Diabetes management in Frankfort, Kentucky
Whether you've had diabetes for a long time or are newly diagnosed, our diabetes program at Frankfort Regional Medical Center offers the knowledge and resources to help you live life to the fullest. Our expert staff can help you learn how to manage diabetes, reduce the risk of complications, cope with lifestyle changes and work through any fears or problems you may encounter.
To learn more about our diabetes program, call (877) 376-2631.
What is diabetes?
Insulin is a hormone that helps move glucose (sugar) from the blood into the cells for energy. If the body can't make insulin or use the insulin correctly, the blood sugar level rises, causing high blood sugar (hyperglycemia). Common symptoms of high blood sugar are extreme thirst, frequent urination, fatigue and sometimes, infections.
People with a family history of diabetes or gestational diabetes (during pregnancy), obesity, little or no activity and people of certain ethnic backgrounds (African-American, Hispanic, Native American, Asian and Pacific Islands) are at a higher risk for developing diabetes.
If you think you could be at risk, take a free Type 2 diabetes risk assessment.
Types of diabetes
The most common forms of diabetes are:
- Type 1 diabetes: Type 1 diabetes is a metabolic disorder that occurs when the cells in the pancreas that make insulin stop working. It's typically diagnosed during childhood or early adulthood. People with Type 1 diabetes must take insulin to control their blood glucose levels.
- Type 2 diabetes: Type 2 is the most common form of diabetes in the U.S. Its prevalence is growing at an epidemic rate due to the increase in obesity and sedentary lifestyles. This form of diabetes occurs when the body can't produce enough insulin or can't use insulin (insulin resistance).
- Prediabetes: When blood glucose levels are high, but not high enough to be diagnosed as Type 2, the result is prediabetes. Lifestyle changes can make a big difference in preventing prediabetes from progressing to Type 2.
- Gestational diabetes: Gestational (during pregnancy) diabetes may occur during the third trimester, when pregnancy hormones can increase and block insulin.
