According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 30 million Americans have diabetes and nearly 85 million more have prediabetes. In Houston and Sugar Land, Texas, Nneka Edokpayi, MD, of Rapha Health and Wellness offers comprehensive testing and individualized treatments for adults with diabetes. Call to book an appointment or use the online scheduling feature.
Diabetes Q & A
What is diabetes?
Your body uses glucose, or blood sugar, as a source of energy. To keep your blood sugar levels stable, your pancreas releases a hormone called insulin. When you eat something that turns to sugar in your body, insulin shuttles excess sugar out of your bloodstream.
If your body fails to respond to insulin, make enough of it, or produce it at all, blood sugar levels surge and can lead to diabetes.
What are the signs or symptoms of diabetes?
Diabetes has some telltale symptoms, such as:
- Frequent urination
- Excessive thirst and hunger
- Blurred vision
- Numbness in your toes, feet, fingers, or hands
- Extreme fatigue
You may also notice that you’re prone to fall ill frequently or you can’t clear an infection. These, too, are signs of diabetes.
What causes diabetes?
Depending on whether you have Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes, the causes vary. Type 1 is genetic while the causes of Type 2 are largely associated with lifestyle factors, such as:
- Excess weight
- Lack of exercise or activity
- Poor diet
Other factors like age, race, genetics, and certain medical conditions increase your risk as well.
What is insulin resistance?
When the liver, fat, and muscle cells can’t properly sweep away extra sugar in your blood, you develop insulin resistance. Your pancreas makes more and more insulin to meet the need, but eventually can’t keep up with the constant demand.
In addition to an unhealthy diet and lack of exercise, insulin resistance can be triggered by polycystic ovary syndrome, certain medications, hypertension, hormonal disorders, or sleep apnea.
What is the treatment for diabetes?
In addition to lifestyle counseling and nutritional coaching, Dr. Edokpayi works with you to minimize your risk factors and help reverse and manage your diabetes with:
- Exercise
- Customized diet
- Stress-management programs
- Smoking cessation
- Insulin pumps or injections
- Oral medications
Your team at Rapha Health and Wellness consistently monitors your blood sugar to help you stay proactive and head off any problems before they progress. For a health partner who cares about your diabetes and helps you manage all aspects of it, call to book a consultation or use the online scheduler.