Nine out of 10 people with diabetes have type 2 diabetes. Whether you have type 1 or type 2 diabetes, the team at Holvik Family Health Center assists in the management of your disease. We help you avoid health complications by teaching you how to keep blood sugar under control and by prescribing medication when necessary. Call our office in Visalia, California, or schedule an appointment online if you experience symptoms of diabetes like increased thirst, frequent urination, and extreme hunger.
Diabetes Q & A
What causes Diabetes?
Insulin is a hormone that regulates blood sugar by transporting glucose out of your blood and into cells that need it for energy. Insulin also tells fat cells to store glucose when there's more in your bloodstream than you need for energy. If you don't have enough insulin, or if you have plenty of insulin but it's not working properly, blood sugar stays too high, and you have diabetes.
What are the different types of Diabetes?
The three most common types of diabetes are:
TYPE 1 DIABETES
In type 1 diabetes, your body can't make insulin because insulin-producing cells in the pancreas are damaged. Type 1 often occurs in children, but it can develop at any age.
TYPE 2 DIABETES
In type 2 diabetes, your body doesn't make enough insulin or the insulin produced doesn't work properly. Type 2 diabetes usually occurs in adults, but it can happen at any age.
GESTATIONAL DIABETES
This kind of diabetes develops during pregnancy. It usually goes away after the baby is born, but women who have gestational diabetes have a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes later in life.
Are you at risk for developing type 2 diabetes?
You can prevent or delay type 2 diabetes if you eliminate the top risk factors, including:
- Being overweight
- A diet high in carbohydrates
- A sedentary lifestyle
Your risk of type 2 diabetes is greater if you have a family history of:
- Diabetes
- Hypertension
- High cholesterol
- Polycystic ovary syndrome
What health complications develop if diabetes is out of control?
When blood sugar stays high, the excess sugar damages blood vessels and nerves. As a result, you have greater chance of developing heart disease, kidney disease, skin infections from wounds that don't heal, and nerve damage in your eyes and feet.
How is diabetes treated?
You can't cure diabetes once it develops, but you can prevent health complications by keeping blood sugar at healthy levels. Everyone with diabetes should follow a diet that avoids carbohydrates that boost blood sugar. The team at Holvik Family Health Center works with you to identify healthy carbohydrates and create a diet plan that effectively controls your blood sugar. People with type 1 diabetes will always need to take insulin. If you need medication for type 2 diabetes Dr. Holvik may recommend insulin or other medications that work to keep your blood sugar normal in a safe range. No matter what type of diabetes you have, the team at Holvik Family Health Center have the expertise to help you manage blood sugar. We're dedicated to creating an individualized plan that works for you and keeps you healthy.