Diabetes can lead to sight loss, organ failure, and limb amputation without the proper care. John Paul Kelada, MD, AlexandraMary Kelada, DO, and the Roseville Family Healthcare team in Roseville, California, offer expert diabetes diagnosis and treatment to people of all ages. Their experienced doctors help you manage your condition so you avoid the life-changing outcomes of poorly controlled diabetes. Call Roseville Family Healthcare to schedule a diabetes assessment or book an appointment online today.
Diabetes is an endocrine disorder, meaning a hormonal problem causes it. The hormone in question is insulin, which your pancreas makes to regulate sugar levels in your blood. You need some blood sugar for fast access to energy, but too much can cause widespread tissue damage.
Some people have type 1 diabetes, an unpreventable form that develops because of an immune system malfunction. Your immune system mistakenly kills the pancreatic cells that produce insulin, so you can’t regulate your blood sugar. Symptoms typically start quickly and at a young age.
Type 2 diabetes is usually due to excess body weight, a poor diet high in unhealthy fats and sugars, and a lack of exercise. Your pancreas might still make insulin, but it’s not enough, or your body becomes resistant to it. This usually takes time to start causing problems, and most people develop this form of diabetes in middle age.
Diabetes can cause multiple health problems. Excessive blood sugar damages nerves and blood vessels throughout your body, causing complications like:
Diabetic retinopathy directly results from diabetes, but glaucoma and cataracts are also more common in people with diabetes. Cataracts are treatable, restoring clear sight, but retinopathy and glaucoma are irreversible and could lead to partial or complete sight loss.
Diabetes damages the nerves in your feet, causing pain, tingling, prickling, burning, and numbness (peripheral neuropathy). The condition damages blood vessels too, so your circulation is poor, and injuries don’t heal well.
A cut on your foot that you don’t notice because of numbness could develop into a raw, open wound (diabetic ulcer) prone to infection. If gangrene sets in and causes tissue death, the only option may be limb amputation.
People with type 1 diabetes need to use insulin daily, either by injection or implantable pump.
Lifestyle changes are vital if you have type 2 diabetes. The Roseville Family Healthcare team offers advice and support on everything from diet and weight loss to smoking and alcohol cessation. You might also need medicine to help you regulate your blood sugar.
Roseville Family Healthcare provides expert chronic disease management for people with diabetes. The team does regular checkups, helps you monitor your blood glucose levels, and manages your medications.
To benefit from comprehensive diabetes treatment, call Roseville Family Healthcare today or book an appointment online.