If you’ve been diagnosed with diabetes, you’ll likely need to make some changes to your lifestyle. This usually involves eating healthier and testing your own blood sugar frequently. At Total Health Primary Care, PLLC, in Selma, Texas, the team helps you manage your diabetes with ease. To get started on your personalized diabetes management plan, call Total Health Primary Care, PLLC, or book an appointment online today.
Diabetes Q & A
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic metabolic condition that causes the levels of glucose (sugar) in your blood to rise to dangerous levels.
Having high levels of blood sugar can cause a wide range of health problems, including kidney damage, nerve damage, and sores, and wounds that don’t heal. The sugar in your blood comes from the foods you eat and keeps you energized throughout the day.
In order for the sugar to get from your bloodstream and into your cells to create energy, your body relies on a hormone called insulin that comes from your pancreas. If your body doesn’t make enough insulin or any at all, the result is diabetes.
What are the types of diabetes?
There are different types of diabetes. Early signs of diabetes can indicate prediabetes, a condition that is easily reversible with healthier eating and more exercise. Other types include:
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is genetic. It occurs when your immune system starts attacking your own cells within your pancreas, shutting down the production of insulin. If you have it, you need to take insulin every day to keep your metabolism going.
Type 2 diabetes
If you have Type 2 diabetes, your body simply can’t make enough insulin to keep up with your food intake. There are genetic factors to Type 2 diabetes, but your lifestyle is also a factor. You’re more likely to get it if you’re overweight or obese.
Gestational diabetes
This is a type of diabetes that occurs in women during pregnancy.
How can I manage my diabetes?
With help from the team at Total Health Primary Care, PLLC, you can learn to manage your diabetes. The main objective of diabetes treatment is to keep your blood sugar within a normal range.
If you have Type 1 diabetes, the main mode of treatment is to take insulin. You need to test your blood sugar often to make sure it isn’t too high or too low.
Type 2 diabetes can often be managed with a healthy diet and exercise. The team at Total Health Primary Care, PLLC, helps you with nutrition and diet plans that are easy to follow and help to reduce your blood sugar naturally.
The team might also give you medications to lower your blood sugar. In some cases, you might need to take insulin too.
If you have diabetes or are experiencing symptoms of it, book an appointment by phone or online for personalized diabetes management at Total Health Primary Care, PLLC, today.