Diabetes Resources Center

WHAT IS DIABETES? | WHO IS AT RISK FOR DIABETES? | SYMPTOMS OF DIABETES? | COMPLICATIONS OF DIABETES? | HOW IS DIABETES TREATED? | LIVE A HEALTHIER LIFE!


The Diabetes Resource Center at University Medical Center-Mesabi offers self-care management education to people of all ages who have diabetes and their families. The Center exists to:
  • Increase awareness about diabetes
  • Promote the importance of diabetes education and self-care management
  • Coordinate collaborative efforts between health care providers, the community and people affected by diabetes.

There's a lot to know about diabetes. By taking a team approach the Diabetes Resource Center at University Medical Center-Mesabi helps people with diabetes live fulfilling and active lifestyles.
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WHAT IS DIABETES?
Diabetes is an error in metabolism that makes it difficult for the body to produce and use insulin. This results in abnormally high levels of blood sugar.

Type 1 diabetes - the body's failure to produce enough insulin - usually surfaces during youth. Type 2 - the body's failure to produce enough insulin or insulin is not used correctly - usually begins after age 40. The severe symptoms of type 1 diabetes make it easy to identify, but the vague symptoms of type 2 diabetes often make diagnosing diabetes more difficult.

A third type of diabetes, gestational diabetes, occurs in 1-4% of all pregnant women at about 20-24 weeks of gestation and usually disappears after the baby is born.
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WHO IS AT RISK FOR DIABETES?
The actual cause of type 1 diabetes is unknown, but it can be triggered by genetics or environmental factors. Insulin injections are necessary because the body produces no insulin.

More than 9 out of 10 cases of diabetes are type 2. Its main causes are heredity, obesity, inactive lifestyle and advancing age. Obesity in particular decreases the body's ability to use insulin effectively. A healthy diet, regular exercise, self-management education and monitoring can often control type 2 diabetes. Also, women who develop gestational diabetes are at an increased risk for developing type 2 diabetes later in life.
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WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF DIABETES?
A person my have type 2 diabetes for an average of 8 to 10 years before it is diagnosed. Common symptoms include:
  • Excessive thirst
  • Frequent urination
  • Increased hunger
  • Unexplained weight loss
  • Fatigue
  • Blurred vision
  • Frequent infections
  • Dry, itchy skin
  • Sexual dysfunction
  • Numbness in hands or feet
  • Cuts or sores that are slow to heal
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WHAT ARE THE COMPLICATION OF DIABETES?
The high glucose levels in the bloodstream accelerate the complications often associated with diabetes. These include:
  • Heart disease
  • Stroke
  • Blindness
  • Amputation
  • Kidney disease
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HOW IS DIABETES TREATED?
The goal of treating all types of diabetes is to keep blood glucose levels as near normal as possible. Training and education in diabetes self-care management are necessary to help people attain this goal.
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LIVE A HEALTHIER LIFE!
The Diabetes Resource Center helps people with diabetes develop treatment plans they can live with.

Based on individual lifestyle, needs and challenges, people with diabetes can learn to balance exercise, meals and medications with self-monitoring to manage their diabetes successfully. Our team of nurses, dietitians and pharmacists are here to help.

The Diabetes Resource Center located at University Medical Center-Mesabi provides services to people of all ages who are affected by diabetes. Services are available for inpatients and outpatients. Home care visits also are available through HealthLine HomeCare for qualifying individuals. Physician referrals are encouraged but are not necessary.

For more information about the Diabetes Resource Center, call 218-362-6224 or 888-870-8626 ext. 6224.
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Download PDF Diabetes Brochure
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