What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a disease associated with your blood sugar, which is your body’s primary source of energy and comes from the food you eat.
A type of hormone produced in your pancreas called insulin regulates your blood sugar. If you have diabetes, your body either ineffectively uses the insulin it produces, or it doesn’t make any, or enough, insulin.
When left untreated, diabetes can lead to health complications, including eye and foot problems, skin conditions, nerve damage, cardiovascular disease, and even death.
Are there different types of diabetes?
There are several types of diabetes, including:
- Type 1: often hereditary and seen in children; the body doesn’t make enough insulin
- Type 2: usually occurs in middle-aged or older adults; often associated with factors like obesity
- Gestational diabetes: develops during pregnancy, but usually resolves after childbirth
Blood sugar issues can lead to a variety of symptoms that are very similar regardless of the type of diabetes you have.
What are the symptoms of diabetes?
Sometimes diabetes doesn’t show symptoms, so it’s important to discuss your personal risk factors with Dr. Oza during your comprehensive physical exam. When symptoms do occur, they’re often similar regardless of the type of diabetes you have, though Type 1 symptoms are generally more sudden and severe.
Diabetes symptoms often include:
- Increased urination and thirst
- Hunger and fatigue
- Nausea and vomiting
- Numbness or pain in your legs or feet
- Healing slowly or frequent yeast infections
- Unexplained weight loss
It’s also common to experience blurry vision, dry mouth, and itchy skin.
How is diabetes diagnosed and treated?
At Oza Family Care and Wellness Center, Dr. Oza performs a full physical exam, discusses your family medical history, and conducts additional blood tests. These generally include glucose testing with a glucometer and HbA1c screenings. These lab tests are conveniently available on-site at Oza Family Care and Wellness Center.
Based on your diabetes or prediabetes diagnosis, Dr. Oza makes a variety of recommendations to manage your blood sugar. These often include education on using insulin, discussions on diabetes medications, and lifestyle modifications to manage your weight and encourage wellness.
To learn more about diabetes diagnosis and management, call Oza Family Care and Wellness Center or schedule an appointment online today.
