How to Prevent, Delay and Manage Chronic Disease
Posted by Medavie Blue Cross on December 20, 2023
How to Prevent, Delay and Manage Chronic Disease
Posted by Medavie Blue Cross on December 20, 2023
In October 2021, Joe weighed 241 pounds, had Type 2 diabetes, and required sleep medication and a CPAP machine to control sleep apnea. Less than one year later, with the support and guidance of a health coach, Joe shed 56 pounds and brought his blood sugar levels back to normal energy. This meant he no longer required a CPAP machine, medication to sleep, drugs to treat his diabetes, or statin to lower his cholesterol. The energy he gained from his weight loss and diabetes-free diagnosis allowed him to exercise regularly and even win a marathon within 12 months of signing up for a diabetes care program.* “I was excited. Thrilled. I’ve never won anything for physical exercise before.” Joe**
Type 2 diabetes is a chronic disease. About 4-in-5 (87%) Canadians are likely to be directly affected by chronic disease or a major illness in their lifetime. Chronic diseases, such as diabetes, heart disease and cancer, are the leading causes of death and disability, yet they are largely preventable. By making healthy choices, you can reduce your likelihood of getting a chronic disease, improve your quality of life and even live longer.
Eat Healthy
Healthy eating decreases your risk of obesity, heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and certain cancers. A balanced, healthy diet includes a variety of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean protein and low-fat dairy products, while limiting added sugars, saturated fats, and sodium.
Be Active
Regular physical activity can help prevent, delay, or manage chronic diseases. Set a goal to do moderate-intensity physical activity (like brisk walking or gardening) at least 20 minutes daily or 150 minutes weekly and muscle-strengthening activities twice a week.
Sleep Well
Lack of sleep has been linked to the development and poor management of diabetes, heart disease, obesity, and depression. Adults should get at least 7 hours of shuteye every night.
Eat Healthy
Healthy eating decreases your risk of obesity, heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and certain cancers. A balanced, healthy diet includes a variety of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean protein and low-fat dairy products, while limiting added sugars, saturated fats, and sodium.
Be Active
Regular physical activity can help prevent, delay, or manage chronic diseases. Set a goal to do moderate-intensity physical activity (like brisk walking or gardening) at least 20 minutes daily or 150 minutes weekly and muscle-strengthening activities twice a week.
Sleep Well
Lack of sleep has been linked to the development and poor management of diabetes, heart disease, obesity, and depression. Adults should get at least 7 hours of shuteye every night.
Get Screened
You can prevent chronic diseases or catch them early through preventive services such as cancer screening tests, prediabetes and diabetes testing. Speak to your doctor or primary care provider about scheduling a test.
Research your Family History
Does your family have a history of chronic diseases like cancer, heart disease, diabetes, or osteoporosis? You may be at risk of developing that disease yourself. Make sure to share your family’s health history with your doctor or primary care provider. They can recommend steps you can take to prevent or detect and delay the onset of these conditions.
Limit alcohol consumption
In addition to adopting healthy lifestyle habits, you can increase your odds of preventing chronic disease by reducing risk behaviours like smoking and drinking excessively.
Over time, excessive drinking can lead to high blood pressure, various cancers, heart disease, stroke, and liver disease. If you don’t drink, don’t start, and if you do drink, drink in moderation.
Get Screened
You can prevent chronic diseases or catch them early through preventive services such as cancer screening tests, prediabetes and diabetes testing. Speak to your doctor or primary care provider about scheduling a test.
Research your Family History
Does your family have a history of chronic diseases like cancer, heart disease, diabetes, or osteoporosis? You may be at risk of developing that disease yourself. Make sure to share your family’s health history with your doctor or primary care provider. They can recommend steps you can take to prevent or detect and delay the onset of these conditions.
Limit alcohol consumption
In addition to adopting healthy lifestyle habits, you can increase your odds of preventing chronic disease by reducing risk behaviours like smoking and drinking excessively.
Over time, excessive drinking can lead to high blood pressure, various cancers, heart disease, stroke, and liver disease. If you don’t drink, don’t start, and if you do drink, drink in moderation.
Quit Smoking
Similarly, stopping smoking (or never starting) lowers the risk of developing a chronic illness, such as heart disease, cancer, type 2 diabetes, lung disease, and premature death—even for long-time smokers. It’s never too late to break a habit. More than 60% of adults who’ve smoked cigarettes have been able to give them up.
If you’re having trouble kicking a smoking habit or limiting your alcohol consumption, seek out the services of a specialist. Medavie Blue Cross’s Health Coaching and Chronic Disease Management benefit reimburses plan members for smoking cessation services, along with one-on-one counselling and education services for diabetes, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, high blood pressure and high cholesterol from a specialized health professional — without a doctor’s referral.
Quit Smoking
Similarly, stopping smoking (or never starting) lowers the risk of developing a chronic illness, such as heart disease, cancer, type 2 diabetes, lung disease, and premature death—even for long-time smokers. It’s never too late to break a habit. More than 60% of adults who’ve smoked cigarettes have been able to give them up.
If you’re having trouble kicking a smoking habit or limiting your alcohol consumption, seek out the services of a specialist. Medavie Blue Cross’s Health Coaching and Chronic Disease Management benefit reimburses plan members for smoking cessation services, along with one-on-one counselling and education services for diabetes, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, high blood pressure and high cholesterol from a specialized health professional — without a doctor’s referral.
*Our 360 Total Care program provides personalized care for members living with chronic conditions such as diabetes and hypertension and/or those who need help with weight management. The program offers easy access to telemedicine and virtual coaching, in addition to convenient home delivery of medication and supplies.
If you are diagnosed with a chronic disease, education, communication and connection are key to limiting the impact of your condition on your wellbeing. Research your condition, consult chronic disease specialists and reach out to others for support.
To learn more about how you can prevent, delay or manage a chronic disease, speak to your HR professional or your Medavie Blue Cross representative.
**Joe is not his real name. While he was happy to share his story, we protected his identity in keeping with our commitment to confidentiality.
Medavie Blue Cross is a premier all-in-one carrier that provides health, dental, travel, life and disability benefits and administers federal and provincial government-sponsored health programs. Together with Medavie Health Services, we are part of Medavie, a health solutions partner committed to improving the wellbeing of Canadians. We are in the...