Diabetes Management
The diabetes specialists at Baystate Health offer diagnosis and management of your condition along with a self-management education program to help you live a healthier life. Our expert team of endocrinologists will help guide you through managing your diabetes and avoiding complications.
What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a disease that causes high blood sugar levels. Blood sugar (glucose) is an important source of energy for your body’s muscles and tissues. But too much sugar in your blood can lead to serious health problems. Diabetes can also cause other conditions including heart disease, kidney disease, nerve damage, and eye problems. With the right treatment and management, people with diabetes can live healthy lives.
Types of Diabetes
Chronic diabetes conditions include type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes:
Type 1
In type 1 diabetes, the body does not produce insulin (a hormone that the body needs to get glucose from the blood stream into your cells). Anyone can have type 2 diabetes, regardless of age, race, shape, and size.
Type 2
Type 2 diabetes is more common. In type 2, your body does not use insulin as it should.
Conditions that can be curable:
Conditions that are possible to cure or reverse include prediabetes (when your blood sugar levels are high, but have not reached the level of diabetes yet) and gestational diabetes (diabetes during pregnancy).
What are the symptoms of diabetes?
Diabetes symptoms vary. With prediabetes or type 2 diabetes, some people do not have any symptoms at all. In type 1 diabetes, symptoms can be sudden and severe.
- Blurred vision
- Feeling more thirsty than usual
- Frequent infections
- Frequent urination
- Irritability
- Sores that are slow to heal
- Tiredness
- Weight loss
When should you see a doctor?
If you notice any of the above symptoms of diabetes, talk to your doctor as soon as possible.
If you have already been diagnosed with diabetes, be sure to follow up with your healthcare provider as recommended to be sure that your blood sugar levels even out.
Treatment for Diabetes
We will work with you to come up with a personalized plan for managing your diabetes, avoiding complications, or preventing prediabetes from becoming type 2 diabetes.
Your action plan includes:
- Nutrition counseling
- Medication, including education about how to use insulin and more
- Fitness and exercise
- Support from your care team
According to the American Diabetes Association, millions of Americans have prediabetes but most don’t know it. Take this 60-second test to find out if you’re at risk.
According to the Centers for Disease Control, risk factors for type 1 diabetes include:
- Family history
- Age (you’re more likely to develop type 1 diabetes if you’re a child, teen, or young adult)
You’re at risk for type 2 diabetes if you:
- Have prediabetes
- Are overweight
- Are 45 years or older
- Have a parent, brother, or sister with type 2 diabetes
- Are physically active less than 3 times per week
- Have had diabetes during pregnancy or given birth to a baby weighing more than 9 pounds
At Baystate Health, you will be cared for by a team of specialists working together to customize treatment for you. Baystate Children's Hospital also offers specialized pediatric care for endocrine conditions including diabetes.
You’ll be part of a shared decision-making process with your doctor, diabetes educator, registered dietitian, and other team members who will work with you to keep your blood sugar levels under control.
Our collaborative team works together to provide comprehensive care.
We also offer a self-management education program to help you and your family learn to manage your diabetes and live full and productive lives.
Our caregivers work with all types of diabetes pumps, continuous glucose monitors (CGMS) and artificial pancreas technologies. We partner with diabetes technology companies to help you use cloud based technologies to track your progress and control of your diabetes.
Call 413-794-7031 for support from your care team.
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