What is type 1 diabetes?
Type 1 diabetes is a disease in which your pancreas doesn’t make insulin. Without insulin, you can’t process blood sugar for energy, and it builds up in your body, causing serious health issues.
Type 1 diabetes is usually diagnosed in childhood or as a teenager, but it can develop as an adult in some cases. This type of diabetes isn’t preventable, while type 2 diabetes is avoidable.
What is type 2 diabetes?
Type 2 diabetes is a disease in which you make enough insulin, but your body is resistant to it. Consequently, your body can’t process blood sugar properly. In the later stages of type 2 diabetes, many sufferers don’t produce as much insulin anymore.
Type 2 diabetes is preventable. If you take the right steps when you’re prediabetic — when you have elevated blood sugar, but not at type 2 diabetes levels yet — you can work with Dr. Shende to prevent the disease in many cases.
What are the symptoms of diabetes?
Diabetes symptoms aren’t always obvious, particularly in the early stages of type 2 diabetes. But, as the disease progresses, you might experience:
- Unusual thirst
- Unusual hunger
- Increased frequency of urination
- Fatigue
- Blurry vision
- Slow healing cuts or wounds
- More frequent infections
People living with type 1 diabetes might also experience weight loss, without any obvious changes in their eating habits. If you’re dealing with any of these symptoms, see Dr. Shende as soon as possible. She can do diagnostic tests to determine if you have diabetes. If you have either type 1 or type 2 diabetes, Dr. Shende offers comprehensive disease management to help you stay healthy.
How is diabetes treated?
Dr. Shende customizes diabetes management plans for every patient. In many cases, type 2 diabetes is manageable with weight loss, healthy diet, and exercise. But, Dr. Shende can prescribe medicine to help you control your blood sugar if your lifestyle changes don’t work. Type 1 diabetes is different because you must take insulin via injection or pump in addition to maintaining a healthy diet and lifestyle. You’ll need to test your blood sugar regularly at home, and Dr. Shende will also do glycated hemoglobin (A1C) tests periodically during your appointments. This test shows your average daily blood sugar level over the past 2-3 months. Dr. Shende combines the AIC test info with your daily blood sugar results to determine how effective your current type 1 diabetes management is.
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