BHS Diabetes and Health Management is an American Diabetes Association
Recognized Program for Diabetes Self-Management Education and Support.
Our team members work closely with patients and their primary care physicians
to improve and monitor management of the disease. Their goal is teaching
those with type 1, type 2 diabetes, and gestational diabetes that high
quality of life is attainable with the proper knowledge and management
strategies.
A member of our diabetes care team can
answer your questions and help you get informed.
To learn more please
click here or call
833-604-7211.
We offer a variety of services:
Individual appointments with the Certified Diabetes Care and Education
Specialist (CDCES) - Most insurance carriers, including Medicare, cover the cost of individual
diabetes education. This is an insurance benefit that most are not fully
using! In the first year a person is referred, they are typically eligible
for up to 10 hours of diabetes self-management education and support training
(DSMES/T). Each year, people living with diabetes are eligible for an
additional 2 hours of follow up diabetes self-management education and
support training with a new referral!
Medical Nutrition Therapy by our Registered DietitianNutritionist (RDN) - Our registered dietitian nutritionist at BHS offers medical nutrition
therapy (MNT) for patients with diabetes. A growing body of research points
to a positive link between this type of training provided by registered
dietitians and successful diabetes management. MNT provides a supportive
counseling and training service in which patients can define objectives
and priorities and create action plans unique to their condition and needs.
Patients with type 1, type 2 or gestational diabetes can benefit from
carbohydrate counting, a meal tracking tool that helps manage blood sugar
levels. Carbs affect your blood sugar/blood glucose levels at a higher
rate than other types of nutrients.
Most insurance carriers, including Medicare, cover the cost of medical
nutrition therapy (MNT) for diabetes. This is an insurance benefit that
most are not fully using! In the first year a person is referred, they
are typically eligible for up to 3 hours of MNT for diabetes. Each year,
people living with diabetes are eligible for an additional 2 hours of
follow up MNT for diabetes with a new referral!
Free Classes - We offer educational class opportunities designed to help you understand
your condition and take charge of your health and your diabetes journey.
A great starting point while awaiting your individual appointment with
the Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist (CDCES) if you have
recently been diagnosed with diabetes to orient yourself with information
needed to handle your condition and to not only survive, but thrive with diabetes.
Learn more about upcoming classes. For additional questions please call BHS Lifestyle
Coaching at
724-284-4504.
Diabetes Device Pre-Training and Ongoing Support Training - We make sure patients have thorough preparation for training in the
use of their diabetes devices including insulin pumps, continuous glucose
monitors, smart insulin pens, insulin injection ports, and automated insulin
delivery systems. Proper self-management is impossible without understanding
the tools and equipment designed to help you. Our team provides thorough
pre-training and ongoing therapy optimization support training so our
patients can be empowered in their own care.
Telehealth - One-on-one discussions with our team members through your smart phone,
tablet, or computer can help you get real advice and help when it matters.
We can assist with problem solving, supporting your goals, meal planning
and portions, understanding and managing your medications, and more. To
schedule, please call
833-604-7211.
The American Diabetes Association “Create Your Plate” is a
simple and effective way to manage your blood glucose and weight. With
this method, you fill your plate with more non-starchy veggies and smaller
portions of starchy foods...no special tools or counting required! You
can practice with this interactive tool. The healthy meal combinations
are endless!
Learn more about creating your plate at the American Diabetes Association website.
Your BHS diabetes educator are great resource and can explain how eating
impacts you. Together, you can identify ways to create a plan that is
realistic for your situation.
Effects of Diabetes On Your Body
The main goal of your healthcare team is to keep your blood glucose levels
within target ranges (before meals: 80-130 mg/dl; and 2 hours after the
onset of a meal: less than 180 mg/dl). Blood glucose levels that are well
controlled help you to stay as healthy as possible and to feel your best.
Should your blood sugar levels run out-of-control, they can impact any
and every part of your body over time. Looking at the short-term effects,
high blood glucose levels can make it easier to get infections and harder
to treat them. Long-term effects of chronic out-of-control blood glucose
levels can include eye, nerve, kidney, heart, mouth, skin and feet complications.
The chance of developing high blood pressure and elevated cholesterol
are also increased in people with diabetes.
Type 1 Diabetes
In type 1 diabetes, the body does not produce insulin. The body breaks
down the sugars and starches you eat into a simple sugar called glucose,
which it uses for energy. Insulin is a hormone that the body needs to
get glucose from the bloodstream into the cells of the body. With the
help of insulin therapy and other treatments, even young children can
learn to manage their condition and live long.
Learn more about type 1 diabetes and the American Diabetes Association.
Type 2 Diabetes
Diabetes is a problem with your body that causes blood glucose (sugar)
levels to rise higher than normal. This is also called hyperglycemia.
type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes. If you have type
2 diabetes your body does not use insulin properly. This is called insulin
resistance. At first, your pancreas makes extra insulin to make up for
it. But, over time it isn't able to keep up and can't make enough insulin
to keep your blood glucose at normal levels.
Learn more about type 2 diabetes and the American Diabetes Association.
Gestational Diabetes
During pregnancy - usually around the 24th week - many women develop gestational
diabetes. A diagnosis of gestational diabetes doesn't mean that you had
diabetes before you conceived, or that you will have diabetes after giving
birth. If you have been diagnosed with gestational diabetes, it is important
to follow your doctor's advice, attend all of your doctor’s appointments,
and follow a healthy eating pattern and be physically active to manage
blood glucose (sugar), the main sugar found in the blood and the body's
main source of energy.
Learn more about gestational diabetes and the American Diabetes Association.
For online resources for people living with diabetes,
click here.
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BHS Foundation