Diabetic Care

Diabetic Care

Managing diabetes takes a team approach. Medical professionals on your care team will work with you to develop a treatment plan to manage your condition, to help prevent or lower the risk of complications. The most important member or your care team is YOU!

Managing diabetes takes a team approach. Medical professionals on your care team will work with you to develop a treatment plan to manage your condition, to help prevent or lower the risk of complications. The most important member or your care team is YOU! In addition to you and your family practice provider, other members of your diabetic care team may include an endocrinologist, podiatrist, optometrist, dentist, mental health professional and care coordinators.

Managing diabetes has both physical and mental aspects, and at NorthShore Health Centers we have a care team ready to help you, every step of the way.

Call Us for an Appointment, Today!

Locations

Chesterton NorthShore Health Center

Crown Point NorthShore Health Center

DeMotte NorthShore Health Center

East Chicago NorthShore Health Center

Gary NorthShore Health Center

Hammond NorthShore Health Center

Lake Station NorthShore Health Center

LaPorte NorthShore Center

Merrillville NorthShore Health Center

Michigan City NorthShore Health Center

Portage NorthShore Health Center

An optometrist performing an eye exam on a female patient.

Family Practice

You should have diabetic care visits with your primary care provider at least once every 3 months. At these diabetic care visits, your family doctor/practitioner will order labs, provide education on lifestyle changes, and focus on how diabetes is impacting your overall health. Your provider is here to help you navigate your treatment plan and answer any questions you may have, such as what your target blood sugar level is and how chronic conditions, such as high blood pressure, are impacted by diabetes.

A woman is talking to a doctor while sitting in a chair.

Endocrinology

If you are experiencing complications, standard treatments are not working, or you require more complex treatment your primary care provider may want you to see a specialist. In some cases, your primary care provider may refer to you an endocrinologist to help manage your diabetes. An endocrinologist has advanced training in diseases that affect your endocrine system, including diabetes. An endocrinologist may order additional testing, develop treatment plans, and provide counseling on nutrition and healthy lifestyle changes.

A woman's bare feet on a white tile floor.

Podiatry

Your primary care provider may refer you to a podiatrist, commonly called a foot doctor. Sometimes, people with diabetes develop neuropathy – nerve damage in the feet and lower leg – causing numbness, tingling, or pain. The loss of feeling may mean that you are not feeling heat, cold or even pain. If this happens, you may have a cut or injury and not even be aware, leading to infections or in severe cases, amputation. A podiatrist can check the circulation in your feet, find injuries, identify any sensation issues, and provide education on a variety of topics, including proper foot and nail care.

A man and woman with their daughter at the eye doctor.

Optometry

As a patient living with diabetes, it is important to have a complete dilated eye exam at least once a year. Having diabetes means that you are an increased risk for certain eye conditions, such as glaucoma (increased fluid pressure that can cause vision loss if not treated) and retinopathy (swelling, leaking, and bleeding in the blood vessels of the retina). An eye doctor can identify and begin treating any diabetic related eye disease before symptoms even develop. Scheduling a comprehensive eye exam can ensure you detect any eye health problems early and prevent conditions from worsening.

A doctor, nurse, and their patients pose for a photo in front of a sign.

Dental Services

Taking care of your teeth and mouth is important for your overall health and can prevent pain and infections from tooth and gum disease. High blood sugar can weaken white blood cells, which means having diabetes makes taking care of your mouth even more important. Diabetes can increase harmful bacteria and cause cavities and gum disease. Regular dental visits are important to prevent problems. Your dentist can perform regular checkups, cleanings, and x-rays. Based on your needs, your dentist will let you know how often they would like to see you for an exam.

A doctor is talking to a patient.

Mental Health

Living with diabetes can be stressful and hard on your emotional well-being. With so much to think about in order to stay healthy it is normal to feel overwhelmed, sad, angry, stressed, or any other emotion that comes from the hard work of managing diabetes. Paying attention to how you feel, emotionally and mentally is important. Surrounding yourself with supportive family and friends is great, but if you feel that you need more support, do not hesitate to ask for help. A mental health professional, such as a social worker or therapist, can help you process your emotions in a healthy way and identify healthy coping strategies.

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