Diabetes
Why choose AMC for diabetes treatment?
Diabetes is a condition in which blood sugar, an essential energy source, rises abnormally high levels. This condition is primarily caused by a deficiency or malfunction of insulin, the hormone responsible for regulating blood sugar levels in the body. Elevated blood sugar levels can cause narrowing and blockage of blood vessels, resulting in damage to vital organs and nerves. Diabetes can lead to numerous complications. In adults, diabetic retinopathy is the leading cause of blindness. Kidney failure and the need for dialysis due to nephropathy, as well as lower limb amputation, are primarily caused by diabetes. Moreover, diabetes can double or triple the risk of coronary artery or cerebrovascular diseases.
Asan Diabetes Center emphasizes the prevention of diabetic complications through accurate diagnosis and early management using a multidisciplinary approach. The center also provides treatment to inhibit the progression for patients who are already experiencing diabetic complications. Asan Diabetes Center provides professional and systematic management of diabetes-associated complications through the collaboration of specialists from departments including endocrinology and metabolism, ophthalmology, nephrology, cardiology, orthopedic surgery, plastic surgery, neurology, and vascular surgery.
Treatment options
Diabetes is a chronic disease that cannot be cured and requires lifelong care and management. If the causes of transient hyperglycemia, such as certain medications or severe stress, are eliminated, blood sugar levels may return to normal. However, for patients diagnosed with diabetes without transient causes, complete recovery is uncommon. The fundamental treatment for diabetes involves diet and exercise. If this approach fails to control blood sugar levels, then medication should be initiated. However, even with drug therapy, diet and exercise must continue. In some cases, as the disease progresses over time, the pancreas gradually loses its ability to produce insulin, making insulin injections necessary. However, diabetes can be effectively managed through lifestyle modification and medication. Patients can lead healthy lives as long as they carefully manage their condition.
Comprehensive Multidisciplinary Care
Diabetes specialists at Asan Diabetes Center assess patients’ blood sugar levels and screen for diabetic complications through comprehensive tests. In 2009, the center established a comprehensive consultation facility to provide patients with consultation, diagnosis, treatment, and education on diabetes in a single location, enhancing convenience and accessibility. Moreover, the diabetic complications screening room was upgraded to offer structured examination services and personalized treatment for each patient. At Asan Diabetes Center, patients undergo comprehensive evaluations including peripheral nerve sensory testing, peripheral nerve conduction testing, fundus examination, lower limb blood circulation assessment, and skin oxygen saturation measurements. It also features a dedicated examination room for diabetic retinopathy. Based on test results, various departments collaborate to provide a coordinated plan for managing and treating the patient's overall diabetic complications.
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Diabetes Clinic
The clinic offers expert consultations to help patients with diabetes maintain a healthy life, offering the most advance medication and individualized treatment approaches tailored to each patient. Through one-on-one counseling with an educator, coordinator, and nutritionist, each patient receives comprehensive diabetes education focused on lifestyle modifications, including diet, exercise, medication, and self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG).
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Diabetic Retinopathy Clinic
The clinic is dedicated to the diagnosis and treatment of diabetic retinopathy, one of the primary complications of diabetes. Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial. To ensure timely care, the clinic includes a retinopathy screening room, a laser therapy room, and an outpatient operating room for injection therapy.
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Diabetic Foot Clinic
The Diabetic Foot Clinic offers expert and timely care to minimize diabetic foot ulcers, with a multidisciplinary team including endocrinology, plastic surgery, orthopedic surgery, rehabilitation medicine, and cardiology/vascular surgery. Through this approach, we offer comprehensive care from patient education to wound management and rehabilitation after recovery.
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Diabetic Nephropathy Clinic
Diabetic nephropathy is a complication of diabetes that begins before symptoms appear. By the time symptoms develop, full recovery is unlikely. Therefore, it is important for all patients with diabetes, even those without symptoms, to maintain blood sugar control to prevent kidney-related complications. The clinic aims on the early detection and treatment of these complications.
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Cardiovascular Disease Clinic
Patients with diabetes may develop ischemic heart diseases (IHDs), including angina and myocardial infarction. Approximately 20% to 30% of these patients are affected, yet many remain untreated due to the absence of symptoms. In such cases, there is a risk of sudden death caused by IHDs. Therefore, comprehensive examinations are essential to prevent unexpected situations. The clinic provides prompt diagnosis and treatment using echocardiography, treadmill testing, coronary artery CT, and angiocardiography.