Diabetes Specialist

What is diabetes?

Diabetes is a chronic disease in which your blood sugar levels are higher than normal. The sugar in your blood, also referred to as glucose, serves as energy for your cells. Normally, the hormone insulin, which is produced in your pancreas, helps transport the sugar from your blood to your cells to provide energy.

If you have diabetes, it’s due to an issue that involves your insulin. For those with Type 1 diabetes, their pancreas doesn’t make enough, or any, insulin. For those with Type 2 diabetes, the pancreas makes insulin, however, it isn’t able to transport the sugar into the cell. 

Type 2 diabetes is diagnosed more often than Type 1 diabetes. Women can also develop diabetes during pregnancy, which is referred to as gestational diabetes. Though gestational diabetes usually resolves after the baby is born, women who develop this type of diabetes during pregnancy are at greater risk of Type 2 diabetes. 

What are diabetes symptoms?

Your diabetes symptoms may vary in severity depending on whether you have Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes. With Type 1 diabetes the symptoms develop quickly and with Type 2 diabetes symptoms develop slowly over time. 

Common diabetes symptoms include:

• Increase in thirst and hunger
• Increase in urination
• Unexpected weight loss
• Blurry vision
• Tingly fingers or toes
• Fatigue

It’s even possible for those with Type 2 diabetes not to exhibit any symptoms at all. 

How is diabetes diagnosed?

The team at Fulshear Family Medicine diagnoses diabetes with a blood test, which can be completed at the on-site laboratory. Because Type 2 diabetes may develop without you even being aware, the team may screen for diabetes during your annual physical exam. They may also screen for diabetes risk factors to assess for prediabetes.

You may be able to prevent the onset of diabetes by making changes to your lifestyle, such as losing weight, modifying your diet, and getting regular exercise. 

How is diabetes treated?

The team at Fulshear Family Medicine specializes in the management of diabetes and develops personalized treatment plans to help you gain control over your blood sugar. Much of their treatment focuses on education, which may include:

• Diet modification
• Stress management
• Physical activity
• Managing diabetes when you’re sick
• How and when to monitor blood sugar

The team may also prescribe medication to aid in blood sugar control. If you have Type 1 diabetes, daily insulin injections are required. 

To get the dedicated care you need to manage your diabetes, call Fulshear Family Medicine or request an appointment online today.