Diabetes

What is diabetes?

Diabetes is a group of conditions where you make too little insulin hormone or don't use it efficiently. That ultimately means that you can't regulate blood sugar levels, which can ultimately lead to a number of different health issues, including vision loss, heart disease, nerve damage, and vascular damage.

What are the different types of diabetes? 

The types of diabetes include:

Type 1 diabetes

Type 1 diabetes is a condition in which your immune system attacks your pancreas and prevents it from making insulin. This form of diabetes isn't preventable.

Type 2 diabetes

About 95% of people with diabetes have Type 2 diabetes, which occurs when you make insulin but don't use it well. Type 2 diabetes is preventable. If you have prediabetes — elevated blood sugar levels that aren't high enough to be Type 2 diabetes — you can take steps like losing weight and eating healthy to prevent it.

Gestational diabetes

Gestational diabetes occurs only during pregnancy. It affects women who've never had diabetes before. Gestational diabetes almost always goes away after birth. But, your chances of developing Type 2 diabetes later increase if you have gestational diabetes and your baby shares those risks.

Secondary diabetes

Secondary diabetes occurs when another disease or condition causes diabetes. Endocrine disorders, such as adrenal disorders and pituitary disorders, are a common cause of secondary diabetes.

At Capital Endocrine & Diabetes, the team treats all types of diabetes.

How does diabetes treatment work?

Capital Endocrine & Diabetes tailors diabetes care for you. The team schedules plenty of time for each patient, and they explain all your treatment options in detail. Usually, diabetes treatment involves:

Lifestyle changes

Lifestyle changes like weight loss, improved nutrition, and exercise can all help with blood sugar management. The team supports you with Ideal Protein (a medical ketogenic weight loss protocol), as well as one-on-one nutrition counseling and other lifestyle guidance.

Monitoring blood sugar

A continuous glucose monitor tracks your blood sugar throughout the day and night. An implanted tiny sensor relays this info to you on a monitor or even your smartphone, alerting you when your blood sugar is too high. Continuous glucose monitors may be part of an insulin pump or a separate device.

A continuous glucose monitor doesn’t eliminate the need for finger pricks, but it can greatly reduce them. Some people may opt for strictly finger pricks instead.

Medication

Diabetes medication may include oral medications, injected insulin, or insulin pumps that automatically deliver insulin to your bloodstream.

The team also offers group diabetes education classes to help you understand and manage your disease in the best possible way. 

The Capital Endocrine & Diabetes team is here to support you with the most customized diabetes treatment plans. Call the office today to book an appointment.