Diabetes

What is diabetes?

Diabetes is a disease that occurs when your blood glucose (sugar) is too high. Your body uses blood glucose as a source of energy and the glucose comes from carbohydrates in your diet.

Your pancreas produces insulin, a hormone that helps move glucose from food to your cells for energy, but sometimes your body doesn’t produce enough insulin or doesn’t use insulin effectively. When this happens, the glucose stays in your blood and doesn’t reach your cells. Having too much glucose in your blood causes health problems. Diabetes is broken into two primary types:

Type 1 diabetes

Formerly called juvenile diabetes, Type 1 diabetes occurs when your pancreas cannot produce insulin. It’s sometimes called insulin-dependent diabetes.

Type 2 diabetes

Formerly called adult-onset diabetes, Type 2 diabetes is a result of insulin resistance. Your cells are unable to use insulin effectively. Type 2 diabetes is sometimes called non-insulin-dependent diabetes.

What are the symptoms of diabetes?

Diabetes symptoms vary depending on how high your blood sugar levels are. Some people, especially those with Type 2 diabetes, may not have symptoms at the early stages, which is why diabetes screenings are extremely important. Diabetes signs and symptoms include:

• Excessive thirst
• Frequent urination
• Unexplained weight loss
• Excessive hunger
• Irritability
• Blurred vision
• Frequent infections
• Fatigue

While Type 1 diabetes can develop at any age, it often occurs during childhood. Type 2 diabetes is more common and can develop at any age as well, although it is most common in people over the age of 40.

How is diabetes diagnosed?

At Coral Gables Executive Physicians, the team includes diabetes screenings as part of your annual physical. The blood test measures your current blood glucose level as well as your average levels of blood glucose over the last three months, which shows how well your body can control your blood sugar.

How is diabetes treated?

While there is no cure for diabetes, you can effectively manage it by controlling your blood sugar levels to keep them within the normal range. Type 1 diabetes is treated with insulin, exercise, and a proper diet. Type 2 diabetes is treated with weight reduction, exercise, and a proper diet. If these lifestyle changes do not effectively control your blood sugar, diabetes medications are prescribed, which may include oral medication or injections.

If you have any of the signs and symptoms of diabetes, call the practice for a diabetes screening.

What blood sugar level qualifies as prediabetes?

• Fasting blood glucose 100-125mg/Dl
• Hba1c 5.7-6.4%
• Oral glucose tolerance test 140-199 mg/dl 2 hours after

How often should diabetes screenings be conducted?

The answer varies depending of the organization, per US task force everyone > 35 years old with co-morbidity of overweight or obesity. The American Diabetes Association recommends to screen everyone over the age of 35 regardless of weight, and younger if overweight.

In CGEP we offer screening for diabetes in all our executive packages and repeat yearly or more often if suspicious high or other risk factors are identified

Can weight loss and exercise reverse prediabetes?

• Absolutely. Weight loss could reverse prediabetes. That’s why it is so important to diagnose early and treat.
• Weight loss reduces insulin resistance, reduces inflammation and reduces fat in liver and pancreas.

What is the difference between A1C and fasting glucose tests?

• Fasting glucose is one point in time, Hba1c tells the average of sugars up to 3 months prior to the day that blood is drawn.

Can stress or hormone imbalances affect blood sugar control?

• Yes, stress and hormone imbalances can affect blood sugar control often overlooked. High cortisol levels, menopause, thyroid imbalances, growth hormone.

What is the main cause of diabetes?

Type 2 diabetes (most common in the US) is usually caused by a combination of insulin resistance and impaired insulin production. Risk factors include obesity, sedentary lifestyle, family history, age and some ethnic backgrounds.