Diabetes, if untreated, can cause damage to your nerves, eyes, kidneys, and other organs, ultimately leading to death. You require an experienced physician to help in your journey if you are struggling with the condition. Your San Pedro diabetes specialists at Harbor Community clinic are skilled in Type I and Type II management. They assist in regular exams and screening tests to treat and monitor the state of your condition.
Understanding Diabetes
Diabetes mellitus develops because the body either does not produce enough insulin (or any insulin at all) or does not effectively use produced insulin. The hormone insulin helps to transport sugar from the blood into your cells to be stored or used for energy. Without insulin, there will be an increase in the body’s blood sugar.
Diabetes Types
The different types of diabetes have unique symptoms, causes, and treatments. Diabetes can be divided into three main types:
- Type I diabetes
This is an autoimmune disease. The insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas are attacked and destroyed by the immune system causing little or no insulin production. It’s unclear what causes this attack. It usually occurs in children but can also occur in adults.
- Type II diabetes
It occurs when your body doesn’t make use of the insulin produced, and blood sugar starts to build up in your blood. It is common in adults due to obesity, but it can occur in children as well. It is caused by a combination of genetic and lifestyle factors.
- Gestational diabetes
This type of diabetes causes increased blood sugar during pregnancy. Insulin-blocking hormones produced by the placenta causes it. This can lead to complications for both the mother and the baby, causing high-risk pregnancies. Pregnant women with this type of diabetes are recommended to visit the doctor more frequently while they’re pregnant. Type 2 diabetes can be treated and managed through lifestyle changes like monitoring your diet and frequently exercising. Some medications also assist in lowering your blood sugar levels.
Symptoms associated with diabetes
Symptoms vary depending on the type of diabetes you have. General symptoms of diabetes include:
- increased hunger and thirst
- unintentional weight loss
- increased urination
- blurry vision
- extreme fatigue
- itchy skin
- sores that are slow to heal
Diagnosis of diabetes
Diabetes is diagnosed via blood tests that determine your level of blood sugar or glucose:
- The fasting plasma glucose (FPG) test, which measures your blood sugar after you’ve fasted for 8 hours.
- The A1C test provides a snapshot of your blood sugar levels over the previous 3 months.
Gestational diabetes is tested between the 24th and 28th weeks of pregnancy.
Glucose levels above 126 mg/dl indicate that you have diabetes. The earlier you get diagnosed with diabetes, the sooner you can start treatment.
Treatment of diabetes
Doctors treat diabetes with a few different medications. Some of these drugs are taken orally and others through injections.
Type 1 diabetes is treated using insulin. Since your body cannot produce the required insulin, you will need to inject it into your blood frequently
Type 2 diabetes can be treated and managed through lifestyle changes like monitoring your diet and frequently exercising. Some medications also assist in lowering your blood sugar levels.
Gestational diabetes requires frequent monitoring. However, dietary changes and exercise may assist in bringing it down. Insulin can be injected during pregnancy as it does not harm the baby.
If you are ready to learn more about diabetes, call Harbor Community clinic to schedule your consultation. but it can occur in children as well. It is caused by a combination of genetic and lifestyle factors.
