Diabetes Education Program
At Hunt Regional Healthcare, we understand that a diabetes diagnosis can be intimidating. You might even feel like you have no control. But we want you to know you can take control of your condition by embracing healthy behaviors – and through our education program, we can help you achieve this important goal.
Understanding Diabetes
Are you worried about your risk of developing diabetes? Gain valuable insights into the different types of diabetes, understanding the unique risk factors associated with each and common symptoms that are associated with Diabetes.
Type 1 Diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is a chronic condition in which the body doesn’t produce enough insulin. People with type 1 diabetes need to receive insulin injections or use an insulin pump to manage their blood sugar levels. It usually starts in childhood or early adulthood.
Type 2 Diabetes
Type 2 diabetes is a chronic condition in which the body becomes resistant to insulin or doesn’t produce enough of it. As a result, people with type 2 diabetes may need to manage their blood sugar levels through lifestyle changes (such as diet and exercise), medications, and/or insulin injections. It is more common in adults and is often associated with obesity and a sedentary lifestyle.
Gestational Diabetes Mellitus
Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a type of diabetes that occurs during pregnancy. It happens when the body cannot produce enough insulin to regulate blood sugar levels during pregnancy, and it usually goes away after delivery. GDM can increase the risk of complications during pregnancy and delivery, and it also increases the risk of developing type 2 diabetes later in life.
Are you concerned about your risk for developing diabetes? If so, having an awareness of common symptoms is a good way to stay in control. Have you been experiencing:
- Fatigue
- Frequent urination
- Excessive thirst or hunger
- Weight loss in spite of increased hunger
- Vision changes
- Frequent infections
- Tingling or numbness in the hands or feet
If you have noticed one or more of these symptoms, let your primary care doctor know so that additional steps can be taken.
Once you have spoken to your doctor, he or she may recommend diabetes testing. One example includes glucose screening, which is used to check the level of glucose sugar in your blood. A high amount of this sugar type could indicate diabetes and lead to further testing, such as:
- Urinalysis showing glucose and ketone bodies in the urine
- Glucose tolerance test
- Glycosylated hemoglobin level
If a diabetes diagnosis is confirmed, our team at Hunt Regional’s Diabetes Self-Management Center will be ready and waiting to help. To learn more about our diabetes care and education programs, call us at 903-408-5130.
You can’t change some things like age or ethnicity, but it is important to be aware of your risks and work toward changing things you can, like your diet, weight, and exercise levels.
Factors that increase the risk of diabetes
- Family history of diabetes
- Age over 45
- Race or ethnic background
- Metabolic Syndrome
- Being Overweight
- Hypertension
- Abnormal cholesterol levels
- History of gestational diabetes
Potential complications from diabetes
- Hypoglycemia
- Hypertension
- Dyslipidemia
- Cardiovascular disease
- Heart Attack
- Stoke
- NBlindness and eye problems
- Kidney disease
- Amputations
