Diabetes management

Diabetes doesn't have to be complicated. Our Electronic Medical Record (EMR) patient registry will help you understand your diabetes by tracking your blood sugar levels, blood pressure, cholesterol and weight at each doctor's appointment. You will receive a readout of your latest numbers, and, along with your physician, can track health areas which need more detailed management. This registry takes the guesswork out of diabetes—you and your provider will know where you stand and can use this knowledge to help you live free of complications.

You, as the patient, are no longer a passive recipient of instruction, but an active member of the team!

Not only do we have a full-service lab facility on campus for all your testing needs, but our clinics provide on-site A1C testing—the gold standard for diabetes management. The American Diabetes Association (ADA) recommends that all patients with diabetes be routinely have A1C testing, as often as every 3 months. The A1C can predict the risk for development of chronic complications, and is used in conjunction with daily glucose testing.

The key to controlling your blood sugars is personalized nutrition therapy. Learn to modify your eating habits to successfully avoid complications.

A Registered Diabetic Educator (RDE) is available monthly for individual and group instruction. The RDE focuses on managing carbohydrate intake, portion control and incorporating nutrient rich and high fiber foods in your diet. Meal and menu planning is a major focus of diabetic counseling.

For those needing more comprehensive understanding of insulin as it relates to diet, our RDE discusses dosing, type and timing of insulin.

If weight is a factor, the RDE says the solution is habits, not diets. Confidential services include calorie intake, behavior modification, dining out, cooking tips and shopping strategies.

Each year, 1.3 million Americans are diagnosed with diabetes, according to the ADA. Today, roughly 18 million Americans live with this disorder—about double the number of people diagnosed in 1980. You don't have to be one of them.

Some things you can't change, including your genes. If you can say "yes" to any of these risk factors, you may want to consult your doctor:

• Family history of diabetes.
• Advancing age (over 40 for men, 45 for women).
• Race (African Americans, Mexican Americans, American Indians, Native Hawaiians, Pacific Islanders and Asian Americans all have increased risk).

There are many lifestyle choices you can make to help prevent diabetes, including:

• Maintain a healthy weight.
• Eat a healthy diet.
• Exercise regularly.
• If you smoke, quit.
• Limit alcohol use.
• Work with your doctor to keep cholesterol in a healthy range.
• Work with your doctor to manage your blood pressure and prevent cardiovascular disease.

While there is no guarantee that modifying your lifestyle will prevent diabetes, the change may delay development of the condition. A person at higher risk should take preventive measures as recommended by a physician. If you feel you're at high risk for developing diabetes, don't wait for symptoms to begin. See your healthcare provider today to make a plan to prevent the onset of diabetes.