Diabetes affects ever-increasing numbers of people in the United States, and people with this condition face serious health issues unless they receive help with managing their condition. The team at AFM Healthcare excels at helping people manage their diabetes and live the healthiest life they can, using a holistic approach that promotes better all-around health. If you have diabetes or want to arrange a screening, call the office in Winter Park or Oviedo, Florida, today, or book an appointment online.
request an appointmentWhat is diabetes?
Diabetes is a condition that arises when your body is either not making or not using the hormone insulin as it should. Because of this, sugar builds up in your blood beyond healthy levels, causing a range of health issues.
There are several types of diabetes, but the most common is Type 2, which arises when your body either doesn’t produce enough insulin or can’t use it. Type 1 diabetes is due to the body not producing insulin because the immune system destroys the insulin-making cells in the pancreas.
What are the symptoms of diabetes?
Diabetes rarely causes any noticeable symptoms until it reaches a more serious stage, by which time you could be experiencing:
- Constant thirst and hunger
- Chronic fatigue
- Frequent need to urinate
- Blurred vision
- Dry and itchy skin
- Wounds that heal slowly
- Tingling sensations in hands and feet
- Recurrent yeast, urinary tract, and skin infections
If left untreated, your blood sugar can rise so high that it causes difficulty breathing, vomiting, abdominal pain, dehydration, and, in extreme cases, coma and death.
Why would I get Type 2 diabetes?
Type 2 diabetes is a condition that develops due to lifestyle and health issues, whereas a problem in the immune system causes Type 1 diabetes. That means that while you can’t prevent Type 1 diabetes, you can do a great deal to prevent Type 2.
Risk factors for Type 2 diabetes include:
- Being overweight or obese
- Smoking
- Overconsumption of alcohol
- Lack of exercise
Having family members with diabetes and being over 45 also make you more susceptible to developing diabetes, but it’s still preventable if you watch your weight and live a healthy lifestyle. If you have any symptoms or more than one risk factor for diabetes, you AFM Healthcare provider can carry out blood sugar tests to help with a diagnosis.
How is diabetes treated?
The most valuable treatment for diabetes is for you to look after your health. Exercise regularly, keep your weight to a healthy level, eat a well-balanced diet, and avoid bad habits.
You may need to take medication to help control your diabetes, but at AFM Healthcare, patients are typically less reliant on medication because of the support they get and the time their physician spends helping them through education, nutrition counseling, exercise, and weight loss.
To find out how to live a long and happy life when you have diabetes, call AFM Healthcare today, or book an appointment online.