Diabetes

What is diabetes?

Diabetes is a chronic health condition that develops when your blood sugar levels are higher than normal. The increase in sugar in your blood can damage your blood vessels and organs and lead to other health conditions such as heart disease, peripheral neuropathy, diabetic retinopathy, or kidney disease. 

Diabetes develops due to insulin-related issues, which is the hormone responsible for helping to get the sugar from your blood into your cells. Your pancreas makes insulin, and your diabetes may be due to a lack of insulin production (Type 1 diabetes), or the insulin isn’t working properly (Type 2 diabetes). 

Type 2 diabetes is significantly more common than Type 1 diabetes. 

Does diabetes cause symptoms?

Yes, diabetes causes symptoms. However, the severity of your symptoms may depend on the type of diabetes you have. For those with Type 1 diabetes, the symptoms are severe and obvious. However, with Type 2 diabetes, the symptoms may be so subtle that they go unnoticed.

Diabetes symptoms include:

• Extreme thirst and hunger
• Unexpected weight loss
• Increase in urination, especially at night
• Tingling in the hands or feet
• Blurry vision
• Cuts that don’t heal

If you’re experiencing symptoms that point to diabetes, the team at Gulf Coast Cardiology Group can run a blood test to confirm or rule out a diagnosis. 

How is diabetes diagnosed?

A blood test can help diagnose diabetes. Your doctor at Gulf Coast Cardiology Group may recommend one of three tests to determine whether you have diabetes – an A1C test, fasting blood glucose test, or a random blood glucose test.

The A1C and fasting blood glucose tests are most commonly used to diagnose diabetes. However, if there’s a concern, and your doctor needs to know your blood sugar levels immediately, a random blood glucose test may be required.

What is the treatment for diabetes?

Your doctor at Gulf Coast Cardiology Group develops individualized treatment plans for the management of diabetes based on your blood sugar numbers and your overall health. Treatment may include a combination of:

• Diet modification
• Exercise 
• Diabetes-specific medications
• Insulin therapy

Gulf Coast Cardiology Group uses the newest medications to help manage your diabetes and reduce your risk of developing heart disease and experiencing severe complications such as heart attack and stroke. 

Your doctor may also suggest a weight loss program if you’re overweight or obese. Losing as little as 5% of your body weight may significantly improve your blood sugar levels and lower your risk of health complications.

For comprehensive diabetes care and to help lower your risk of developing heart disease, call Gulf Coast Cardiology Group or request an appointment online today.