Diabetes Specialist

What is diabetes?

Diabetes mellitus affects how your body regulates glucose, or sugar levels, in your blood. Your cells need a certain amount of sugar for fuel, but having too much or too little can affect your overall health.

Your pancreas produces insulin, regulating your sugar levels and delivering the sugar to where it needs to go. When you have diabetes, the transfer between your insulin and your glucose becomes compromised, which can cause three types of diabetes to occur.

They include:

Type 1 diabetes

This type occurs when your immune system attacks the insulin-producing cells in your pancreas. Although its cause hasn’t been fully determined, it may be inherited due to its strong genetic component, or it might come from environmental influences. 

Type 2 diabetes

This type allows your body to produce insulin but not enough to manage sugar levels in your blood. Your body might also just simply be resistant to insulin. Type 2 diabetes can develop from being overweight or obese, or for hereditary reasons, as well. 

Gestational diabetes

This type is less common but can occur when you’re pregnant as a result of the changes in your hormones, making your cells resistant to insulin.

For a diabetes screening, contact the team at Four Peaks Internal Medicine. They have the expertise to evaluate and manage your condition.

What are symptoms of diabetes?

As your blood sugar levels increase, symptoms might include:

• Unexplained weight loss
• Slow healing sores
• Unquenchable thirst
• Frequent urination
• Extreme hunger 
• Fatigue
• Lack of focus
• Blurred vision
• Vomiting
• Tingling or numbness in your extremities
• Dry skin
  
  

Symptoms can range from mild to severe, depending on the overall condition of your health. If you start to experience any of the above, call Four Peaks Internal Medicine right away to schedule an appointment for a thorough evaluation and treatment, as needed.

How is diabetes treated?

For an accurate diagnosis, your medical team gives you a blood test. Treatment plans vary according to your condition.

They might include:

• Lifestyle changes, such as healthy eating and exercising, to achieve a healthy weight
• Medications for blood sugar management
• Insulin therapy
  
  

In addition to helping you manage your diabetes, the team also performs lab work at regular intervals to monitor your progress. They can also make any necessary changes in your treatment, as needed.

If you notice any symptoms of diabetes, call the practice or use the online booking tool today for your convenience.