What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic health condition that causes your blood sugar to be higher than normal. The
sugar in your blood, also referred to as glucose, supplies your cells with energy. Insulin, a
hormone produced in your pancreas, assists in getting the sugar from your blood into your cells.
If you have diabetes, your body is either not producing enough insulin (or any at all), referred to
as Type 1 diabetes, or the insulin isn’t working as it should, referred to as Type 2 diabetes.
Type 2 diabetes is more common than Type 1. You may be at risk of developing Type 2 diabetes if
you’re overweight or obese, over the age of 45, or you have a family history of diabetes.
Does diabetes cause symptoms?
Yes, but the severity of the symptoms varies with the type of diabetes you have. With Type 1
diabetes, the symptoms come on suddenly and severely and are difficult to miss. Conversely, the
symptoms of Type 2 diabetes may be subtle and go ignored.
Common symptoms that may indicate diabetes include:
- Unexpected weight loss
- Increase in hunger and thirst
- Increase in urination, especially at night
- Blurry vision
- Tingling in your hands or feet
- Fatigue
- Cuts that don’t heal
Over time, the excess sugar in your blood damages your blood vessels and organs and increases your
risk of more serious health issues, such as kidney or heart disease, retinopathy, and neuropathy.
How is diabetes diagnosed?
Dr. Sra takes a preventive approach to medical care. When you come to the office for your annual
physical exam, she may include a diabetes screening test to assess your risk of developing a chronic
illness. The types of tests used to diagnose diabetes include:
- Fasting blood glucose
- Hemoglobin A1C, which measures blood sugar over a three-month period
- Random blood glucose test
If your diabetes screening test indicates diabetes, Dr. Sra develops a plan to help you manage the
disease.
What are the treatments for diabetes?
Dr. Sra creates a personalized plan to help you manage your diabetes. Your treatment plan may
include:
- Diet modification
- Exercise program
- Oral hypoglycemic medication or insulin (an injection)
If you’re overweight or obese, losing weight may improve your blood sugar numbers. Dr. Sra
specializes in medical weight loss and can design a program that helps you lose weight.
Diabetes is a chronic medical condition that requires ongoing care. For compassionate and
comprehensive care from a physician who goes above and beyond, call Sun Arizona Medical Group today
or request an appointment online.
