Diabetes Specialist

What is diabetes?

Diabetes is actually several metabolic conditions that keep your body from properly managing its blood sugar (glucose) levels. Either the pancreas stops producing insulin (the hormone that manages blood glucose levels), or the body stops using the insulin that is made. As a result, your blood sugar rises to dangerous levels that can lead to several complications, including:

• Heart disease
• Kidney disease
• Foot and leg problems
• Vision issues
• Neurological issues
  
  

Properly managing diabetes can prevent or delay these complications and ensure that you live a high quality of life.

What are the types of diabetes?

The most common forms of diabetes are Type 1 and Type 2.

Type 1 diabetes

This autoimmune condition is usually diagnosed in childhood or young adulthood. It occurs when your body attacks the cells in your pancreas that make insulin. A key step in managing Type 1 diabetes is using supplemental insulin to control your blood sugar.

Type 2 diabetes

Type 2 diabetes develops gradually and is most often diagnosed in older people. However, it’s increasingly seen in younger people.

With Type 2 diabetes, your body fails to properly use the insulin it makes, so you consistently have high blood sugar levels.

Because it comes on gradually, many people with Type 2 diabetes don’t notice symptoms and aren’t aware they have it. Type 2 diabetes usually responds well to lifestyle changes that include a balanced diet and increased physical activity.

Prediabetes 

When your blood sugar levels aren’t high enough to be diagnosed as diabetes but are elevated, you have prediabetes. Lifestyle changes, including weight loss and healthy eating, can reverse prediabetes before it reaches the level of Type 2.

Pregnant women can develop gestational diabetes, which presents much like Type 2 diabetes. While gestational diabetes goes away after childbirth, women who have gestational diabetes are at greater risk of later developing Type 2 diabetes.

What are the symptoms of diabetes?

If you have prediabetes or Type 2 diabetes, you might not notice any symptoms. This is why regular blood sugar checks at your annual wellness exams are so necessary. Early detection gives you a chance to reverse the condition or at least prevent serious complications.

Symptoms of Type 1 diabetes and advanced Type 2 diabetes include:

• Extreme hunger and increased thirst
• Serious fatigue
• Frequent urination
• Unexplained weight loss
• Blurred vision
• Slow-healing sores
• Irritability

If you or a loved one experiences any of these symptoms, schedule an appointment immediately with Comprehensive Internal Medicine & Cardiology Associates of Huntington to avoid a diabetic emergency.

How is diabetes managed?

Diabetes can’t be cured, but it can be managed so that you experience a high quality of life. Your treatment plan is tailored to you, depending on how severe your case is, what kind of diabetes you have, and your overall health. 

The team at Comprehensive Internal Medicine & Cardiology Associates of Huntington helps you make lifestyle changes that help you manage your condition. These include changes to your diet that can consist of more whole, unprocessed foods and fewer sugars and simple carbohydrates. You’ll also be encouraged to add more physical activity and, if needed, lose weight.

Your plan can also include insulin therapy, glucose monitoring, and oral medication. Patient education is an important aspect of care at Comprehensive Internal Medicine & Cardiology Associates of Huntington, and the team helps make sure you have all the info you need to efficiently manage your diabetes.

Call Comprehensive Internal Medicine & Cardiology Associates of Huntington today to get the care you need for diabetes or use the online tool to book an appointment.