Diabetes

What is diabetes?

Diabetes is a common chronic disease and one of the leading causes of death in the United States. About 11% of the population has diabetes. It affects your body’s ability to safely use and control sugar (glucose) in your blood.

Type 2 diabetes

Type 2 diabetes is the most common form. It affects your body’s ability to effectively use insulin, the hormone that moves sugar into body cells from the bloodstream. It often appears after age 40 but is being seen with greater frequency in younger people.

Type 1 diabetes

Type 1 diabetes, sometimes called juvenile diabetes because it’s diagnosed in childhood, prevents the body from producing enough insulin. Type 1 requires insulin injections throughout the patient’s life. 

Prediabetes

Prediabetes appears before full-blown diabetes. It’s not as severe and is reversible by making healthy lifestyle changes.

Gestational diabetes

Gestational diabetes appears during pregnancy. It usually disappears after childbirth but boosts the chances of later developing Type 2 diabetes.

Which symptoms can diabetes cause?

Diabetes can lead to:

• Increased thirst
• Frequent urination
• Slow-healing sores and cuts
• Fatigue
• Blurry vision
• Numbness or tingling in your feet or hands
• Frequent infections
• Unexplained weight loss
• Weakness
• Irritability and other mood changes

If you have Type 1 diabetes, you might also develop stomach pain, vomiting, difficulty breathing, and fruity-smelling breath.

Does diabetes cause complications?

Untreated diabetes increases the risk of diabetes-related complications like heart disease, eye damage, foot problems, nerve damage, skin conditions, and kidney problems. Other potential complications include heart attack, stroke, coronary artery disease (CAD), sexual dysfunction, and atherosclerosis. Some people with poorly managed diabetes may require an amputation because of their condition.

Hearing problems, oral health issues, and mental health conditions are also concerns in people with diabetes. Diabetics are 2-3 times more likely to experience depression.

What are the risk factors for developing diabetes?

Type 1 diabetes is genetic, but Type 2 diabetes, prediabetes, and gestational diabetes are usually preventable. Obesity is a diabetes risk factor. Poor diet, lack of exercise, insufficient sleep, and ongoing stress appear to raise your risk.

How is diabetes diagnosed?

The Cermak Immediate Care experts discuss your medical history, lifestyle, symptoms, and medications. They complete a physical exam and evaluate your blood sugar levels to screen for diabetes.

How is diabetes treated?

Treating diabetes often involves making lifestyle changes, taking medication, using insulin injections, having an insulin pump implanted in your body, or combining several of these treatments. Take all medicines exactly as directed.

It’s important to eat nutritious foods, exercise regularly, minimize stress, maintain a healthy weight, avoid smoking, limit or avoid alcohol, get 7-9 hours of sleep, and regularly monitor your blood sugar levels.

Schedule a diabetes evaluation today at Cermak Immediate Care by calling the office or using the online booking feature. Walk-ins are also welcome.