Diabetes Management

Managing your Diabetes

We will teach you a science-based approach to managing your diabetes, so you can reduce your chances of developing long-term complications, such as cardiac disease, neuropathy, retinopathy and renal disease. All aspects of diabetes management are assessed on an individual basis.

Symptoms of Diabetes:

  • Fatigue/low energy

  • Difficult focusing or concentrating

  • Increased thirst and frequent urination

  • Change in eyesight

  • Feeling hungry “all the time” or “never”

  • Poor sleep

  • Changes to body composition; weight and muscle loss

Diabetes Fast Facts

  • 30.3 million people have diabetes (9.4% of the US population)

    • 23.1 million people are diagnosed.

    • 7.2 million people (23.8% of people with diabetes) are undiagnosed.

  • 84.1 million adults aged 18 years or older have pre-diabetes (33.9% of the adult US population)

    • 23.1 million adults aged 65 years or older have pre-diabetes

Gestational Diabetes

Hyperglycemia (elevated blood sugar) during pregnancy is classified as gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM).

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommends performing a one-hour blood glucose challenge test to screen for gestational diabetes in low-risk pregnant women between 24 and 28 weeks of pregnancy.

Your doctor may recommend earlier screening if you're at increased risk of developing gestational diabetes. Risk factors may include:

  •   Gestational diabetes in an earlier pregnancy

  •   Family history of diabetes

  •   Obesity

  •   Having a medical condition associated with the development of diabetes, such as metabolic syndrome or polycystic ovary syndrome

If your doctor determines you're at risk on the one-hour test, you may be advised to take a three-hour glucose tolerance test.

Diabetes during pregnancy is associated with health risks to the mother and the baby.  These may include maternal hypertension or pre-eclampsia, increased infant birth weight making delivery more difficult or hypoglycemia in the infant at birth.  Gestational diabetes is, in itself, a risk factor for developing Type II diabetes.  

Schedule your visit with Wendy.  We will review your tests, review diet and blood sugar goals, and educate you about gesatational diabetes.    We will work together to devise an individualized plan for you.

If you have had gestaonal diabetes in a previous pregnancy it would be a good idea to get you on a healthy program early in hopes of preventing gestational diabetes the second or third…time around!

 

Risk Factors for Developing Type 2 Diabetes:

 

  • Being age 45 or older

  • Being physically active less than 3 times per week

  • Have a family member with diabetes

  • Had gestational diabetes

  • Are of African American, Hispanic, Native American, or Pacific Islander descent. Some Asian American populations as also at increased risk of developing diabetes or pre-diabetes.

Why should I care about pre-diabetes?

 The sooner you know you have pre-diabetes, the sooner you can take action to reverse it and prevent type 2 diabetes.

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) 

PCOS is a hormonal disorder common among women of reproductive age. Women with PCOS may have infrequent or prolonged menstrual periods or excess male hormone (androgen) levels.

Up to 70% of women with PCOS have insulin resistance, meaning that their cells can’t use insulin properly. Obesity is a major cause of insulin resistance. Both obesity and insulin resistance can increase your risk for type 2 diabetes.

Women with PCOS often have increased levels of inflammation in their body. Being overweight can also contribute to inflammation. Studies have linked excess inflammation to higher androgen levels.