Diabetes Management at UPMC Mercy
Providing Education and Control of Diabetes
There are 23.6 million children and adults in the United States, or 7.8% of the population, who have diabetes. While an estimated 17.9 million people have been diagnosed with diabetes, unfortunately, 5.7 million (nearly one quarter) are unaware that they have the disease. The consequences of not treating diabetes can result in heart disease, kidney disease, amputations, blindness, and even death. Good diabetes management, however, can help reduce the risk of diabetes complications.
What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic condition, meaning it does not go away. Diabetes is a disease where the body is unable to produce insulin (type 1 diabetes) or cannot properly use the insulin it does produce (type 2 diabetes). Insulin is a hormone that has important functions in the regulation of sugar (glucose) levels in the body. Without insulin, the amount of sugar in the blood stays too high, and this disturbs many critical body functions.
How Can You Control Diabetes?
Several national diabetes agencies have documented standards of care for people with diabetes. Your physician and other health care providers will develop a medical treatment plan specific to your needs. Diabetes self-management education is an ongoing and vital part of this plan, which will allow you to have control of your diabetes on a daily basis.
What UPMC Mercy Provides
The UPMC Mercy Diabetes Program is recognized by the American Diabetes Association for meeting the national standards for excellence in outpatient diabetes education. Our caring, experienced team of certified diabetes educators will provide you with the tools necessary to manage your diabetes. They'll help you to incorporate a better lifestyle - one that promotes healthy eating and exercise, and that teaches you to manage stress and take your medications correctly. Scientific research has proven that controlling blood sugar levels can reduce long-term diabetes complications. Helping you control and manage your blood sugar levels over the long term is what our diabetes program is all about.
The Outpatient Self-Management Program
With an order form completed by your doctor, our team will create a care plan that includes a wide range of options, such as classes and individual counseling in:
- blood sugar monitoring
- insulin management
- nutrition counseling and meal planning
- exercise
- diabetes during pregnancy
- diabetes in children
- insulin pump therapy
- carbohydrate counting
- comprehensive diabetes classes
We also will help you monitor your progress toward reaching your self-management goals. We provide free monthly education and support groups covering a wide range of diabetes-related topics for you and your family.
Contact Us
For more information on the UPMC Mercy Diabetes Program, contact UPMC Physician Referral at 1-800-533-UPMC (8762). You also may call the UPMC Mercy Diabetes Program at 412-232-5908 or 1-888-637-2993.