Diabetes

Did you know that as many as 100 million Americans are living with diabetes? For those in and around Frisco, Texas, Suchitra Kamineni, MD, Arun Amaram, MD, and the team at North Dallas Primary Care Doctors serve as a valuable resource in improving daily quality of life and keeping diabetes numbers in check. Learn more by scheduling a consultation. Call the office or request one online today. 

What is diabetes?

Diabetes is a chronic health condition in which your body cannot properly convert food into energy. That process begins when you consume food, a portion of which is converted into a sugar called glucose. 

Glucose travels through your blood to fuel cells throughout your body. Your pancreas plays a vital role in this process, creating a hormone called insulin that enables glucose to enter cells. People with diabetes either do not produce any insulin or cannot manufacture enough insulin to support normal metabolism. 

What are the most common types of diabetes?  

There are three main types of diabetes, each with a specific treatment path. 

Type 1 diabetes

This form of diabetes is an autoimmune condition in which your immune system mistakenly attacks special cells in your pancreas that produce insulin. Type 1 diabetes is usually diagnosed in childhood, and supplemental insulin is required for survival. 

Type 2 diabetes 

The most common form of diabetes, Type 2 can develop during childhood and adulthood. People with this form of diabetes can usually still produce insulin, just not at sufficient levels. They can also struggle to make efficient use of the insulin that is produced. 

Gestational diabetes

This form of diabetes develops during pregnancy and can lead to serious complications. Gestational diabetes usually resolves after childbirth, but the mother will have an elevated risk of developing Type 2 diabetes for the rest of her life. 

Less common forms of diabetes can develop from genetic syndromes, certain medications, infections, illnesses, and malnutrition. 

What are some symptoms of diabetes?  

Because diabetes does not always present clear symptoms, routine physical exams are an important part of staying healthy. Blood testing can detect the early signs of diabetes or suggest that you are at an elevated risk of developing the disease.  

When symptoms are present, they might include:

• Fatigue
• Increased thirst or hunger
• Unexplained weight loss
• Sores that don’t heal
• Sensations of tingling or numbness in hands or feet
• Blurred vision
• Increased urination

If you notice these changes, schedule a diagnostic exam to determine if diabetes is present and to learn more about your overall health condition. 

What are some treatment options for diabetes?

Lifestyle modifications are a primary treatment approach for diabetics. By making wise adjustments in your daily habits, you can go a long way toward reducing your blood sugar and bringing your diabetes under control. 

Choosing a diet rich in fruit and vegetables and low in processed foods is a great place to begin. You should also increase your daily exercise in a way that is right for your age and physical limitations. 

Medications can help treat diabetes, including supplemental insulin. Insulin can be administered via injections, oral medications, a pen, or a pump. Learning how to monitor your blood glucose is an essential part of insulin therapy. 

Other medications can help control your conversion of food into energy. It may take a period of trial and error to find the right medication plan for your needs, and your drug therapy will need to be periodically reassessed and adjusted. 

Learn more about diabetes management during a consultation with the team at North Dallas Primary Care Doctors. Call the office or request an appointment online today.