Diabetes

What is diabetes?

Diabetes is a chronic disease affecting your body's ability to control blood sugar, leading to elevated blood sugar levels. Two common forms of diabetes are Type 1 (insufficient insulin production) and Type 2 diabetes, a condition affecting your body’s ability to use insulin effectively. Insulin is a hormone that helps move sugar from the blood to other tissues. 

Diabetes affects about 11% of the population and can cause medical complications when not treated. See the experts at Care Rite, PLLC, if you’re at risk of diabetes, have symptoms of this common chronic disease, or require expert diabetes care.

Which symptoms can diabetes cause?

Symptoms of diabetes include:

• Unplanned weight loss
• Frequent urination
• Increased thirst
• Blurred vision
• Fatigue
• Dry mouth
• Tingling or numbness in your feet or hands
• Frequent skin or yeast infections
• Slow-healing wounds

You might not notice any symptoms initially. Routine screening can detect Type 2 diabetes in the early stages (prediabetes) before symptoms and complications develop.

When not treated, complications linked to diabetes may include nerve damage, foot problems, eye damage, heart or kidney problems, dementia, skin concerns, hearing issues, sexual dysfunction, and more. 

What are the risk factors for diabetes?

Diabetes risk factors include:

• Family history of diabetes
• Obesity
• Poor diet
• Lack of exercise
• Smoking
• Poor sleep
• Some medications
• Hormone disorders
• Aging
• High blood pressure
• High cholesterol

Adopting healthy habits reduces your risk of developing Type 2 diabetes. Type 1 diabetes is a genetic condition.

How is diabetes diagnosed?

Diagnosing diabetes at Care Rite, PLLC, often involves checking your vital signs, completing a physical exam, discussing your medical history and symptoms, and completing a blood test that measures the sugar in your bloodstream. Your customized treatment depends on the severity of your blood sugar imbalance and the type of diabetes you have. 

How is diabetes treated?

Treating diabetes may consist of one or more of the following solutions:

• Medical weight loss
• Diet and exercise changes
• Not smoking or drinking alcohol
• Sleep disorder treatment
• Stress management 
• Other healthy habits
• Oral medications
• Insulin injections
• Insulin pump

It’s helpful to check your blood sugar regularly at home. If you have diabetes-related complications, the Care Rite, PLLC, team can refer you to another specialist. They follow up to ensure your diabetes management plan is working as designed. 

Schedule an in-person or telehealth diabetes evaluation at Care Rite, PLLC, by calling the office or booking a visit online today. Walk-ins are also welcome.