Diabetes Specialist

What is diabetes?

Diabetes is a metabolic condition that occurs when your body can no longer adjust to manage high blood sugar, or glucose, levels. Your body no longer produces enough of a hormone called insulin that manages glucose or doesn’t produce insulin at all.

When your blood sugar levels are too high, many of your bodily systems are affected. It can lead to serious complications such as:

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

 Proper management of diabetes is critical to your long-term health. 

What are the types of diabetes?

Two types of diabetes are most common:

Type 1 diabetes

Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition. Your body attacks the cells in your pancreas that make insulin, so you need to take supplemental insulin to control your blood sugar. Usually, Type 1 diabetes is diagnosed in youth or young adulthood and is a genetic condition.

Type 2 diabetes

Type 2 diabetes usually develops with time. Your body doesn’t use insulin optimally and can’t keep blood sugars at stable levels. It’s the most common type of diabetes and often doesn’t present with symptoms. Type 2 diabetes is associated with age and lifestyle.

Prediabetes is a condition in which your blood sugar levels are high, but not high enough to be classified as fully diabetic. Lifestyle changes and management can reverse prediabetes.

Pregnant women can also develop diabetes, called gestational diabetes, which presents much like Type 2 diabetes.

What are the symptoms of diabetes?

Diabetes symptoms vary and some people with prediabetes or Type 2 diabetes don’t notice any signs at all because the condition develops gradually.

If you notice any of the following signs, you definitely should schedule an evaluation at Northeast Medical, PC:

• Extreme hunger
  
• Increased thirst
  
• Fatigue
  
• Frequent urination
  
• Unexplained weight loss
  
• Blurred vision
  
• Slow-healing sores
  
• Irritability
  

Regular monitoring of your blood glucose levels is the best way to identify diabetes. At annual exams, the team at Northeast Medical, PC orders glucose testing to assess your metabolic health.

How is diabetes treated?

Your diabetic treatment plan is tailored to you. Your doctor considers the severity of your case, the type of diabetes, and other health issues.

Lifestyle changes are a big part of most diabetic treatment plans. You benefit from changes to your diet and exercise habits as well as weight loss, if you’re overweight or obese. Your plan may also include insulin therapy, glucose monitoring, and oral medication.

If you’re at risk for diabetes or experiencing symptoms, call Northeast Medical, PC or schedule an appointment using the online tool.