Diabetes Specialist

Diabetes Q&A

What is diabetes?

Diabetes is a group of chronic diseases that affect your insulin production and usage. Insulin is a hormone that your pancreas produces. The hormone essentially unlocks your cells, which allows glucose (sugar) from the food you eat to enter the cells to use for energy.

If you don’t have insulin, or if your insulin doesn’t work normally, glucose remains in your blood and accumulates because it can’t get into the cells. With diabetes, your blood sugar levels are too high for a long time, which can lead to serious health problems, including nerve damage, frequent infections, heart disease, and many other issues.

What are the types of diabetes?

The main forms of diabetes include:

Type 1 diabetes

Type 1 diabetes occurs when your pancreas doesn’t make insulin. The disease usually starts in childhood and isn’t preventable. Experts believe it occurs because of an abnormal immune system reaction.

Type 2 diabetes

Type 2 diabetes occurs when you make insulin normally, but over time, you start making too little of it or your body stops using the hormone properly. Although genetics can contribute to Type 2 diabetes, the disease is usually preventable. Your weight, diet, and physical activity level all play a major role in the development of Type 2 diabetes.

Gestational diabetes

Gestational diabetes occurs during pregnancy in women who weren’t previously diabetic. Most women who develop gestational diabetes return to normal health after having their baby. But, if you have gestational diabetes, you have an increased risk of developing Type 2 diabetes later.

Prediabetes means that your body isn’t using insulin properly but your blood sugar levels aren’t high enough to receive a Type 2 diabetes diagnosis.

How does diabetes treatment work?

Treatment is usually different for Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes.

A healthy diet, regular exercise, and other lifestyle changes can yield health benefits when you have Type 1 diabetes, but these measures can’t control your disease on their own. With Type 1 diabetes, daily insulin use is essential to staying healthy.

With Type 2 diabetes, lifestyle changes and weight loss (if you’re overweight) can control the disease in its earlier stages. In some cases, you may need oral medication as well. Later in the course of the disease, you may need insulin.

If you commit to a healthier life, Castle Hills Family Practice can help you manage your diabetes effectively. Book your appointment online or call the office for diabetes help now.