Diabetes

Diabetes, while a very preventable disease, is climbing the charts as one of the most common diseases diagnosed among men, women and children. Providence realizes the need for a comprehensive program that provides you with all the information necessary to manage your diabetes. Diabetes Services seeks first to prevent diabetes and second to treat and manage the disease.

Diagnosis
The most common forms of Diabetes are Type I, Type II, Gestational, and Pre-Diabetes. Life threatening conditions that can accompany diabetes are heart disease, blindness, nerve damage, kidney damage and macrosomia or a large baby (for gestational diabetes), which can cause obesity and susceptibility to Type II diabetes in the future.  Providence recognizes that diabetes is a chronic disease best managed by an educated and involved patient and physician. Although diabetes is a very serious disease, with treatment and management of the disease, people can live a long and happy life.

 

Treatment & Services

Diabetes Services professionals are certified diabetes educators and provide the knowledgeable hands-on care you or your loved one need. Our knowledgeable physicians and medical professionals take a unique comprehensive case management approach to your care, meeting your changing needs and assuring the optimal standards of care for you or your loved one.

Providence creates a customer-centered environment that provides private consultation with a diabetes expert, who gathers your health history, educational needs, and addresses any immediate health needs. Diabetes Services includes the Diabetes Self Management Program, weight management, health & wellness exercise programs, and nutritional counseling.

Nutrition counseling by Providence registered dietitians is also available to help assist on an inpatient and outpatient basis for diabetic care as well as any specialized diets. Call (202) 269-7276 for more information.

Self-Management

The Diabetes Self-Management Program is for anyone, referred by their physician, with Type II diabetes and their family members.  We are dedicated to the program’s mission:

Recognizing that diabetes is a chronic disease that is best managed by the individual, we serve to assist participants in translating diabetes knowledge into improved self care.

Topics learned in this program include:

• An Overview of Diabetes
• Diabetes Medications
• Foot Care
• Managing High and Low Blood Sugars
• Monitoring Blood Glucose
• Nutritional Management

Upon completion of the course, participants will have yearly follow-ups with the instructor, or more frequently as needed. The Diabetes Self-Management Program is held twice a month, during the second and fourth weeks of the month. 

To register for the program, obtain a referral from your physician and call (202) 552-7650 or ask your physician’s office to fax the referral, with your home phone number, to (202) 269-4854 and we will contact you to schedule your consultation.

To Find a Physician who can help you manage your diabetes, click here or call our physician referral services line at (202) 269-7500. To find out more about our Diabetes Services, call (202) 269-7458.