November is diabetes awareness month and as it is a growing epidemic in the world we live in currently, it’s important to understand what it is. An estimated 23.6 million Americans are currently diagnosed with diabetes. Some 5.7 million Americans are currently living with this disease and do not realize it. 57 million have prediabetes, meaning they are at risk of developing the disease. An estimated 65% of those with diabetes will die of a heart attack or a stroke.
What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a group of metabolic diseases that occur when the pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin or the cells of the body don’t respond properly to the insulin being produced. This results in high blood sugar. There are three main types of diabetes: type 1, type 2 and gestational.
Type 1 juvenile onset diabetes
is where the pancreas is not capable of producing insulin. The body’s immune system destroys the pancreas’ beta cells – which are needed to create insulin. Insulin must be injected into the body of an affected individual by a pump or manual injection.
Type 2 adult onset diabetes
is caused by a resistance to insulin in which the body’s cells fail to use insulin properly. As a result of this, the pancreas will slowly lose its ability to create insulin. This is the most common type of diabetes as 90 to 95% of all adult diabetes cases are all type 2.
(glucose intolerance during pregnancy) is usually temporary and is resolved after a woman’s pregnancy ends. The high glucose levels during pregnancy may cause the development of permanent type 2 diabetes.
Living with Diabetes and Getting Life Insurance?
Are you looking to buy life insurance but are unsure of what you’re facing with diabetes as a factor? There is good news! If you’re living with diabetes and are taking proper precautions to keep it under control and going to your physician regularly to check up on your condition, you’re good to go ahead and apply! The life insurance company you apply with is going to look at things such as: when you were diagnosed and what your diagnosis was, the age of diagnosis, the course of your disease, what type of treatment your response to that treatment, if there are any other medical conditions present and so forth.
When you’re applying for a life insurance policy, it’s very important to have all your doctor’s names, addresses and phone numbers. It’s good to make sure that those doctors have copies of all your records regarding treatment, follow ups, etc. Also good to have a list of all medication and the information of the prescriptions you’re taking. Tip: Don’t skip any follow ups with your doctor! Life insurance companies are looking at those as well.
Life insurance premiums are typically lower for people who diet and exercise and/or keep their diabetes under control with medication. Premiums typically are higher for those who are not visiting their doctor regularly or if your A1C is not under control.
So, you are definitely able to qualify for coverage living with diabetes! The approval and rating class you are placed with is different for each life insurance company. Your life insurance agent at 1st Option Insurance can help you out with figuring out which company is the best for your situation.
You can find more information about Diabetes by clicking here
Ena Kalkan is a staff writer at 1st Option Insurance for Insurance News, a personal finance website.
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