Diabetes

What is diabetes?

Diabetes is a chronic (ongoing) disease that reduces your body’s ability to control the amount of sugar in your bloodstream. Elevated blood sugar can eventually cause complications like eye damage, organ problems, heart disease, and foot issues.

If you experience symptoms of diabetes or have been diagnosed with the disease, see the Manikanda Raja, MD experts, for an evaluation.

What are the different types of diabetes?

The common types of diabetes include Type 1 diabetes, Type 2 diabetes, gestational diabetes, and prediabetes. Type 1 diabetes usually develops in childhood and results when your body produces too little insulin, a hormone needed for blood sugar control.

Type 2 diabetes often appears after age 40 because of excess weight or unhealthy lifestyle habits. Gestational diabetes develops during pregnancy. Prediabetes occurs right before you develop diabetes and may be reversible with healthy lifestyle habits.

What are the symptoms of diabetes?

Common symptoms of diabetes include:

• Increased thirst
• Excessive urination
• Vision problems
• Extreme hunger
• Unexplained weight loss
• Frequent infections
• Slow-healing sores
• Blurry vision
• Irritability

When left untreated, diabetes can cause nerve damage, foot problems, organ damage, Alzheimer’s disease, eye damage, depression, or other complications.

What are the risk factors for diabetes?

While anyone can develop Type 2 diabetes, common risk factors include:

• Lack of exercise
• Excess body weight
• Poor dietary habits
• Older age
• Family history of diabetes 
• High cholesterol
• High blood pressure
• Gestational diabetes
• Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) in women

Adopting healthy habits is the best way to reduce your risk of prediabetes, Type 2 diabetes, and gestational diabetes.

How does my specialist diagnose and treat diabetes?

After reviewing your symptoms and medical history, your Manikanda Raja, MD provider diagnoses diabetes. They check your vital signs, complete a physical exam, and view the results of your blood tests.

Your specialist often recommends losing weight, eating nutritious foods, and getting regular exercise to help control blood sugar. You might need to take oral medicines, receive insulin injections, or try combinations of these treatments. Monitor your blood sugar levels regularly and see the experts at Manikanda Raja, MD for routine checkups.

To get screened or treated for diabetes, call the Manikanda Raja, MD office or use the online booking tab today.