Diabetes Specialist

What is diabetes?

Diabetes is a disease that affects your blood sugar levels. The disease causes your blood sugar levels to be too high, due to your inability to process insulin or due to your body’s inability to use insulin properly. 

Blood sugar, also known as blood glucose, comes from the foods you eat. Insulin is a hormone your body produces to processes the sugar, or glucose, in your food.

There are two types of diabetes. Type 1 diabetes, where your body doesn’t produce any insulin, and Type 2 diabetes, where your body isn’t able to properly process insulin. 

There’s also gestational diabetes, which happens during pregnancy, and prediabetes, which is when your blood sugar levels are higher than normal but not high enough for you to be diabetic.

What are the symptoms of diabetes?

The symptoms of diabetes include:

• Heightened thirst
• Frequent urination
• Increased hunger
• Blurred vision
• Unintended weight loss
• Slow-healing sores
• Darkened skin, especially in the armpits or neck areas

If you notice these symptoms and think you might have diabetes, it’s important to make an appointment with Thirlby Clinic, PLC, to be tested as soon as possible.

How do I get tested for diabetes?

A blood test is the best way to determine if you have diabetes. At Thirlby Clinic, PLC, the team offers blood tests and management options for diabetes and evaluates how your body is doing with the treatment plans.

What are the dangers of diabetes?

Having your blood sugar levels up too high for a long period of time can cause possibly serious health problems like heart disease, stroke, amputation of a limb, or damage to your eyes, liver, or kidneys.

How is diabetes treated?

The most common diabetes is Type 2 diabetes. For this type of diabetes, it’s important to monitor your blood sugar levels, lose weight, have a proper diet, exercise, and take medication as needed. 

It’s sometimes possible for your blood sugar levels in this type of diabetes to be lowered to normal through diet and exercise.

For Type 1 diabetes, it’s important to monitor your insulin and take it when needed. Monitoring your diet and eating healthy and exercising help as well. There are different types of insulin, and the team at Thirlby Clinic, PLC, can help you find the right fit for you.

To learn more about diabetes and how the team can help you, call Thirlby Clinic, PLC, or schedule an appointment online today.