Diabetes

Treatment and Management:
Education

Diabetes is a lifelong disease. Learning about your diabetes can help you keep the blood glucose under control. Your diabetes health care team can help by providing information, resources, and support.

A typical diabetes health care team includes:

• a doctor, who will provide exams and make sure all aspects of diabetes care are being met
• an endocrinologist, a doctor with advanced training in the care of persons with diabetes
• a diabetes educator, who can provide you with the skills and information needed to manage your diabetes every day
• a dietitian, who will help develop the most effective meal plan

A diabetes health care team may also include a pharmacist, social worker, exercise physiologist, psychologist, and other specialists who help with specific problems relating to your diabetes.

These team members can help you in a variety of ways -- all you need to do is ask. Remember, the most important member if the team is you. Keep in close contact with your health team members. Speak with them anytime you are have questions or problems. You are not alone in dealing with your diabetes. With the help of your team, you can keep diabetes under control.

Find a Diabetes Care Team at UPMC