What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic disease that occurs when blood sugar levels are too high. Insulin, naturally produced in your body, helps the glucose in your blood give you energy from the food you eat. When your blood has too much glucose and you have diabetes, your body doesn’t produce enough insulin or use the insulin you produce properly.
There are two main types of diabetes:
- Type 1 diabetes: A diagnosis of type 1 diabetes means your immune system attacks your pancreas and doesn’t allow it to produce insulin. Type 1 diabetes is typically diagnosed in children and young adults, but adults can develop it too. If you have type 1 diabetes, you must take insulin every day to stay alive.
- Type 2 diabetes: A diagnosis of type 2 diabetes, the more common form, means your body doesn’t make enough or misuses insulin. You can develop type 2 diabetes at any stage of life, but it most commonly occurs in middle-aged and older men and women.
What are common signs and symptoms of diabetes?
Some of the most common signs and symptoms of diabetes include:
- Excessive thirst and urination
- Increased appetite
- Fatigue
- Blurred vision
- Numbness in your feet or hands
- Sudden, dramatic weight loss
When you develop type 1 diabetes, the symptoms begin to show very quickly, usually within a few weeks. The signs and symptoms of type 2 diabetes usually progress over several years.
What causes diabetes?
Experts believe that type 1 diabetes is caused by genes or environmental factors, like a disease or virus, that trigger your immune system. Type 2 diabetes is often brought on by lifestyle factors, that is, an inactive lifestyle that leads to obesity. Extra belly fat and excess weight can cause insulin resistance.
How do you treat diabetes?
Dr. Chakrala and Dr. Buddala emphasize healthy eating and regular exercise to treat diabetes. They work closely with you during your appointments to create appropriate exercise schedules and diet plans. These discussions might include brainstorming physical activities you enjoy and pinpointing problem areas, such as your sugar intake.
If you have diabetes, call or use the online booking tool to set up a consultation today.
