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Contact Us

300 S. Prairieville St
PO Box 991
Athens, TX 75751

Toll Free: 877-596-3500
Phone: 903-677-3500
Fax: 903-677-4700

Office Hours:
M-F 9am - 4pm

Diabetes

Our services may include but are not limited to:

• Administer Insulin as Ordered
• Teach patient and family member to draw up and give insulin
• Provide glucose meter check as ordered (call physician if over or under range)
• Report unfavorable responses or reactions to MD
• Teach/Administer Foot Care Regimen
• Supportive Care Education of Disease Process
• Individual and Family Counseling
• Management and Evaluation of Patient Care
• Observation and Assessment
• Home Safety and Emergency Education
• Medication Education
• Nutrition Education
• Wound Care
• Assistance with ADLs
• Restorative Therapy (Physical, Occupational, and Speech)
• Medical Social Services

What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a disease in which the body does not produce or properly use insulin, a hormone that is needed to convert sugar, starches and other food into energy needed for daily life.

How prevalent is diabetes?
There are 23.6 million Americans, or about 8 percent of the population, who have diabetes. While an estimated 17.9 million people have been diagnosed with diabetes, unfortunately, 7 million people are unaware that they have the disease.

What causes diabetes?

Type 1 diabetes results from the body’s failure to produce insulin, the hormone that “unlocks” the cells of the body, allowing glucose to enter and fuel them.

Type 2 diabetes results from insulin resistance (a condition in which the body fails to properly use insulin), combined with relative insulin deficiency.

What are the risk factors for diabetes?

Type 1
Type 1 diabetes or juvenile-onset represents 5 percent to 10 percent of all diagnosed cases of diabetes. Risk factors are less well defined for Type 1 diabetes than for Type 2 diabetes, but autoimmune, genetic, and environmental factors are involved in the development of this type of diabetes.

Type 2
Type 2 diabetes or adult-onset diabetes may account for about 90 percent to 95 percent of all diagnosed cases of diabetes. Risk factors for Type 2 diabetes include:

• Older age
• Obesity
• Family history of diabetes
• Prior history of gestational diabetes
• Impaired glucose tolerance
• Physical inactivity
• Race/ethnicity

Having Type 2 diabetes increases your risk for many serious complications, including:

• Heart disease
• Blindness
• Nerve damage
• Kidney damage

What are some symptoms of diabetes?

Diabetes often goes undiagnosed because many of its symptoms seem so harmless. Recent studies indicate that the early detection of diabetes symptoms and treatment can decrease the chance of developing the complications of diabetes.

Some diabetes symptoms include:

• Frequent urination
• Excessive thirst
• Extreme hunger
• Unusual weight loss
• Increased fatigue
• Irritability
• Blurry vision

If you have one or more of these diabetes symptoms, see your doctor right away.

What can you do to help prevent or delay diabetes?

Small changes in diet and exercise can prevent Type 2 diabetes from developing or slow it in its tracks. With proper care, people with diabetes can lead normal, satisfying lives. Much of this care is “self-managed,” meaning that if you have this condition, you must take day-to-day responsibility for your own care.

The following action steps will help you either prevent diabetes or reduce the severity of symptoms.

• Maintain a healthy weight.
• Exercise regularly.
• Eat low fat, balanced meals including whole grains, vegetables, and fruits.
• Stop smoking.

For more information, contact your physician.

Source:
www.diabetes.org