Diabetes

What is diabetes?

Diabetes is a chronic illness characterized by excess glucose (a type of sugar) in your blood. To understand how diabetes occurs, it helps to think about how your body converts food into energy.

Every time you eat, your body works to break that food down into usable components. The carbohydrates you consume are converted into glucose, which is released into your bloodstream for either immediate use or storage.

In order for glucose to enter your cells, a hormone called insulin must be present. People with diabetes either don’t create insulin or cannot manufacture enough insulin or make proper use of the amount that is produced.

Without sufficient insulin, the glucose from food gets “locked out” of your cells and forced to circulate in your bloodstream, often reaching dangerously high levels.

Some men and women are born with Type 1 diabetes, a condition where your autoimmune system mistakenly attacks your pancreas, preventing insulin production. Type 2 diabetes is far more common and is linked with obesity, genetics, and environmental factors.

What health risks are associated with diabetes?

High blood sugar places an enormous strain on virtually all of your organs and systems and can create widespread health problems. Some of the issues linked to diabetes include:

• Cardiovascular disease
• Nerve damage
• Eye damage
• Kidney disease
• Foot problems
• Alzheimer’s disease
• Depression
• Skin conditions

These are just some of the health issues linked to diabetes. Finding the right management plan can go a long way toward reducing your risk of these serious complications.

What are some treatments for diabetes?

Diabetes cannot be cured, but it can be managed. Your practitioner works with you to create a treatment plan that fits your exact set of needs and your lifestyle. Medication may play a role in managing your diabetes, but the practice makes every effort to keep your blood glucose at a healthy level through nonpharmaceutical methods.

Lifestyle modifications can play a powerful role in treating diabetes. Meaningful changes can improve your diabetes and overall health. In some cases, supplemental insulin is the best way to control diabetes. You may need to implement blood sugar monitoring to track changes throughout the day.

When you’re ready to explore your treatment options, call NewMed Immediate Care today. Online scheduling is also an option and allows you to set up a visit from the comfort of your home at any time of day or night.