Diabetes Self-Management Center

If you are diagnosed with diabetes, the Diabetes Self-Management Center at Hunt Regional Medical Center at Greenville provides quality diabetes self-management education programs, an essential component of effective treatment.

Your treatment will be specific to the type of diabetes diagnosed.

Diabetes affects more than 15 million people in the U.S. About one-third of them are unaware that they have the disease. (symptoms of diabetes)

The cause is unknown, but heredity and diet are believed to play a role in the development of the disease. Over time, higher than normal blood sugar levels can lead to high blood pressure, vision loss or blindness, and harm to your heart.

But, there's good news, too. Research shows that if your blood sugar level is kept as normal as possible, you may prevent or delay serious health problems in the future. We can help you learn how to keep your blood sugar at an acceptable level. You'll learn about diet, weight loss, and other self-care that will help you function normally.

Symptoms of Diabetes

• Fatigue
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• 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 experience any of the symptoms of diabetes, your doctor will order one of more of these tests to determine if you have the disease:

• Urinalysis showing glucose and ketone bodies in the urine
• Glucose tolerance test
• Fasting blood glucose
• Glycosylated hemoglobin level

Types of Diabetes

Type I or insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM)

Usually occurs in people before the age of 30, who must then receive insulin injections.

Those at greatest risk for this type of diabetes are:

• People with autoimmune disease
• A family history of diabetes
• Viral infections

Type II or noninsulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM)

Usually occurs in severely overweight adults and rarely requires insulin treatment. Treatment for Type II diabetes includes a special diet and exercise.

In addition to obesity, other risk factors are:

• Pregnancy
• Physiological or emotional stress
• Pertain medications
• A family history of diabetes
• Age over 40

Gestational Diabetes Mellitus

Begins or is first recognized during pregnancy. It usually becomes apparent during the 24-28 weeks of pregnancy. In many cases, the blood-glucose level returns to normal after delivery.

You could be at risk if you have a family history of:

• A birth weight over 9 pounds in a previous child
• Diabetes
• An unexplained death of a previous infant or newborn
• Obesity

The Center provides complete patient education services for all conditions and complications of diabetes for patient of any age, including:

• Evaluation
• Consultation
• Pre-and post-testing, full curriculum
• Specific programs in diet, exercise, cholesterol, and diabetes management
  
  

Diabetes Self-Management Center
Hunt Regional Medical Center at Greenville
903-408-5130