Diabetes

What should I know about diabetes?

Diabetes is a chronic medical condition, which means it doesn’t go away. But that doesn’t mean you can’t manage your diabetes and live a healthy life without complications.

When you have diabetes, your blood sugar levels are higher than normal. The sugar in your blood, which is also sometimes referred to as glucose, comes from the food you eat and provides the cells in your body with energy. Your pancreas makes a hormone called insulin that helps get the sugar from your blood into your cells.

If you have diabetes, either your pancreas can’t make enough insulin or the insulin isn’t able to get the sugar into the cell. The type of diabetes you have determines how your insulin is affected, which includes:

• Type 1 diabetes: pancreas isn’t producing enough insulin
• Type 2 diabetes: insulin can’t get the sugar into the cell

Type 1 diabetes most often develops in childhood, while Type 2 diabetes is more frequently seen in adults. However, you can develop any type of diabetes at any age. Type 2 diabetes is more prevalent than Type 1.  

Gestational diabetes is also a type of diabetes that occurs in women during pregnancy.

What are diabetes-related complications?

If you’re unable to get your blood sugar within an acceptable range, the sugar in your blood can damage your blood vessels and various organ systems, leading to other health issues. Diabetes-related complications include:

• Peripheral neuropathy
• Heart disease
• Kidney disease
• Diabetic retinopathy
• Foot damage
• Dental disease

The experienced team at Pinnacle Health Group takes a personalized approach to care and can help you devise a plan that improves your blood sugar and reduces your risk of complications.

What treatments can help me manage my diabetes?

There’s no one perfect treatment for the management of diabetes. Your Pinnacle Health Group provider works closely with you to develop a plan that helps improve your blood sugar levels and your overall health.

Your diabetes management plan may include a combination of:

• Medication
• Diet modification
• Regular exercise

If you’re overweight or obese, losing even a small amount of weight may have a dramatic effect on your blood sugar levels.

Diabetes is a serious but manageable health condition. For expert care of all your health needs from a team that takes a personalized approach, call Pinnacle Health Group today or book an appointment online.

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