Diabetes Q & A
What is diabetes?
Diabetes mellitus refers to several diseases that affect the way the body processes blood glucose (sugar). Blood sugar helps fuel the cells in your brain and provides energy for your muscles and soft tissues. But when your blood sugar levels are consistently high for an extended period, it increases your risk of serious health problems.
Diabetes doesn’t always present obvious symptoms. Therefore, it’s important to participate in routine checkups and preventive screenings. If you’re concerned about your risk of diabetes or need proper management, contact the team at Ally Endocrinology today.
What are the types of diabetes?
The team at Ally Endocrinology treats all types of diabetes, including:
Prediabetes
Prediabetes isn’t diabetes per se, but it increases your risk of developing Type 2 diabetes. If you have prediabetes, it means your blood sugar levels are at unsafe levels. Healthy lifestyle changes like losing weight, exercising regularly, and eating a balanced diet can help reverse the condition and prevent further complications.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease that causes your body to attack and destroy the insulin-producing cells in your pancreas. Insulin is a critical hormone that helps regulate blood sugar. There’s no cure for Type 1 diabetes, but management is possible with healthy lifestyle changes and insulin therapy.
Type 2 diabetes
Type 2 diabetes occurs if your body doesn’t produce enough insulin or it resists insulin. When your body fails to use insulin properly, your blood sugar levels increase. Some people can manage their blood sugar through healthy lifestyle changes. Others require prescription medication or insulin therapy.
At Ally Endocrinology, the team believes that Type 2 diabetes is a cardiac disease and not just a metabolic disease. To ensure positive patient outcomes, they focus on cardiac health and try to lower the risk of heart attacks and strokes.
Gestational diabetes
Gestational diabetes occurs during pregnancy. As your baby grows, your body releases hormones to provide protection. Researchers aren’t sure why, but these hormones can cause your blood sugar levels to fluctuate. Gestational diabetes typically resolves after you give birth, but it may increase the risk of complications during pregnancy.
How is diabetes diagnosed?
To diagnose diabetes, the team at Ally Endocrinology reviews your health history, conducts a physical exam, and orders lab tests, including a glycated hemoglobin (A1C) test. An A1C test measures your average blood sugar level over the last few months. Any reading of 6.5% or higher on two or more tests means you have diabetes.
How is diabetes treated?
The team at Ally Endocrinology treats diabetes using the knowledge they gain from on-site research studies. Depending on the type of diabetes you have and the severity of your symptoms, the team might recommend:
- Eating a healthy, balanced diet
- Exercising regularly
- Maintaining a healthy weight
- Quitting smoking
- Taking prescription medication
- Insulin therapy
- Medical devices like insulin pumps or glucose sensors
Diabetes also increases your risk of mental illness. If necessary, the team can refer you to a psychiatrist, counselor, or therapist for mental health care.
By receiving diabetes care at Ally Endocrinology, you gain access to treatments five to seven years before they’re available to other doctors in the community. The team regularly conducts clinical trials for Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes, providing access to cutting-edge technology and medicine.
To learn more about treatment for diabetes, request a consultation at Ally Endocrinology. Book online to schedule an appointment or call the nearest office today.
