Diabetes Education
Fauquier Health’s Wellness Center Diabetes Program has been Recognized by the American Diabetes Association for Quality Diabetes Self-Management Education* and Support. Initially, patients will meet with a Registered Dietitian and Certified Diabetes Care & Education Specialist (CDCES) for an individual appointment. This appointment will give patients the opportunity to discuss what they struggle with in managing their diabetes and explore what they hope to learn by attending available group classes. Individuals and our educator will decide together which group classes would be the best fit. For those who are newly diagnosed with diabetes, they may benefit from taking all four two-hour classes. Those who complete all four classes will receive a free one-month membership to the Wellness Center.
To get started in our Diabetes Program, patients need to obtain a referral from their primary care physician. We accept Medicare and most insurance plans. We encourage those interested to call their insurance company and ask if they are covered for “Diabetes Self-Management Education and Support (DSMES).”
Types of Diabetes
Fauquier Health's Wellness Center can help individuals manage their diabetes whether it is Type 1, Type 2, or Gestational. For more information check out our quick links below:
- Type 1 Diabetes
Formerly known as "juvenile diabetes", or "insulin-dependent diabetes", Type 1 Diabetes is usually diagnosed in childhood. Genetics plays a part in whether or not someone develops this chronic condition, but one's own immune system may play a bigger role. In some people with the genes for diabetes, when they get sick with, for example, a virus, and their immune system gears up to fight off the virus, the person's healthy cells and organs are attacked, too, by its own immune system. Specifically, the cells in the pancreas that make insulin are destroyed, meaning that the person no longer can make insulin and therefore, has to take insulin shots daily. This type of diabetes comes on rapidly, and common symptoms are increased thirst, increased urination, extreme hunger, unexplained and unintentional weight loss, blurry vision, and fatigue.
- Type 2 Diabetes
It used to be called "adult-onset diabetes" and "non-insulin-dependent diabetes" because instead of it starting during the childhood years, a person develops this more gradually during adulthood. Genetics also helps determine if a person gets this type of diabetes, but lifestyle (i.e. diet and activity/exercise) triggers the disease to start. Being overweight or obese, and not exercising much are factors that can be modified to help get one's blood sugars back down to the normal range. Sometimes, pills or medications that are injected (even insulin in some cases) are also prescribed, but making dietary changes and getting more exercise are the cornerstones of treatment. Some symptoms, such as increased thirst and urination, blurry vision and fatigue, are the same in both Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes. In Type 2, though, a person may also have symptoms of wounds that are very slow to heal, and/or more frequent infections, especially yeast infections.
- Gestational Diabetes
Gestational diabetes occurs in women and only during pregnancy. The sharp increase in hormones from the placenta make a woman's cells more resistant to the insulin her body makes, so the insulin does not work like it did before pregnancy. Therefore, the sugar in the blood builds up. Untreated, gestational diabetes can lead to potential problems for the baby as well as for the mother. The most common treatment is diet and exercise, although sometimes, the OB/GYN might prescribe a medication to help get blood sugars down.
Additional Resources
For additional resources on diabetes education and the different types, check out the resources below. You can also refer to the American Diabetes Association website by visiting Diabetes.org.
| Diabetes, What you Should Know. Read more... |
| Diabetes and the Importance of Dental Care. Read more... |
| Signs and Symptoms Info Graphic. Read more... |
Want to schedule an appointment? Contact the Wellness Center front desk at 540.316.2640.