Diabetes

What is diabetes? 

Diabetes, medically known as diabetes mellitus, refers to a group of diseases marked by high levels of sugar in your blood. Having too much sugar, or glucose, in your blood makes it difficult for your body to process the food you eat and convert it into energy. 

When you eat, your body turns sugar into energy. Your pancreas, a vital organ in your body, produces a hormone called insulin that’s responsible for transporting glucose to cells for energy use. Diabetes is marked by your body’s inability to produce insulin or use it properly. 

There are two types of diabetes: Type 1 diabetes and Type 2 diabetes. In Type 1 diabetes, your pancreas produces little to no insulin. In Type 2 diabetes, your pancreas doesn’t properly make use of the insulin in your body. 

Type 1 diabetes is typically diagnosed during infancy or childhood, while Type 2 diabetes can develop at any age but most commonly during middle-aged or later years. 

What are the signs and symptoms of diabetes? 

These are some of the most frequently occurring signs and symptoms of diabetes: 

• Frequent urination
• Excessive thirst
• Increased appetite
• Drowsiness
• Blurry vision
• Slow healing of cuts and wounds
• Numbness or pain in your hands or feet
• Patches of dark skin

However, in some cases, you may show very faint or even no signs of diabetes prior to a diagnosis. Getting regular blood work during checkups is the best way to monitor your blood sugar levels. 

What causes diabetes? 

Type 1 diabetes occurs due to problems with your body’s immune system, which is in charge of helping your body fight infections. When your immune system mistakenly destroys insulin-producing cells in your pancreas, it leads to Type 1 diabetes. Most experts believe a combination of genetics and environmental factors can lead to a Type 1 diabetes diagnosis. 

Type 2 diabetes, the more common of the two types, is caused by several factors including genetics and lifestyle. These are some of the most common causes and risk factors:

• Family history
• Obesity
• Lack of physical activity
• Smoking tobacco
• Hormonal diseases

It’s important to seek professional help in managing Type 2 diabetes. Dr. Raccuglia can help determine the causes and contributing factors, which in turn helps effectively manage your diabetes. 

How is diabetes treated? 

Dr. Raccuglia and his team work closely with you to determine your precise diabetes management needs. Through highly personalized treatment, you can restore an excellent overall quality of life in the face of a diabetes diagnosis. 

The key to living with diabetes is managing your blood sugar levels and leading an active, healthy lifestyle. Dr. Raccuglia offers care plans that include a combination of insulin shots, home blood sugar monitoring, medication management, lifestyle modification counseling, and nutrition plans. Specifics depend on the details of your diagnosis. 

To learn more about diabetes treatment and management with Dr. Raccuglia, call the office or book an appointment online today.