According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 2 to 10 percent of all pregnant women in the U.S. are diagnosed with gestational diabetes.

Most cases of gestational diabetes appear around the 24th week of a woman’s pregnancy. Although gestational diabetes is not a permanent condition, pregnant women should follow their doctor’s advice regarding blood glucose management to maintain the health and well-being of themselves and their child. More information on gestational diabetes treatment at Kapiʻolani is available under Maternity & Newborn Care. 

Type 1 diabetes, previously known as juvenile diabetes, accounts for about 5 percent of all diagnosed cases of diabetes in the U.S. Children who develop type 1 diabetes don’t produce insulin, a hormone needed to convert sugar, starches and other food into energy. With insulin therapy and other treatments, young children can learn to manage their condition and live long, healthy lives.

As the only women’s and children’s hospital in the Pacific Basin, Kapiʻolani is uniquely capable of diagnosing and treating patients at all stages of diabetes.

Pali Momi’s Diabetes Self-Management Program is designed to help patients manage their condition and keep them as healthy and active as possible.

The program allows patients to meet in a class setting with a nurse educator to develop a self-care program. The 10-hour program includes an individual diabetes assessment followed by a series of four classes that cover the following topics:

• Diabetes overview
• Goal setting
• Nutrition and exercise
• Medication
• Self blood glucose monitoring
• Long-term complications
• Psycho-social concerns

A physician may refer a patient by calling 1-808-535-7733. Patients should remember to bring a list of all their medications, any papers their doctor has given them and their blood sugar testing equipment. If a patient needs to reschedule their appointment, they should call at least 24-hours before their scheduled visit.

Straub endocrinologists are highly skilled at treating all endocrine conditions, including diabetes, hypertension, metabolism and glandular disorders, with the latest therapies.

Straub’s endocrinologists, nurses and staff emphasize a personal approach to care, tailoring each of its specialized programs to the individual needs of the patient.

Straub endocrinologists work with their colleagues who specialize in neurology, orthopedics, rheumatology, gastroenterology, podiatry and ophthalmology and urology. Together, they deliver targeted and comprehensive consultation and treatment for patients who have a broad spectrum of conditions affecting the endocrine system, including diabetes, pituitary and other glandular disorders.

Straub also has a comprehensive program that includes diabetes prevention and management through Straub Health Management.

Straub diabetes and endocrinology services are located at:

• Straub Medical Center on King Street
• Straub Medical Center – Kaneohe Clinic
• Straub Medical Center – Mililani Shopping Center Clinic
• Straub Medical Center – Pali Momi Clinic
• Kauai Medical Clinic

The Health Management Program on Kauaʻi has been a center for diabetes care since 2005.

To serve its diverse island community, Wilcox provides diabetes self-management education, women’s health, corporate account physicals and dietitian services. Wilcox also provides Coumadin management for those patients who require closer therapeutic monitoring. This array of diabetes services is available to patients by Wilcox’s team of experts in diabetes education, which includes nurses, dietitians and certified diabetes educator professionals.

Educational Classes and Events
As part of Wilcox’s offering to patients and the community, the hospital sponsors a variety of seminars, classes and special events focusing on various health topics from prenatal classes to the Ilocano Diabetes Night Workshop.

• Core classes: "Healthy beginnings" childbirth preparation, breastfeeding, diabetes education, nutrition and wellness, "Got cholesterol?" workshops for cardiac care.
• Available upon request: Gestational diabetes classes.

Diabetes Education Services
Mary Roush, RN, CDE