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Diabetes Management

Do you have prediabetes or diabetes? You are not alone!

Fast Facts

  • 1 in 10 people have diabetes. 
  • 1 in 5 people don’t know they are living with uncontrolled diabetes.
  • 1/3 of the US population is prediabetic - but 80% of those people don’t know they are.
  • 90-95% of people who have diabetes have type 2.
  • About 10% of all pregnant people get gestational diabetes.

    en espanol

    Diabetes is a common condition that can be prevented or managed with exercise, food, and medications. This does not mean you have to start training for a marathon and drink only kale smoothies, though! Small steps can lead to big rewards. 

    Understanding diabetes can help you prevent or manage diabetes. In this section, you can:

    1. Take a quiz to see if you are at risk for diabetes,
    2. learn about our new Diabetes Management Program,
    3. learn basic information about diabetes, and
    4. find simple changes you can make to lower your risk of getting diabetes.
    To help you with your diabetes risk quiz, this calculator will tell you your body mass index (BMI).

    Note: We don't recommend using the BMI calculator to decide if you are overweight - it is simply a guide.

    Supplied by BMI Calculator USA

    What is Your Risk for Type 2 Diabetes? 

    Note: for the quiz below you will need to know your body mass index. For that reason, we've put a BMI calculator to the right.

    Create your own user feedback survey

     

    Diabetes Management Program at Chase Brexton Health Care

    For many people, diabetes can be hard to manage. If you are having trouble keeping your A1c and blood sugar at healthy levels, Chase Brexton Health Care’s Diabetes Management Program may be right for you. 

    Through the Diabetes Management Program, you will get support from your Chase Brexton provider PLUS a registered dietitian, clinical pharmacy specialists, and pharmacy technicians with special training in the treatment of diabetes. This program is designed to make managing your diabetes simpler for you, so you can live your healthiest life!

    With the Chase Brexton Diabetes Management Team, you will get a realistic treatment and healthy lifestyle plan that is created just for you. A plan that you CAN maintain. Your Diabetes Management Team will stick with you as long as you need and adjust your plan so it works FOR YOU. Together, you will get your A1c and blood sugar to healthy levels for your healthiest life possible!

    diabetes, healthcare, patient-centered, baltimore

    Nutrition Counseling & Education

    Food is important for us. Not only physically, but socially and emotionally. Healthy eating and activity can do a lot to help manage your diabetes. But, you may think that healthy eating means you can't eat the food you love. You might think you need to start training for a marathon and drink nothing but kale smoothies. That is not the case. Your Diabetes Management Team Registered Dietitian will get to know you, your favorite foods, your least favorite foods, and how much time you have for cooking, eating, and exercise. They will work with you to find meal plans and recipes that are satisfying and delicious. Plus, they will help you to create eating and exercise habits that fit your life and help control your diabetes!
    diabetes, healthcare, patient-centered, baltimore

    Expert Pharmacy Guidance

    There are many medications available to help control your blood sugar. But, because everyone's diabetes is different, finding the right medication can be hard. Medication is an important part of your treatment plan. To make certain you are taking the best medicine for you and your type of diabetes, your Diabetes Management Team includes expert clinical pharmacists and specialized pharmacy technicians. They will help you understand your medications and develop a medication treatment plan that is the best for you and your type of diabetes!
    diabetes, healthcare, patient-centered, baltimore

    Specialized Care Above and Beyond

    As a patient of the Diabetes Management Program, you will support that goes even further. Your provider, clinical pharmacists, and your registered dietitian will provide you with: - Free pharmacy delivery services - Glucometers and test strips - Medication management tools, pill boxes, counseling and education - Nutrition therapy including recipes and tools - Telehealth appointments - Assistance from our Social Work team

    Diabetes Basics

    Diabetes is a condition you can be born with or develop.

    diabetes, healthcare, patient-centered, baltimoreWhen you have diabetes, your body either doesn’t make or use insulin properly which causes blood sugar to get too high or too low.

     

    Uncontrolled, diabetes can seriously damage the body. It can cause many serious health issues, including:

    • Vision issues and blindness,
    • Foot problems,
    • Nerve damage,
    • Cardiovascular disease,
    • Kidney disease, and
    • Stroke.

    diabetes, healthcare, patient-centered, baltimoreThough there are symptoms of diabetes, the symptoms can be mild or may seem like something else. It is really important to get regular check-ups and blood work to make sure you don't have prediabetes or diabetes. Some common symptoms of diabetes are:

    • Urinating often
    • Feeling very thirsty
    • Feeling very hungry—even though you are eating
    • Extreme fatigue
    • Blurry vision
    • Cuts/bruises that are slow to heal
    • Tingling, pain, or numbness in the hands/feet

    Blood sugar is also called 'glucose'.

    Many of the foods we eat are turned into blood sugar. 

    The sugar is then carried by our blood to our organs and cells. Our cells turn the sugar into energy to fuel our brain, heart, lungs, and muscles. 

    What affects our blood sugar?

    diabetes, healthcare, patient-centered, baltimoreThings that can make blood sugar rise include:

    • A meal or snack with more food or more carbohydrates than usual
    • Inactivity
    • Side effects of medications
    • Infection or other illness
    • Changes in hormone levels, such as during menstrual periods
    • Stress

    diabetes, healthcare, patient-centered, baltimoreThings that can make blood sugar fall include:

    • A meal or snack with less food or fewer carbohydrates than usual
    • Extra activity
    • Side effects of other medications
    • Missing a meal or snack

    Insulin is a hormone that is secreted by our pancreas. The pancreas is a small organ behind our stomachs.

    diabetes, healthcare, patient-centered, baltimoreInsulin makes it possible for our blood sugar to be absorbed by our organs and cells. 

    Insulin is like a key that opens the door in our cells to let blood sugar in.

    When insulin doesn't work properly, our blood sugar can't get through the door and into our cells. Then our blood sugar doesn't fuel our muscles and organs correctly.

    diabetes, healthcare, patient-centered, baltimoreA1c is a blood test that tells you and your provider your average blood sugar for the past 2 to 3 months.

    This is an important test because it shows how well your blood sugar is being managed. 

    This test is also a good way to find out if you are prediabetic. 

     

    Simple Changes You Can Make to Prevent Diabetes

    Being overweight isn’t just a risk factor for diabetes. Being overweight can lead to unhealthy cholesterol, high blood pressure, heart disease, high blood sugar and even stroke.

    The good news? Losing just 10-15 pounds can help reduce your diabetes risk!

    Want to cut your risk in half? Lose 7%-10% of your current body weight. Start small, then work your way down:)

    In many cases, our bodies were MADE to move. When we stop moving, our bodies stop working the way they were made to work. Muscles that are exercised regularly improves your ability to use insulin correctly and absorb glucose. Plus, your weight and blood pressure will thank you, too. All it takes is 180 minutes of moderate exercise a week. That’s less than 30 minutes a day!  But wait, you might be wondering, what is ‘moderate’ exercise?

    No, you don’t have to train for a marathon. Just do some brisk walking, bike riding, housework, yard work, or even dance for about 30 minutes a day. You got this.

    Smoking leads to a lot of damage in our bodies, but it also increases the risk of developing diabetes by 50%!

    Ready to call it quits? Check out our smoking cessation program.

    Food is something we need AND, often, love. Here is your chance to eat to feel good. Start simply by focusing on:

    • Fruits and vegetables
    • Lean meats and plant-based sources of protein
    • Less added sugar
    • Less processed foods

    Check out the Diabetes Plate Program by the American Diabetes Association for great recipes and tips on eating well.

    Locations

    Columbia

    5500 Knoll North Drive, Ste. 370
    Columbia, MD
    410-837-2050