Diabetes


Info

Information About Diabetes
From 1980 through 2007 the number of Americans with diabetes more than tripled (from 6 million to 21 million). People with diabetes are at greater risk of heart disease, strokes, blindness, kidney disease, and amputations. These risks are greatly reduced when good control of blood glucose, blood pressure and cholesterol are maintained. Our program's mission is to improve the health and quality of life for people living with diabetes, through management, education, advocacy and research. Whether diabetes is a new diagnosis or an ongoing health concern, we offer care and support with our inpatient and outpatient services. We understand that diabetes can be a challenging disease to live with. Using a patient focused team approach, we help develop individualized care plans that include medication, monitoring, lifestyle changes and education, for adults >18yrs of age with Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes.

Our Diabetes Self Management Education Program was established in 1993 and has maintained ongoing certification by the American Diabetes Association. Education is an essential part of health care, especially for those individuals living with diabetes. Our education goals are aimed at enhancing diabetes self-care knowledge and skills, supporting behavioral change, promoting general health and reducing the risk of devastating complications associated with diabetes. We also strive to act as a resource to the hospital and the community.

Outpatient Diabetes Center Our program is designed to help you Get on Track with diabetes by assisting you, and your primary care provider, in maintaining good control of blood glucose, blood pressure and cholesterol. This is done through education, medication, monitoring, and diet and exercise recommendations. These behaviors can be difficult to establish but even small changes lead to big improvements. Boston Medical Center offers comprehensive diabetes care in conjunction with nutrition, podiatry, ophthalmology, cardiology and dental services. Our outpatient program consists of two tracks, either or both tracks may be used:

Comprehensive Diabetes Management Track
This track provides ongoing diabetes management which includes individualized health evaluations with a diabetologist/ nurse practitioner, certified diabetes nurse educator and registered dietician functioning as a team along with your primary care provider. They will assess your health profile with special attention to meeting diabetes standards of care and the reduction of complications. We realize that diabetes is a dynamic process and there may be times when more intensive support is indicated. Our program is designed to offer this flexibility based on changing diabetes care needs.

Diabetes Education Group
This track is maintained by our Certified Diabetes Educators and is meant to provide education and support only. Changes to your diabetes management will not take place during these sessions. The program is open to anyone in the community who is living with diabetes and their family members.

This program is a series of monthly education sessions conducted in a group format which meets on the last Tuesday of every month at 1:30 - 3:30 PM in our clinic conference room. We welcome new participants at any point in the series of meetings. Please call us if you are interested.

The following topics are addressed in the monthly group:

Introduction to Diabetes
Diagnosis/ Goals/ Management
Healthy Foods
Activity/ Monitoring/ Medications
Short term complications/ Sick Days
Long term complications/Diabetes and Emotions

Other services available include Continuous Glucose Monitoring System (CGMS) and insulin pump therapy which may be discussed at time of an appointment with a diabetes care provider.

Are you at risk for developing diabetes?
The more of these that apply to you, the higher your risk is for developing diabetes.

  • overweight
  • over 40 years of age
  • have family members with diabetes
  • get little exercise
  • high blood pressure or high cholesterol
  • had diabetes with a pregnancy
  • delivered a baby weighing more than 9 pounds
  • African American, Latino, Asian or Native American heritage
  • Staying active, eating healthy and controlling your weight is the best prevention!

How to achieve and maintain good blood glucose control

  • Take charge, small changes will have an impact.
  • Take all of your medications as instructed
  • Monitor your blood glucose daily. Your meter lets you know your level of control.
  • Modify your diet, control carbohydrate portions and fat intake.
  • Get your body in motion - walk, dance, garden, clean! The gym is not the only way to get active.
  • Stay motivated, read about diabetes or talk with friends and family about diabetes, keep yourself informed and on track.

How to reduce the risk of complications

  • Target an A1c (glucose average) of 7% or less
  • Target blood pressure below 130/ 80
  • Target cholesterol LDL below 100 (below 70 with heart disease)
  • Quit smoking
  • Maintain a healthy weight
  • Stay in contact with your health care team and keep up-to-date with eye, foot and dental care.

What are the health risks of poorly controlled diabetes?
Studies have shown that the risk of diabetes complications is reduced greatly with even small improvements. We've already seen what happens when diabetes is not well controlled:

  • Diabetes is the leading cause of new cases of blindness among adults.
  • Adults with diabetes have 2-4 times higher rate of heart disease and strokes.
  • Diabetes is the leading cause of end-stage renal disease which leads to dialysis or kidney transplant.
  • More than 60% of nontraumatic lower-limb amputations occur among people with diabetes.
  • About 60-70% of people with diabetes have mild to severe forms of nervous system damage.
  • Gum disease is more common among people with diabetes.
  • People with diabetes are more susceptible to other illness.

Remember: You can control your diabetes, don't let your diabetes control you! Stay on track and reduce your risk for diabetes related complications.