Endocrinology

Prediabetes is when your blood sugar level is higher than normal, but not high enough to be considered Type 2 diabetes. Meritus Health offers a lifestyle change program that helps prevent or delay the onset of diabetes - click here for more information.

How can you control It?

• Maintain a healthy weight or lose weight by exercising more, reducing portion sizes and recording what you eat.
• Eat well. Build a healthy plate of half leafy greens, a quarter lean protein and a quarter whole grain. Plan your meals and learn about good nutrition.
• Be active by walking every day, using the stairs whenever possible and wearing an activity tracker. Aim for 30 minutes of exercise a day, five days a week.

Risk factors for prediabetes include age (especially after 45 years of age); being overweight; a family history of diabetes; having an African American, Hispanic, American Indian, Asian American or Pacific Islander ethnic background; having gestational diabetes; having given birth to a baby weighing nine pounds or more; and being physically inactive.

If you are concerned about prediabetes, talk to your primary care physician about tests to detect the condition.

Take the Risk Test for prediabetes!

Yes! Meritus Health offers a range of services and programs to support patients with diabetes. 

1. Diabetes Self-Management Program: Our program is recognized by the American Diabetes Association as a program of excellence. Certified diabetes educators, including registered nurses and dietitians, provide individual and group sessions to address your concerns and needs related to diabetes care. Whether you have recently been diagnosed with diabetes or have questions about your diabetes plan, our team is here to help. The program covers various topics, including healthy eating, meal planning, carbohydrate counting, physical exercise, avoiding complications, blood sugar monitoring, medication management, stress control, insulin injection training, weight management and diabetes during pregnancy. Medicare and most insurance plans cover the program for patients with diabetes. To register, please have your physician fax a referral form to 301-790-9425. For more information, call 301-790-9187.

2. Living Well with Diabetes: This evidence-based, six-week workshop is designed for individuals diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes. It is especially beneficial for those who have previously attended diabetes self-management education but need additional assistance in controlling their blood sugar. Participants learn various aspects of daily diabetes self-management, including healthy eating, diabetes medications, physical activity and effective communication with doctors. To register, call Meritus Health at 301-790-8964.

3. Nutrition Counseling: Led by a registered dietitian, our nutrition counseling sessions offer hands-on education to help you learn how to eat healthy foods, plan meals, count carbohydrates for weight loss or blood sugar control and safely achieve successful weight loss. The sessions also address eating concerns related to diabetes and associated conditions such as renal disease, hypertension, hyperlipidemia and obesity management. To register, please have your physician fax a referral form to 301-790-9425. For more information, call 301-790-9187.

Diabetes is a metabolic disorder that occurs when your body either doesn't produce enough insulin or is unable to effectively use the insulin it produces. Insulin is a hormone that plays a crucial role in converting blood sugar (glucose) into energy. In the absence of sufficient insulin, excessive glucose accumulates in the bloodstream. Diabetes can also result from other factors, such as genetic syndromes, exposure to certain chemicals, medication use, pancreatitis, infections and viruses.

There are three main types of diabetes: Type 1, Type 2 and gestational diabetes. All three types are metabolic disorders that impact how the body utilizes food to produce glucose. Glucose serves as the primary source of fuel for the body.

Symptoms of diabetes include:

• Increased thirst and frequent urination (especially at night)
• Unexplained increase in appetite
• Unexplained weight loss
• Fatigue
• Erection problems
• Blurred vision
• Tingling, burning, or numbness in the hands or feet

To find out if you are at risk for Type 2 diabetes take the Risk Test through the American Diabetes Association.