Diabetes

Without expert management, diabetes can cause multiple complications ranging from limb amputation to blindness. At Primecare Family Practice in Arlington, Texas, Lewis Nyantika, APRN, FNP-C, Maryline Ongangi, ARRN, FNP-C, and the team provide exceptional treatment for all patients with diabetes. Onsite screening is also available to detect the earliest signs of diabetes and help reverse them. To discuss your diabetes management and schedule your screening, call the office or request an appointment online today.

What causes diabetes?

Diabetes, also known as Diabetes mellitus, is a metabolic disease that causes high blood sugar. There are three main types of diabetes. 

Type 1 

Once known as insulin-dependent diabetes or juvenile diabetes, Type 1 diabetes often begins in childhood. Type 1 is an autoimmune disease that occurs when the immune system malfunctions and attacks the healthy insulin-producing cells of the pancreas. The body cannot produce enough insulin to enable the cells to use glucose (sugar).

Type 2 

Type 2 diabetes is a metabolic disease that occurs when the body cannot process insulin correctly and is most common among people carrying excess body weight. Type 2 diabetes is more common than Type 1.

Gestational diabetes 

Some people develop gestational diabetes during pregnancy. The Primecare Family Practice team can perform a simple blood sugar test to diagnose this condition. Treatment includes exercise, recording daily blood sugar, a healthy diet, and monitoring the baby. If your blood sugar remains high, you might need medication.

What are some common symptoms of diabetes? 

Depending on the type of diabetes present, symptoms may vary. The most common symptoms include:

• Increased urgency to urinate
• Dry mouth and increased thirst
• Fatigue
• Itchy skin
• Chronic yeast infections
• Delayed healing of sores and cuts
• Blurry vision

Many people don’t experience any symptoms of diabetes until they reach an advanced stage. Or they might assume their vague symptoms and tiredness are due to aging.

How is diabetes diagnosed? 

Diagnosing diabetes is a straightforward process requiring a simple blood test or urinalysis (urine test). The Primecare Family Practice team can also test you for vascular disease, retinal eye damage, diabetic nerve damage, and other complications of diabetes.

What treatments are available to manage diabetes? 

If you have diabetes, typically, you need to monitor glucose levels throughout the day, using insulin to keep glucose under control. Regular monitoring helps to prevent “spikes” in glucose levels that can wind up causing organ and nerve damage and increase other serious risks.

It’s essential to make lifestyle changes, like losing excess weight, following a special diet, and being more physically active. These changes can reverse your condition if you receive your diagnosis early enough.

At Primecare Family Practice, the team offers diabetes screening for the earliest detection of blood sugar problems. The team may order additional tests to screen for other conditions like heart disease, which can be more common among people with diabetes. 

To learn more about diabetes management, call the Primecare Family Practice office, or request your appointment online today.