Diabetes Specialist

What is diabetes?

There are two main types of diabetes, both of which cause your blood sugar levels to become too high. When you have type 1 diabetes, your pancreas stops making insulin. Having type 2 diabetes means your body either doesn’t make enough insulin or can’t use the insulin properly.

Insulin is a hormone that helps the cells in your body receive energy from glucose or blood sugar. Without the right amount of insulin, too much sugar stays in your blood. Over time, this high blood sugar can cause problems in your heart, kidneys, nerves, and other organs.

Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition that usually develops in children and young adults. Type 2 diabetes is a largely preventable condition that can occur at any age but is more common in adults.

What are the symptoms of diabetes?

Type 2 diabetes is much more common than type 1, but both types of diabetes cause the following signs and symptoms:

• Excessive thirst
• Increased urination
• Extreme hunger
• Unexplained weight loss
• Fatigue
• Irritability
• Blurry vision
• Wounds that heal slowly
• Numbness or tingling in the hands or feet

Symptoms of type 2 diabetes develop over the course of several years, while type 1 diabetes tends to create symptoms more suddenly. Some people with type 2 diabetes don’t have any symptoms at all.

What conditions can diabetes lead to?

If left untreated, high blood sugar can lead to serious problems, such as:

• Heart disease
• Stroke
• Kidney disease
• Dental disease
• Nerve damage
• Eye problems
• Foot problems

Dr. Khedia works with you to manage your diabetes and reduce your risk of these potentially dangerous complications.

What are risk factors for diabetes?

Certain factors may make you more susceptible to developing type 2 diabetes, such as:

• Being overweight
• Not getting enough exercise
• A family history of diabetes
• Increasing age
• Hypertension
• High cholesterol levels
• Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)

Sometimes, a reversible condition called prediabetes precedes type 2 diabetes. Prediabetes means your blood sugar levels are too high, but not high enough to diagnose you with diabetes.

How do you diagnose and treat diabetes?

Dr. Khedia can diagnose diabetes with a blood test. If you’re over age 45 or have other risk factors for diabetes — such as a body mass index over 25 or hypertension — he includes diabetes screening in your routine preventive care plan.

Diabetes treatment depends on your unique condition, but may include:

• Nonpharmacological therapy such as healthy eating
• Lifestyle changes like increasing exercise and maintaining a healthy weight
• Insulin therapy
• Medications to manage blood sugar

To learn how you can manage your diabetes for a healthier, happier life, call or book an appointment online today.