About 34.2 million Americans have diabetes. If you’re one of them, diabetes care can reduce uncomfortable symptoms, minimize your risk of complications, and encourage a healthier lifestyle. At CHW Cares in Washington Heights, Manhattan, the team of expert primary care providers offers diabetes care to adults in New York City aged 65 and older.
Diabetes care provides treatment for all types of diabetes –– a group of chronic conditions that affect your pancreas’ ability to regulate blood glucose (sugar). You need some blood sugar to survive, but too much increases the risk of potentially serious issues, including nerve damage (neuropathy) and heart disease.
Fortunately, when identified and treated early, diabetes often responds to conservative measures of care, including dietary changes, exercise, and insulin therapy.
The CHW Cares team provides diabetes care to people with:
If you have prediabetes, it means your blood sugar levels are high but still manageable. When caught in the beginning stages, it’s possible to reverse prediabetes and prevent it from getting worse.
Type 1 diabetes causes your immune system to attack and destroy the insulin-producing cells in your pancreas. If your pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin, your blood sugar can spike, increasing the risk of more serious issues.
Type 2 diabetes causes the cells in your pancreas to resist insulin. If your cells become insulin resistant, they’re unable to move sugar throughout your body, causing it to build up in your bloodstream.
If you experience any of the following symptoms, make an appointment with CHW Cares as soon as possible:
You should also seek diabetes care at CHW Cares if you frequently experience gum, skin, or vaginal infections.
At CHW Cares, a diabetes care appointment begins with a review of your health history and a discussion of your symptoms. Next, your provider conducts a physical exam and orders several lab tests, including a glycated hemoglobin (A1C) test.
An A1C test measures your average blood sugar from the past two or three months. Any reading of 6.5% or higher on two separate tests indicates you have diabetes. The team might also order additional assessments, including a random blood sugar test, an oral glucose tolerance test, or a fasting blood sugar test.
At CHW Cares, the team tailors diabetes care to each person’s unique needs. Depending on your symptoms, age, and medical history, they might recommend:
If you have Type 1 diabetes, you’ll also need insulin therapy. Insulin therapy increases the uptake of sugar into your cells, helping you maintain healthy blood sugar.