If you were diagnosed with diabetes or prediabetes, you’re not alone; Diabetes affects 9.4% of the entire United States population. The most important thing you can do is to take control of your health and your life with the help of a skilled internal care physician like Trung Pham, MD, in Randallstown, Maryland. Dr. Pham can create a treatment solution that works for your life, so don’t hesitate to start now by phoning the office.
Diabetes Q & A
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is one of the most common serious illnesses affecting Americans today. Up to 95% of diabetes cases are Type 2 diabetes.
In Type 2 diabetes, your body makes insulin but isn’t able to use the insulin correctly. This prevents glucose, or sugar, from leaving your bloodstream and entering your body’s cells, so the glucose builds up in your bloodstream, possibly leading to a number of severe symptoms. Type 2 diabetes is virtually always preventable, and it usually occurs in adults.
In contrast, Type 1 diabetes is usually diagnosed in childhood and isn’t preventable. Type 1 diabetes sufferers don’t make insulin.
Both types of diabetes are very serious health conditions that require immediate and continued treatment and support from your doctor. As an internal medicine physician, Dr. Pham specializes in helping adults prevent and cope with diabetes and other illnesses.
What are the symptoms of diabetes?
If you notice any of the following symptoms, you could be one of the millions currently living with undiagnosed diabetes.
- Extreme hunger
- Extreme thirst
- Chronic fatigue
- More frequent urination
- Dry mouth
- Blurred vision
- Slow-healing cuts and wounds
- Numbness in your extremities
- Pins-and-needles sensation in your feet
- Foot pain
Although these symptoms can clearly indicate diabetes or another health issue, diabetes doesn’t always show signs early on. For that reason, Dr. Pham monitors patients for risk factors of diabetes during yearly checkups.
What are the risk factors for Type 2 diabetes?
The risk factors for Type 2 diabetes include:
- Obesity
- Age 45-plus
- Hypertension
- High cholesterol
- Family history of diabetes
Another risk factor is race. African Americans, Mexican Americans, American Indians, Native Hawaiians, Pacific Islanders, and Asian Americans are more at risk than Caucasians.
If you have any of the risk factors above, Dr. Pham can help you take steps to avoid developing Type 2 diabetes.
What is the treatment for diabetes?
Treatment for Type 1 diabetes includes injectable insulin or insulin delivery via an insulin pump. Type 2 diabetes treatment can vary considerably. In some cases, dietary and activity level changes can control Type 2 diabetes without medication. However, many patients with Type 2 diabetes need daily oral medication to keep blood sugar under control.