Diabetes Treatment near Lake Norman, NC
What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a disease in which your body cannot produce enough insulin—or any insulin at all. Insulin is a hormone produced in the pancreas that helps convert sugar and food into energy. There are three types of diabetes:
Type 1 Diabetes
Usually diagnosed in children and young adults, Type 1 diabetes occurs when the body does not produce any insulin. It accounts for about 5% of people with diabetes.
Type 2 Diabetes
The most common form of diabetes, Type 2 diabetes occurs when the body does not use insulin properly. At first, this causes blood sugar levels to rise (hyperglycemia), and the pancreas overproduces insulin to compensate. Eventually, the pancreas cannot keep up with the high blood sugar levels.
Gestational Diabetes
A less common type of diabetes, gestational diabetes occurs when blood sugar levels vary significantly during the later stages of pregnancy. It affects about 4% of all pregnancies. Gestational diabetes does not indicate diabetes prior to pregnancy and does not necessarily lead to diabetes afterward.
The board-certified physicians at Davidson Family Medicine provide comprehensive testing and treatment for diabetes at our office in Davidson, NC. Learn more about diabetes and call to schedule your appointment today.
What Parts of the Body Does Diabetes Affect?
Proper blood flow and blood health are required for all organs in the body to function. Diabetes directly affects the bloodstream and, if not controlled, can impact several organs, including:
Pancreas
Diabetes directly affects the pancreas due to the need for insulin. High glucose levels—and even certain diabetes medications—can lead to acute pancreatitis. In this condition, pancreatic enzymes begin digesting tissue instead of food and sugar, which can ultimately increase the risk of pancreatic cancer.
Kidneys
Poor glucose control and high blood pressure can damage the blood vessels that supply the kidneys. This can lead to diabetic nephropathy, a kidney disease that affects 20–40% of people with Type 1 diabetes and about one-third of people with Type 2 diabetes.
Nerves
High glucose levels can damage the vessels that supply the nerves, resulting in neuropathy, which affects various parts of the body, including involuntary functions of the heart and lungs. There are three types of neuropathy: sensory, autonomic, and motor.
Eyes
High glucose levels can damage the delicate blood vessels that supply the retina, causing retinopathy. This prevents the retina from functioning properly and can impair vision. There are three types of retinopathy: background, maculopathy, and proliferative.
Diabetes can potentially affect any organ in the body if not properly controlled.
What Are the Symptoms of Diabetes?
Symptoms of Type 1 diabetes are generally more noticeable than those of Type 2, but the following may indicate any form of diabetes:
Extreme fatigue
Excessive thirst, even after drinking fluids
Excessive hunger, even after eating
Decreased or blurry vision
Frequent urination
Slow-healing cuts and bruises
Type 1 Diabetes: Weight loss, even with a proper diet
Type 2 Diabetes: Tingling, pain, and/or numbness in the hands and feet
Gestational Diabetes: Often no symptoms; testing during pregnancy is essential
Early detection and treatment of these symptoms are extremely important to prevent diabetic complications.
What Are the Causes of Diabetes?
Type 1 Diabetes
The direct cause of Type 1 diabetes is unknown. It begins when the immune system attacks pancreatic cells that produce insulin. This is believed to result from genetics and possibly environmental factors.
Type 2 Diabetes
In Type 2 diabetes, the cells become resistant to insulin, and the pancreas cannot produce enough insulin to compensate. As a result, excess sugar remains in the bloodstream instead of moving into the cells to provide energy. Causes linked to prediabetes and Type 2 diabetes may include diet and being overweight. However, not all people with Type 2 diabetes are overweight or have poor diets, suggesting that genetics and environmental factors also contribute.
Gestational Diabetes
During pregnancy, the placenta produces hormones that support the pregnancy. These hormones make cells more resistant to insulin. Like Type 2 diabetes, the pancreas produces more insulin to compensate, but if it cannot keep up, gestational diabetes occurs.
What Are the Risk Factors for Diabetes?
Risk Factors for Type 1 Diabetes
Viruses: Exposure to certain rare viruses may contribute to the development of Type 1 diabetes.
Family History: Risk increases if a parent or sibling has Type 1 diabetes.
Pancreatic Disease: Any condition that impairs the pancreas can reduce insulin production.
Immune-Damaging Cells: The presence of autoantibodies can increase risk, although not all individuals with autoantibodies develop diabetes.
Risk Factors for Type 2 Diabetes
Weight: Being overweight increases risk because fatty tissue increases cell resistance to insulin.
Family History: Risk increases if a parent or sibling has Type 2 diabetes.
Lack of Exercise: Inactivity increases fatty tissue and prevents glucose from being used as energy.
Age: Risk increases with age, possibly due to decreased activity, weight gain, and loss of muscle mass.
High Blood Pressure: Blood pressure over 140/90 mm Hg increases risk.
Cholesterol: Low HDL (“good” cholesterol) and high triglycerides increase risk.
Gestational Diabetes: Having had gestational diabetes increases the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes later in life.
Risk Factors for Gestational Diabetes
Age: Pregnant women over age 25 are at increased risk.
Weight: Being overweight increases risk.
Family History: Being prediabetic or having a close relative with Type 2 diabetes increases risk.
How Is Diabetes Treated?
There are many ways to reduce diabetic complications, both at home and with help from a physician at Davidson Family Medicine.
Healthy Diet
Focus on foods high in nutrients and fiber but lower in fat, calories, and sugar. This includes fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. For specific dietary guidance, consult a dietitian.
Exercise
Physical activity reduces fatty tissue and converts more sugar into energy so that it does not remain in the bloodstream. Thirty minutes of physical activity per day can greatly reduce the risk of diabetes.
Monitor Blood Sugar
Using a glucose monitor to check blood sugar levels a few times a week is extremely important. Monitoring trends can help detect diabetes early. It is also essential during medication or insulin therapy.
Insulin
People with Type 1 diabetes need insulin to survive. Speak with a physician about insulin treatment options, including insulin pumps if necessary.
Medication
Depending on the case, oral medications or injections may be used. These treatments stimulate the pancreas and/or make the stomach and intestinal enzymes more sensitive to insulin, reducing the pancreas’s workload.
Transplant
In severe cases of Type 1 diabetes, a pancreas transplant may be an option. If successful, insulin therapy is no longer required. However, lifelong medication is needed to prevent organ rejection, and these medications can have side effects. Consult your physician for details.
Bariatric Surgery
Although infrequent, bariatric surgeries such as gastric bypass can help improve weight and overall blood health in certain cases of Type 2 diabetes.