Diabetes Center

Prediabetes
Diabetes Technology
Diabetes Complications
Diabetes Education & Disease Management
Fast Facts About Diabetes

Diabetes Center

Every year, nearly 1.4 million American are diagnosed with diabetes, according to the American Diabetes Association. Learning how to manage and live with type 2 diabetes can be challenging for anyone. The doctors, nurses, and dietitians in our diabetes specialty center provide the best medical care to help ease that challenge for all of our patients and families living with diabetes.

Diabetes occurs when the body lacks the hormone insulin or when the insulin is not able to work effectively to move blood sugar to the body’s cells. This results in blood sugar rising to abnormally high levels, which can cause damage to many organs. There is not a cure for diabetes, but treatment and proper management can help improve overall health. In order to properly treat and manage your diabetes, it’s important to understand the type of diabetes you have.

Diabetes education is the cornerstone of treatment.
Our Wellness Classes are taught by Certified Diabetes Educators who are committed to helping you manage the disease.

WGN Features UI Health's Diabetes Center

We are an American Diabetes Association-recognized education program and offer leading-edge technologies in diabetes management, including insulin pumps and continuous glucose sensor options. Patients have access to clinicians with expertise in care for type 1, type 2, and gestational diabetes.

Type 1 Diabetes

Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease that is usually diagnosed in children but can also be diagnosed in adults. People with type 1 diabetes cannot produce enough, if any, insulin because the immune system destroys the insulin producing cells in the pancreas. Learn more about caring for type 1 diabetes in the Division of Pediatric Endocrinology.

Type 2 Diabetes

Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes, and occurs when the body is unable to use insulin properly. This called insulin resistance. The body’s first reaction to this is for the pancreas to make more insulin to make up for it. However, over time the pancreas isn’t able to keep up and can’t make enough insulin to keep the blood sugar at normal levels, resulting in type 2 diabetes.

Treatments for Type 2 diabetes include the following:

  • Diet and lifestyle changes
  • Non-insulin medications
  • Insulin

Diabetes Symptoms

Common symptoms of both type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes that can develop over a short period of time include:

  • Frequent urination
  • Increased thirst
  • Increased hunger
  • Unintended Weight loss
  • Blurry vision
  • Poor healing

With proper therapy and management, people with diabetes can live fulfilling and healthy lives.

Our Team

Make an Appointment

To request for an appointment at the Diabetes Center, please call 312.413.3631.

Our Locations


Outpatient Care Center, Suite 1C
1801 W. Taylor St.
Chicago, IL 60612 
Directions


University Village Primary & Specialty Care, Suite 240
1309 S. Halsted St.
Chicago, IL 60607
Directions

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