Diabetes Education
The Diabetes Education and Management at St. Clair Health is committed to enhancing the quality of life for individuals and their families affected by diabetes.
St. Clair offers comprehensive education and support to empower individuals living with diabetes. With over 21 million Americans diagnosed with diabetes, we aim to equip patients with the knowledge and skills necessary to proactively manage their condition and improve overall health outcomes.
At St. Clair Health, we are committed to empowering our patients through education and support. We believe that informed patients are better equipped to make proactive decisions about their health and well-being.
Resources
In type 1 diabetes, the body makes little or no insulin, due to an immune system response that destroys insulin-producing cells. So people with type 1 diabetes must take insulin every day.
In type 2 diabetes, your body does not respond to and use insulin as well as it should. Or it may not make enough insulin.
In people with type 2 diabetes, there are several parts of the body that can affect blood glucose levels. These body parts, along with GLP-1, insulin, and other hormones, work together to help you manage your blood glucose. When one part does not work right, others can be affected.
Even if your blood glucose is usually at your goal, it can vary when you’re sick. So it’s important to check your blood glucose often.
The difference between prediabetes and diabetes is in how high the blood glucose (blood sugar) levels are. Prediabetes is when your blood glucose levels are higher than normal but not high enough to be diagnosed as type 2 diabetes. Look at the bulleted information on page 2 to see the levels.
Checking your blood glucose is part of managing diabetes. Checking tell you:
- How well your insulin and other diabetes
medicines are working - How physical activity and the foods you eat
affect your blood glucose
You’ll usually feel better and have more energy when your blood glucose stays at or near normal. Managing your blood glucose can also reduce your risk of developing problems from diabetes.
Hypoglycemia is low blood glucose—or low blood sugar—that is below the healthy range. This is usually when your blood glucose is less than 70 mg/dL. You should talk with your diabetes care team about your blood glucose targets, and what level is too low for you.
High blood glucose (blood sugar) is also called hyperglycemia, which happens when there is too much glucose in your blood. Over time, it can cause serious health problems.
You are the most important member of your diabetes care team. Take an active role on your team so you can make sure your plan works for you.
Diabetes Center
The Diabetes Center at St. Clair Hospital is dedicated to assisting individuals in effectively managing their diabetes. Whether you’ve recently received a diagnosis or have been living with diabetes for an extended period, our team of certified diabetes educators and registered dietitians is here to provide comprehensive support. Working closely with your physician, we tailor our approach to suit your unique needs and circumstances, empowering you to gain control over your condition.
Planning Healthy Meals
A well-designed meal plan serves as a roadmap, outlining the timing, composition, and portion sizes of meals to help you achieve optimal nutrition while managing your blood sugar levels within your target range.
Building a Balanced Meal
Sometimes it’s hard to know where to start when you’re trying to plan healthy meals. The American Diabetes Association’s Diabetes Plate Method makes it easy to create a balanced meal.
Reading Nutrition Facts Label
Almost all foods that come in packages have a Nutrition Facts label. Those labels tell you just about everything you need to know to make healthy food choices.