Diabetes Care and Education Specialist

 

More than 34 million people in the United States have diabetes, and 1 in 5 of them don’t know they have it.

 

November is National Diabetes Awareness Month and today is World Diabetes Day. We provide services to meet the needs of those with diabetes.

Diabetes is associated with severe morbidity and premature death. The disease increases your risk for heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, nerve damage, and eye and skin complications.

High blood sugars can cause problems in many parts of your body. Managing your diabetes day-to-day is extremely important to prevent or delay complications.

Many of the symptoms of diabetes go undetected because they seem harmless. Often times, people with type 2 diabetes have no symptoms. Some signs and symptoms of both type 1 and 2 diabetes are frequent urination, excessive thirst, extreme hunger, unusual weight loss, extreme fatigue and irritability, frequent infections or recurring skin, gum or bladder infections, blurred vision, cuts/bruises that are slow to heal and tingling/numbness in the hands or feet. Any one or more of these symptoms should be reported to your doctor immediately.

 

Percentage of Young Adults With Diabetes Developing Complications From the Disease

Source: "Association of type 1 diabetes vs. type 2 diabetes diagnosed during childhood and adolescence with complications during teenage years and young adulthood," Journal of the American Medical Association, Feb. 28, 2017
 

Lifestyle changes, such as moderate weight loss and increased physical activity, can prevent or delay the onset of type 2 diabetes among adults at high risk, and are effective interventions to reduce the incidence of diabetes complications. Making just a few small changes can have a positive influence on your health.

Diabetes care and education specialists provide collaborative, comprehensive, and person-centered care and education to people with diabetes and cardiometabolic conditions. They have achieved a core body of knowledge and skills in the biological and social sciences, communication, counseling, and education and have experience in the care of people with diabetes and related conditions.

We have a Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist ready to help you take control of your diabetes today. To schedule an appointment call (225) 638-5717. We are proud to provide this service free of charge.

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