Unmanaged diabetes can interfere with your mobility and, in severe cases, threaten your life. A diagnosis of diabetes means that your body cannot convert your blood sugar into energy. This causes it to rise, resulting in damage to your internal organs. Redwood Family Health Center should be your ultimate choice if you are looking for expert advice on managing Farmers Branch diabetes.
Table of Contents
An overview of diabetes
The hormone insulin enables your cells to absorb the sugar from your blood and convert it into energy. A diagnosis of diabetes means your body is unable to use insulin effectively or can’t manufacture enough insulin. If type 1 and 2 diabetes are left untreated, these forms of diabetes can damage your kidneys, eyes, nerves, or other body organs. However, educating yourself about this chronic condition and taking the necessary steps to manage it can preserve your health and prevent future complications.
Symptoms associated with diabetes
Your symptoms rely on your blood sugar levels. Individuals with type 2 diabetes and prediabetes rarely experience any difficulties. However, those with type 1 diabetes may struggle with slow-healing sores, blurry vision, unexpected weight loss, urinating often, unexplained fatigue, and irritability. Type 1 diabetes can manifest in any individual at any age, but it usually manifests during the teen years or childhood, while type 2 diabetes is more prevalent in adults older than 40. If your loved one experiences diabetes symptoms, inform your most trusted specialist at Redwood Family Health Center.
Complications associated with diabetes
If you fail to adhere to diabetes management treatments for a long time, high blood sugar can translate to severe tissue and organ damage. Some complications may jeopardize your life. Complications you are likely to experience, include cardiovascular issues like heart attack, atherosclerosis and hypertension, kidney damage, eye damage, erectile dysfunction, and skin infections. Gestational diabetes can result in preeclampsia in the mother and hypoglycemia in the newborn.
Diagnostic and treatment techniques for diabetes
During your initial appointment at Redwood Family Health Center, your provider may discuss your symptoms, review your medical history and assess your blood sugar levels. The tests the team may use to measure your blood sugar level include A1c, random, or fasting glucose. After diagnosis, your provider may need to perform other tests to differentiate between type 1 and type 2 diabetes.
Depending on your diagnosis, the team incorporates oral drugs, insulin, and blood sugar monitoring as part of your treatment plan. Your provider may also recommend maintaining a healthy weight, eating a healthy diet, and exercising regularly. Physical activity facilitates blood sugar absorption from your blood and increases your body’s sensitivity to insulin. For type 1 and 2 diabetes, your provider may recommend insulin, bariatric surgery, transplantation, or other drugs like metformin to manage your blood sugar level and prevent related complications. For prediabetes, your physician may suggest making a few lifestyle modifications, such as exercising and eating a balanced diet, to manage your blood sugar levels from rising.
For more information about diabetes, call the Redwood Family Health Center or book an appointment online today.
