Diabetes

What is diabetes? 

Diabetes is a chronic condition that occurs when your body doesn’t produce enough insulin. When you eat, your body breaks down most of the food into glucose (sugar), which is then released into your bloodstream. This triggers your pancreas to release insulin, which is vital in turning blood sugar into energy. 

If you have diabetes, you aren’t producing enough insulin to support this process. This can cause an excess of blood sugar in your blood, causing serious health issues. If left untreated, diabetes can cause kidney and heart disease, vision loss, stroke, and limb amputation. 

What are the types of diabetes?

More than 1 in 3 American adults have prediabetes, and more than 8 out of 10 of these are unaware they have the condition. If you have prediabetes, you may have abnormally high blood sugar levels. 

Luckily, doctors consider prediabetes and gestational diabetes, which occurs during pregnancy, reversible. 

Type 1 diabetes is normally diagnosed in children and teens. It’s caused by an autoimmune reaction that prevents the healthy production of insulin. 

Your provider can diagnose Type 2 diabetes at any age, and it’s typically considered preventable. Between 90-95% of people with diabetes have Type 2 diabetes. 

What are the symptoms of diabetes?

Prediabetes and gestational diabetes often aren’t accompanied by symptoms, so it’s important to get regularly tested if you are pregnant or you have a family history of diabetes. 

Symptoms of both Type 1 and 2 diabetes may include: 

• Feeling frequently thirsty 
• Frequent urination 
• Unexplained weight loss 
• Fatigue 
• Blurred vision 
• Wounds or sores that heal slowly 
• Frequent infections of the skin, mouth, or vagina

Although Type 2 diabetes has been known to develop more in adults, doctors have recently diagnosed it in younger children. 

What are the treatment options for diabetes? 

If you have Type 1 diabetes, you’ll need to take an insulin dosage every day — this is crucial to surviving. 

You can prevent or treat Type 2 diabetes, prediabetes, and gestational diabetes by: 

• Maintaining a healthy body weight 
• Exercising regularly 
• Eating a healthy diet 
• Avoiding smoking 
• Taking medications to manage blood sugar levels 
• Taking blood pressure medication 

If you’re already suffering from the side effects of untreated diabetes, your provider may provide more specific treatments for any wounds, eye issues, or kidney disease. 

If you believe you or a family member may need diabetes treatment, reach out to Francisco A. Cruz, MD, PA, online or by phone to speak with a member of the team today.