Diabetes

More than 130 million American adults have diabetes or prediabetes. But fortunately, it’s also controllable if you get the proper help to manage your condition. At Seva Family Medicine, experienced medical providers Gurvinder Mangat, MD, and Shannon Mangat, FNP-C, offer complete diabetes care. For compassionate care with a service-oriented approach, call the Parker, Colorado office or book online today.

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What Is Diabetes?

Diabetes is a chronic condition that develops when insulin — a natural hormone in your body critical for blood sugar (glucose) regulation — doesn’t work properly.

The main two types of diabetes are:

Type 1 Diabetes

Type 1 diabetes occurs when your body doesn’t produce the insulin it needs, so glucose can’t leave your bloodstream and enter your body’s cells. As a result, glucose builds up in the bloodstream and causes high blood sugar levels.

Current research suggests that Type 1 diabetes may develop because of genetics and environmental factors.

Type 2 Diabetes

Type 2 diabetes is far more common than Type 1, occurring in about 95% of all diabetes cases. With Type 2 diabetes, your body makes insulin, but your cells resist its effects, which means you can’t process sugar properly.

This type of diabetes mainly occurs in middle age, although an increasing number of children are developing the disease. Type 2 diabetes is largely tied to extra weight, a sedentary lifestyle, and poor eating habits.

Prediabetes

Prediabetes is a condition that indicates higher blood sugar levels than normal, but not enough to diagnose diabetes. If you have prediabetes, you may be able to improve your condition and prevent a diabetes diagnosis through diet and lifestyle changes.

Gestational Diabetes

A third type of diabetes, gestational diabetes, happens only during pregnancy. It’s tied to the same factors as Type 2 diabetes. Gestational diabetes usually resolves after the baby’s birth, although women who have gestational diabetes have an increased risk of Type 2 diabetes later in life.

What Problems Can Diabetes Cause?

Diabetes can cause problems all throughout your body, including nerve damage, circulatory problems, heart disease, and kidney disease.

If blood sugar isn’t tightly controlled, you could eventually lose your vision, experience kidney failure, or even lose a limb to an infected ulcer. Ultimately, diabetes could lead to serious consequences if you don’t take the steps to prevent its progression and keep your blood sugar levels under control.

How Is Diabetes Treated?

Diabetes treatment depends on the type you have and how the disease has progressed.

Type 1 Diabetes

If you have Type 1 diabetes, you need insulin to function properly. Most people take insulin through injections, but you can also use other methods like an insulin pump.

Eating healthy, exercising, and monitoring your blood sugar levels are also important in managing Type 1 diabetes.

Type 2 Diabetes

Type 2 diabetes requires lifestyle changes, which may be enough to control the disease in its earlier stages. Diet changes, an exercise plan, and a strategy to monitor your blood sugar levels at home (like finger stick tests) can all help you manage your disease effectively.

You may also need medication, such as metformin, to keep your blood sugar under control. In the late stages of the disease, people with Type 2 diabetes may need insulin.

The Seva Family Medicine providers offer diabetes management with understanding and dedication to your overall health. Book your appointment online or call the office today to receive expert diabetes care.