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The chances are good you know someone with diabetes. Nearly 30 million people in the United States have some form of diabetes. However, up to a third of these people don’t know they have this potentially deadly disease.
In simple terms, diabetes prevents your body from properly using the food you eat for energy. After you eat, your blood sugar (glucose) rises and triggers your pancreas to release insulin. Insulin acts like a key to unlock your body’s cells and allow sugar to enter. Once the glucose is inside, it is converted into energy in your muscles or stored in fat for later use.
Diabetes occurs when your body does not produce enough insulin or does not properly use the insulin produced, – or a combination of both. When you have diabetes, your body cannot move glucose from your blood into the cells, causing hyperglycemia (high blood glucose levels).
There are three types of diabetes:
Diabetes is a complex disease that can affect other areas of the body, increasing the risk for heart attack, stroke, blindness and other eye problems, kidney disease, neuropathy and chronic wounds. Mercy offers patients with diabetes access to comprehensive care, including:
We are eager to help you take charge of your diabetes. Research shows that people who participate in diabetes training can learn how to effectively manage their diabetes and live full and rewarding lives. Our team will work with you to provide self-management training that meets your needs and incorporates your daily activities, family demands, eating habits, health issues and work schedules.
At Mercy, we offer comprehensive testing services to diagnose conditions and injuries, including:
At Mercy, we offer compassionate care for a variety of treatment services, including: