Patients constantly seek medical intervention for various chronic health care concerns to improve their wellbeing. One of the most prevalent issues affecting most people is diabetes. This condition involves high blood sugar and is a risk factor for multiple cardiovascular complications. Physicians at Integrated Family Medical Center incorporate patient awareness programs to help shine a light on diabetes and how to prevent and manage the condition.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes, commonly known as diabetes mellitus, is a metabolic condition whereby the body does not break down sugar into energy, thus causing an accumulation of excess sugar in the blood. The body depends on a hormone called insulin, which is to transport sugar from the blood into cells for their breakdown into energy.
There are two types of diabetes, one where a patient’s body does not synthesize enough insulin and where the body is unresponsive to the effects of insulin. Over time, high blood sugar causes damage to the kidneys, nerves, and blood vessels. It would be wise to be aware of the signs and symptoms of diabetes to seek emergency care that will preserve the integrity of your body organs and ensure that you remain fit.
What are the different types of diabetes?
The best way to analyze your symptoms is to appreciate that there are three types of diabetes. The following are the most common types of diabetes:
- Type 1 diabetes
Patients with this autoimmune disease acquire the condition from birth. This type of diabetes occurs when the immune system flags the pancreas as foreign and attacks it. This action limits insulin production in the pancreas and thus causes insufficiency, which affects the transportation of sugar from the blood to the cells for energy production.
- Type 2 diabetes
Patients with type 2 diabetes develop the condition due to sedentary living. Type 2 diabetes occurs when the body becomes resistant to the effects of insulin causing sugar accumulation in the blood. Fortunately, a patient can receive an early diagnosis of high blood sugar and adjust their lifestyle to lower blood sugar to healthy levels. Prediabetes is a diagnosis of higher than normal blood sugar levels but not enough to diagnose type 2 diabetes.
- Gestational diabetes
This type of diabetes develops in pregnant women. The placenta may produce insulin-blocking hormones, resulting in blood sugar increase and thus diabetic symptoms. Fortunately, symptoms usually resolve after the woman delivers her baby.
What are the symptoms of diabetes?
Symptoms of diabetes vary depending on the type of condition a patient has. The general symptoms of rising blood sugar include:
- Increased hunger and thirst
- Frequent urination
- Blurry vision
- Weight loss
- Slow-healing sores
Diabetic male patients may report erectile dysfunction, decreased libido, and poor muscle strength. Women may complain of urinary tract infections and dry and itchy skin.
Diabetes is a condition that requires emergency medical intervention to prevent complications from occurring. Contact Kalpana Desai, MD, if you notice any signs of diabetes to receive an accurate diagnosis and start a treatment plan that will restore your wellbeing.
