Diabetes Specialist
Danvers Family Doctors, P.C.
Family Medicine & Primary Care Practice
located in Danvers, MA
Diabetes Q & A
What exactly is diabetes?
Diabetes is a condition in which the pancreas is unable to produce sufficient insulin or produces insulin that is ineffective in the body. In order to process sugars and fats, insulin is required to maintain glucose levels. When a person has diabetes, they can’t absorb fats and sugars properly or at all, which can cause serious health problems. Although diabetes cannot be cured, it can be effectively managed in a way that allows patients to live full and healthy lives.
What differentiates type 1 diabetes from type 2 diabetes?
Diabetes type 1, also known as juvenile diabetes, is typically diagnosed in childhood. Diabetes-stricken parents are more likely to have a child with the condition, so it could be genetic. Diabetes type 2 is by far the most prevalent type. Adults with certain risk factors, such as being overweight and physically inactive, are frequently diagnosed with it. The most significant distinction between type 1 and type 2 diabetes is that type 2 diabetes can typically be avoided through healthy eating and a healthy lifestyle. Both type 1 and type 2 diabetes can cause serious health problems, such as damage to the nerves, kidneys, heart, eyes, gum disease, and persistent foot infections that can become so severe that amputation is necessary.
What symptoms does diabetes present?
Intense thirst, frequent urination, blurry vision, and sudden weight loss are all possible signs of type 1 diabetes. In the early stages of type 2 diabetes, there are typically no symptoms. The patient may experience a gradual accumulation of symptoms over time until multiple issues appear suddenly. Increased thirst, chronic dry mouth, frequent urination, tingling or numbness in the extremities, and wounds that heal slowly are examples of these.
How is diabetes treated?
The individual patient and the type of diabetes both influence treatment. To manage diabetes symptoms, lifestyle changes and medication are required. To help manage their diabetes, overweight patients can adopt a healthy diet, begin regular exercise, and quit smoking. Insulin injections, oral medications, and insulin pumps are all options for medication.