What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a medical condition that involves high blood sugar levels. Your body makes insulin, a hormone that creates energy by moving glucose (sugar) from the foods you consume from your blood to your cells. As a result, an excessive amount of sugar builds up in the bloodstream of people with diabetes.
Having high blood glucose levels increases your risk of other health conditions, including kidney disease and heart disease. There is no cure for diabetes, but our team at Redwood Family Health Center can help you control blood glucose levels and reduce your risk for severe and costly diabetic complications.
What are the types of diabetes?
There are four types of diabetes, including gestational diabetes, which is specific to pregnant women. If you gain too much weight during pregnancy, you are at risk of developing gestational diabetes. The other three types of diabetes are:
Type 1 diabetes
People with Type 1 diabetes have a pancreas that no longer makes insulin. A Type 1 diabetes diagnosis usually occurs during childhood.
Prediabetes
Some people experience elevated blood glucose levels but aren’t yet in the diabetic range, a condition called prediabetes. If you are prediabetic, you are at risk of developing Type 2 diabetes. You can often reverse prediabetes and prevent Type 2 diabetes with a healthy diet and exercise routine.
Type 2 diabetes
The most common form of diabetes, Type 2 diabetes, is usually diagnosed in adults. People with Type 2 diabetes either don’t create enough insulin or don’t respond to insulin properly.
How do I know if I have diabetes?
Our team performs glucose blood testing if you experience any of the diabetes symptoms. The following are signs and symptoms of diabetes:
- Blurry vision
- Excessive thirst
- Tingling hands or feet
- Sores heal slowly
- Frequent infections
- Frequent urination at night
- Dry skin
- Weight loss without dieting
- Excessive hunger
Because diabetes often leads to other serious health problems, it is essential to get tested at the first sign of the disease and receive early diabetic care.
How is diabetes treated?
At Redwood Family Health Center, our team offers excellent patient education and tools for the successful management of diabetes. Treating diabetes requires a comprehensive diabetic treatment plan customized for each individual that involves a combination of medication and lifestyle changes.
Our team recommends practicing a healthier lifestyle, such as avoiding alcohol and smoking, eating a healthy, low sugar diet, increasing exercise, and managing stress.
Depending on the type of diabetes you have, you may need insulin or other medication to manage your blood glucose levels and reduce related health issues such as high cholesterol and high blood pressure. Type 1 diabetes requires insulin treatments.
Early detection and treatment are key to successfully managing diabetes.
If you’re concerned about diabetes, call Redwood Family Health Center, or book an appointment online today.
