What is Diabetes?
Diabetes mellitus refers to diseases that affect the body’s glucose or blood sugar levels. Glucose is a source of energy for your body’s cells and a source of fuel for your brain. When glucose levels are imbalanced in your body, it can lead to a host of health problems.
Types of Diabetes
There are a few types of diabetes that a person can get. They include:
- Type 1 Diabetes This type of diabetes is also called insulin-dependent diabetes. It can also be called juvenile-onset diabetes because it often begins during childhood. Type 1 diabetes causes your body’s antibodies to attack your own pancreas, which is responsible for making insulin. When the antibodies attack and eventually damage the pancreas, it cannot produce insulin any longer which is crucial to a healthy glucose level in the body. To remedy this, individuals with type 1 diabetes have to inject artificial insulin into the body.
- Type 2 Diabetes This type of diabetes is also called adult-onset diabetes and is considered the non-insulin-dependent form of the condition. If you have type 2 diabetes, your pancreas produces some insulin, but it either isn’t enough for the body or your body’s cells are resistant to it. To remedy this, individuals with type 2 diabetes are prescribed medications to fight against the insulin resistance. Doctors also recommend individuals with type 2 diabetes to have a healthy weight, eat a nutritious diet, and exercise regularly to naturally reduce the insulin resistance problem in the body.
- Gestational Diabetes Gestational diabetes refers to diabetes during pregnancy. Pregnancy can lead to insulin resistance which is why pregnant women can develop gestational diabetes. It is most common during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy. It is crucial to maintain a healthy glucose level during pregnancy because high blood sugar levels get circulated to the developing baby through the placenta which can interfere with the baby’s growth and development. Gestational diabetes is typically managed through meal planning to ensure a healthy and balanced nutrition, exercise, and artificial insulin (if necessary).
Signs To Look Out For
There are a variety of symptoms individuals with diabetes experience when glucose levels are outside of the normal range. If you experience any of the symptoms below, it’s time to see an endourologist immediately to test for diabetes.
- Increased thirst, hunger and dry mouth
- Frequent urge to urinate
- Blurred vision, headaches, fatigue, and weakness
- Unexplained weight loss
Diagnosis
To diagnose you with diabetes, your doctor will perform two fasting blood sugar tests on separate occasions. This will require you to fast for 8 hours before coming in for the blood tests. If your blood sugar is between 100 and 125 mg/dL, it is considered normal. If it is 126 mg/dL or higher in both tests, you have diabetes. Your doctor will use these test results to determine if you have diabetes and will then recommend treatments to manage your diabetes.
If you think you may have diabetes, the first thing to do is see a qualified and trustworthy doctor with a wealth of experience treating individuals with your condition. If you live in Miami Beach, Dr. Alexander Lurie is the doctor for you. Dr. Lurie is a renowned endocrinologist who specializes in treating type 1, type 2, and gestational diabetes. Call (305) 456-4840 to make an appointment today or request an appointment online.
