What is diabetes?

Diabetes is a chronic illness that affects your body’s ability to manage blood sugar (glucose). Your pancreas makes the hormone insulin to transport glucose from your bloodstream into the cells, where your body uses it for energy. 

With diabetes, however, your pancreas is either unable to make the right amount of insulin or it stops making it altogether. When your body doesn’t have the proper amount of insulin, glucose builds up in your blood and may damage blood vessels, nerves, and eventually organs. 

What are the different types of diabetes?

There are four types of diabetes. The experienced team at Auburn Medical Group can help treat your condition depending on the type you have:

Prediabetes

Prediabetes is when you have higher than normal glucose levels but they aren’t high enough for you to be diagnosed with diabetes. With prediabetes, you may be able to reverse your condition with healthy lifestyle changes. 

Type 1 diabetes

Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition that typically manifests during childhood or adolescence. If you have Type 1 diabetes, you’ll need daily insulin injections to manage your glucose levels. 

Type 2 diabetes

Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes. This type of diabetes can affect people of all ages and it often can be prevented with a healthy lifestyle. 

Once you develop Type 2 diabetes, it can cause other health complications, like diabetic retinopathy and peripheral neuropathy. You may need medication management to control your blood sugar. 

Gestational diabetes

Some pregnant women develop gestational diabetes in which blood glucose levels become too high due to a lack of insulin production. While the condition usually resolves after giving birth, many women develop Type 2 diabetes.  

How is diabetes treated?

The team at Auburn Medical Group provides customized medical plans and chronic care management to treat your type of diabetes. 

As part of your treatment plan, they may recommend:

• Reducing your sugar intake
• Weight loss
• Stress management
• Insulin injections
• Oral medications
• Remote patient monitoring

Even if you have diabetes, you can still live your life to the fullest with proper care and treatment for your condition. The team helps you monitor your glucose numbers and overall well-being while providing the caring support you need to keep independent and active. 

Call Auburn Medical Group or schedule an appointment online today to learn more about diabetes.