Diabetes Management
What you need to know about diabetes
- Diabetes is an illness that affects how your body turns food into energy
- 1 in 10 of Americans has diabetes, but 20% of those individuals do not know they have it
- Diabetes can lead to complications such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, kidney disease, vision impairment, and more
- There are two types of diabetes, Type 1 and Type 2
- Diabetes is diagnosed by testing your blood sugar levels
WHAT IS DIABETES?
Diabetes occurs when your body does not properly produce or respond to insulin, a hormone that regulates the amount of sugar in the blood. Most people with diabetes have type 2, which is often associated with poor diet, lack of exercise, being overweight or obese, and smoking. Having relatives with type 2 diabetes may further increase a person’s risk of developing the disease. People with type 2 diabetes usually produce insulin, but they may not make enough of it, or their bodies may not be able to use it in a way that maintains normal blood sugar levels. The causes and risk factors for type 1 diabetes are not as clear, although family history may play some role. Type 1 diabetes is thought to occur when the body experiences a reaction that causes the immune system to mistakenly attack its own cells, destroying the ability of the pancreas to make insulin. This form of diabetes is most commonly diagnosed in children and younger adults.
How can diabetes be managed?
Diabetes care can be accomplished through various strategies, depending on disease type and other health influences. Type 2 diabetes often responds well to lifestyle changes, such as adjusting your diet, getting regular exercise, and eliminating tobacco use. People with type 2 diabetes may also need to take insulin or oral medication to regulate their blood sugar. Glucose and insulin levels can be more challenging to balance with type 1 diabetes, but many patients do well with careful monitoring, regular insulin administration, and close support from care providers.
How can I prepare for my appointment?
Plan ahead and be sure to give your doctor all the information that you can. It’s important that you take the time to paint a full picture, telling the whole story. Keep a daily record of your mood and response to any medication, reporting any trends to your doctor. Click here for more patient information.
About AVALA Care
The AVALA Care team is here for patients of all ages. We treat patients from the age of 16 years old. While AVALA Care specializes in managing and preventing a variety of health conditions, patients who are pregnant or think they may be pregnant should consult a doctor who specializes in prenatal care for the duration of their pregnancy. Read more about AVALA.
Contact us
To learn more about how we can help you on your journey to wellness, contact us today. A representative will be in touch shortly.