Living with Diabetes
Develop a diabetes management plan to fit your lifestyle and protect your future health
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a health condition that occurs when your body cannot properly make a hormone called insulin. Your body uses insulin to keep your blood sugar at a healthy range. If blood sugar stays too high, serious health issues like kidney failure, blindness, nerve damage and heart disease are more likely to occur.
Signs of diabetes or high blood sugar may include:
- Increased thirst and urination
- Unexplained weight loss
- Fatigue
- Blurred vision
- Increased hunger
- Sores that do not heal
- Tingling or numbness in the hands or feet
Not everyone with high blood pressure or diabetes experiences symptoms. If you have relatives with diabetes or if you are over the age of 40, ask your provider to check you for diabetes. Most health issues with diabetes can be prevented if high blood sugar is found and treated quickly.
We’re here for you
If you are living with diabetes, regular health care is important for staying healthy and avoiding serious health issues. Our health care team members can help you develop a diabetes management plan to fit your lifestyle and protect your future health. We offer care coordination with hospitals, rehabilitation centers and other providers, as well as access to evidence-based care and self-management support.
Diabetes education
Diabetes is a life-changing condition. The more you know about diabetes, the easier it can be to make lifestyle changes and prevent serious health issues. Neighborcare Health has certified diabetes educators on staff to help you learn how to live well with diabetes, including healthy eating and cooking, physical activity and much more.
Some clinics also host Diabetes Days, where established Neighborcare Health patients can get special services such as eye checks and evaluations for prescription diabetes shoes. Speak to your certified diabetes educator or ask the clinic front desk staff about participating in an upcoming Diabetes Day.
Nutrition counseling
Good health starts with good nutrition. Our dietitian nutritionists work with patients of all ages and from all cultures to create a personalized nutrition plan, including:
- Making a weight management plan that works
- Learning which foods help you lower cholesterol, blood pressure and/or blood sugar
- Eating the foods you love and still reach your health goals
- Making a physical activity plan you enjoy
- Finding healthy foods to suit your income and health needs
- Learning how to manage your food allergies, food intolerances or food-related digestive issues
Current Neighborcare Health patients can make an appointment at their clinic. New patients must establish care with a primary care provider before scheduling an appointment with a dietitian nutritionist. Learn more.
Coping with an ongoing health condition
We understand that living with an ongoing medical condition can be challenging. It is not uncommon to feel sad, anxious or overwhelmed. Our behavioral health team members are available to help established Neighborcare Health patients manage stress and feel empowered and motivated to make healthy lifestyle changes. New patients must first establish care with a Neighborcare Health medical or dental provider before they can be connected to the behavioral health team. Become a patient.
Diabetes and oral health
A healthy mouth is essential to keeping the rest of the body healthy. People with diabetes are more likely to develop gum disease, cavities, gingivitis and infections in their mouths. Regular dental exams and cleanings can help identify, treat and prevent these health complications related to diabetes. You do not have to be medical patient to receive dental care at Neighborcare Health.
Preventing diabetes
About one in three adults have prediabetes, a serious health condition that puts people at a high risk of developing type 2 diabetes, heart disease and stroke. Our health care teams can diagnose prediabetes and help patients make lifestyle changes that can prevent diabetes. If you have prediabetes, make an appointment with our dietitian nutritionists to learn how to lower your risk of developing diabetes.
