Diabetes Specialist

What is diabetes?

Diabetes is a group of diseases that interfere with the way your body makes or uses insulin to convert glucose into energy. There are several types of diabetes. 

Type 1

Type 1 diabetes, sometimes called juvenile diabetes, occurs when your pancreas doesn’t produce insulin. Type 1 diabetes usually emerges in childhood. It’s caused by an autoimmune disorder that causes your body to attack and destroy the insulin-producing cells in your pancreas. 

Type 2

Type 2 diabetes, also called insulin resistance, develops when your body doesn’t use insulin correctly. It typically develops in adults, although Type 2 diabetes is becoming more common in children and teenagers. It’s the most common type of diabetes and is influenced by lifestyle factors such as your weight, diet, and activity levels. 

Gestational diabetes

Some women develop gestational diabetes during their second trimester of pregnancy. One of the hormones produced by the placenta can interfere with insulin use. Gestational diabetes usually goes away soon after your baby is born, but increases your risk of developing Type 2 diabetes later in life. 

Prediabetes

Prediabetes is when your blood sugar levels are elevated, but not high enough to be clinically diagnosed as diabetes. It’s typically a warning sign that you have a high risk of developing Type 2 diabetes. 

What are the warning signs of diabetes?

Around a quarter of people who have diabetes aren’t aware of their disease. This is because, in many cases, diabetes doesn’t cause noticeable symptoms. However, diabetes can cause some symptoms, including:

• Increased thirst and hunger
• Frequent urination
• Blurry vision
• Fatigue
• Unexplained weight loss (Type 1 only)

As your disease progresses, you might also develop numbness or tingling in your hands or feet or develop diabetic ulcers — sores that don’t heal — on your feet, ankles, or legs. Diabetes damages your blood vessels and nerves, which leads to a wide range of potential health complications, including heart disease, stroke, blindness, and amputation. 

How is diabetes treated?

While there’s no cure for diabetes, the team at Healthy Life Family Medicine provides customized advice and treatment to manage your disease and protect your overall health. If you have prediabetes, mild Type 2 diabetes, or gestational diabetes, you might be able to regulate your blood sugar levels by adjusting your diet and adding activity to your day. Even a 20-minute walk after a meal can help your body use and store glucose appropriately. 

However, if you have Type 1 diabetes or severe Type 2 diabetes, your doctor can prescribe insulin to enable your body to process glucose correctly. You should also watch your diet and get regular exercise. 

Call Healthy Life Family Medicine or make an appointment online today for expert diagnosis and customized treatment for diabetes.