The Diabetes Educators at Summit Health provide outstanding medical and educational services for adults with diabetes and the family members who care for them. We help our patients with diabetes manage their disease, including pregnant women. Diabetes management involves learning to control blood sugar levels through proper diet, exercise, and medication when necessary.
In addition, we offer guidance about weight loss and management, self blood glucose monitoring, and medication management. To help you achieve your health goals, we will contact and remind you when it is time for your health care appointments, including checkups for your eyes and foot care.
Our Staff
Our professional, experienced staff is comprised of board certified endocrinologists and certified diabetes educators with expertise in advanced diabetes management.
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View Our SpecialistsWhat is Diabetes?
Having diabetes means that there is too much sugar (glucose) in your blood. Your blood always has some sugar in it because your body needs it for energy. But too much glucose in the blood is not good for your health.
When you digest food, your body breaks down much of the food into glucose. Your blood carries the sugar to the cells of your body for energy. Your body uses the hormone insulin to help move the sugar from the bloodstream into the cells. Insulin is made by the pancreas. When your body does not have enough insulin, or if it has trouble using insulin, sugar cannot get into your cells. Sugar then builds up in your blood.
Having too much sugar in your blood can cause many problems. It can damage the vessels that supply blood to the organs. When blood flow is restricted, the risk of heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, vision problems, and nerve problems increases.
Although diabetes is one of the most common chronic diseases in children, adolescents, and adults, a third of people with the disease do not know they have it. Uncontrolled diabetes can lead to serious complications such as heart disease, stroke, blindness, and kidney failure. With good medical care and education to help control blood sugar levels, however, you can significantly reduce your risk of long-term problems from diabetes.
Our Diabetes Self-Management Education Locations
Main phone number: 908-277-8617