For Patients

Address
SCVMC Diabetes Center- VSC Bldg. Q
751 S. Bascom Ave, Suite 210 (Second Floor)
San Jose, CA 95128
Hours
Monday - Friday
8:30 am - 5:00 pm
Phone
Schedule or Cancel an Appointment; Urgent Medical Issues Related to Diabetes
(408) 793-2515
Fax
(408) 885-3142
About Diabetes
Diabetes mellitus is a disease that affects how our body converts food into energy. There are three main types of diabetes, type 1, type 2, and gestational diabetes (diabetes while pregnant)
- Having a family history of diabetes increases your risk of developing type 1 or type 2 diabetes. Being overweight and inactive increases your risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
- Pregnant women who have never had diabetes before can develop gestational diabetes, which affects about 4 percent of all pregnant women.
- The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) released the 2022 National Diabetes Statistics report and estimated that more than 130 million Americans are living with diabetes (37.3 million) or prediabetes (96 million). Research indicates that between 4 and 9 percent of people with prediabetes each year develop type 2 diabetes.
- People with diabetes face an increased risk of heart disease, stroke, blindness, and other health problems.
- The emotional toll: People with diabetes may be more prone to anxiety and depression.
Take Control of your Diabetes: the 7 self-care behaviors
- Healthy eating- Eating Right
Eating right plays a big role in controlling your diabetes and allowing you to live a long, happy life. Counting your carbohydrates and making sure you eat the right-sized portions of each food group will help you manage your blood sugar level. - Being active is not just about losing weight.
It has many health benefits, like lowering cholesterol, improving blood pressure, lowering stress and anxiety, and improving mood. If you have diabetes, physical activity can also help keep your blood sugar levels normal and help you keep your diabetes in control. - Monitoring
Regularly checking your blood sugar levels gives you vital information about your diabetes management. Monitoring helps you know when your blood sugar levels are on target, enabling you to make food and activity adjustments so that your body can perform at its best. - Taking Medication
Several types of medications are often recommended for people with diabetes. Insulin, pills that lower your blood sugar, aspirin, blood pressure medication, a cholesterol-lowering medication, or several others may work together to lower your blood sugar levels, reduce your risk of complications, and help you feel better. - Problem Solving
Everyone encounters problems with their diabetes control; you can't plan for every situation you may face. However, there are some problem-solving skills that can help you prepare for the unexpected -- and plan for dealing with similar problems in the future. - Reducing Risks
Having diabetes puts you at a higher risk of developing other health problems. However, if you understand the risks, you can take steps to lower your risk of diabetes-related complications. - Healthy Coping
Diabetes can affect you physically and emotionally. It's natural to have mixed feelings about your diabetes management and experience highs and lows. It is essential to recognize these emotions as normal but take steps to reduce the negative impact they can have on your self-care.