Diabetes Specialist

What is diabetes?

Diabetes is a chronic condition that involves high blood sugar levels. This can occur when your pancreas can’t produce enough insulin or when your cells can’t properly respond to insulin.  High blood sugar levels develop into diabetes over time.

Your body uses sugar (glucose) as an energy source. When you eat sugar and foods that turn into sugar inside your body, your pancreas secretes the insulin hormone to ensure your blood sugar levels stay in check.

For the sugar to be used for energy, insulin delivers excess blood sugar from your bloodstream and into your cells. With diabetes, there are problems with the insulin hormone and blood sugar levels.

What are the symptoms of diabetes?

Diabetes symptoms vary, but can include:

• Fatigue
• Irritability
• Frequent urination
• Vision problems
• Unexplained weight loss

You might also experience excess hunger and thirst.

What are the different types of diabetes?

There are different types of diabetes. These include:

Prediabetes

Prediabetes is a warning zone that your blood sugar levels are above average, but not high enough to be diabetes. If blood sugar levels continue to rise, prediabetes can develop into type 2 diabetes over time.

Type 2 Diabetes

Type 2 diabetes is the most prevalent and occurs when your body doesn’t properly respond to insulin or doesn’t produce enough insulin, leading to excess sugar in the bloodstream.

Type 1 Diabetes

Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition that involves a malfunctioning immune system that mistakenly attacks your pancreatic cells. Over time, the pancreatic cells that create the insulin hormone necessary to regulate your blood sugar become damaged.

Gestational Diabetes

Gestational diabetes refers to diabetes that some women develop during pregnancy. Gestational diabetes usually resolves following childbirth.

What causes diabetes?

A number of factors might play a role in the development of diabetes, such as:

• Aging
• Obesity
• Inactivity
• Genetics
• Hormones
• Family history
• High cholesterol
• Alcohol abuse
• Autoimmune disease

Diabetes can lead to concerning complications, such as heart disease and nerve damage.

How is diabetes treated?

Macomb Medical Clinic provides valuable and effective solutions to help you manage your diabetes, such as:

• Oral medications and insulin
• Lifestyle changes, such as exercise, nutrition, and stress management
• Vitamins and supplements
• Blood sugar monitoring

Your provider evaluates important aspects of your health that might be worsening your diabetes and shouldn’t be overlooked, such as stress, poor sleep quality, and nutrient deficiencies.

Diabetes is a serious condition that warrants the care and diligence of compassionate experts. Call Macomb Medical Clinic or schedule online.