At Epic Medical, we specialize in family medicine and chronic disease management in Pittsburgh, PA, with a special focus on helping patients thrive with diabetes. Dr. Eric Skvarla and Kristine Watson, FNP, lead a dedicated team that works closely with you to develop a diabetes care plan that fits your daily life, goals, and health needs. Schedule an appointment today to start your journey toward effective diabetes management.
From healthy habits to long-term monitoring and medication guidance, here’s what you should know about managing diabetes effectively in Pittsburgh.
Why Regular Glucose Monitoring Matters
Daily blood glucose monitoring is one of the most important tools for staying ahead of diabetes. Tracking your glucose levels helps you:
- Detect patterns and understand how meals, exercise, and stress affect your blood sugar.
- Prevent dangerous highs (hyperglycemia) and lows (hypoglycemia).
- Adjust medications or insulin as recommended by your provider.
Most patients with Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes benefit from checking their glucose regularly using a glucometer or continuous glucose monitor (CGM). At Epic Medical, your diabetes doctor near me will help you determine the best monitoring schedule for your specific condition.
How Diet and Exercise Support Effective Diabetes Management
Healthy daily habits—especially what you eat and how you move—play a vital role in keeping your blood sugar in check and preventing long-term complications. At Epic Medical, we emphasize lifestyle support as a key part of your personalized diabetes care plan.
Smart Nutrition Choices for Blood Sugar Control
A balanced, nutrient-rich diet can help regulate glucose levels, support weight management, and improve overall energy. You don’t have to follow a rigid meal plan—just make thoughtful, consistent food choices:
- Prioritize whole, fiber-rich foods: Include vegetables (especially leafy greens), whole grains, nuts, seeds, and legumes in your daily meals to help stabilize blood sugar and improve gut health.
- Minimize added sugars and processed carbs: Avoid sugary beverages, baked goods, and heavily processed snacks that cause blood sugar spikes.
- Watch your portions: Eating smaller, well-timed meals can prevent highs and lows in glucose throughout the day.
- Consider carbohydrate tracking: Some patients benefit from counting or spacing carbohydrates. Our team can help you decide if this method fits your needs and explain how to use it effectively.
We know food is personal. Our providers take the time to understand your preferences, routines, and health goals, helping you make sustainable choices, not short-term fixes.
Movement as Medicine
Regular physical activity helps your body use insulin more efficiently, lowers blood sugar, and supports cardiovascular health. You don’t have to become an athlete—small changes make a big difference:
- Aim for 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity per week: Brisk walking, cycling, water aerobics, and dancing are all great choices.
- Include strength training: Lifting weights or using resistance bands 2–3 times a week helps maintain muscle and improve insulin sensitivity.
- Stay mindful of your glucose: If you use insulin or certain medications, checking your blood sugar before and after exercise can help you avoid dips or spikes.
If you're unsure how to get started, Epic Medical can help you create a movement plan that fits your lifestyle, physical abilities, and diabetes needs. Whether you're looking to lose weight, stay active with joint pain, or reduce your A1C, we’re here to guide you.
Medication and Insulin Support for Lasting Diabetes Control
For many patients with diabetes, lifestyle changes alone aren’t enough to maintain healthy blood sugar levels. That’s where medication and insulin therapy provides essential support in managing the condition day to day.
At Epic Medical, we help you understand your medication options and develop a treatment plan that works with your lifestyle, not against it.
Common Diabetes Medications We Prescribe and Manage
Depending on your type of diabetes, medical history, and glucose patterns, your provider may recommend one or more of the following:
- Metformin: Often the first-line medication for Type 2 diabetes, metformin improves how your body responds to insulin and reduces liver glucose production.
- Oral medications: Other medications, such as sulfonylureas, DPP-4 inhibitors, or SGLT2 inhibitors, may be used to help lower blood sugar in different ways. These options may support better control without insulin.
- Non-insulin injectables: Drugs like GLP-1 receptor agonists not only help regulate blood sugar but may also support weight loss and heart health for some patients.
Insulin Therapy: When It's Needed
For patients with Type 1 diabetes, insulin is essential for survival. For those with advanced Type 2 diabetes, insulin may be added when oral medications and lifestyle changes are no longer sufficient.
We tailor your insulin regimen carefully by considering:
- Your daily routine and meal schedule
- Your comfort with injections or insulin pens
- Glucose monitoring results and A1C goals
We also help you understand how to safely store insulin, how to administer it correctly, and how to recognize and respond to changes in your glucose levels.
Ongoing Education and Monitoring
Managing medications isn’t just about taking a pill or injection, it’s about knowing why, when, and how. At Epic Medical, we provide:
- Clear instructions tailored to your treatment plan
- Support with side effect management
- Regular reviews to adjust dosages as your needs evolve
- Help with troubleshooting blood sugar fluctuations or medication questions
If you're unsure whether your current diabetes treatment is working, or if you’ve recently been diagnosed and feel overwhelmed, our team is here to walk you through every step.
Diabetes Support Resources in Pittsburgh That Work for You
Living with diabetes is a journey, but you don’t have to walk it alone. The right support system can help you feel confident, capable, and in control of your health. At Epic Medical in Pittsburgh, PA, we’re proud to offer comprehensive, compassionate care that empowers you to thrive.
Here’s how our team supports your diabetes care plan every step of the way:
- Primary Care with Chronic Disease Expertise: Our experienced family medicine providers specialize in managing diabetes alongside other health conditions. We take a whole-person approach, ensuring that all aspects of your well-being are addressed in one convenient, supportive setting.
- Wellness Exams and Ongoing Monitoring: Regular checkups allow us to stay ahead of any changes in your health. We closely monitor key health indicators like A1C, blood pressure, cholesterol, and kidney function, helping you avoid complications and stay on track.
- Personalized Nutrition and Lifestyle Counseling: Healthy habits are essential for effective diabetes management. Our team offers practical guidance on building balanced meals, staying active, and making daily choices that support stable blood sugar levels and long-term wellness.
- Supportive, Accessible Care Options: Whether you’re visiting us for routine follow-ups or building a long-term diabetes care plan, you’ll always receive attentive service and continuity of care from a provider who knows your history and goals.
- Concierge Medicine for Added Convenience: For those who value flexibility and more personalized access, our concierge care model enhances your experience with direct provider communication and tailored scheduling.
At Epic Medical, we believe diabetes care should be empowering, not overwhelming. When you choose us, you’re choosing a partner in health who will support you with expert guidance, kind communication, and customized care. Whether you're searching for “diabetes care plans” or a trusted “diabetes doctor near me,” we’re here to help you live well and feel your best.
Preventing Long-Term Complications with Proactive Care
Managing diabetes successfully means looking beyond daily blood sugar checks—it’s about protecting your long-term health. At Epic Medical, we focus on prevention just as much as treatment, helping you reduce the risk of complications and enjoy a healthier, more active life.
Here’s how we help you stay ahead:
- Regular Monitoring of Key Health Markers: We closely track A1C, blood pressure, and cholesterol to ensure your numbers stay in a healthy range, key to avoiding heart disease, kidney problems, and other complications.
- Comprehensive Wellness Exams: Your routine visits include screenings tailored to your needs, such as foot checks and referrals for eye exams, which are essential in preventing nerve and vision issues related to diabetes.
- Personalized Guidance on Lifestyle Habits: From helping you manage stress to supporting healthy habits, our care team works with you to reduce risk factors and support your overall well-being.
- Up-to-Date Preventive Care: Staying current on recommended vaccinations and screenings is part of your customized care plan, giving you added protection and peace of mind.
With our team by your side, prevention becomes part of your routine, not a burden. Our approach is built on timely follow-up, early detection, and thoughtful adjustments to your plan whenever needed. At Epic Medical, we’re committed to helping you live confidently, with care that adapts to your needs over time.
How Epic Medical Can Help You Manage Diabetes
At Epic Medical, we know that effective diabetes care begins with trust, education, and a personal connection. Our approach to diabetes management is built around your needs, not a one-size-fits-all solution.
Here’s how we help you manage diabetes in Pittsburgh:
- Personalized Diabetes Care Plans: Customized to your symptoms, lifestyle, lab results, and goals.
- Continuity of Care: From diagnosis to long-term follow-up, you’ll see the same compassionate team you trust.
- Access to Preventive Screenings: We help you stay ahead of complications with timely lab testing and wellness checks.
We take the time to listen to your concerns, explain every option clearly, and work together to build a practical care plan you can follow every day.
Get the Expert Diabetes Support You Deserve at Epic Medical
Managing diabetes well requires a plan that evolves with your life and a team that truly listens. At Epic Medical, we’re proud to offer expert guidance and compassionate care so you can live well, feel supported, and stay ahead of complications.
Schedule your visit today with Dr. Skvarla at our Fox Chapel location and discover how personalized diabetes care at Epic Medical can help you feel your best, every day.
