Diabetes

What is diabetes?

Diabetes is a chronic disease that affects your body’s ability to regulate blood sugar. Everyone needs blood sugar to function, but if your levels remain high, you’re more likely to experience other medical issues, like heart disease and nerve damage.

There’s no cure for diabetes, but with intervention and treatment, you can maintain a healthy weight, reduce the risk of complications, and live an active and rewarding lifestyle.

What are the symptoms of diabetes?

Symptoms of diabetes include:

• Increased thirst
• Frequent urination
• Extreme hunger
• Irritability
• Blurred vision
• Fatigue
• Unexplained weight loss

As the condition progresses, you might also experience frequent infections or slow-healing sores on your legs and feet.

What are the types of diabetes?

iCare Health Services treats several types of diabetes, including:

Type 1 diabetes

Type 1 diabetes occurs when your immune system attacks the insulin-producing cells in your pancreas. Insulin is a protein that helps regulate your blood sugar. The most effective way to manage Type 1 diabetes is with insulin therapy.

Type 2 diabetes

Type 2 diabetes occurs when the cells in your pancreas become insulin resistant. If you’re insulin resistant, the cells don’t process sugar normally. As a result, sugar builds up in your blood, increasing the risk of other medical issues.

Gestational diabetes

Gestational diabetes occurs when your body releases excess hormones during pregnancy. Sometimes, these hormones cause your blood sugar levels to spike. Gestational diabetes usually resolves after you give birth, but it may increase your risk of developing Type 2 diabetes later on.

How is diabetes diagnosed?

iCare Health Services diagnoses diabetes during an in-office visit.

Your provider reviews your medical records, asks about your symptoms, and conducts a physical exam. They also order a glycated hemoglobin (A1C) test. An A1C test analyzes your average blood sugar over the past few months. If you receive a reading > 6.4%, you have diabetes.

How is diabetes treated?

iCare Health Services treats diabetes using a combination of patient education, prescription medication, lifestyle changes, and meal modifications. 

Every diabetes treatment plan is unique. After a comprehensive exam and a discussion of your goals, your iCare Health Services provider develops a custom care plan that aligns with your needs.

To explore the treatment options for diabetes, make an appointment at iCare Health Services by calling the office or booking online today.