Healthcare Services
Diabetes Care in Houston
At St. Hope Healthcare, we are unwavering in our commitment to offering exceptional medical care for Houston area patients diagnosed with type 1, type 2 or gestational diabetes. We are proud to be a nonprofit 501(c)(3) community health care organization that was created in response to the growing need for innovative, effective healthcare designed to provide quality services to reduce health disparities within Houston and rural counties.
At St. Hope Healthcare, we are unwavering in our commitment to offering exceptional medical care for Houston area patients diagnosed with type 1, type 2 or gestational diabetes. We are proud to be a nonprofit 501(c)(3) community health care organization that was created in response to the growing need for innovative, effective healthcare designed to provide quality services to reduce health disparities within Houston and rural counties.
Diabetes Care Services at St. Hope Healthcare
- Diagnosis and Screening: Our healthcare providers perform comprehensive screenings and diagnostic tests to accurately diagnose diabetes and assess patients' overall health status. Early detection and diagnosis are essential for timely treatment and preventing complications.
- Medical Management: We develop personalized treatment plans tailored to each patient's unique needs, focusing on blood sugar control, blood pressure management, cholesterol levels and weight management. Our team educates patients on self-management techniques, including medication management, dietary modifications, physical activity and glucose monitoring.
- Nutritional Counseling: Proper nutrition plays a crucial role in managing diabetes and allowing patients to live to the fullest. Our registered dietitians provide individualized nutritional counseling and meal planning guidance to help patients make healthier food choices, manage their weight and stabilize blood sugar levels.
- Exercise and Lifestyle Modifications: Regular physical activity is essential for diabetes management, as it helps improve insulin sensitivity, lowers blood sugar levels and reduces the risk of cardiovascular complications. Our healthcare providers offer guidance on incorporating exercise into daily routines and making lifestyle modifications to promote overall health and well-being.
- Diabetes Education and Support: We empower patients with the knowledge and skills they need to effectively manage their condition. Our educational sessions cover topics such as diabetes self-care, medication management, monitoring blood sugar levels and recognizing signs of complications.
- Collaborative Care Approach: Our multidisciplinary team of healthcare professionals, including physicians, nurse practitioners, registered dietitians and diabetes educators work together to provide comprehensive management plans to patients with diabetes. We encourage patients to be involved in decision-making and empower them to take an active role in their healthcare journey.
Understanding Diabetes
Diabetes is a metabolic disorder that affects how the body processes glucose, the primary source of energy. Glucose is obtained from the food we eat and is transported into cells throughout the body with the help of insulin, a hormone produced by the pancreas.
In individuals with diabetes, either the body does not produce enough insulin or the cells become resistant to the effects of insulin. This leads to elevated levels of glucose in the bloodstream and can cause damage to various organs and tissues over time, leading to serious health complications such as cardiovascular disease, kidney failure, nerve damage and vision problems. Diabetes can also impair the body's ability to heal wounds and fight infections, increasing the risk of complications from minor injuries or infections.
There are two main types of diabetes including:
- Type 1 Diabetes: This type of diabetes occurs when the body's immune system mistakenly attacks and destroys the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. As a result, the body is unable to produce enough insulin, leading to elevated blood sugar levels. Type 1 diabetes typically develops in childhood or adolescence and requires lifelong insulin therapy.
- Type 2 Diabetes: Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes and is characterized by insulin resistance, where the body's cells become resistant to the effects of insulin. Initially, the pancreas compensates by producing more insulin, but over time, it may become unable to keep up with the increased demand, leading to elevated blood sugar levels. Type 2 diabetes is often associated with obesity, sedentary lifestyle and genetic factors.
Main Causes of Diabetes
Type 1 Diabetes: The immune system destroys certain cells in the pancreas, which results in the body being unable to produce its own insulin. The body basically attacks itself as an autoimmune reaction.
Type 1 diabetes triggers include:
- Some infections (viral or bacterial)
- Consumption of food containing chemical toxins
- Genetic tendencies
- Autoimmune conditions
Type 2 Diabetes: The body either doesn’t make enough insulin or the insulin that is produced is not being absorbed by cells.
Type 2 risk factors include:
- Obesity
- Genetic predisposition
- Pregnancy
- Illness
- Increasing age
Gestational Diabetes: A form of high blood sugar that affects women who are pregnant.
Gestational diabetes risk factors include:
- Obesity
- Polycystic ovary syndrome
- Exceptionally large baby (weighing more than 9 pounds)
- Family history of gestational diabetes
- Hereditary factors
Managing Diabetes – What Can Be Done?
Being that a person’s genetic propensity for diabetes cannot be controlled, it is incumbent upon individuals to control what CAN be controlled – such as managing weight, maintaining a healthy diet, exercising regularly, not smoking and moderating alcohol intake. Since many of the risks associated with diabetes involve blood flow and the condition of the heart, certain tests – including ECGs, ultrasounds and treadmill tests – may be administered to assess the heart’s condition. St. Hope Healthcare’s diabetes experts in Houston can help patients who are at risk of developing type 2 diabetes adopt lifestyle changes to reduce their risk and assist in the management of diabetes if it is diagnosed.
Providing Comprehensive Diabetes Management and Care in Houston
At St. Hope Healthcare, we are dedicated to providing compassionate care to individuals living with diabetes. Through our personalized treatment plans and commitment to patient education and support, we strive to help our patients manage their condition.
If you or a loved one in the Greater Houston area is living with diabetes, we are here to support you every step of the way. Contact us today to schedule an appointment and learn more about our diabetes care services or give us a call at (713) 778-1300.
