What is diabetes care?
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.
Who can benefit from diabetes care?
The CHW Cares team provides diabetes care to people with:
Prediabetes
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
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
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.
When should I visit a doctor for diabetes care?
If you experience any of the following symptoms, make an appointment with CHW Cares as soon as possible:
- Increased thirst
- Frequent urination
- Fatigue
- Irritability
- Blurred vision
- Extreme hunger
- Unexplained weight loss
You should also seek diabetes care at CHW Cares if you frequently experience gum, skin, or vaginal infections.
What happens during a diabetes care appointment?
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.
What does diabetes care involve?
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:
- Exercising regularly
- Eating a balanced diet
- Maintaining a healthy weight
- Quitting smoking
- Monitoring your blood sugar regularly
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.
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