Learn about the types, risk factors, and treatment options available for diabetes

Living with diabetes comes with many sacrifices because it limits your ability to enjoy life to the fullest. After being diagnosed with diabetes, you are restricted to certain types of diets and activities. In this case, you need a care provider who will walk with you throughout your diabetic journey. The purpose of your care provider is to teach you about self-blood sugar monitoring and various practices that improve your quality of life. Therefore, if you are diabetic and searching for a personal care provider or the right tool to help improve your quality of life, Dr. Daniel P. Klein is here to solve your concerns. He provides top-quality diabetes screening, treatment, and prevention to ensure you return to normal functioning. Below is all you need to know concerning diabetes.

What is diabetes?

Generally, insulin is an essential hormone in the body that is responsible for converting food into energy. After you have consumed food, it is usually broken down into glucose, which is your body’s primary source of energy. A sufficient amount of insulin in the body results in the breakdown of glucose, providing your cells with energy. But if your body either produces insufficient insulin or underutilized insulin, you become diabetic because there is an accumulation of glucose in the bloodstream. There are two major types of diabetes. They are as follows:

•       Type 1 diabetes

Type one diabetes is usually an autoimmune disorder where your body starts attacking your pancreatic cells, whose purpose is to produce insulin hormone. It results in inadequate production of insulin. People with type I diabetes require insulin supplementation to function normally.

•       Type 2 diabetes

This type of diabetes occurs when your body cannot properly use insulin, making your blood sugar levels keep fluctuating. Most diabetic patients usually suffer from type 2 diabetes associated with unhealthy lifestyles and excess weight gain.

•       Gestational diabetes

It is only in pregnant women but usually resolves after delivery. It is important to note that most women with gestational diabetes are at risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

What are the risk factors associated with diabetes?

Common health conditions that increase your risk of being diabetic include foot problems, heart disease, skin conditions, stroke, eye disease, depression, neuropathy, kidney damage, sexual dysfunction, and Alzheimer’s.

Are there treatments that can help with diabetes?

There are various methods available to treat diabetes. Therefore, your care provider will offer you the option that meets your individual needs. Supplementation insulin is the treatment option for people with type I diabetes. Medications stimulate your pancreas to produce more insulin, while others alter how your liver converts food to glucose. Some medications increase insulin sensitivity, and others prevent the removal of excess glucose from your bloodstream by the kidney.

Living with diabetes requires you to accept and modify some of your lifestyles habits to help improve your quality of life. Therefore, if you are interested in learning more about what aspects of your life you can adjust to help you live a healthy life, start by calling or booking your appointment online at East Side Primary Medical Care today.