Undiagnosed or untreated diabetes can cause serious medical problems. At concierge medicine practice Signature Internal Medicine in Frisco, Texas, internal medicine physicians Humera Ahmed, MD, Dina Diehl, DO, and their highly-trained staff help you manage diabetes to reduce the risk of complications. Call the office to schedule an appointment or book one online today.
Diabetes is a common disease that affects more than 10% of people in the United States. It reduces your body’s ability to control the sugar in your blood. When left untreated, diabetes can cause numerous medical problems. Early detection and proper diabetes management are vital to maintaining exceptional health and wellness.
Type 1 diabetes, Type 2 diabetes, prediabetes, and gestational diabetes are common forms of diabetes. If you have Type 1 diabetes, you produce too little insulin, a hormone your body uses to move sugar from your blood into other body tissues.
Usually appearing after 40, Type 2 diabetes affects your body’s ability to use insulin. It could develop because of excess body weight or unhealthy habits.
Prediabetes develops before diabetes and is often reversible. Gestational diabetes occurs during pregnancy and may disappear after delivery.
Common symptoms of diabetes include:
When left untreated, diabetes can cause complications. Examples include organ damage, foot problems, nerve damage, eye issues, Alzheimer’s disease, and depression.
Common Type 2 diabetes risk factors include:
The best way to reduce your risk of prediabetes, gestational diabetes, and type 2 diabetes is to adopt healthy lifestyle habits.
To diagnose diabetes, your Signature Internal Medicine specialist asks about your symptoms and medical history. They check your vital signs, complete a physical exam, and use a blood test to evaluate your blood sugar levels.
The most common diabetes treatments include oral medicines, insulin injections, and lifestyle changes. You might need more than one type of treatment to properly control your blood sugar and prevent complications.
Control your carbohydrate intake, eat nutritious foods, get regular exercise, and achieve and maintain a healthy weight. Monitor your blood sugar levels at home regularly and see your concierge medicine specialist for routine medical exams.
For diabetes screening, diagnosis, or management, call the Signature Internal Medicine office or use the online scheduler today.