Carolina Diabetes and Endocrine Clinics is a consultative Diabetes and Endocrine practice that specializes in the following areas:

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For more information on diabetes, please visit WebMD.com.

DIABETES

DIABETES MANAGEMENT

Diabetes is a disease in which the body does not produce or properly use insulin. Insulin is a hormone that is needed to convert sugar, starches and other food into energy needed for daily life. The cause of diabetes continues to be a mystery, although both genetics and environmental factors such as obesity and lack of exercise appear to play roles. There are 18.2 million people in the United States, or 6.3% of the population, who have diabetes. While an estimated 13 million have been diagnosed with diabetes, unfortunately, 5.2 million people (or nearly one-third) are unaware that they have the disease.

Type 1 Diabetes
Results from the body's failure to produce insulin, the hormone that "unlocks" the cells of the body, allowing glucose to enter and fuel them. It is estimated that 5-10% of Americans who are diagnosed with diabetes have type 1 diabetes. These patients will require insulin to treat their diabetes.

Type 2 Diabetes
Results from insulin resistance (a condition in which the body fails to properly use insulin), combined with relative insulin deficiency. Approximately 90-95% (17 million) of Americans who are diagnosed with diabetes have type 2 diabetes. These patients may not require insulin to treat their diabetes.

Other Specific type pf diabetes includes people with specific genetic abnormalities of the enzymes involved in carbohydrate metabolism and people with extensive destruction of the pancreas by disease or following pancreatic surgery. People on certain medications including high dose steroids and people with certain other endocrine disorders may also develop diabetes. These specific causes of diabetes are however very rare.

Pre Diabetes
Pre-diabetes is a condition that occurs when a person's blood glucose levels are higher than normal but not high enough for a diagnosis of type 2 diabetes. There are 41 million Americans who have pre-diabetes, in addition to the 18.2 million with diabetes. In order to determine whether or not a patient has pre-diabetes or diabetes, health care providers conduct a Fasting Plasma Glucose Test (FPG) or an Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT). Either test can be used to diagnose pre-diabetes or diabetes. Poorly treated diabetes may lead to long term diabetic complications, which include kidney damage, diabetic eye disease, nerve damage and foot disease. In addition, Diabetes is a major risk factor for Heart Attack.

GESTATIONAL DIABETES

Pregnant women who have never had diabetes before but who have high blood sugar (glucose) levels during pregnancy are said to have gestational diabetes. Gestational diabetes affects about 4% of all pregnant women - about 135,000 cases of gestational diabetes in the United States each year.

When poorly treated, Gestational Diabetes can lead to macrosomia, or a "fat" baby. Babies with macrosomia face health problems of their own, including damage to their shoulders during birth. Because of the extra insulin made by the baby's pancreas, newborns may have very low blood glucose levels at birth and are also at higher risk for breathing problems. Babies with excess insulin become children who are at risk for obesity and adults who are at risk for type 2 diabetes.

INSULIN PUMP THERAPY

Insulin pump therapy has greatly improved the way we manage type 1 diabetic patients. It enables them to achieve better sugar control in a more flexible manner and also can prevent the dreaded low blood sugars that often accompany type 1 diabetes management. Some patients with type 2 diabetes can also benefit from insulin pump therapy.

At the Carolina Diabetes and Endocrine Clinics, we offer an Insulin Pump Program that effectively and safely put you on the pump.

DIABETES EDUCATION

We offer a Diabetes Education Program that emphasizes Diabetes Management, Diet Counseling, and Carbohydrate Counting in one on one setting or in Diabetic Education Classes and Support Groups for both Patients and their Families.