Diabetes

An estimated 34 million people in the United States and 887,000 people in North Carolina have diagnosed diabetes. Another 244,000 people in North Carolina have undiagnosed diabetes, meaning they are unaware of the risks of this manageable condition.

Our family practices specialize in evaluating and managing type 1 and 2 diabetes, offering classes, nutrition counseling, and other services like medication management, insulin training and assistance, continuous glucose monitoring and insulin pump assistance. Our endocrinology clinics offer specialty care for diabetes management.

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What is diabetes?

Diabetes is a chronic health condition that affects how your body turns food into energy. When you eat, the food is broken down into sugar that gets released into your bloodstream. As your blood sugar rises, it signals your pancreas to release insulin. That insulin helps your body’s cells to use the sugar as energy.

When you are living with diabetes, your body doesn’t create enough insulin or your body can’t effectively use the insulin it makes.

There are three main types: type 1, type 2 and gestational diabetes. Diabetes can affect every organ and can cause heart disease, stroke, amputation, and blindness. It is also the number one cause of kidney failure. But there are risk factors that can be managed, if you know what they are.

What are the risk factors for diabetes?

According to the American Diabetes Association, these are the risk factors for prediabetes. You are more likely to be diagnosed with prediabetes if you:

• Are age 45 or older
• Are Black, Hispanic/Latino, American Indian, Asian American or Pacific Islander
• Have a parent, brother or sister with diabetes
• Are overweight
• Are physically inactive
• Have high blood pressure or take medicine for high blood pressure
• Have low HDL cholesterol
• Had diabetes during pregnancy
• Have been diagnosed with polycystic ovary syndrome

You can manage some of the risk factors for diabetes. Our Medical Weight Management program can support you in making healthy lifestyle changes.

Diabetes Self-Management Classes with UNC Physicians Network

If you have been diagnosed with diabetes, one of the most important things you can do is understand what you can do to manage this chronic condition. The Registered Dietitians and Certified Diabetes Care & Education Specialists at UNC Physicians Network offer classes to learn about the advances in care and self-management of diabetes.

These comprehensive classes cover the basics of monitoring your blood sugar and learning to reduce health risks, as well as how to better manage your own diabetes so you can continue to live and enjoy a normal life.

All of our Diabetes Self-Management Classes are currently virtual, so you can join from home. These classes provide comprehensive information about understanding and managing your diabetes diagnosis and how to reduce your health risks.

Our Diabetes Self-Management Classes help empower you with these skills:

• Monitor and learn the targets for your blood sugar levels
• Gain healthy eating habits
• Make realistic exercise goals
• Reduce your health risks
• Learn healthy skills for coping with diabetes
• Get informed about safe medication use
• Change your behavior to minimize complications

Fill out the contact form to learn more about the Diabetes Self-Management Education Program.

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Diabetes Self-Management Education Program Locations and Dates

Note: All classes are virtual, with one clinic offering an in-person option.

• UNC Family Medicine at Hillsborough: Fridays at 10 AM. Class dates: 04/26, 05/03, 05/10, 05/17, 06/14, Virtual
• Knightdale Family Medicine: Tuesdays at 10 AM. Class dates: 04/23, 04/30, 05/14, 05/21, 06/11, Virtual
• UNC Family Medicine at Southpoint: Thursdays at 9:30 AM. Class dates: 05/16, 05/23, 05/30, 06/06, 07/25, TBD
• UNC Family Medicine at Kildaire: Mondays at 12 PM. Class dates: 04/08, 04/15, 04/22, 04/29, 06/17, TBD
• UNC Family Medicine at Wakefield: Mondays at 1 PM. Class dates: 04/15, 04/22, 04/29, 06/03, in person
  

To learn more or to sign up for this class, please fill out the contact form.