Diabetes Management Specialist

What is diabetes?

Diabetes management describes medical services that focus on the treatment and prevention of Type 1 diabetes, Type 2 diabetes, and prediabetes.

Type 1 diabetes

Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease that causes your body to mistakenly attack your pancreas. Your pancreas is responsible for producing the hormone insulin to control sugar levels in your blood. Insulin helps convert sugar in your diet into the energy you need to function.

The attack on the pancreas limits how much insulin your body can produce. Without enough insulin, your blood sugar levels remain high enough to cause damage in your nervous system, major organs, and other parts of the body.  

Type 2 diabetes

Type 2 diabetes is a condition where your blood sugar levels remain high because your body isn’t making enough insulin or doesn’t effectively use the insulin it produces to control your blood sugar levels.

The biggest risk factors for Type 2 diabetes are your diet and lifestyle. If you’re overweight, not eating a healthy diet, and not getting enough exercise, you may be at increased risk for this type of diabetes. A family history of Type 2 diabetes is also a common risk factor for the disease.

Prediabetes

Prediabetes describes blood sugar levels that are high, but not high enough to be considered Type 2 diabetes. Without changes to your diet and lifestyle, prediabetes can significantly increase your risk for Type 2 diabetes.

You can also have gestational diabetes, a condition where your blood sugar levels remain high during pregnancy. This type of diabetes typically resolves after childbirth but can increase your risk for Type 2 diabetes.

How is diabetes diagnosed?

Diagnosing diabetes requires a blood test. The team at Shah Medical Center will withdraw a sample of blood and measure your blood sugar levels.

You may need testing for diabetes if you have symptoms of the disease, such as:

• Increased thirst
• Frequent urination
• Unexplained weight changes
• Slow-healing sores

If you experience persistent numbness or tingling in your hands or feet, it may be a sign that undiagnosed diabetes is already causing nerve damage.

Diabetes screenings are also available for those with risk factors for diabetes, including obesity, family history, or a sedentary lifestyle.

What’s involved in diabetes management?

Managing diabetes requires lifelong care to ensure your blood sugar levels are always in a healthy range. The team at Shah Medical Center has extensive experience customizing treatment plans to help you stay on top of your diabetes condition.

Type 1 diabetes requires daily insulin to keep your blood sugar levels healthy. Your initial treatment for prediabetes and Type 2 diabetes may involve lifestyle and diet changes that help lower your blood sugar levels naturally.

If these changes aren’t enough, you may need medications to lower your blood sugar levels. The team also offers routine monitoring services to check your blood sugar levels several times a year and can teach you how to monitor your levels at home through daily testing.

To schedule a diabetes management consultation, call Shah Medical Center or book an appointment online today.