Does diabetes run in your family, or are you worried you might have symptoms of this common chronic condition? An experienced internal medicine physician like those at Valley Internal Medicine Associates in Mission, Texas, specializes in treating chronic ailments like diabetes. You can trust Dr. Sathiyaraj George, MD, and his team to help you maintain and improve your health with an effective treatment plan. To schedule an appointment for diabetes care, call the office or request an appointment online today.
Diabetes affects millions of people across the world. The disease causes an unhealthy level of sugar, or glucose, to build up in your blood, leading to serious health problems. If you have diabetes, your body doesn’t make insulin or isn’t using the insulin it makes properly. Without insulin, the amount of sugar in your blood multiplies.
Type 1 diabetes can happen at any age despite its previous association with childhood. With this type, your body does not produce insulin, and hereditary and environmental factors may be to blame.
Type 2 diabetes is more common and results from your body’s inability to use insulin. It’s typically caused by genetics and lifestyle choices, including diet and exercise.
Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes share common symptoms. Here are some to watch for:
If you’re losing weight even though you’re eating more than normal, that’s a symptom of Type 1 diabetes. A warning sign of Type 2 is numbness, tingling, or pain in your hands or feet.
Diabetes is typically diagnosed by analyzing the amount of sugar, or glucose, in your blood.
The team at Valley Internal Medicine Associates may perform one or more of these tests:
If your provider determines you have diabetes, he can orchestrate an effective treatment plan to manage, and in some cases of Type II diabetes, even reverse your condition.
Effective treatment of diabetes includes routine monitoring of your blood sugar. You may need to measure your blood sugar up to four times a day or use a continuous glucose monitor.
If you have Type 1 diabetes, your provider recommends insulin treatment. You may also need insulin if you’re diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes. You have many options, including rapid-acting insulin, long-acting insulin, and alternatives that are somewhere in between.
You’ll also want to take care of your overall health and fitness. This includes exercising regularly, eating a nutritious diet, and maintaining a healthy weight.
If you’d like to learn about other treatment options for your diabetes, call the office to speak with a team member, or request an appointment with Valley Internal Medicine Associates using the online booking tool.
