Diabetes Specialist

What exactly is diabetes?

Diabetes is not just one disease but a collection of them. It’s diagnosed when your body either can’t produce insulin or can’t effectively use the insulin you do produce. 

The hormone insulin shuttles sugar out of your bloodstream into your cells so it can help produce energy. If the sugar can’t get into your cells, it builds up in your bloodstream and can have serious health complications.

Type 1 diabetes is usually diagnosed in youth and is an autoimmune condition. Your immune system mistakenly attacks cells in the pancreas that make insulin so you have none.

Type 2 diabetes is diagnosed when your body doesn’t make insulin or doesn’t use the insulin you do produce very effectively. People of all ages can develop Type 2 diabetes, and it’s often associated with a poor diet, a sedentary lifestyle, and overweight or obese body size.

Gestational diabetes develops during pregnancy. It usually resolves when the baby is born, but it can put the mother at risk of developing Type 2 diabetes later in life.

What are the symptoms of diabetes?

Type 1 diabetes symptoms usually come on quite quickly. They include:

• Unexplained weight loss
• Frequent urination
• Increased thirst and hunger
• Slow healing sores
• Fatigue

Type 2 diabetes symptoms can come on so gradually that you may not even notice you have the disease. Blood sugar testing at your annual appointments helps stay on top of your health. If you have diabetes and don’t know it, it still does slow damage to your system.

What are the complications of diabetes?

Unmanaged diabetes can lead to a number of serious complications, including the development of heart disease and stroke. You may also develop the following as a result of chronically high blood sugar levels:

• Kidney disease
• Eye problems
• Issues with circulation and wound healing, which can lead to amputation
• Nerve damage
• Dental problems

Dr. Qureshi can help you stay on top of the disease and keep your blood sugar levels in a healthy zone.

What is involved in diabetes management?

If you have Type 1 diabetes, you need supplementary insulin — through injections or a pump — to keep your blood sugar levels in check.

Type 2 diabetes responds well to lifestyle changes, such as dietary modifications and exercise.  Diabetes can also be treated with injectable and oral therapies. These include prescription medications and supplements.

To learn about how you can manage your diabetes with the support of an expert team, call Creekside Family Practice or book an appointment online.