Diabetes
Diabetes is a life-long disease marked by high levels of sugar in the blood. It can be caused by too little insulin (a hormone produced by the pancreas to regulate blood sugar), resistance to insulin, or both.
There are four major types of diabetes.
- Type I Diabetes: Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease. The body's immune system destroys the cells in the pancreas that make insulin. This means that your body has no or only a small amount of insulin.
- Type II Diabetes: Type 2 diabetes happens when the body cannot make enough insulin or is not able to use it properly. Type 2 diabetes may be controlled with diet, exercise, and weight loss, or may need oral medicines or insulin injections.
- Gestational Diabetes: Gestational diabetes happens in pregnant women who have not been diagnosed with diabetes in the past. In a woman with gestational diabetes, her body cannot effectively use the insulin that is present. This type of diabetes normally goes away after delivery.
- Pre-Diabetes: Type 2 diabetes is often preceded by prediabetes. In prediabetes, blood glucose levels are higher than normal but not high enough to be defined as diabetes. But many people with prediabetes develop type 2 diabetes within 10 years.
Diabetes Treatment
INTEGRIS Health provides an integrated approach to the care of patients with diabetes. We offer services related to endocrinology, cardiology, pulmonology, neurology, kidney care, ophthalmology, orthopedics, wound care and physical medicine and rehabilitation.
Weight Loss
One of the best things a person can do to help prevent or control diabetes is through weight control. INTEGRIS Health also has specialists and centers for weight loss and weight loss surgery.
INTEGRIS Diabetes Education Programs
There is so much to learn when you have diabetes, whether you are new to the disease or you have had it for years. You may have many questions that need answers. INTEGRIS Health provides several diabetes education programs throughout the Oklahoma area, covering topics that are key in helping you control your diabetes. These programs can help your overall quality of life, short-term and long-term by:
- Reducing your risk
- Lower your risk form complications
- Reduce your emergency or acute care costs
- Minimize your downtime from work or school
