Diabetes Care at UPMC in Central Pa.

Diabetes is a chronic disease where your body can't use food energy like it should.

In the U.S. alone:

• More than 34 million have diabetes.
• About 88 million have prediabetes, yet 90 percent don't know they have it.
• Doctors diagnose 1.5 million new cases of diabetes each year.

If you're at risk of diabetes or have symptoms, we can help.

At UPMC in Central Pa., we know the right diabetes care is crucial to staying healthy. Our endocrinologists use the latest technology to manage diabetes including continuous monitoring techniques and pump therapy for complex cases.

From diagnosis to management, you can trust us to provide the top-notch diabetes care and ongoing support you need.

Types of Diabetes

There are several types of diabetes.

Type 1 diabetes or "juvenile diabetes"

Type 1 diabetes:

• Is an autoimmune disease that can form early in life.
• Causes the body's immune system to destroy the cells in the pancreas that make insulin. This results in a low amount of insulin or none at all.
• Requires taking insulin daily.

Type 2 diabetes

Type 2 diabetes:

• Is a chronic condition that affects the way the body processes blood glucose.
• Is a result of the body's inability to produce enough insulin or to use it properly.
• Occurs in more than 90 percent of people who have diabetes.

Some people can control their type 2 diabetes with diet, exercise, and weight loss. Many cases also require insulin or medicine.

At UPMC in Central Pa., we treat both type 1 and type 2 diabetes. While they both involve the buildup of blood glucose, there are differences in cause and treatment.

Other types of diabetes

Gestational diabetes occurs during pregnancy that causes high blood sugar. It affects about 2 percent of women in the U.S.

Other types of diabetes may be due to:

• Diseases that affect the pancreas (pancreatitis, trauma, or cystic fibrosis).
• Hormone disorders of the pancreas (Cushing’s syndrome or pancreatic cancer).
• Drug-induced conditions.

Diabetes Symptoms

Symptoms that can suggest type 1 or type 2 diabetes include:

• Intense thirst.
• Excessive urination.
• Extreme fatigue.
• Blurred vision.
• Delayed healing of wounds.
• Skin infections.
• Impotence.
• A change in weight.
• Tingling, pain, or numbness in the hands or feet.

Doctors often diagnose the type of diabetes through a fasting plasma glucose blood test or a glycosylated hemoglobin (Hba1c).

If you have any of these symptoms, it's vital to contact your PCP. Early detection and proper care can prevent or slow diabetes complications.

Our Inpatient and Outpatient Diabetes Programs

UPMC in Central Pa. offers both inpatient and outpatient diabetes care.

We were the first in the state named as a Center of Excellence for inpatient diabetes care from The Joint Commission. This Gold Seal of Approval^® makes us a premiere leader in diabetes treatment.

Our nurse practitioners (NPs) run a growing program by independently managing diabetes in our hospitals. This helps our patients stay in good glycemic control.

Our experts provide education and support in our primary care offices. This helps your PCP manage your diabetes care rather than referring you to an endocrinologist.

Diabetes Experts in Central Pa.

• Marianna Antonopoulou, MD
• James Dicke, MD
• Chelsea Fenby, PA-C
• Jose Galindo, Jr., MD
• Danielle Gourley, CRNP
• Amanda E. Hershey, CRNP
• Parul J. Kakaria, MD
• Ellen M. McCollum, CRNP
• Pavankumar Patel, MD
• Terri A. Prowell, CRNP
• Arcondia Georgia Schneider, CRNP
• Soni Srivastav, MD
• Donna J. K. Wright, CRNP
• Xiannian Wu, MD

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