Diabetes Specialist

What is diabetes?

Diabetes is a chronic disease that occurs when your body is unable to make proper use of blood glucose. To understand diabetes, it helps to think about how your body converts food into fuel.

Every time you eat, a portion of the carbohydrates you consume is converted into glucose, a type of sugar. That glucose can be put to immediate use as fuel, or circulate in your bloodstream to provide nourishment to cells throughout your body. 

For glucose to enter your cells, a hormone called insulin must be present. People with diabetes either don’t produce sufficient insulin or aren’t able to make proper use of the insulin that is produced. That leaves glucose with nowhere to go, and as it builds in your bloodstream, it begins to place undue pressure on many of your organs and systems. 

Men and women with type 1 diabetes have an autoimmune condition that prevents their pancreas from manufacturing insulin. Without supplemental insulin, they will not be able to survive. 

Those with type 2 diabetes create insulin, but either can’t make enough or can’t put their insulin to use. Type 2 diabetes is linked to obesity and other health issues, but there may also be a genetic component at play. 

Some women develop gestational diabetes during pregnancy and risk complications, but the condition usually clears after giving birth. 

What are the health risks associated with diabetes?

Diabetes takes an enormous toll on your body. Your risk of numerous health issues rises once you develop diabetes, which is why prevention and screening are so important. Some of the health issues linked to diabetes include:

• Heart disease
  
• Stroke
  
• Eye problems
  
• Kidney disease
  
• Nerve damage
  
• Foot issues
  
• Dental disease
  
• Sexual dysfunction

This is far from a comprehensive list, as diabetes places strain on many areas of your body. 

What can be done to treat diabetes?

If Dr. Jeereddy determines you have diabetes, she creates a customized treatment plan that aligns with your needs, goals, and lifestyle. Medication may play a role in treatment. Drug therapy can help control blood glucose levels, and supplemental insulin is also an option. 

While medications and supplemental insulin is sometimes the best course of action, Dr. Jeereddy prefers to focus on lifestyle modifications as a way to manage diabetes. There are changes you can make that can have a substantial impact on your daily quality of life. In fact, some men and women can bring their blood glucose numbers to a level where medications are no longer needed. 

Those changes include reaching and maintaining a healthy weight, improving your daily diet, and getting plenty of exercise. Quitting smoking, managing stress, and getting plenty of sleep each night are also important. 

If you or a loved one are struggling with diabetes, call today to book an appointment at Kenilworth Primary Care or use the easy online booking tool to set up a visit.