Diabetes Management Services in New Jersey
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.
Types of Diabetes We Treat
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.
View all of the diabetes management options we offer.
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 from diabetes 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
View all of the diabetes management options we offer.
Community Outreach and Education Events
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
View upcoming diabetes events at Hackensack Meridian Health.
Why Choose Us for Your Diabetes Care
- Joint Commission certification in Advanced Diabetes Management for excellence in inpatient diabetes care.
- Customized treatment, education, and support for you and your family.
- Diabetes care close to home - We have diabetes care locations across New Jersey, including our specialized programs in Hackensack, Neptune, Edison, and West Manahawkin.
- 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.
