Diabetes Management Specialist
-
- Tweet
Love Family Healthcare, PLLC
Family Medicine Practice located in Arlington, TX
Diabetes and prediabetes are common, affecting more than 100 million adults in the United States. Comprehensive diabetes management is crucial to prevent serious complications from occurring. At Love Family Healthcare, PLLC, a black-owned health care practice in Arlington, Texas, family medicine provider Shira Love, MSN, FNP-C, and the team screen for and manage diabetes to optimize your quality of life. Schedule an appointment with Love Family Healthcare, PLLC, over the phone or online today.
Diabetes Management Q&A
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a common chronic disease that affects the way your body metabolizes sugar. Insulin is a hormone that helps move sugar from your bloodstream into cells within your body.
Type 1 diabetes happens when your body doesn’t make enough insulin, and type 2 diabetes occurs when you can’t use insulin the right way. Prediabetes is a condition that can lead to diabetes, but is also reversible with healthy lifestyle habits.
If you have diabetes, properly managing the disease is crucial to keep blood sugar levels within a normal, healthy range.
What are the symptoms of diabetes?
If you have diabetes, you might experience the following signs and symptoms:
- Extreme hunger
- Increased thirst
- Frequent urination
- Unexplained weight loss
- Blurry vision
- Slow-healing sores
- Frequent infections
- Irritability
- Fatigue
Not everyone with prediabetes or diabetes experiences symptoms, which is why routine screening, if you’re at risk, is so important.
What are the risk factors for diabetes?
Anybody can develop diabetes, but the following factors increase your risk:
- Family history of diabetes
- Being overweight
- Inactivity
- Older age
- Being African American, Hispanic American, American Indian, or Asian American
- A history of gestational diabetes or polycystic ovary syndrome in women
- High cholesterol or blood pressure
Type 1 diabetes commonly develops in childhood, while type 2 diabetes may not occur until you’re in your 40s or older. If left untreated, uncontrolled diabetes can lead to heart problems, kidney damage, nerve problems, eye damage, foot issues, dementia, hearing problems, or depression.
What does diabetes management involve?
To diagnose diabetes, Shira reviews your symptoms and medical history, and completes a simple blood test. To manage the disease, she might recommend:
Insulin injections
Injecting yourself with insulin after meals helps keep blood sugar under control when you have type 1 diabetes. Shira may recommend insulin along with oral medicines if you have type 2 diabetes.
Oral medications
Taking oral medicines is a common treatment for people with type 2 diabetes. Shira lets you know which medications best match your personalized needs.
Lifestyle changes
Making lifestyle changes can reverse prediabetes or the amount of diabetes medications you must take. Examples include weight loss, exercise, and healthy eating habits.
If you’re at risk of diabetes or you would like to learn more about diabetes management, schedule an appointment with Love Family Healthcare, PLLC over the phone or online for an evaluation.