Diabetes Specialist

What is diabetes?

Diabetes refers to numerous conditions that affect how your body regulates glucose, or sugar, levels in your blood. Your body needs sugar to provide your cells with the necessary fuel to function. Having too much or too little glucose in your blood, however, can have a far-reaching effect on your overall health.

Your pancreas produces insulin to regulate the levels of sugar in your body and deliver the sugar to where it needs to go. With diabetes, the exchange between your insulin and your glucose is compromised, which can happen in different ways:

Type 1 diabetes

Your pancreas is unable to produce enough insulin because your immune system destroys the cells responsible for its production.

Type 2 diabetes

Your body produces insulin, but it’s not enough to deal with the sugar levels in your blood, or your body has become resistant to insulin.

Type 1 and type 2 are the main types of diabetes, though there are other less common forms, like gestational diabetes.

What causes diabetes?

When it comes to type 1 diabetes, the cause remains unknown, though medical experts believe that genetics and environment may play essential roles.

The cause of type 2 diabetes is also unknown, but research suggests that there’s a strong link between weight and obesity issues. However, people who don’t have weight issues can also develop type 2 diabetes, which may be tied to hereditary reasons.

What are the symptoms of diabetes?

The most common symptoms of diabetes include:

• Increased thirst and frequent urination
• Fatigue
• Moodiness and irritability
• Sores that don’t heal
• Hunger
• Weight loss

How is diabetes treated?

Since diabetes isn't traceable to a single cause, there’s no cure for the disease. However, the team at Doctors of Bellevue-Redmond can help you manage the condition and avoid the more severe complications associated with diabetes.

Typically, the primary objective is to regulate your blood sugar levels. The physicians at Bellevue-Redmond accomplish this through:

• Insulin injections
• Regular monitoring
• Oral medications
• Lifestyle recommendations
• Nutritional counseling

Once your glucose levels are under control, the doctors keep a watchful eye on your health to catch any signs of complications early. This step in your diabetes care is critical because the doctors can step in early, preventing a health problem from developing further.

To ensure comprehensive and vigilant management of your diabetes, call Doctors of Bellevue-Redmond, or book an appointment online.