Diabetes

People with diabetes are often 2 – 4 times more likely to have a heart attack or stroke and there are often no signs of diabetes.

What is Diabetes?

Diabetes is a condition where there is too much glucose (a type of sugar) in the blood. According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), diabetes affects about 30 million Americans or 9.4 percent of the U.S. population. This includes 1 in 4 adults who are unaware they have the disease.

  • If you are over the age of 45, you should be screened for diabetes every 3 years. With a simple finger-stick, our pharmacy can screen for glucose or A1c levels. A1c testing is recommended every 6 months for patients already diagnosed with diabetes.

  • The most common types of diabetes are type 1, type 2 and gestational diabetes.
  • Type 1 means your body doesn’t make insulin. Usually diagnosed in children and young adults, they need to take insulin to stay alive.
  • Type 2, the most common type, means your body doesn’t make or use insulin well and occurs most often in middle-aged adults.

Gestational diabetes develops in some pregnant women. Although most of the time it goes away, the chances of developing type 2 increases later in life.

How Do I Know if I'm at Risk?

The American Diabetes Association has an online test to analyze your risk for Type 2 Diabetes, take the test > .

Food and exercise play an important role in the health of all people but particularly those that are diagnosed diabetic. Having diabetes doesn’t mean that you are limited to boring food, learn more about your options below.

Food Options
Understanding Carbs
Planning Meals
Recipes
Fitness & Exercise
Weight Loss

Treatment

Don’t let the diagnosis of the disease get you down. Our pharmacy team is happy to consult with you to help you learn as much as you can about treatment so you can learn to adjust your lifestyle and continue to be happy and healthy. For more information about treatment options, click here > .

Insulins, Medicines & Other Treatments

Insulin or other medicine are often part of treating diabetes. Our pharmacy team can help answer any questions you have regarding insulin or medication.
Learn more here > .

Diabetes, Heart Disease & Stroke

The risk of heart disease, heart attack and stroke increase with diabetes, along with high blood pressure and cholesterol. Lower your chances of heart attack or stroke by Managing your diabetes ABCs >.

  • A: A1C test – Our pharmacy teams can perform an A1C test to help screen for diabetes

  • B: Blood Pressure – Our pharmacies all have blood pressure machines that can track your blood pressure readings and our pharmacy team can help consult on ways to help lower it if it is high.

  • C: Cholesterol – If you are over 40 years old, you might need to take a medication to help lower your cholesterol. For more information on cholesterol,
    visit our page here >

  • S: Smoking – Both smoking and diabetes narrows blood vessels, causing the heart to work harder. For information or help to quit smoking,
    visit https://smokefree.gov/