Diabetes is a chronic metabolic disorder that affects a person’s ability to produce insulin, a hormone that helps the body convert sugar to energy. Left untreated, diabetes causes glucose (blood sugar) to remain too high and can significantly impact a person’s long-term health. Symptoms of diabetes can include thirst, frequent urination, losing weight without trying, blurry vision, numbness, tingling in hands or feet, tiredness, and very dry skin.
There are many types of diabetes. The most common include:
- Type 1 diabetes: Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease in which your body attacks the cells that produce insulin. It is most often diagnosed in children and young adults, but can develop in later years.
- Type 2 diabetes: Type 2 diabetes occurs when your body doesn’t make enough insulin or respond normally to insulin. Type 2 is the most common form of diabetes and usually affects adults, but can occur in children.
- Gestational diabetes: Gestational diabetes is a type of diabetes that can occur during pregnancy. Pregnant women are screened for the disease. It typically goes away after pregnancy.
Prediabetes is the stage before Type 2 diabetes develops where glucose, or blood sugar levels, are higher than normal.
At NYC Health + Hospitals/South Brooklyn Health, the board-certified physicians in our Primary Care Practice provide comprehensive care to all patients with diabetes. Our Diabetes Clinic has a multidisciplinary team of board-certified endocrinologists, direct care registered nurses, clinical pharmacists, as well as a certified diabetes educator, chronic disease coordinator, and dietician.
The entire team is dedicated to improving the health of people with diabetes, including those who are newly diagnosed and those who have lived with the disease for many years. We work closely with you to prevent and manage health complications associated with this chronic disease. High blood pressure and uncontrolled cholesterol can significantly increase the risk of complications for patients with diabetes, so treatment for these conditions is also addressed at our diabetes clinic and with consulting medical providers.
Our interdisciplinary approach to diabetes care at the clinic for diabetes includes individualized care plans and the promotion of a healthy lifestyle—both are key to our patients maintaining control of their disease and improving their long-term health.
Diabetes treatments can include:
- Blood sugar monitoring
- Insulin therapy (can be given by injection or pump)
- Nutrition guidelines and eating plans
- Oral or other drugs
- Physical activity
Diabetes and its symptoms can negatively impact your quality of life and, if left untreated, can cause many additional health complications. Allow our team of expert physicians and care providers to give you the best diabetic care possible.
For more information about the Diabetes Clinic or to schedule an appointment, please contact 1-844-692-4692.