Diabetes
Sweetwater Medical Associates Diabetes Treatment
Diabetes is a disease that affects how the body uses glucose, a sugar that is a source of fuel. Normally, insulin, which is a hormone, helps glucose enter the body cells where it is used for energy. People with diabetes do not produce insulin, do not produce enough insulin, or the insulin does not work like it should.
As a result, glucose does not get into the body cells. Too much sugar in the blood can make people ill and result in medical complications. People with diabetes need to diligently manage their disease to remain healthy and reduce the risk of medical complications.
There are different types of diabetes. Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disorder, which means the body’s immune system attacks the cells in the pancreas that produce insulin. People with type 1 diabetes, sometimes called juvenile diabetes because it often begins in childhood, do not produce insulin. There is no cure for type 1 diabetes, and it cannot be prevented. It is a lifelong condition.
Type 1 diabetes must be treated with insulin. The specialists at Sweetwater Medical Associates will help you and your child learn how to monitor, treat, and prevent complications for type 1 diabetes. We will keep you informed of the latest advances in self-monitoring equipment and medications.
Type 2 diabetes, also called adult-onset diabetes because it typically occurs in adults, is by far the most common form of diabetes. It is a metabolic disorder, not an autoimmune disease. People with type 2 diabetes either do not make enough insulin or their body doesn’t use it efficiently. While many cases of type 2 diabetes may be prevented, it remains the leading cause of diabetes-related complications.
We will help you understand your condition and teach you how you can lower your blood sugar levels with weight loss, exercise, and dietary changes. We will teach you how to monitor your blood sugar levels and instruct you about how to use medications, if necessary. At Sweetwater Medical Associates, we will help you take an active role in managing type 2 diabetes to help prevent future complications.
In many cases, people experience "pre-diabetes" before they develop type 2 diabetes. Pre-diabetes, also known as impaired glucose tolerance or impaired fasting glucose, is a condition in which blood glucose levels are elevated but are not high enough to meet the criteria for type 2 diabetes.
A diagnosis of pre-diabetes means that you are likely to develop diabetes and may already be experiencing adverse health effects. People with pre-diabetes can delay or prevent type 2 diabetes if blood glucose levels are managed with nutrition and exercise during pre-diabetes.
At Sweetwater Medical Associates, we will provide you with compassionate care, the latest technology, and education to help you and your family members take an active role in managing and controlling all forms of diabetes.
The medical staff at Sweetwater Medical Associates specializes in helping to treat type 1, type 2, and pre-diabetes. To learn more about the diagnosis or treatment of diabetes, give us a call today at (281) 494-4900 or request an appointment online.
