Diabetes is a very prevalent condition in the United States, and it’s likely you know someone who is living with some form of the disorder. But did you know there are multiple different types of diabetes—and healthcare workers are on the forefront of medical advances every day to make managing symptoms a little easier?
Dr. Kerri Kissel, the medical director of endocrinology at Hancock Health, is one of these experts.
What Is Endocrinology, Anyway?
Endocrinologists are specialist physicians who diagnose and treat diseases related to hormones and the endocrine system, a network of glands and organs that make hormones (which enable cells in the human body to speak to each other and function appropriately). Hormones are responsible for almost every cell, tissue, organ, and function in the human body.
Which is why your endocrine system is pretty important—and why it’s a big deal if it doesn’t work properly.
“Without the intricate system of hormones and communication within the body, humans would not be alive,” said Dr. Kissel. “In 1994, the CDC declared the U.S. had reached epidemic proportions of patients living with diabetes, and nearly thirty years later, it’s still an epidemic in the U.S.”
Endocrine glands and organs are located everywhere from the brain to the pelvis. The hormones made by these glands and organs control growth and development, metabolism, mood, other organs, and reproduction/fertility.
“Diabetes can be divided into a problem with either insulin insufficiency or insulin resistance,” said Dr. Kissel. “The only treatment for insulin insufficiency, or Type 1 diabetes, is to give insulin. The treatment for insulin resistance, or Type 2 diabetes, is to work toward reversing the resistance.”
Treatment for Type 2 diabetes involves a combination of medications and healthy lifestyle habits.
“If a woman is diagnosed with diabetes during pregnancy, it is called gestational diabetes,” Dr. Kissel added. “This could be related to either insulin resistance or insufficiency.”
What Happens if I Am Diagnosed with Diabetes?
Hancock Health offers comprehensive diabetic care at Hancock Endocrinology. From head to toe, Hancock Endocrinology is able to meet your diabetic needs with diabetic eye exams to foot exams, medication management, insulin pumps, and continuous glucose monitoring management. We also offer all available continuous glucose monitors in the U.S.
“We are one of the only sites in the state of Indiana to offer Eversense subcutaneous continuous glucose monitoring, the only glucose monitor that is FDA approved to stay under your skin,” said Dr. Kissel. “We have a prior authorization specialist who works with insurance companies to obtain the medications our patients require, as well as an onsite certified diabetes educator and nutritionist.”
But no matter what type of diabetes you’re living with, Hancock Health is here to support you.
“Each patient living with diabetes is different. At Hancock Endocrinology, the management methods and treatments are personalized to each patient,” said Dr. Kissel. “I urge patients living with diabetes to seek medical attention in order to obtain personalized medical management.”
If you’re concerned that you might be at risk for diabetes, ask your healthcare provider about prevention and treatment techniques now.
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