Diabetes Management Center

Increased Incidence of Diabetes, Risks and Treatment

Diabetes now affects 20 million Americans, about one in every eight citizens. Over the last 30 years the dramatic increase in the incidence of diabetes makes it one of the greatest epidemics of our time. Aggressive treatment of diabetes can dramatically reduce complications and improve quality of life, but as of today, one in every three people with diabetes does not know they have the disease. As a result, diabetes continues to be the fourth leading cause of death in this country, as well as the leading cause of blindness, amputation and kidney failure. In addition, there is a growing recognition that individuals with type 2 diabetes have especially high risks of high blood pressure, undesirable cholesterol profiles, and obesity. A constellation of risks that result in extremely high rates of heart attack and stroke.

Prompt recognition of diabetes and early institution of aggressive treatment plans will dramatically reduce the risk of developing any of the complications noted above, as well as improve the individual's quality of life and overall sense of well-being. Research over the last 20 years has greatly improved our understanding of what causes diabetes and has resulted in the development of extremely effective new therapies which can be tailored to the specific individual and their disease.

Effective treatment plans for diabetes require a comprehensive team of professionals working and communicating effectively for the benefit of the individual. Members of the diabetes team, in addition to the individual with diabetes and their primary care physician, include:

• Specialized physicians (Endocrinologists or Diabetologists)
• Specially trained and certified nurse educators (APRN, RN, CDE)
• Dietitians
• Podiatrists
• Ophthalmologists
• Diabetes-trained support staff

All Resources Under One Roof

At the Billings Clinic Diabetes Management Center, the individual with diabetes can access all of these resources under one roof. Referral to the center provides comprehensive education, assistance with appropriate behavior modification strategies, individualized treatment plans, coordinated follow up with your primary care physician, referral to additional specialists if indicated and access to the latest medical research. The goal of our caring team of professionals is simply to offer the individual with diabetes the absolute best care available.