More than 100 million American adults currently live with diabetes or pre-diabetes, but nearly 90% of men and women with pre-diabetes don’t realize they are at risk of developing type 2 diabetes. At Pavilion Family Medicine, you can receive personalized diabetes counseling to help you manage your blood sugar. John Ribadeneyra, MD, Kate Wogan, FNP, and the team specialize in managing chronic conditions. Whether you need routine glucose screenings or help to control your diabetes, they offer one-on-one care that can keep you healthy. Call the Montrose, Colorado office today or request an appointment online.
request an appointmentWhat is diabetes?
Diabetes is a group of diseases that affect your blood sugar. Problems with your pancreas often cause these illnesses.
Your pancreas is an organ that secretes insulin. Insulin allows your body to unlock the glucose, or sugars, in the foods and beverages you consume. Your body can then use this glucose for energy or store it in the liver.
People with diabetes often have trouble producing or using insulin. Diabetes can lead to uncontrolled glucose levels, which causes a variety of serious health problems. In some cases, high blood sugar can be fatal.
What causes diabetes?
Type 1 diabetes develops when the body attacks the cells in your pancreas that produce insulin. As a result, your body isn’t able to make enough insulin.
Most people with type 1 diabetes develop the condition in childhood or early adolescence. The cause of type 1 diabetes is currently unknown, but a combination of genetic and environmental factors may play a part.
Type 2 diabetes often develops later in life. People with type 2 diabetes can still produce insulin, but their body becomes resistant to insulin and can’t use it effectively. A poor diet, obesity, and lack of exercise may increase your risk for this type of diabetes.
Gestational diabetes develops during pregnancy and often resolves after giving birth. But women who have gestational diabetes may be more likely to develop type 2 diabetes later on. Pregnant women need regular blood and urine tests to measure their glucose levels.
How is diabetes treated?
If you receive a diabetes diagnosis, you’ll need to check your blood sugar regularly. You may also need to take insulin injections or oral medications every day.
Managing your diabetes can be overwhelming initially, but at Pavilion Family Medicine, you can get the support you need to develop a treatment plan.
Improving your diet, exercising more, and losing excess weight can help stabilize your blood sugar. In some cases, a healthy lifestyle can lessen or even remove the need for medication.
Can diabetes be prevented?
Many different risk factors can affect your blood sugar. Some of these factors, like genetics, age, or race, you cannot change. But maintaining a healthy lifestyle can still reduce your chances of developing diabetes.
If you’re concerned about your blood sugar, the Pavilion Family Medicine team can help you develop a plan for managing your diabetes risk factors. Call the office today, or reach out online, to schedule a diabetes consultation.