Diabetes
WHAT IS IT
Diabetes : Food we eat breaks down into various nutrient sources. When we eat carbohydrates (bread, rice, pasta), our body breaks this down into sugar (glucose). When glucose is in our bloodstream, it requires a key to get into our cells. This key is insulin.
Insulin is a hormone made by our pancreas; an organ located behind our stomach. Our pancreas releases insulin into our bloodstream, which allows glucose to enter the cells to provide the energy tissues and organs need to properly function.
IF YOU HAVE DIABETES:
- Your pancreas doesn’t make any insulin or enough insulin.
Or,
- Your pancreas makes insulin, but your body’s cells don’t respond to it and can’t use it as it normally should.
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS
- Urinating often
- Feeling very thirsty
- Feeling very hungry—even though you are eating
- Extreme fatigue
- Blurry vision
- Cuts/bruises that are slow to heal
- Weight loss—even though you are eating more (type 1)
- Tingling, pain, or numbness in the hands/feet (type 2)
A1C Test
The A1C test measures your average blood sugar level over the past 2 to 3 months. An A1C below 5.7% is normal, between 5.7 and 6.4% indicates you have prediabetes, and 6.5% or higher indicates you have diabetes.
Fasting Blood Sugar Test
This measures your blood sugar after an overnight fast (not eating). A fasting blood sugar level of 99 mg/dL or lower is normal, 100 to 125 mg/dL indicates you have prediabetes, and 126 mg/dL or higher indicates you have diabetes.
Glucose Tolerance Test
This measures your blood sugar before and after you drink a liquid that contains glucose. You’ll fast (not eat) overnight before the test and have your blood drawn to determine your fasting blood sugar level. Then you’ll drink the liquid and have your blood sugar level checked 1 hour, 2 hours, and possibly 3 hours afterward. At 2 hours, a blood sugar level of 140 mg/dL or lower is considered normal, 140 to 199 mg/dL indicates you have prediabetes, and 200 mg/dL or higher indicates you have diabetes.
Random Blood Sugar Test
This measures your blood sugar at the time you’re tested. You can take this test at any time and don’t need to fast (not eat) first. A blood sugar level of 200 mg/dL or higher indicates you have diabetes.
WHAT ARE TREATMENTS
Here at Impact Primary Care, we screen all our patients for diabetes:
The ADA recommends that the following people be screened for diabetes:
- Anyone with a body mass index higher than 25 (23 for Asian Americans), regardless of age, who has additional risk factors, such as high blood pressure, abnormal cholesterol levels, a sedentary lifestyle, a history of polycystic ovary syndrome or heart disease, and who has a close relative with diabetes.
- Anyone older than age 45 is advised to receive an initial blood sugar screening, and then, if the results are normal, to be screened every three years thereafter.
- Women who have had gestational diabetes are advised to be screened for diabetes every three years.
- Anyone who has been diagnosed with prediabetes is advised to be tested every year.
Impact Primary Care
We will develop an annual plan specific to you to help manage your diabetes.
Some goals may include:
- Schedule a yearly physical
- Regular eye exams
- Foot exams
- Dental exams
- Smoking cessation
- Keep your blood pressure and cholesterol under control
- Medication Review and management
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