Diabetes

Diabetes is a chronic disease characterized by high levels of sugar in the blood (blood glucose) that nearly 21 million Americans, or 7% of the population, have. Unfortunately, more than six million people (or nearly one-third of them) are unaware they have the disease. Healthcare providers can conduct a test to determine if a patient has pre-diabetes or diabetes. These include fasting plasma glucose (FPG) test, hemoglobin A1C, or an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). Good self-management of blood sugar through food, medication, exercise and stress management effectively prevents or significantly reduces the complications of diabetes.

Warning signs & risks: Type 1 Diabetes (formerly called Juvenile Diabetes)

• Frequent urination 
• Unusual thirst 
• Extreme hunger 
• Unusual weight loss 
• Extreme fatigue and irritability  

Warning signs & risks: Type 2 Diabetes (formerly called Hyperglycemia)

• Any of the signs listed under Type 1 symptoms 
• Frequent infections
• Blurred vision 
• Cuts or bruises that are slow to heal 
• Tingling or numbness in the hands or feet 
• Recurring skin, gum, or bladder infections 
• People with type 2 diabetes often have no symptoms

Gestational diabetes is when diabetes is first diagnosed during pregnancy. The Outpatient Diabetes Resource Institute at CMC is one of NH’s finest community resources, dedicated to the education and support of patients diagnosed with gestational diabetes. Our certified diabetes educators work with you and your obstetrician to assess blood glucose trends and develop a nutrition and exercise plan to help you manage your diabetes during your pregnancy. The Outpatient Diabetes Resource Institute is proud to be recognized by the American Diabetes Association since 2000 for meeting and exceeding National Standards of Diabetes Self-Management Training

Uncontrolled high blood glucose can lead to the following: 

• Eye complications: glaucoma, cataracts, retinopathy
• Nerve damage: neuropathies can occur causing numbness and tingling in feet, trouble walking, pain in calves
• Kidney damage: nephropathy can occur when blood pressure and blood glucose are not in control
• Cardiovascular disease (heart and blood vessel): leading to heart attack or stroke 

The Diabetes Resource Institute at Catholic Medical Center is dedicated to the education and support of people with diabetes or pre-diabetes. We help our patients and their families learn how to live well with diabetes.

If you have diabetes, our team of professional educators works collaboratively with your primary care provider and/or your endocrinologist to deliver comprehensive and personalized diabetes self-management skills. At our diabetes clinic, you will learn about day-to-day solutions for nutrition, exercise and medication management to help you manage your diabetes.

The key to managing diabetes is knowledge – knowing what to expect, what to do and whom to call for assistance. This knowledge gives diabetes patients greater freedom and control over your life. Close control of your blood sugar can also reduce and even REVERSE some of the long-term complications of diabetes.