Diabetes

Diabetes is a chronic disease that develops when the body does not process glucose (sugar) from food because you lack the hormone insulin or do not use it properly. One in three people is estimated to have type 2 diabetes by 2030. In New Jersey, 12 percent of the population has diabetes, but one in four of them does not know it.

It's very important to know if your blood glucose level is high and to learn how to control it through diet, exercise, and (if needed) medication. At Hackensack Meridian Health, we offer seamless diabetes care for a lifetime that has been certified and recognized by the American Diabetes Association, provided by a team that really sees you and understands all of you. We look beyond the glucose—with the goal of not only controlling your blood sugar, but helping you live a healthier, more comfortable life.

Why Choose Us for Diabetes Care?

• We earned disease-specific certification in Advanced Diabetes Management from the Joint Commission for excellence in inpatient diabetes care.
• Through customized treatment, education, and support, our team equips you and your family to live your best lives despite diabetes.
• You can receive diabetes care at a Hackensack Meridian Health location near you, including our specialized programs in Hackensack, Neptune, Edison, and West Manahawkin.

Types of Diabetes

We care for patients with all types of diabetes, including:

Type 1 diabetes. The body does not produce insulin or makes only a small amount. About 10 percent of people with diabetes have type 1. It is also referred to as insulin-dependent diabetes or juvenile diabetes because it often, but not always, develops during childhood or adolescence.

Type 2 diabetes. The body does not use insulin properly and requires more than the body produces. Eighty to 90 percent of people with diabetes have type 2 diabetes.

Prediabetes. When your blood glucose levels are higher than normal but not high enough to be type 2 diabetes, you may be told you have prediabetes. Improving your diet and getting more physical activity can often delay or prevent the development of diabetes.

Gestational diabetes. Diabetes occurs in nearly 10 percent of pregnancies, when the mother does not produce enough or use the insulin needed for pregnancy. Our endocrinologists work with our maternal-fetal experts to help you manage your pregnancy and support the health of you and your baby.

Diabetes from other causes. While rare, diabetes may develop for other reasons, such as:

• Pancreatic dysfunction due to pancreatitis, cystic fibrosis and other conditions.
• Drug- or chemical-induced diabetes, such as glucocorticoids used to treat HIV/AIDS or prevent the rejection of a transplanted organ.
• Maturity-onset diabetes of the young (MODY) and other "monogenic" diabetes syndromes (those caused by a single genetic mutation). Learn more about diabetes care for children and teens.

Why Controlling Diabetes Is Important

Left untreated, high levels of blood sugar can cause serious complications, some of which can become life-threatening. Diabetes is the number one cause of new blindness, kidney disease, and amputation. Other possible complications include:

• Heart disease
• Stroke
• High blood pressure
• Nerve disease
• Pregnancy complications
• Dental problems

How We Care for People with Diabetes

Hackensack Meridian Health's diabetes teams provide people with diabetes and their families across New Jersey with the tools they need to control their blood sugar, improve their health, and prevent serious complications. Throughout our network, you'll benefit from:

• Nutrition counseling with personalized dietary recommendations and meal preparation demonstrations
• Education about blood glucose monitoring and use of insulin and other diabetes medications
• Instruction in new technologies such as continuous glucose monitoring, remote monitoring, and insulin pumps
• Individual, group, and family counseling and psychosocial support
• Fitness and wellness education
• Caregiver education to support patients' glucose monitoring and medication administration
• Adolescent transition support to help teens and young adults transition from a pediatric to adult endocrinologist and advocate for their own health
• Referrals as needed to physicians in other medical disciplines, such as cardiologists, ophthalmologists, and nephrologists

Community Outreach and Education

Hackensack Meridian Health hosts community events and outreach programs to educate people about diabetes and link them with care. Our programs include:

• Educational webinars, which are recorded and posted afterward for all to access
• Health fairs, lectures, and other programs with faith-based centers and other community organizations to promote wellness
• Regular visits to community health clinics that serve patients with low or no health insurance

Learn about diabetes programs at Hackensack Meridian Health.

A Commitment to Research

Hackensack Meridian Health investigators conduct clinical trials of promising new approaches to managing diabetes. Basic and applied research includes investigations by scientists at the Hackensack Meridian Center for Discovery and Innovation. Researchers are working to develop better diagnostic tools and prevention strategies.