Diabetes Management & Education
Diabetes is a serious health condition that elevates blood sugar levels beyond healthy limits. It’s estimated that over 37 million Americans are diabetic—more than 11% of the population. Of those people, around 20% are undiagnosed and unaware they have the disease.1 Prediabetes is even more common. More than one in three Americans—around 96 million people—has prediabetes, and around 80% don’t know it.2 But with proper medical testing and healthy lifestyle choices, diabetes can often be managed or even prevented. The first step in prevention is understanding your risk. Take our free diabetes health risk assessment to learn more about your risk for diabetes.
Whether you've been recently diagnosed with diabetes or managing it for years, a Certified Diabetes Educator can help you stay on track. Our staff at UP Health System work with you, your family, and your primary care provider to promote self-management, set personalized goals, and preserve your quality of life.
What is Diabetes?
Normally when we eat something, our body releases insulin that allows our cells to absorb the sugar from our bloodstream. In a diabetic patient, the body doesn’t produce enough insulin, or doesn’t respond to insulin correctly. This causes blood sugar levels to rise, which can lead to many health issues, including heart disease, kidney disease, vision loss, or stroke.
What are the different types of diabetes?
Type I diabetes occurs when the body stops producing insulin entirely. It is usually diagnosed early in childhood, though it can sometimes manifest in adults. While the disease is genetic and lasts one’s whole life, patients can manage their blood sugar levels using diet, lifestyle changes, and insulin injections.
Type II diabetes arises later in life, and is caused by a mix of factors, including genetics, weight, age, and diet. It occurs when cells stop responding to the insulin the body produces, causing blood sugar levels to rise. Type II diabetes is very common, and accounts for more than 90% of diabetes cases in the United States.3 Once this disease develops, you must manage it for the rest of your life. The good news is that it can be prevented in most patients. Eating a balanced diet, engaging in regular physical activity and maintaining a healthy weight can help.
Gestational diabetes occurs only in females and results when pregnancy-related body changes affect the ability to make enough insulin. It typically goes away after birth but can increase the mother’s and the child’s risk for type 2 diabetes later in life.
Prediabetes is a related condition that precedes Type II diabetes. It occurs when blood sugar levels are elevated but aren’t yet high enough to qualify as diabetes. Prediabetes can be thought of as a “warning sign” – you may be at risk of developing diabetes, but there’s still time to change direction. With help from your doctor, you can adopt healthy lifestyle habits and avoid Type II diabetes entirely.
Do I have diabetes?
Certain symptoms can indicate diabetes or prediabetes. If you are experiencing unusual hunger or fatigue, blurry vision, tingling in the hands and feet, slow-healing sores, or increased urination (especially at night), you should talk to your provider immediately. However, diabetes and prediabetes often have no symptoms at all. This is why testing is so important.
What can I do to prevent diabetes?
The first step in preventing diabetes is knowing your risk. A simple blood sugar test can determine if you have diabetes or prediabetes, and your provider can help you understand your other risk factors, such as lifestyle and family history. With your provider’s assistance, you can form a plan of diet, exercise and medication (if needed) to keep your blood sugar at a healthy level.
Schedule a check-up with your provider and learn what you can do to stay healthy. To find a provider, visit our Find a Doctor tool or call 844.411.UPHS (8747).
For more information on diabetes, visit www.cdc.gov/diabetes and www.diabetes.org.
References:
Our Services
- New diagnosis of diabetes
- Lifestyle management
- Weight loss
- Activity
- Nutrition
- New medications/technologies
- Oral
- Injectable
- Personal and professional continuous glucose monitors
- Insulin Pump Contact Center
Diabetes Self-Management Training (DSMT) is covered by many insurance providers, though you should contact your insurance provider for coverage details. This medical service is designated as CPT code G0108 by the Current Procedural Terminology (CPT).
Locations
UP Health System – Doctors Park
For more information on diabetes education, please contact Lori Moreau, RN, CDCES, IC, Diabetes Educator, at 906.789.5978.
UP Health System – Marquette
The program at UP Health System – Marquette is recognized by the American Diabetes Association for Diabetes Self-Management Education and Support (DSMES).
For more information on diabetes education, please contact 906.449.3460, Monday - Friday from 8 am - 4:30 pm.
Our Team
Michael Parks, RN, CDCES
Nutrition & Wellness Program Director
Candace Mattson, RD, CSO
Lead Dietitian
Heidi Tullock, MS, RD
Dietitian
Krysti Ostermeyer, RN, CDCES
Diabetes Educator
Sarah Zimmerman, RN, BSN
Diabetes Educator
UP Health System – Portage
The Diabetes Self-Management Education (DSME) Program at UP Health System – Portage was first recognized by the state of Michigan in 1997, and achieved national recognition, first with the American Diabetes Association in 2001. Our education is provided by our registered dietitians in collaboration with your primary healthcare team.
Portage offers individual and group education for patients with Pre-Diabetes, Types 1 and 2 Diabetes, as well as Gestational Diabetes. The education is provided by a Certified Diabetes Educator, as well as a registered dietitian, through a referral from your primary care provider.
For more information on the DSME, please contact Taylor Paul, at 906.483.1148.
Our Team
Taylor Paul, RDN
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Shana Roth, RD