Diabetes
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What is diabetes?
Diabetes is an autoimmune condition where the body’s blood glucose (blood sugar) levels are higher than normal which causes the body to lose the ability to use or store blood glucose for energy. Insulin is a hormone that helps the body store glucose.
According to the American Diabetes Association, “In type 1 diabetes, the pancreas no longer makes insulin and blood glucose can’t enter the cells to be used for energy. In type 2 diabetes, either the pancreas does not make enough insulin or can’t use the insulin it does produce effectively.” There are other forms of diabetes like gestational diabetes or diabetes caused by diseases like cystic fibrosis or pancreatitis. Type 2 diabetes is the most common diabetes diagnosis.
Type 1 and 2 diabetes have different causes, but both require an inherited predisposition (genetics and family history) to the disease and an environmental trigger (possibly climate, lifestyle, race, infections, early diet, etc). Diabetes isn’t always dependent on genetics, lifestyle, or environment alone. Sometimes it’s a combination of these factors than can cause someone to develop diabetes.
Managing Diabetes
Managing diabetes is important to reducing risk for diabetes complications like heart disease, kidney disease, eye injuries and diabetic retinopathy, nerve damage, and foot damage (to name a few).
Managing diabetes often includes medication and lifestyle change. Managing your diabetes depends on your type, body, and needs. Some people use insulin to manage their blood glucose levels; others rely on oral medications, meal planning, and physical activity.
Working with your care team for a treatment plan can help you manage your blood glucose, feel better, and lower your risk of complications.
How can a group medical visit help?
Diabetes is common but each patient requires individualized care. There is no one-size-fits-all treatment for diabetes. Meeting for a group medical visit can offer disease education that helps patients make informed decisions when managing their diabetes and provide social support.
Group Medical visits offer people an additional resource to help manage their conditions with the support of medical providers, dietitians, and mental health experts, as well as the lived experiences of other patients.