What Is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a disease that occurs when a person’s pancreas doesn't make enough—or any—of the hormone insulin. This causes too much glucose (sugar) to build up in the blood. About 1 in 10 Americans have this condition that over time can lead to serious health problems, including heart disease, chronic kidney disease, nerve damage, and other issues with feet, oral health, vision, hearing, and mental health.
Expert Care at Lancaster General Health
Although there is currently no cure, diabetes is highly controllable. A care team of experts at Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health can address all aspects of diabetes care and work with you and your family to create a plan to help you live and long and healthy life. These health-care providers may include:
Types of Diabetes
There are four types of diabetes. We have comprehensive resources to diagnose, treat, and help patients manage:
- Type 1 diabetes: Symptoms often develop quickly and is usually diagnosed in children, teens and young adults. Thought to be caused by an autoimmune reaction. Requires taking insulin every day to survive.
- Type 2 diabetes: Develops over many years and is usually diagnosed in adults, although increasingly in children, teens and young adults. Symptoms may not be obvious. Can be prevented or delayed with healthy lifestyle changes.
- Gestational diabetes: Develops in pregnant women who never had diabetes and usually goes away after the baby is born. Increases the risk for type 2 diabetes later in life.
- Prediabetes: Higher than normal blood sugar levels, but not high enough to be diagnosed with diabetes. Raises the risk for type 2 diabetes, heart disease and stroke. Can be prevented.
Symptoms of Diabetes
One in five people don’t realize they have diabetes. That’s why in addition to having regular health check-ups, it’s important to know some of the signs of diabetes. Find out if you may be at risk by taking our diabetes risk assessment.
Take the Risk Assessment
Haga la Evaluación de Riesgo
If you or someone you know has any of the following diabetes symptoms, it is important to talk to your doctor about getting your blood sugar tested:
- Frequent urination, often at night
- Excessive thirst
- Weight loss without trying
- More hunger than usual
- Blurry vision
- Numb or tingling hands or feet
- Extreme tiredness
- Very dry skin
- Sores that heal slowly
- More infections than usual
- People with type 1 diabetes may also experience nausea, vomiting or stomach pain
Where to Get Care
At Lancaster General Health, diabetes education, care and medical treatment is available at our LG Health Physicians Diabetes and Endocrinology practice, primary care practices, and our Diabetes & Nutrition Center.
We offer a variety of treatments and services to help patients and their families manage diabetes and develop healthy, normal lifestyles, including:
More Information on Caring for Your Diabetes