Helping Patients Manage Diabetes at Lynn Community Health Center

Diabetes is a chronic condition that affects millions worldwide

For many, including healthcare providers, it’s more than just a health concern—it’s a global epidemic that continues to impact individuals, families, and communities. Our diabetes management programs in Lynn are designed to provide comprehensive care and support.

That’s why Dr. Nicholas Urbanczyk, Family Medicine Specialist at Lynn Community Health Center (LCHC), is so committed to helping patients manage their diabetes diagnosis.

Dr. Urbanczyk and the team and LCHC work within the community to shed light on the various types of diabetes, the means of detection, and the pivotal role community health centers play in its management and care.

Diabetes: Types, Detection, and Causes

A diabetes diagnosis means that one’s body is either not producing enough insulin or not effectively using the insulin it does produce. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention points out that more than 11% of the U.S. population has diabetes, and 8.5 million people are currently undiagnosed.

Fortunately, health centers like LCHC are experts in diabetes diagnosis, management, and ongoing support, including specialized diabetes screening services.

“Diabetes is a routine part of the primary care that we practice here every day. We take care of diabetic patients of all ages and all types,” explains Dr. Urbanczyk. “There are several types of diabetes. Type 1 Diabetes is usually genetic. We find out very quickly when someone comes to us with fatigue every day, weight loss, and other symptoms. When we check their blood and find out that their glucose is high, that’s Type 1.”

Type 1 Diabetes

Causes: Type 1 Diabetes is an autoimmune condition. The immune system mistakenly attacks and destroys insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas.

Detection: Diagnosis often occurs in childhood or young adulthood, though it can appear at any age. Blood tests, including fasting blood sugar levels, hemoglobin A1c, and sometimes autoantibodies tests, are used.

Management: Insulin is essential for the management of Type 1 Diabetes. This can be administered via injections or insulin pumps. Continuous glucose monitoring systems can also keep track of blood sugar levels in real-time.

The American Diabetes Association says that almost 2 million Americans have Type 1 Diabetes, while more than 35 million Americans have Type 2 Diabetes.

Type 2 Diabetes

Causes: Type 2 Diabetes arises when the body becomes resistant to insulin and the pancreas can’t produce enough insulin to overcome this resistance. Risk factors include obesity, sedentary lifestyle, family history, age, and certain ethnicities.

Detection: Type 2 Diabetes is often diagnosed through a routine health screening of those at risk or when symptoms develop. Tests include fasting blood sugar, hemoglobin A1c, and an oral glucose tolerance test.

Management: Lifestyle changes, including diet and exercise, are the first line of treatment for Type 2 Diabetes. If these aren’t sufficient, then oral medications can increase insulin production or improve insulin sensitivity. Insulin therapy might be needed in later stages.

“Type 2 is definitely the more common type of diabetes in the United States,” offers Dr. Urbanczyk. “It is typically related to lifestyle decisions. We see that here every day, and it’s managed by a primary care provider.”

Other Types of Diabetes

Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes are the most common types of diabetes, but there are a few others that we test for.

• Gestational Diabetes: The exact cause of gestational diabetes is unknown, but it’s believed that the hormones produced during pregnancy can make cells more resistant to insulin. Our team is proficient in managing gestational diabetes during pregnancy.
• Monogenic Diabetes: This is caused by changes in a single gene and is also referred to as maturity-onset diabetes of the young (MODY) or neonatal diabetes mellitus (NDM).
• Secondary Diabetes (Type 3C): Diabetes can sometimes be a result of another condition or the use of certain medications. Conditions like cystic fibrosis, hemochromatosis, or certain disorders of the pancreas and medications like glucocorticoids, some antipsychotics, and certain antihypertensive drugs can cause Type 3C diabetes.

It’s important to note that while these types of diabetes differ in many aspects, the main objective of management is consistent: to keep blood sugar levels within a target range to prevent and minimize complications.

LCHC’s Role in Diabetes Care

LCHC has adopted a comprehensive approach to diabetes care that includes early detection, regular check-ups, and ongoing treatment. Dr. Urbanczyk emphasizes the crucial role he and his team (and all Primary Care teams at LCHC) have in providing high-quality support long after diagnosis.

“Every three months is the best way to do that because it gives us a touchpoint to check in with the patient. Usually, it’s an in-person appointment, although sometimes it’s a virtual diabetes visit with telemedicine,” he explains. “We do a foot exam, certainly, and a routine physical checkup, heart and lung exam, and blood tests. An A1c is the best test we have to see how your diabetes is doing.”

The battle against diabetes requires timely detection, effective management, and continuous support, and Lynn Community Health Center provides invaluable diabetes services to our patients.

Contact the healthcare professionals at LCHC to learn more about diabetes, to get tested, or to find treatment options to live the quality of life you deserve.