In the United States, nearly 26 million people have diabetes, and 7 million don’t even know it. People with diabetes can feel terrible—tired, thirsty, urinating all the time, and even have blurred vision. These are the immediate complications of high blood sugar levels, and can be treated immediately. But the long-term complications are even more frightening, possibly affecting the eyes, nerves, kidneys, and large blood vessels.

The important news is that both the immediate and the long term complications of diabetes can be completely avoided, or managed successfully. People with diabetes can live long, healthy lives. But they have to know how.

Learning as much as possible about diabetes and its treatments can help people keep their blood glucose levels under control and avoid the complications.

Learn more about The Johns Hopkins Diabetes Center here on our web site, and learn what information and resources are available to you here and elsewhere.

The Johns Hopkins Diabetes Center treats patients in all stages of diabetes -- from the newly diagnosed to those who have lived with diabetes for much of their lives. The Diabetes Center offers classes to help you learn how to best manage diabetes, provides nutritional instruction, and offers personalized recommendations for achieving and maintaining control of your diabetes.

To register for classes or for more information, please call the Johns Hopkins Diabetes Center at 410-955-7139.

Here’s to a long, healthy life, diabetes or not!

Diabetes POC-IT Guide for Clinicians          Patient Guide to Diabetes

Nutrition

Patients seeking education about nutrition can schedule an individual appointment with Gene Arnold, MS, RD/LD, CDCES. Counseling is available for, but not limited to, the following areas:

• Diabetes (type 1, type 2, MODY, gestational diabetes, post pancreatectomy diabetes)
• Islet cell transplantation
• Enteral feeding management
• Hypoglycemia

We have a wide variety of teaching materials tailored to all levels of education. During an appointment with the dietitian a patient will receive individual counseling and specific guidance with special diets. Our dietitian will:

1. Analyze a usual food intake and suggest changes to improve eating habits.
2. Help patients understand the many complications of diabetes, how to test blood sugars, how to administer insulin, and understand the action and side effects of diabetes medications.
3. Inform the primary care physician regarding the nutritional care plan.
4. Provide a personalized diet instruction plan based on mutually determined goals.
5. Take a diet history and set goals that fit an individual's lifestyle.

In order to help you and your diabetes educator, we have included a food diary for you to print and complete. Please take a day and fill out the form stating specifically what you ate, how it was prepared, what time it was, and how you were feeling. This additional tool will help your dietitian set goals that will better fit your lifestyle.

Download the food diary here. To schedule an appointment to see Gene Arnold, MS, RD/LD, CDCES clinical dietitian specialist, please call 443-927-2749.

Patient Education Tools

Check out the new website for the Johns Hopkins Medicine Diabetes Prevention and Education Program.

The Health Insurance Marketplace and People with Diabetes

Where to Find More Information

For more information about these insurance protections and programs, call 1-800-318-2596 or visit www.healthcare.gov.

For more information on the Health Insurance Marketplace and Navigators in your state, call 1-800-318-2596 or visit www.healthcare.gov. Assistance is available in multiple languages by calling 1-800-318-2596. The American Diabetes Association also has a face sheet on the new Marketplaces available at www.diabetes.org/HealthInsuranceMarketplaces or by calling 1-800-DIABETES (342-2383).

You can also contact your state's Department of Insurance for information about insurance requirements and consumer protections in your state. Information for state insurance departments is available at: www.naic.org/state_web_map.htm.

Some states have Consumer Assistance Programs offering direct help to individuals with problems or questions about their health insurance. These programs also help you file an appeal when an insurance claim is denied. Find out if your state has a consumer assistance program here: www.healthcare.gov/how-can-i-get-consumer-help-if-i-have-insurance/.