Within the Department of Endocrinology and Diabetes is a staff of certified diabetes educators who work with patients on setting and meeting individualized goals for better diabetes management. Upon referral from your endocrinologist, your educator will become a part of your care team. This team creates a personalized care plan based on your current needs, making your appointments with your diabetes educator focused on your progress, questions and concerns. Using the information gathered during your appointments, your educator will make suggestions on lifestyle changes to better your overall health and work with your endocrinologist to determine if any medication changes are necessary.
Diabetes Monitoring Technology
At NorthShore, we believe it is important to stay up-to-date on the latest in diabetes technology. Advances in blood glucose monitoring and medication administration can make the everyday treatment of diabetes much easier. Some of the devices that may be suggested by your diabetes care team include:
- Blood glucose meter: A handheld device that you can use to read your blood sugar level at any time.
- Continuous glucose monitor: A device that provides real-time glucose readings, throughout the day and night, allowing people with diabetes to see their blood sugar levels and track how quickly they are increasing or decreasing.
- Insulin pump: A device that is programed to deliver insulin through a small catheter under the skin. It delivers a small trickle of insulin continuously and you can also direct it to give a larger amount of insulin for food that you are eating or to correct a high blood sugar.
If you would benefit from using a diabetes device, your educator can assist you in choosing, obtaining and learning how to use this equipment. The data from most diabetes devices can be uploaded in our office or from your home computer and sent to your NorthShore endocrinology care team. This allows our staff to see your progress and communicate necessary changes with you quickly. Your diabetes educator will also help you to read and interpret the data from your diabetes device, so that you are better able to understand blood glucose control, and be a confident, active participant in your diabetes care.
Nutrition and Dietary Counseling
Our diabetes educators also provide expert knowledge regarding nutrition and diet. People with diabetes can experience weight loss or gain, and your educator will work with you to create a meal plan that promotes healthy choices. You will be able to talk to your educator about how your diet and medication work together, and how you can track your intake to make sure you are making the best decisions for your overall health.
Diabetes Owner’s Manual
This booklet is designed to get you started with your diabetes care by providing important basic information while you’re hospitalized or in the outpatient setting. It also introduces you to our team of inpatient nurses and dietitians as well as our outpatient certified diabetes educators.
Gestational Diabetes Book
This booklet is designed to educate you about gestational diabetes. Additionally, this booklet serves as a resource to provide basic information on how to manage and treat this condition including: diet and eating right, testing, medications, and care for after the delivery of your baby.
For More Information
For more information about diabetes education, please call 847.663.8540.