Though diabetes can cause severe problems, it often exhibits few or mild symptoms. Common symptoms include thirst, frequent urination, fatigue and blurry vision – traits many people feel after a busy day.
Almost 10 percent of the U.S. population is estimated to have diabetes, which is caused by the body’s inability to create or effectively use insulin, an important hormone made by beta cells in the pancreas. With each meal, beta cells release insulin to help the body use glucose, or sugar, for energy or store it for future use.
Diabetes is often diagnosed when individuals are sick, because their blood glucose values often rise. Eskenazi Health provides diagnosis and treatment of diabetes at the Sidney & Lois Eskenazi Hospital and Eskenazi Health Center locations throughout Indianapolis. However, diabetes is a chronic disease and must be managed every day.
For those diagnosed in the hospital or those having self-care management problems upon admission, diabetes educators will come to the bedside to discuss self-care management and provide printed materials that can be used for later reference. TV channels 25-36 in every patient room have education-on-demand 24 hours a day to highlight a variety of health issues, including diabetes education. Dietitians may also come to the bedside to discuss meal planning and/or carbohydrate counting to help maintain acceptable blood glucose values.
With diabetes, it’s important to keep all physician appointments after discharge. Other appointments may be scheduled as needed, such as vision, dental and podiatry visits. These services and additional self-care management training are available at Eskenazi Health and Eskenazi Health Center locations.
Diabetes Self-Management Program
This four-session program helps people with learn about living healthfully with diabetes, including nutrition, meter use, medications and more. Sessions are offered at Eskenazi Health Center Grande and Eskenazi Health Center West 38th Street. For more information, please call 317.541.3431.
For more information on nutrition education programs, click here.