Text Increase
CLINICAL SERVICES

Diabetes Mellitus

What is Diabetes Mellitus?

Often referred to as Diabetes, Diabetes Mellitus is a group of diseases that affect how the body uses blood sugar—also known as glucose. Though underlying causes of diabetes vary, any type of diabetes can lead to excess sugar in the bloodstream due to insufficient insulin created by the body or when the body doesn’t use insulin properly

The two chronic types of diabetes are Type 1 and Type 2. While both of these can develop at any age, Type 1 diabetes typically appears during childhood or adolescence while Type 2 diabetes is more common in people above 40 years of age.

Certain risk factors can increase your chances of becoming diabetic, including being overweight or obese, living a sedentary lifestyle, a family history of diabetes, hypertension, low levels of good cholesterol and elevated levels of triglycerides in the blood.

Symptoms of diabetes:

  • Extreme thirst
  • Being hungrier than usual (sometimes)
  • Frequent urination
  • Weakness / fatigue
  • Losing weight without trying
  • Having sores that heal slowly
  • Dry and itchy skin
  • Loss of feeling or tingling sensation in feet
  • Blurry eyesight
  • And more

Type 1 Diabetes

Type 1 diabetes is also known as insulin-dependent diabetes. As an autoimmune condition, Type 1 is the result of the body attacking the pancreas with antibodies, damaging the organ and not allowing it to make insulin.

Type 2 Diabetes

Type 2 diabetes is far more common than Type 1 and is typically adult-onset. With Type 2, the body doesn’t make or use insulin well enough, and with too much glucose remaining in the blood, it can lead to serious issues with the heart, eyes, kidneys, nerves, teeth and more.

With similar symptoms to Type 1, most Type 2 diabetics’ symptoms appear slowly and sometimes unnoticed. An A1C test, which measures your average blood glucose level over three months, helps diagnose and manage Type 2 diabetes.

How We Can Help

Caring for Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes involves frequently testing and monitoring the blood sugar levels, meal planning, exercising daily and taking insulin as well as other necessary medications. It also means gathering a team of health professionals including a physician, dietician and pharmacist. While there is no cure for diabetes, treatment and lifestyle changes can help patients live a long and healthy life.

Our pharmacists are here to provide a continuity of care. By following patient care progress between physician visits, utilizing clinical expertise to monitor and manage medication therapy and educating patients. We can counsel on an appropriate diet and exercise routines to compliment medication management in treating diabetes and more.

Click here for more information:  https://www.diabetes.org

Our Team

With over 25 years of combined experience, our team includes an Advanced Practice Pharmacist, a Board Certified Geriatric Pharmacist, and expert staff members who are all dedicated to helping patients achieve their health goals. With their vast knowledge and experience in working with patients of all ages, we’re here to ensure all of our patients are well taken care of.

We Accept All Major Insurances!