Normally, the pancreas makes a hormone called insulin. Insulin’s role in the body is to convert the food we eat into energy. In type 1 diabetes (T1D), the body mistakenly destroys the insulin-making cells in the pancreas. Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition and the causes for it are not completely known. There is currently no cure. Insulin injections are required in T1D.
Why UK Barnstable Brown Diabetes Center?
The team at Barnstable Brown Diabetes Center provides expert consultation and ongoing care for patients with prediabetes, diabetes, diabetes in pregnancy and any diabetes-related complications and conditions.
Our center is unique in that we offer care and treatment across the lifespan. Our multidisciplinary health care team includes certified diabetes care and education specialists, physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, nurses, registered dietitians, pharmacists, and social workers. We have an education center that provides first-class, cutting edge diabetes education in individual and group settings. Appointments are available both in-person and via telehealth.
Our outpatient location at UK HealthCare – Turfland provides a convenient, single location where patients can easily access many of their related health care services. UK HealthCare – Turfland, which offers abundant free parking, is home to many other expert clinical health care providers, including those from primary care, urgent care, pharmacy, laboratory, radiology/MRI, ophthalmology and more.
UK HealthCare’s state-of-the-art electronic health record uses the MyChart patient portal for communication between provider and patient.
How do providers work together to best serve their patients?
- A multidisciplinary team of providers and diabetes care and education specialists coordinate a specific treatment plan tailored to each patient.
- A comprehensive medical record network coordinates care among your healthcare team, as well as with local and regional health care facilities. The MyChart portal tool promotes quick and effective communication with our patients.
- Pediatric and adult teams housed in the same clinic offers a smooth transition of care as pediatric patients reach adulthood and transfer care to the adult team.
Signs of type 1 diabetes may include:
- Increased need to urinate, particularly at night
- Increased thirst
- Increased hunger
- Weight loss with no evident cause
- Blurry vision
- Extreme fatigue
- Signs of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), a life-threatening event
- Fruity-smelling breath
- Nausea or vomiting
- Stomach pain
- Trouble breathing
Researchers are not entirely certain what causes type 1 diabetes, but they suspect genetic and environmental factors may trigger the condition. Type 1 diabetes in children is not related to lifestyle habits.
Because type 1 diabetes is not related to lifestyle, it can’t be prevented.
Complications can be avoided; however, a child may be at risk for complications if treatment plans are not followed. Long-term complications can occur if the child has high blood sugar levels over months or years. They can include kidney and nerve damage, eye health issues and an increased risk of other health conditions like heart disease and stroke.
- For your first visit, you will be directed to the Barnstable Brown Diabetes Center at UK HealthCare – Turfland.
- Plenty of free parking is available at UK HealthCare – Turfland.
- The Barnstable Brown Diabetes Center is located on the first floor of the building. When you register, a Barnstable Brown Diabetes Center team member will help guide you through your appointment.
- To meet our patient needs, UK HealthCare accepts many forms of insurance.
- Bring your blood glucose meter, blood glucose log, or continuous glucose monitor (CGM) for review.
