
Increased thirst and frequent urination are common symptoms of diabetes. At San Fernando Medical Center in San Fernando, California, Robert Partovy, DO, and his experienced team diagnose and help you properly manage diabetes, reducing your chance of developing complications. Call the office to schedule an appointment or use the online booking feature today.
request an appointmentWhat is diabetes?
Diabetes is a common chronic disease that affects more than 10% of the United States population. It occurs when your body doesn’t properly regulate the sugar in your bloodstream. When left untreated, diabetes can cause debilitating symptoms and severe complications.
What kinds of diabetes are there?
The main kinds of diabetes are Type 1, Type 2, prediabetes, and gestational diabetes.
Type 1 diabetes occurs when your body produces too little insulin. This hormone moves sugar from the blood into body tissues. If you have Type 2 diabetes, your body can’t use insulin efficiently. Prediabetes occurs before Type 2 diabetes, and gestational diabetes happens during pregnancy but usually goes away after childbirth.
Type 1 diabetes is usually diagnosed during childhood. Type 2 diabetes typically develops after 40, but in recent years is showing up in younger people, including children and teenagers.
What are the symptoms of diabetes?
The common symptoms of diabetes include:
- Extreme thirst or hunger
- Increased urination
- Unexplained weight loss
- Fatigue
- Blurry vision
- Irritability
- Frequent infections
- Slow-healing sores
Complications that develop when diabetes isn’t treated include heart problems, kidney issues, nerve damage, eye problems, foot issues, hearing impairment, skin conditions, dementia, and depression.
What are the risk factors for diabetes?
The common risk factors for developing Type 2 diabetes include:
- Excess body weight
- Family history of diabetes
- Physical inactivity
- Poor dietary habits
- Past gestational diabetes
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol levels
- Older age
- Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) in women
Adopting healthy habits and maintaining an ideal body weight are the best ways to reduce your chance of developing Type 2 diabetes, prediabetes, and gestational diabetes.
How does my doctor diagnose diabetes?
Your San Fernando Medical Center specialist diagnoses diabetes using a blood test (called an A1C). They also review your medical history and symptoms, your medication, and your lifestyle. Your provider checks your blood pressure and pulse. They complete a physical exam before developing a personalized diabetes treatment plan.
How is diabetes treated?
Type 1 diabetes, being an autoimmune disease, can’t be cured, but it can be managed by medication and daily insulin injections. Insulin pumps are sometimes surgically implanted to do the job of the daily insulin shots.
The most common treatments for Type 2 diabetes are healthy lifestyle changes (altering your diet and exercise habits), weight loss, and sometimes medications and insulin injections. The San Fernando Medical Center team also offers diabetic education.
You might need more than one diabetes treatment to properly manage blood sugar levels. Your provider follows up with you regularly to make sure your blood sugar stays within a healthy range.
Call San Fernando Medical Center or book a diabetes treatment consultation online today.