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Rexford Ahima, M.D., Ph.D.

Credit: Johns Hopkins Medicine

Diabetes affects about one in 11 Americans, and 40 percent of adults who have the disease don’t know it. Diabetes occurs when your body does not properly process food as energy — it either doesn’t respond to the hormone insulin or doesn’t produce any at all. If left untreated, the disease can lead to major health problems. Fortunately, diabetes can be managed with proper self-care and treatment. Our experts can provide insight on diabetes, how to care for it and where research is headed.

For expert opinion:

Rexford Ahima, M.D., Ph.D.

When people have diabetes, they cannot maintain healthy levels of glucose on their own. They need to monitor what they eat and usually take medications. How do you monitor your glucose level? What are the differences between type 1 and type 2 diabetes? Rexford Ahima, director of the Johns Hopkins Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, offers some insight into the disease, the diagnosis and classification, and how it is monitored.

Nestoras Mathioudakis, M.D.

People with diabetes are at greater risk for developing cardiovascular disease, nerve, kidney or eye damage, skin and foot problems and hearing impairment. The problems tend to be either acute or chronic—meaning they either present quickly but get better with quick treatment or develop over time and are difficult to reverse. From learning about the risks of developing heart disease to understanding foot ulcers, endocrinologist Nestoras Mathioudakis can further explain the complications associated with diabetes.

Sherita Golden, M.D.

Although diabetes is a chronic condition, there are ways to treat and manage the disease. There are multiple options for treating type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Besides treatment, there are ways to manage diabetes. Proper nutrition and exercise are ways to keep blood glucose under control and improve overall health. Endocrinologist Sherita Golden can discuss the different treatment options and provide tips for management.

For more information:

Diabetes Health Library

Diabetes infographic

Smoking Cessation and Diabetes

Diabetes and Exercise