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Diabetes Care

Comprehensive Guidance & Management Services

At Horizon Health, our diabetes treatments and management programs will guide you through maintaining your diabetes. We can help you learn to manage your diabetes and avoid the complications associated with the disease. Our Diabetes Education Program is a great resource.

Contact our team today at (217) 466-4228.
Or request an appointment in your patient portal.

The following are some common complications that diabetes can cause:

  • Increased risk of heart attack and stroke
  • Kidney damage
  • Numbness, tingling, and loss of sensation in the legs and feet
  • Blindness (retinopathy)

With proper management, you can prevent the onset of these symptoms. That’s why it’s critical you learn everything you can about diabetes and practice healthy self-care.

Diabetic Information

Diabetes is a group of metabolic diseases in which a person has high blood sugar because they have a deficiency in insulin production, their body does not respond to insulin production, or both.

There are two types of diabetes – Type 1 and Type 2:

  • Type 1 diabetes – Person cannot produce insulin. This type of diabetes only makes up 10% of all diabetes cases. Type 1 diabetes usually develops in childhood or adolescence, but can develop in early adulthood as well.
  • Type 2 diabetes – Person does not produce enough insulin, or the cells don’t react properly to insulin. This type of diabetes makes up 90% of all diabetes cases and can develop because of being overweight, being physically inactive, or eating unhealthy foods.

Your primary care provider can test you for diabetes.

Diagnosing Diabetes

The early stages of diabetes often go undiagnosed. This condition progresses slowly, and the symptoms are subtle during the early stages. They can also be mistaken for symptoms of another condition.

Symptoms of diabetes include:

  • Increased thirst
  • Weight loss
  • Fatigue
  • Increased urination—especially at night
  • Increased hunger
  • Blurred vision
  • Sores that do not heal

One of the earliest and most notable diabetes symptoms is increased thirst and urination. This is because too much sugar (glucose) in the blood puts extra work on the kidneys, requiring them to expel waste material more often. Your body starts will start creating feelings of thirst to prompt you into drinking water so your kidneys can create more urine.

Depending on if you have Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes, our providers can prescribe insulin injections, lifestyle changes, or more to either manage or reduce the effect of diabetes. Your first appointment will consist of an evaluation of your medical history and physical health.

Diabetes Education

Learn How to Manage Diabetes & Prevent Complications with our diabetes education program. Our program teaches diabetes management, which might include lifestyle changes, oral medications, or injections. Learn More.

Click here to request an appointment with our diabetes education team.

Podcasts

Diabetes – Part 1

Leighsa Cornwell, RN, certified diabetes educator, discusses the prevalence of diabetes in children. The discussion includes how to stay well if you are diabetic, including the complications to watch for.


Diabetes – Part 2 (food)

Leighsa Cornwell, RN, certified diabetes educator, discusses food and the importance of knowing what you're putting into your body.


Diabetes – Part 3

Leighsa Cornwell, RN, certified diabetes educator, discusses pre-diabetes, levels of care, and resources available. The discussion includes children and the foods to avoid.


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