When the human body does not produce enough insulin, or uses insulin inefficiently, the endocrine disorder known as diabetes is usually present. Insulin is crucial to good health, as it is the body’s main chemical that regulates glucose levels. Without it, elevated blood sugars ensue and severe health issues result.
There are 2 main types of diabetes. Type 1 diabetes, which usually presents in younger patients, is an autoimmune disease that leads to destruction of the pancreas, the organ that produces insulin. Type 2 diabetes, however, is due to the cells in the body resisting the action of insulin and not allowing for normal disposal of glucose. There are other types of diabetes which are less common, such as latent autoimmune diabetes of adulthood (LADA) and maturity onset diabetes of the young (MODY).
The highly skilled team at North Georgia Endocrinology can provide quality treatment for all diseases that affect the endocrine system, including one of the most common such ailments, diabetes.
Untreated, diabetes can lead to nerve damage, blindness, stroke, heart and kidney disease, and a host of other serious threats to health and well-being. Approximately 7 million of the 26 million people in the U.S. who have diabetes do not even know they suffer from the condition. The latest data shows that diabetes is the seventh leading cause of death for Americans of all ages.
Some of the most common symptoms include:
- Unusually excessive thirst
- Frequent urination
- Blurred vision
- Drowsiness
- Vomiting and general nausea
- Rapid breathing
Multiple factors contribute to the development of diabetes, depending on the type of diabetes you have. Sometimes the exact cause is not known, but a long list of risk factors are well known. If you are over the age of 45, overweight, consume high amounts of sugar and carbohydrates, then you are in a higher risk group for the disease than members of the general population.
How is Diabetes Treated?
Treatment depends on the type of diabetes you may have. Most commonly, treatment methods are proper diet, adequate exercise and weight control. When these options are not enough, or if you have a type of diabetes that does not respond to this, a physician will likely initiate medical treatment. Doctors will then prescribe oral drugs or recommend daily injections of insulin. The drugs work either to increase the body’s production of insulin or its use of what is already present. As can be expected with a complicated malady like this, it is essential to have an experienced physician oversee treatment.
Dr. Anbar Ahmad can diagnose and treat diabetes and other diseases of the endocrine system. She is experienced in the management of the entire spectrum of diabetic conditions and works with her patients to find the best possible treatment plans in each case.
Prevention
In general, doctors recommend that at-risk individuals be sure to maintain normal weight and get plenty of exercise.
Treatment demands professional care and monitoring by a doctor who has experience with all its manifestations. If you think you might be suffering from diabetes, schedule an appointment with Dr. Anbar Ahmad or a member of her team. They will answer your questions and determine whether you are currently at risk for diabetes. If you are, Dr. Ahmad will develop a treatment plan tailored to your particular condition and lifestyle.
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