Diabetes

Diabetes Treatment

Type of Diabetes

There are two different types of diabetes mellitus. In type 1 diabetes mellitus, the problem is that the pancreas (an organ in the abdomen) does not make enough insulin. In type 2 diabetes mellitus, the pancreas does not make enough insulin, the body becomes resistant to normal or even high levels of insulin, or both. This causes high blood glucose (blood sugar) levels, which can cause problems if untreated.

Symptoms of Diabetes

The majority of patients with type 2 diabetes are asymptomatic, and hyperglycemia is noted on routine laboratory evaluation, prompting further testing. Classic symptoms of hyperglycemia include polyuria, polydipsia, nocturia, blurred vision, and, infrequently, weight loss. These symptoms are often noted only in retrospect after an elevated blood glucose value has been documented. And hence, it is very important to get screened at least annually.

Treatment of Diabetes

Treatment of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus includes education, evaluation for microvascular and macrovascular complications, attempts to achieve near-normal glycemia, minimization of cardiovascular and other long-term risk factors, and avoidance of drugs that can aggravate abnormalities of insulin or lipid metabolism. All of these treatments need to be tempered based on individual factors, such as age, life expectancy, and comorbidities. Although several studies have noted remissions of type 2 diabetes mellitus that may last several years, most patients require continuous treatment in order to maintain normal or near-normal glycemia.

Diabetes care built around your daily routine

Managing diabetes is not about having a perfect day. It is about understanding your numbers, noticing patterns, and having a care plan that works with your food, work, family, and medication routine. Align Primary Care supports patients from Dallas, Garland, Hurst, Carrollton, and Pleasant Grove with practical, ongoing primary care.

What a diabetes visit can cover

Appointments can be a place to review lab results, home readings, medications, nutrition questions, activity changes, and any concerns that have come up since your last visit. If you have noticed increased thirst, frequent urination, unexplained weight change, fatigue, or blurred vision, a visit and appropriate testing can help clarify what is going on.