Diabetes
Welcome to Dallas Primary Care’s resource on diabetes management. This page aims to provide valuable information about diabetes, its types, causes, risks, and management strategies, as well as how our healthcare team can support you in managing this condition effectively.
More than 100 million adults in the United States need help to treat prediabetes or diabetes. As an experienced internal medicine physician, Dr. Sani provides ongoing care and resources to manage your diabetes properly. In addition to treatment programs tailored to your needs, Dr. Sani undergoes preventive screening and is actively involved in reducing risk factors for diabetes and related complications. From now on, you can make an appointment online or by phone.
Understanding Diabetes
Diabetes is a chronic condition that affects how your body processes glucose (sugar) in the blood. There are several types of diabetes, including:
- Type 1 Diabetes: An autoimmune condition where the body’s immune system attacks the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas, leading to little to no insulin production.
- Type 2 Diabetes: The most common form of diabetes, characterized by insulin resistance, where the body’s cells don’t respond effectively to insulin, resulting in high blood sugar levels.
- Gestational Diabetes: Occurs during pregnancy and typically resolves after childbirth, but increases the risk of developing type 2 diabetes later in life.
Signs and Symptoms
The signs and symptoms of diabetes can vary depending on the type and severity of the condition, but may include:
- Frequent urination
- Excessive thirst
- Unexplained weight loss
- Fatigue
- Blurred vision
- Slow wound healing
- Tingling or numbness in the hands or feet
Complications of Untreated Diabetes
Untreated or poorly managed diabetes can lead to serious health complications, including:
- Heart disease
- Stroke
- Kidney disease
- Nerve damage (neuropathy)
- Vision problems and blindness
- Foot problems, including infections and amputations
- Dental problems
- Skin conditions
- Alzheimer’s disease
Schedule an Appointment
If you have been diagnosed with diabetes or have concerns about your blood sugar levels, schedule an appointment with Dallas Primary Care today. Our experienced healthcare team is here to provide personalized care and support to help you manage your diabetes effectively and improve your overall quality of life.
Diabetes Frequently Asked Questions
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic health condition that affects how your body converts sugar from your diet into the energy you need to sustain life. A healthy body produces the hormone insulin to help with the conversion process. When you have diabetes, you can’t make or use insulin properly, resulting in chronically high sugar levels.
The types of diabetes include:
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes develops when your body can’t produce insulin to convert sugar due to dysfunction in your pancreas, possibly caused by genetics or environmental factors. A type 1 diagnosis most often occurs in childhood.
Type 2 diabetes
Type 2 diabetes results when your body produces insulin, but not enough to control blood sugar levels. This variant of diabetes also occurs when your body cannot adequately use the insulin it creates. Type 2 diabetes is often the result of a sedentary lifestyle and a poor diet and commonly affects those who are overweight or obese.
Gestational diabetes
Gestational diabetes affects women during their pregnancy and often resolves after childbirth. However, it increases the risk of developing type 2 diabetes later in life.
Prediabetes is a condition where your blood sugar levels are high but not high enough to be considered diabetes. Being prediabetic increases your risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
When blood sugar levels remain high because of uncontrolled diabetes, you are at increased risk for long-term health complications, including heart disease and permanent nerve damage.
How is diabetes diagnosed?
Diabetes symptoms vary depending on the level of high blood sugar levels. Some people, especially those with prediabetes or type 2 diabetes, may not experience any symptoms.
Patients with Diabetes type 1 tend to have quick and more severe symptoms.
Here are some of the signs and symptoms of diabetes:
- Increased thirst
- Frequent urination
- Extreme hunger
- Unexplained weight loss
- Fatigue
- Irritability
- Blurred vision
- Slow healing wounds
- Frequent infections
Screenings identify diabetes in the earliest stages, so you can receive the treatment you need as soon as possible. We recommend getting tested if you have a strong family history of Diabetes.
How is diabetes treated?
If you have type 1 diabetes, you will need daily insulin therapy to keep your blood sugar in a healthy range. We will prescribe and monitor your use of diabetic medication and focus on preventive care to reduce your risk of long-term health complications.
Treating type 2 diabetes often starts with lifestyle changes, such as eating a low-sugar, low-fat diet and daily exercise. By maintaining a healthy weight and staying active, you may lower your blood sugar levels naturally. You can also make these changes if you have prediabetes to reduce your risk of type 2 diabetes.
If lifestyle changes aren’t enough to control blood sugar, Dr. Koney can prescribe medications. She also offers resources to support testing your blood sugar levels at home several times a day if you have type 1 or type 2 diabetes.
If you have diabetes or a family history of the condition, schedule an appointment here:
