What Is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a condition where your insulin resistance is too high or your body isn’t making enough of it, resulting in high blood sugar. People with Type 1 diabetes make no insulin at all, while those with Type 2 make insulin, but do not make enough, or their body is resistant to the insulin so that glucose cannot get into the cells.
What Are the Different Types?
There are three main types of diabetes:
- Type 1– Usually appears in childhood, symptoms come on very quickly and can be quite severe
- Type 2 – Comes on slowly and may not even be detectable until long-term damage occurs
- Gestational – High blood sugar during pregnancy that usually has no symptoms other than slightly greater thirst or a frequent need to urinate.
What Are the Most Common Symptoms?
Symptoms of diabetes can include greater thirst or hunger, dry mouth, frequent urination, blurred vision, and heavy breathing. If blood sugar is completely uncontrolled, one can fall into a diabetic coma. Other symptoms, especially for Type 2, include itching, weight gain, tingling in hands or feet, and slow healing. Unmanaged cases can also lead to serious consequences such as heart attack and blindness.
What Are the Causes?
Type 1 usually occurs before the age of 20 and is caused by the body’s immune system destroying the beta cells you need to produce insulin. People with Type 1 must check their blood sugar regularly and take injections to control it. People with Type 2 often get it because of poor health habits, such as being overweight. It usually occurs in people over 40.
How Is It Diagnosed?
We can detect diabetes and even pre-diabetes with a simple blood test.
What Are Diabetes Treatment Options?
While there is no cure for diabetes, it can be managed. Those with Type 1 will need insulin injections to manage their condition. Those with Type 2 can manage their condition with diet and exercise, avoiding sugar and processed food, as well as blood sugar medications.
Visit Us in Northwest Georgia for Diabetes Treatments
Diabetes is a serious condition that requires long-term management. Dr. Esslinger specializes in chronic conditions and long-term patient care. If you have or suspect you may have this condition, please contact our office by submitting the form below or calling (470) 888-6543 to be examined by Dr. Esslinger and set up a long-term health management plan.
