But many people with diabetes can learn to manage the condition, allowing them to live a healthy life.

That is good news, especially when you consider that 30.3 million people in the United States have diabetes, or almost one out of 10 Americans. In addition, 24 percent of people with diabetes don’t know they have it – that’s more than 7 million people.

Diabetes occurs when the body does not make enough insulin, as in type 1 diabetes and late stages of type 2, or when it is not able to use the insulin it makes as well as it should (usually type 2). This causes sugars to build up in the blood, which can harm organs and cells in many areas of the body. Being overweight, a sedentary lifestyle and unhealthy eating habits contribute to the disease, along with other factors.

Local expertise for diabetes care

Nour Sabha, MD

If you or someone you love has diabetes, you don’t have to look far for expert guidance and support in living with the disease. Whether you’ve just learned you have diabetes or have been living with it for a long time, the Diabetes Care Program at New Ulm Medical Center is ready to help. Accredited by the American Diabetes Association, the program team includes an endocrinologist, diabetes educator, diabetes nurse practitioner, dietitian and a medication therapy management pharmacist.

“Living well with diabetes requires having a strong partnership between the patient, the primary care provider and the diabetes team,” said Nour Sabha, MD, an endocrinologist with the New Ulm Medical Center.

As an endocrinologist, Sabha brings an extra measure of expertise to diabetes care in New Ulm, working closely with primary care providers and patients to problem solve, fine-tune treatments and prevent complications.

Education is key

According to Sabha, patient education is the critical first step in treating anyone with diabetes. Everyone newly diagnosed with diabetes meets one-on-one with the diabetes educator and has access to additional training if needed.

“Education is also an important part of ongoing care. Diabetes treatments are always evolving, and we’re always monitoring and adjusting treatment to provide the best possible care,” Sabha added. The American Diabetes Association recommends that people with diabetes see a diabetes educator once a year to review and update their self-management plan.

It takes a team

Patients also work closely with other members of the Diabetes Care team.

The diabetes nurse practitioner helps patients learn to administer medications and monitor their condition. She also connects the patient with other team members or community resources as needed.

The dietitian provides guidance on meal planning, recipes, carbohydrate counting and weight management.

The medication therapy management pharmacist helps patients learn how to get the most benefit from their prescribed medicines, especially when they are taking several medicines for other chronic health conditions.

“Our goal is not only to provide the latest evidence-based treatments to our patients, but also to empower patients to be involved in decision-making about their care,” said Sabha. “We want to do all we can to set patients up for success.

Getting ahead of diabetes

One of the biggest challenges in diabetes care is that so many people with the disease don’t know they have it. Symptoms of the disease are not always obvious, “so getting regular check-ups with a primary care provider is the best way to ensure an early diagnosis,” said Sabha. She noted that most people with prediabetes can manage the condition by losing weight, getting more exercise and adjusting their diet, instead of using prescribed medicines.

But no matter how diabetes is treated, the sooner your blood sugar is under control, the better for your long-term health.

“We know that when patients meet their care goals, they reduce their risks of complications,” said Sabha. “That means less costly medical care, plus a better quality of life now and in the future.”

Learn more:

The Diabetes Care Program can help you learn about diabetes, find solutions to everyday challenges, and provide the resources needed to stay healthy and manage complications. For more information, visit allinahealth.org/numc-diabetes, or call 507-217-5000.