What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic medical condition that affects how your body processes sugar from your diet. Your body produces the hormone insulin to convert sugar into the energy you need to function. When you have diabetes, this process doesn't work properly.
About 1 in 10 Americans have diabetes and need high-quality medical care to prevent complications. At HealthWell Family Health, Nina Aronov, FNP-BC, and the medical team provide comprehensive diabetes management services to keep your blood sugar levels healthy. They customize care plans using lifestyle changes, diet improvements, and medications, so you can live a healthy, active life. Call the office in the Forest Hills neighborhood of Queens, New York, to schedule a diabetes consultation or book an appointment online today.
There are four primary types of diabetes:
Type 1 Diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease that develops when your body doesn’t make insulin to regulate your blood sugar levels. This type of diabetes develops when your immune system mistakenly attacks your pancreas, the organ that produces insulin.
Type 2 Diabetes
Type 2 diabetes occurs when your body can’t produce enough insulin or doesn’t use the insulin it makes properly. This condition often develops due to unhealthy lifestyle choices, obesity, and a poor diet.
Prediabetes
Prediabetes describes blood sugar levels that are high but not high enough to be considered diabetes. Being prediabetic increases your risk of developing Type 2 diabetes.
Gestational Diabetes
Gestational diabetes causes high blood sugar levels in pregnant women. Typically, the condition resolves with the birth of the baby. However, having the condition can increase your risk for Type 2 diabetes.
How do I know if I have diabetes?
You can have diabetes without knowing because it doesn't always cause symptoms. However, the higher your blood sugar levels, the more severe your symptoms will be. If left uncontrolled, diabetes can lead to vision loss, nerve damage, and other serious complications. The only way to confirm diabetes is through a blood test. HealthWell Family Health offers in- office blood work to evaluate your blood sugar levels and confirm a diabetes diagnosis. You should schedule a consultation if you have risk factors for diabetes, such as weight challenges or a family history of diabetes. You also need a medical evaluation if you experience symptoms like: Excessive thirst, increased urination, persistent fatigue, blurred vision, and slow-healing sores. Diabetes can also increase the frequency of skin or vaginal infections.
How is diabetes treated?
To keep your diabetes well controlled, HealthWell Family Health offers comprehensive diabetes management services. The team creates a care plan to keep your blood sugar levels at healthy levels using strategies like: Medications, daily exercise, diet modifications, and blood sugar monitoring.
The medical team can also provide additional resources to help you achieve a healthy weight. They continue to monitor your treatment progress and can adjust your medications when necessary. Call HealthWell Family Health to schedule a diabetes consultation or book an appointment online today.
