Successful Management Always Requires a Team

What is Diabetes?

Diabetes is when your body does not make enough insulin or is not able to use the insulin it makes to turn your food into energy. If this happens, the sugar in your blood increases but cannot be used by your cells. A high sugar level in your blood can cause symptoms of tiredness, thirst, frequent urination, infections, and sexual problems. If you have any of these symptoms, you should call your doctor.

The Santa Barbara Regional Health Authority has a Diabetes SMART Program to help you manage your diabetes. The SMART Program sends diabetes information to your home to help you to understand how to care for yourself when you have diabetes. Your doctor will continue to guide your medical care and services. The Health Authority will help you to get the care and information you need to keep your diabetes in control so you stay healthy.

• A journal to help you keep track of your important lab results.
• A monthly newsletter on Diabetes topics.
• A toll free support line.
• Community classes and support groups on diabetes.
• Referrals to Certified Diabetic Educators and Dieticians.

For more information, or to disenroll from the Diabetes SMART program,
call: 1 (800) 421-2560 x253

If diabetes is not treated and controlled, it can lead to serious problems, including vision loss and blindness, heart disease, stroke, kidney failure, and circulation problems that can lead to gangrene, amputation, and even early death.

The good news is you can reduce your risk of developing problems by keeping your blood sugar in good control. To do this:

• Visit your doctor regularly.
• Have your eyes checked by an eye doctor every year.
• Check your blood sugar often as advised by your doctor.
• Have regular lab blood tests to check your blood sugar control and cholesterol levels.
• Follow your diabetes diet plan.
• Keep your weight under control.
• Stay active and exercise per your doctor’s advice.
• Take your medication as advised by your doctor and don’t run out of it or your diabetes testing supplies.
• Learn more about diabetes.

Diabetes is a serious disease that affects over 16 million people in the United States. Many others are at risk for having diabetes and don’t know it.

You may be at increased risk for diabetes if:

• You are Hispanic/Latino, American Indian, African American, Asian American, Pacific Islander.
• You have a family member with diabetes.
• You had diabetes during your pregnancy or you had a baby weighing more than 9 pounds at birth.
• You don’t exercise.
• You are overweight.
• You have high blood pressure (140/90 or above).
• You are over age 45. 

Santa Barbara Regional Health Authority Diabetes SMART Program
1 (800) 421-2560 x253

Diabetes Resource Center
Santa Barbara
(805) 687-5586

Santa Barbara Adult Support Group
Hazel Froscher (805) 687-8915
e-mail : hfroscher@hotmail.com

Marian Hospital Center
Adult Support Group
Santa Maria
MaryAnne Tieche, RNCE
(805) 739-3796

Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital
Diabetes Outpatient Program
(805) 569-8240

American Diabetes Association
(800) 232-3472

ADA Clinical Practice Guidelines