Diabetes — Adult
The Center for Diabetes Management
The Center: The Center for Diabetes Management at Phelps offers an integrated approach for managing diabetes. The center offers patients convenient access, in one location, to a complete range of diabetes and specialty care.
Diabetes: Diabetes is a disease in which the body does not produce or properly use insulin, which is a hormone that is needed to convert sugar, starches and other food into energy needed for daily life. The cause of diabetes remains unknown, but genetics, obesity, and lack of exercise are apparent influences.
An estimated 13 million Americans have been diagnosed with diabetes, and as many as 5.2 million people are unaware that they have the disease.
Endocrinology: The endocrinologist diagnoses and treats diabetes with diet and medications, including insulin. He works closely with patients to control blood sugar and monitors them so they can prevent other health problems.
Ophthalmology: Diabetes affects the eyes in about 90 percent of diabetic individuals and, therefore, it is mandatory that patients have an eye examination at least once every 6-12 months, and sometimes more often.
Cardiology: Diabetes is the major cause of cardiovascular disease, accounting for almost 70-80% of incidence of the disease and related mortality. The American Diabetes Association and the American Heart Association recognize the relationship between diabetes and cardiovascular disease and recommend that diabetics, at some point, have a cardiac evaluation.
Nephrology/Hypertension: Diabetes is the number-one cause of kidney failure, which is a condition where the kidney loses its ability to function. High blood pressure often accompanies diabetes. At any given time, approximately 40 percent of diabetics have hypertension. The two conditions together account for 70 percent of chronic renal disease. Early diagnosis of both of these conditions facilitates timely intervention and can prevent potential complications.
Podiatry: Microvascular disease (disease of small blood vessels) is a very common complication of diabetes, so care of the feet is of critical importance. The patient should see a podiatrist at least once or twice a year.
Nutrition: Diet forms the cornerstone of the management of diabetes as well as hyperlipidemia (an elevation of fats in the bloodstream),and hypertension. One of the major problems facing us today is obesity, which is increasing in leaps and bounds.
Coupling better nutrition with lifestyle modifications is critical in the management of diabetes as well as other cardiac risk factors.
Metabolic Syndrome: Metabolic Syndrome isn't a disease, but is a cluster of disorders of your body's metabolism — including high blood pressure, high insulin levels, excess body weight, and abnormal cholesterol levels.
Currently, about 23 percent of the adult American population has the Metabolic Syndrome, which translates into 47 million adult Americans.
Each of these disorders is by itself a risk factor for certain diseases; but when present together, your chances of developing diabetes, heart disease, or stroke are increased dramatically. Diagnosing the Metabolic Syndrome and starting appropriate treatments early will help to prevent these serious conditions.
Other Conditions Managed at The Center for Diabetes Management:
- Lipid Disorders
- Pituitary Related Problems
- Osteoporosis
- Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome
Medical Director: C. Ranjan Nath is Board Certified in Internal Medicine and Endocriniology & Metabolism. He is a Fellow of the American College of Physicians, the American College of Clinical Endocrinologists, and the Royal College of Physicians & Surgeons of Canada.
Dr. Nath worked as a Clinical Scholar and Researcher at The Rockefeller University Hospital from 1992-1996. He has done research in the areas of diabetes, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia and has been published in peer review journals. Dr. Nath has extensive teaching experience, tutoring nursing students, physicians’ assistants (PAs), nutrition, and medical students. He continues to tutor/precept at New York Medical College in Valhalla, NY. He is a speaker for the American Academy of Continued Medical Education, Inc. Dr. Nath services as a consultant on the advisory board of several major pharmaceutical companies, and is on many of their speaker’s bureaus.
Telephone: (914) 366-2270.