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Diabetes treatment in Nashville, Tennessee

Diabetes and pre-diabetes are serious conditions. Fortunately, most cases can be managed with careful monitoring of blood glucose levels, medication, a healthy diet and exercise. The diabetes experts at TriStar Health's hospitals are here to help control your symptoms and minimize your risk for complications.

For a free physician referral or more information, call TriStar MedLine® at (800) 242-5662.

Causes of diabetes

Diabetes occurs when the body doesn't produce insulin (a hormone that balances your blood sugar levels) or doesn't use it properly. It can lead to a buildup of sugar in the blood. This can cause complications, such as heart disease, stroke, vision problems and kidney disease. Types of diabetes include:

Type 1 diabetes

Type 1 diabetes, also known as juvenile diabetes, is a chronic disease that prohibits the pancreas from producing insulin. Type 1 diabetes can’t be prevented and currently has no cure.

Type 2 diabetes

Type 2 diabetes, also known as adult-onset diabetes, is the most common form of the disease. Unlike Type 1 diabetes, people with this condition make insulin, but their cells are unable to properly use it. This leads to an insulin resistance. The pancreas tries to overcompensate for this and produces more insulin to get glucose into the cells. Eventually the pancreas cannot keep production up, leading to high blood sugar levels.

Warning signs of diabetes

If you think you or a loved one may have diabetes, it's important to act quickly. Diabetes may be reversible if treated early enough. Common warning signs include:

  • Blurred vision
  • Frequent urination
  • Increased hunger
  • Increased thirst
  • Weakness and fatigue
  • Weight loss
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Our diabetes management services

Diabetes education programs

Self-care is vital to controlling diabetes, and we offer education and support programs to assist our patients in learning how to manage their diabetes. Individual and group classes help you gain a sense of control over your body and the disease with information and tips on topics such as:

  • Medication and insulin pump management
  • Meal planning
  • Exercise goals
  • Glucose monitoring
  • Foot care
  • Eye care

Medication management

In addition to diabetes education and support, medication can be an effective way to improve the symptoms of diabetes. Medication, such as insulin, can be used to lower blood sugar levels when lifestyle changes alone aren't enough. In those cases, the diabetes specialists at TriStar Health's hospitals work with you to make sure you have the right dosage and understand how to administer insulin.

Wound care

Diabetes can cause poor circulation, which often results in wounds that are slow to heal. These wounds, such as diabetic ulcers, can be painful and lead to serious infection if not treated properly. We offer advanced wound care to make sure any wounds heal without complications. Some treatments we offer include infection control, skin grafting and negative pressure wound therapy.

Diabetes education for children

The Diabetes Education Program at The Children's Hospital at TriStar Centennial equips kids with diabetes self-care management skills. This program helps improve their quality of life, reduce emergency room visits and connect with additional resources for ongoing support.

Our program works in collaboration with TriStar Medical Group Children’s Specialists. It is also accredited by The American Association of Diabetes Educators for excellence in care.

Pediatric weight management program

Through TriStar Centennial's Center for Weight Management, a fully accredited bariatric surgery center, we offer a comprehensive program to evaluate and care for diabetic children and adolescents.

The program's multidisciplinary care team includes:

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