Diabetes Management Specialist
More than 30 million Americans have diabetes, and at least 84 million have prediabetes. Fortunately, with lifestyle modifications and insulin, you can control your health. The team at Faith Medical Center, in Charlotte and Mooresville, North Carolina, offers patient-focused diabetes management services to help lower your A1C (blood glucose) test results and enhance your overall health and well-being. Call or make an appointment online today.
What is diabetes management?
Diabetes management is the medical practice of regulating your insulin and blood sugar levels to reduce the impact that diabetes has on your life. At Faith Medical Center, the team offers personalized diabetes management services to help you maintain your health and live a comfortable and productive life.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic health condition in which your body either doesn’t make enough insulin or doesn’t use insulin correctly. Insulin is the hormone that helps your body convert your blood sugar into energy. When this conversion doesn’t occur, your blood sugar levels spike, leading to a variety of dangerous health problems including nerve damage, blindness, and heart disease. There are two primary types of diabetes.
Type 1 diabetes, sometimes called juvenile diabetes, occurs when your pancreas doesn’t make enough insulin to meet your body’s needs. Type 1 diabetes is genetic, and medical researchers believe it’s the result of an autoimmune malfunction that attacks the insulin-producing cells in your pancreas. However, the majority of diabetics have
Type 2 diabetes, which occurs when your body doesn’t use insulin correctly. Lifestyle factors including your weight, diet, and exercise habits heavily influence developing type 2 diabetes.
What should I expect from diabetes management care?
Diabetes management begins with a thorough consultation and blood work to gather a baseline of your glucose levels and other symptoms. Your provider asks questions about your lifestyle including your diet and exercise habits. They will also want to know if you use tobacco products as cigarettes can exacerbate diabetes-related vascular health problems. Once your provider understands your overall health and the severity of your diabetes, they work with you to create a customized treatment plan. Your program may include medication, dietary changes, and exercise. Reducing the amount of sugar you consume decreases the burden on your body. Also, regular exercise, even a 20-minute walk after you eat, helps your body to convert your blood sugar into energy.
If you have type 1 diabetes, you will need to take insulin every day to help your body use blood sugar efficiently. If you have type 2 diabetes, you may be able to manage your condition through diet and exercise, although in some cases, you may need to take insulin. Your provider will let you know whether or not insulin is necessary. The team at Faith Medical Center can also help you turn your health around if you’re showing signs of prediabetes. They can help you to adjust your diet and exercise habits, which not only helps you lose weight but also reduces your risk of diabetes. Call Faith Medical Center or schedule a consultation online today for expert, personalized diabetes management services.