Diabetes Management
Managing diabetes doesn’t have to be scary or complicated. Many people live long and healthy lives by learning how to self-manage their diabetes. An effective diabetes treatment plan is a proper combination of food, physical activity and medication.
At Upland Hills Health, our Diabetes Education Program is accredited by the American Diabetes Association. Our program coordinator and clinical educator is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist [RDN] who is also nationally certified as a Diabetes Care and Education Specialist [CDCES]. A referral from your Primary Care Provider [PCP} is required to set up an initial session.
What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a health condition that causes the level of glucose [a form of sugar] in the blood to get too high. Over time, high glucose can lead to health problems.
- Glucose: The body breaks down food eaten into glucose. The liver also makes and releases stored glucose. The bloodstream carries glucose to cells throughout the body. Cells need glucose to make the energy the body needs to work.
- Insulin: To help glucose get into the cells of the body, the pancreas [an organ near the stomach] makes and releases insulin. Insulin attaches to each cell and “unlocks and opens the door” to allow the glucose to enter. Once the glucose is inside the cell, the body can use glucose for energy.
What causes Diabetes?
Everyone has glucose in their blood. But for people who have diabetes, the amount of glucose is too high because of a combination of the following factors:
- Insulin deficiency: The pancreas makes no insulin or less insulin than normal.
- Insulin resistance: The cells do not respond to insulin properly. The cell “door” does not open. Extra body fat may contribute to insulin resistance.
- Glucose overproduction: The liver makes and/or releases too much-stored glucose at the wrong time [usually overnight].
Types of Diabetes:
- Type 1 diabetes: In type 1 diabetes, the pancreas cannot make or stops producing insulin [insulin deficiency]. As a result, people with type 1 diabetes will need to take insulin every day in addition to healthy lifestyle choices.
- Type 2 diabetes: In type 2 diabetes, the body cannot use insulin properly. Glucose has difficulty getting into the cells [insulin resistance]. Most people with type 2 diabetes will eventually need to take medication in addition to healthy lifestyle choices. The medication(s) help to get glucose into the cells.
- Pre-diabetes: Early insulin resistance can lead to type 2 diabetes as the body struggles to use insulin properly.
- Gestational diabetes: Elevated levels of glucose in the blood during pregnancy, typically resolving after the pregnancy ends
Comprehensive Education and Management, including:
- Eating for better health
- Goal-setting
- Staying healthy for a lifetime [minimizing risks of developing short-term and long-term complications]
- Benefits of physical activity
- Glucose monitoring- including pattern management & problem-solving
- Managing stress/healthy coping
- Understanding medications
- Sick day management
Additional Education and Management as needed:
- Continuous glucose monitoring
- Insulin
- Injectable diabetes medication
Diabetes and Nutrition Educators
Diabetes Management Resources
Diabetes Management Podcasts