Diabetes

What is diabetes?

Diabetes is a common chronic disease, which if left untreated can lead to serious medical problems. Type 1 diabetes commonly occurs during childhood. It’s a condition in which the body doesn’t make enough insulin to properly control blood sugar levels. 

If you have Type 2 diabetes, you make insulin but your body doesn’t properly utilize it. Prediabetes is a condition that leads to the development of diabetes when left untreated, and gestational diabetes occurs during pregnancy. 

Treatment with Farr Medical Group, Inc. can reduce unpleasant symptoms and your risk of complications.

What are the symptoms of diabetes?

If you have prediabetes or diabetes, you might not experience any symptoms initially. However, you may notice the following signs or symptoms associated with the disease:

• Blurred vision
• Irritability
• Fatigue
• Increased thirst
• Frequent urination
• Unexplained weight loss
• Extreme hunger
• Frequent infections
• Slow healing sores

Complications that can result from untreated diabetes include depression, heart problems, nerve or kidney damage, foot problems, eye damage, hearing impairment, skin issues, and even dementia.

What are the risk factors for diabetes?

Diabetes can happen to anybody, but some factors increase your risk of developing it. Examples are older age, genetics, family history of diabetes, being overweight, and physical inactivity. Other risk factors include a history of gestational diabetes or polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), high blood pressure, and high cholesterol levels.

How does my doctor diagnose diabetes?

To find out if you have diabetes, your doctor asks questions about your medical history and symptoms you may have. They complete a physical examination and ask you to undergo a blood test to assess blood sugar levels and make a final diagnosis.

What are my diabetes treatment options?

If you have prediabetes or diabetes, your Farr Medical Group, Inc. provider might suggest one or more of the following:

Lifestyle changes

Specific lifestyle changes help you better control blood sugar levels. Examples include eating healthy foods, weight loss, regular exercise, and routine at-home blood sugar monitoring. Your provider offers healthy lifestyle counseling to assist you.

Oral medications

Taking oral medicines can reduce high blood sugar if you have diabetes, particularly Type 2 diabetes. Your provider may recommend you take medication in addition to making healthy lifestyle changes.

Injections

If you have Type 1 diabetes, or even Type 2 diabetes in some cases, your Farr Medical Group, Inc. specialist might suggest you give yourself insulin injections to optimize blood sugar and reduce the risk of complications. 

Don’t let diabetes go undetected and untreated. Schedule a visit with Farr Medical Group, Inc. by phone or online for diabetes screening or management today.