Diabetes Treatment Center - Mercy Hospital - Chicago
Diabetes Treatment Center
Nearly 21 million Americans suffer from diabetes and an estimated 1.5 million more will be diagnosed in the coming year, making diabetes the fastest growing disease in America. WhatÌs more, an estimated 54 million people have pre-diabetes, which puts people at risk for diabetes and causes health complications of its own.
In diabetes, the body either doesnÌt produce enough insulin or doesnÌt properly use insulin. Insulin helps the body convert blood sugar, or glucose, into energy. When too much glucose builds up in the bloodstream, it can lead to kidney, eye and nerve problems. Diabetes also puts people at risk for heart disease and stroke. In pre-diabetes, people have higher than normal blood glucose levels, but not high enough to be classified as diabetes. New research shows that heart and circulatory damage can occur even during pre-diabetes, and self-management and treatment at this stage is essential to preventing both diabetes and serious complications.
While diabetes and pre-diabetes are serious conditions, they can be managed with careful monitoring of blood glucose levels, medication, and a healthy diet and exercise. At the Mercy Diabetes Treatment Center, diabetes experts work with patients to help them understand the disease, control symptoms and minimize risk for complications. Because diabetes is a complex disease that can affect many organs and systems, the Diabetes Treatment Center works collaboratively with MercyÌs other highly skilled specialists to deliver integrated, comprehensive care.
Recognized for excellence by the American Diabetes Association, the Diabetes Treatment Center is a convenient, comprehensive clinic offering leading-edge care and support. Whether patients are newly diagnosed or have been living with diabetes for years, the compassionate team at the Diabetes Treatment Center provides the education, support and medical resources to help people manage the condition and live a healthy, active and complication-free life.
Education and Support
Because self-care is so important to controlling diabetes, the Diabetes Treatment Center offers a variety of education and support programs. Individual and group classes help people gain a sense of control over their body and the disease by providing tips and education on a variety of topics, including:
Ô meal planning
Ô exercise goals
Ô medication and insulin pump management
Ô glucose monitoring
Ô foot care
Ô eye care
To participate in the education program, patients must have a physician referral or prescription. See a schedule of Diabetes Classes.
The Diabetes Treatment Center also offers ongoing support groups, where people can share experiences and gain support and self-care tips. See a schedule of Diabetes Support Groups.
Coordinated Care
When patients are admitted to the hospital with complications from diabetes, they may be transferred to the Diabetes Treatment Center unit for specialized monitoring and care. The Diabetes Treatment Center staff also works collaboratively with other units to ensure all care and treatment is coordinated, and considered within the scope of the patientÌs diabetes.
Our Providers
The Diabetes Treatment Center team consists of board-certified endocrinologists, certified and highly credentialed nurses and registered dietitians who specialize in diabetes care.
Because of the broad impact diabetes can have, the Diabetes Treatment Center works closely with the expert teams at the Mercy Heart and Vascular Center and Eye Center, as well as on-site podiatrists and other specialists as needed.
