Diabetes is a disease that affects how the body uses glucose, causing blood sugar levels to become too high. When there is too much sugar in the blood, it can lead to many health problems. To prevent serious health complications, diabetes should be carefully managed under the supervision of an endocrinologist.
An Introduction to Diabetes
Glucose is a type of sugar that is an important source of fuel for the body, including the brain and the cells that make up muscles and tissues. The hormone insulin allows glucose to enter the cells where it is used for energy. However, people with diabetes do not produce any insulin, do not produce enough insulin, or the insulin fails to work as it should. As a result, glucose does not get into the body’s cells and stays in the bloodstream. Too much sugar in the blood can make you ill, and without the appropriate treatment, it may result in long-term medical complications, such as nerve damage, kidney damage, and heart disease.
The two main types of the disease are:
- Type 1 diabetes–An auto-immune disorder and lifelong condition where the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks and destroys the cells that produce insulin. As a result, people with type 1 diabetes do not produce insulin and must be treated with insulin therapy to manage blood sugar levels. The exact cause of type 1 diabetes is unclear, but it is not linked to age, diet, or lifestyle.
- Type 2 diabetes – Also known as non-insulin dependent diabetes, this is the most common form of diabetes, where either not enough insulin is produced in the body or the body’s cells are resistant to the absorption of insulin, so glucose remains in the bloodstream. The disease is more common in people over age 40 and may be linked to poor diet, inactivity, being overweight, or a family history of the disease.
How Can An Endocrinologist Help?
Endocrinology is the field of internal medicine that focuses on hormones. These are the chemical messengers that travel from one cell to another and are essential for our health and everyday survival. Diabetes is caused by an imbalance of the hormone insulin.
Hormones are mostly made within the specialized glands that make up the endocrine system, which includes the pancreas, hypothalamus, thyroid, and other glands. The hormones coordinate many important bodily processes and functions, including metabolism, growth, and development, as in regulating blood sugar, blood pressure, body temperature, and electrolyte balance. When there is a problem with the hormones, such as having too much or too little of a hormone, it can lead to symptoms and issues with your health, and in most cases, requires treatment.
Although primary health doctors can often diagnose and help you manage a hormone condition, such as diabetes, it can be beneficial to see an endocrinologist, who has specialist knowledge and training in hormone conditions. Endocrinologists are specialist doctors devoted to the diagnosis and management of hormonal imbalances and metabolic dysfunctions within the body. They specialize in treating diseases related to problems with hormones, such as diabetes, and can offer expert care in helping you manage your condition effectively.
Managing Diabetes Successfully
An endocrinologist can diagnose hormone-related conditions, as well as provide education, develop a personalized treatment and management plan, and prescribe the necessary medication to manage your condition successfully.
There is no cure for diabetes, but it can be treated and managed successfully. The type of diabetes you have will determine the most effective treatment plan. Treatment for type 1 diabetes involves regularly monitoring blood sugar levels, taking insulin either through injections or by using an injection pump, eating a healthy diet, getting regular exercise, and maintaining a healthy weight to keep blood sugar levels at a healthy level and to avoid health complications. Treatment for type 2 diabetes often involves lifestyle changes, such as eating a healthy diet, exercising and losing any excess weight, monitoring blood sugar levels, and oral diabetes medication, insulin, or a combination of both.
If you are diagnosed with diabetes, your endocrinologist and healthcare team can teach you how to manage your condition successfully with medication, nutrition, and exercise to keep your blood glucose levels as close to normal as possible.
Diabetes Doctor Near Me in Sarasota & Bradenton, FL
If you have been diagnosed with diabetes and are looking for a highly qualified endocrinologist, visit Intercoastal Medical Group. Our endocrinologists offer a wide range of treatments, including diabetes management, education, and treatment.
At Intercoastal Medical Group, we can take care of all your healthcare needs. Our expert providers encompass many medical specialties and offer comprehensive health and wellness services to ensure you receive the highest quality care possible.
Call us today for an appointment with one of our specialists or you can request one online. We see patients at our Beneva Professional Center office in Sarasota and Lakewood Ranch II office in Bradenton.
