According to the American Diabetes Association:
- there are 20.8 million people in the United States who have diabetes.
- an estimated 14.6 million have been diagnosed
- an estimated 6.2 million people are unaware that they have the disease.
What is Diabetes?
Diabetes develops when the pancreas does not make enough insulin or when the body is unable to use the insulin it makes. When we eat, food is broken down into glucose (sugar) and transported throughout the body by the bloodstream. Insulin moves glucose from the bloodstream into cells within the body. Glucose is used by the cells for energy.
People diagnosed with diabetes have higher than normal blood glucose levels. The body may have stopped making or using insulin. This causes the glucose to build up in the bloodstream because it can't get into the body cells. This can cause heart disease, stroke, and other serious conditions.
Diabetes Treatment
Diabetes treatment includes diet guidelines, exercise, monitoring of blood sugars and possibly medication. Maintaining the blood glucose levels within the target range decreases the risk of diabetes complications which includes heart disease, kidney disease, eye disease and circulatory problems.
ThedaCare approaches diabetes care utilizing a multidisciplinary team, including the primary care physician and the ThedaCare Diabetes Education Program staff. The physician may refer the patient to the Diabetes Education Program to assist in providing the patient with knowledge on how to manage his/her diabetes and to develop a self-management program.
Call Us
If you have an inquiry, or you need to make an appointment, contact:
ThedaCare's Hospital Line
(920) 738-6521/ toll free (800) 236-4101, ext. 6521.
ThedaCare Physicians - Shawano
(715) 524-2161/ toll free (877) 644-2641.
*A physician referral is required for possible insurance coverage
For more information, please visit the Wisconsin Diabetes Prevention and Control Program or call (608) 261-6855.
Please visit DIABETES CLINICAL PRACTICE GUIDELINES for a complete text of recommendations.