What is Diabetes?

Diabetes is a disease where the body does not or cannot make enough insulin, or the body makes lots of insulin, but the body does not use it properly. Either problem with insulin causes an abundance of sugar in the blood (or high blood glucose levels). 

The most common types of diabetes include Type 1, Type 2, and gestational diabetes.
Type 1 Diabetes is a chronic condition in which the pancreas cannot produce insulin at all. 
Type 2 Diabetes is also a chronic condition. Type 2 diabetes is a progressive disease with a slow decline in insulin production. 

Approximately 9.4% (30.3 million) people in the United States have been diagnosed with diabetes. 23.1 million have been diagnosed; the other 7.2million have either pre-diabetes or have not been diagnosed. Diabetes does not discriminate against age, gender, race, or social status. It can affect anyone. 

For the other 23.1 million Americans who have not seen a doctor for regular check-ups, will have had diabetes and not have known it, which causes damage that could have been prevented with yearly doctor visits. Every 23 seconds someone is diagnosed with diabetes. 
Stephens County Hospital has a Registered Dietitian who is also a Diabetes Care & Education Specialist, formerly known as a Certified Diabetes Educator.

Diabetes Education Services at Stephens County Hospital

Stephens County Hospital offers Diabetes Education Classes for learning diabetes self-management. Discover how you can begin to take control of your diabetes today. 

To learn more, visit our Community Education information.