Diabetes Management
Diabetes (diabetes mellitus) is a dangerous disease that causes elevated blood sugar (glucose) levels in the body.
Left untreated or poorly managed, diabetes can lead to heart and blood vessel disease, nerve and kidney damage, eye damage and vision loss, hearing impairment, skin conditions, foot damage and possible amputation.
Glucose is a vital energy source for the brain, muscles and tissues. When we eat, our bodies break down carbohydrates into glucose. The body regulates glucose by releasing a hormone in the pancreas called insulin. Insulin allows glucose to enter the cells from the blood.
When the body cannot produce enough insulin to effectively manage glucose, diabetes is diagnosed, and microvascular (very small blood vessels such as those in your eye and at nerve endings) damage begins.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 100 million U.S. adults are living with diabetes or prediabetes. 1.5 Million Americans are newly diagnosed with diabetes every year.
Types of Diabetes
There are actually two types of diabetes.
In people with Type 1 diabetes, the body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas, mistaking healthy cells as foreign invaders. Once these beta cells are destroyed, the body cannot produce insulin that is need to regulate glucose levels in the blood.
Type 1 diabetes cannot be prevented. The most common risk factors include family history and genetics.
In people with Type 2 diabetes, the body still produces insulin but is unable to use it effectively (insulin resistance). Type 2 diabetes is much more common than Type 1. Risk factors for Type 2 diabetes include:
- Excess weight or obesity
- Excess belly fat
- Physical inactivity (sedentary lifestyle)
- Poor dietary habits (calories devoid of nutrients with high sugar content)
- Immediate family members with Type 2 diabetes
- Prediabetes (slightly elevated blood sugar levels)
Prediabetes
Diabetes is often preceded by metabolic syndrome (prediabetes) with the key features being:
- Increased weight
- Increased waist circumference (central body fat)
- Systolic Blood pressure greater than 130
- High Triglycerides
- Low HDL
The above abnormalities often occur 10-15 years before diabetes starts. It is during this time that macrovascular disease (damage to the arties of the heart, brain, and legs) starts to occur. Preventing diabetes at this time will not only prevent needing several medications for sugar control but may also prevent heart attack and stroke, which are often diagnosed around the same time as diabetes.
Diabetes Management
Dr. Andrew Fink helps his patients with diabetes monitor and manage their condition with the goal of eliminating symptoms when possible and preventing or at least slowing development of complications.
Dr. Fink is committed to helping his patients avoid developing diabetes through healthy lifestyle habits whenever possible.
