Diabetes Management

Diabetes is a chronic condition. It affects how your body processes glucose (sugar) for energy. Usually, your body breaks down most of the foods you consume into glucose and releases it into your bloodstream. Your cells require glucose for fuel. Once your blood glucose levels reach a certain point, your pancreas produces a hormone called insulin, which your cells need to absorb the glucose. Diabetes occurs when your pancreas can’t make enough insulin, or your cells aren’t able to absorb the insulin adequately (insulin resistance). This leads to elevated blood sugar levels that, over time, damage nerves and cause kidney disease, vision loss, heart disease, stroke, and other severe health complications.

There are several forms of diabetes, the most common being: Type 1 diabetes Type 1 diabetes is likely linked to a faulty immune system that causes your body to attack insulin-producing cells in your pancreas. Type 1 affects 5-10% of people with diabetes and usually develops quickly. Type 2 diabetes Type 2 diabetes is the most common and develops gradually over several years. It’s often related to excess weight, poor nutrition, and an inactive lifestyle. About 90% of people with diabetes have Type 2. Prediabetes Prediabetes affects about 96 million adults in the United States. Although not technically diabetes, prediabetes means your blood sugar levels are dangerously high but not yet in the diabetic range. Changing your diet, losing weight, and increasing exercise can reverse prediabetes.

Diabetes management includes treatments that normalize your blood sugar levels and prevent the development of severe health consequences. Management strategies depend on the form of diabetes and can include:

• Daily insulin (required for Type 1 diabetes and some Type 2 cases)
• Medications to control blood sugar (Type 2)
• Home blood glucose monitoring
• Routine labs (A1C) to check your three-month blood sugar average
• Increased physical activity
• Nutritional guidance and counseling
• Specialty referral for a diabetic eye exam

Effective diabetes management requires routine office visits every four to six months. It can include specialty referrals regarding possible diabetes-related kidney, heart, nerve, and blood vessel damage. If you have prediabetes, the CN Internal Medicine team works closely with you to prevent it from getting worse. They develop a customized plan that can include improved nutrition, weight loss, and increased exercise. Schedule a diabetes evaluation today. Call the office or request an appointment online.