What is Diabetes
Diabetes is a chronic health condition that affects how your body turns food into energy. If you have diabetes, your body doesn't make enough insulin or utilize properly its insulin, and too much blood sugar stays in your bloodstream. Over time, which can cause serious health problems like heart disease, vision loss, and kidney disease.
We recommend screening for diabetes for all people at age 35 or sooner if overweight or have risk factors determined by your care provider. You should be screened every three years, sometimes sooner, based on your medications and other health factors.
We confirm the diagnosis with a blood test called A1c. Your provider will discuss treatment options if the result is greater than or equal to 6.5. These may include a combination of medications and lifestyle changes.
If the A1c is 5.7-6.4, you have prediabetes and should be tested yearly.
At CHAS Health, we offer visits with our care team to manage chronic conditions such as diabetes. A care team consists of providers, clinical pharmacists, dietitians, nurses, and medical assistants.
Do You Have Diabetes
Take an online quiz you can take to evaluate your risk of diabetes:
If you have diabetes, here's a self-check guide to ensure you do all you can to stay healthy.
Target 150 minutes per week of heart-healthy activity such as walking or exercising. Eat heart-healthy foods such as fruits and veggies, low in red meat and salt. The American Diabetes Association has a food site with meal ideas.
What to expect with diabetes
When you have diabetes, you must schedule visits based on your need for support and management to help you on this path. These visits may be with your primary care provider. Sometimes they can be with a care team member like a registered nurse, dietitian, or pharmacist.
How to Reach Your Care Team
Make an appointment for diabetes management with your primary care provider or care team.
