Diabetes Education
Type 1 and 2 diabetes are complex diseases that require medication and lifestyle management to reduce the risk of serious health complications. It is estimated that over 11% of the U.S. population are living with diabetes and millions more are pre-diabetic. At Primary Care Joliet, we provide diagnosis and treatment for our diabetic patients. We also provide diabetes education at our medical centers in Joliet and Wilmington, IL.
Diabetes is a disease where your glucose or blood sugar is not properly managed. High or low blood sugar can have dire consequences for your health. Poorly managed diabetes can lead to serious complications such as kidney failure, heart failure, blindness, neuropathy and even death. It is important for anyone who is diabetic or pre-diabetic to receive education on how they can manage their disease and reduce the risk of complications.
Diet, Exercise and Lifestyle Changes
There are ways to manage diabetes effectively with changes to your lifestyle. What you eat, how much you exercise and other factors like alcohol consumption can impact your insulin and blood sugar. Diabetes education includes helping patients understand the best options when it comes to balancing their diet to control their blood sugar. It also explains how exercise can be beneficial for keeping glucose levels balanced and how substances like alcohol can result in glucose that is too low. Our education program also explains how other lifestyle and health factors impact your insulin and glucose levels, such as hormonal changes and stress.
Medication Management
When diabetes cannot be controlled with diet, exercise and lifestyle changes, medication may be required. Type 1 diabetics will require the use of insulin to control their blood sugar, but type 2 diabetics may only need to control their A1C levels using options like a GLP-1 receptor agonist. Our medical team offers education on the different medications available and how they can be used to control your disease.
If you want to learn more about how to manage your diabetes, contact our team at Primary Care Joliet. We offer diabetes education and treatment. Call one of our centers in Wilmington or Joliet, IL, to schedule an appointment.