes

Type 1 diabetes is genetic and type 2 is influenced by genetics and other factors. About 80% of cases of type 2 diabetes are linked to lifestyle factors. But if you don’t have diabetes and only eat something ridiculously sweet every now and then, the sugar won’t automatically “give you” diabetes.

You can’t get type 2 diabetes if you lead a healthy lifestyle

Since 80% of type 2 diabetes is triggered by lifestyle factors, it’s easy to assume following a healthy eating plan and exercising regularly means you’re immune. That’s not true. Some medical conditions, such as polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), increase the risk for type 2 diabetes because it’s related to insulin resistance. You could also develop diabetes if you are involved in an accident that damages your pancreas.

Get cover for diabetes treatment and care

Register for the Chronic Illness Benefit

You don’t automatically have cover for diabetes treatment when you or a dependant is diagnosed. If you don’t register, we pay for medicine and tests from your day-to-day benefits. You and your doctor have to complete the Chronic Illness Benefit application form and send it to us.

Download the application form from the intranet or you can speak with your HR representative. Alternatively, you can call Remedi Medical Aid Scheme on 0860 116 116 and request a chronic application form to be sent through to you.

Apply to join our Diabetes Management Programme

Once you are registered on the Scheme’s Chronic Illness Benefit for either type 1 or type 2 diabetes mellitus, you can join the Diabetes Management Programme.

If you are a member on the Comprehensive Option, you may also join the Centre for Diabetes and Endocrinology programme and can contact them on 011 053 4400 or email members@cdediabetes.co.za. The centre’s list of branches is available on www.cdecentre.co.za