What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic, serious medical condition. It’s diagnosed when your blood sugar is higher than normal. Having too much sugar in your blood damages your organs and blood vessels. Diabetes also increases your risk of other health issues including heart disease, kidney disease, peripheral neuropathy, and diabetic retinopathy.
A hormone produced by the pancreas, called insulin, usually regulates your blood sugar levels. When your body fails to produce insulin or doesn’t produce enough, diabetes results. Several types of diabetes are possible:
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disorder that occurs when your immune system attacks and destroys the insulin-producing cells in your pancreas. A diagnosis of Type 1 diabetes is made in childhood or early adulthood.
Type 2 diabetes
Type 2 diabetics usually produce some insulin but not enough to effectively move sugar from your blood into your cells. Usually, Type 2 diabetes shows up in middle age but is increasingly diagnosed in younger adults and even children.
Gestational diabetes
Gestational diabetes occurs during pregnancy and looks very much like type 2 diabetes. It’s thought to develop due to hormonal changes.
Type 2 diabetes is by far the most common type, making up 90-95% of cases.
What are the indications that I have diabetes?
A blood test reveals your blood sugar levels and yields a diagnosis of diabetes. Such a test may be part of routine blood work or the practitioners may order it based on your age, family history, risk factors, and symptoms. Symptoms include:
- Unexpected weight loss
- Tingling in the fingers and toes
- Frequent urination
- Increase in hunger and thirst
- Blurry vision
In some cases, your blood tests may reveal you have higher than normal blood sugar levels but not high enough levels to be diagnosed with diabetes. This prediabetes condition requires lifestyle interventions, such as changes in your diet and physical activity levels, to reduce the chances that you’ll develop the full-blown disease.
How is diabetes treated?
Dr. Weiner develops an individualized plan to help you manage diabetes. Treatment may include:
- Recommendations for diet and exercise
- Smoking cessation
- Medication
- Weight loss (if you’re overweight)
- Insulin therapy
HealthStone Primary Care Partners provides diagnosis and expert management of diabetes. Call the office today or request an appointment to get your appointment.
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