Diabetes, What You Need to Know
May 31, 2022
Diabetes is a chronic condition that affects the way your body converts food into energy. With diabetes, the body doesn’t produce enough insulin or can’t use it as well as it should. When diabetes isn’t managed, it can lead to more serious conditions like heart disease, loss of vision, or kidney disease. Dr. Tomas Rios and Dr. Nicolin Neal at Rios Healthcare Associates in Houston, TX, can explain everything you need to know about diabetes and how it can be diagnosed and managed so that you can live a high-quality life.
Diabetes is fairly common and when left untreated, can lead to severe issues and even amputations. There is no cure for diabetes, but there are ways to manage your symptoms. According to the CDC, the number of adults diagnosed with diabetes has more than doubled in the last 20 years. There are three main types of diabetes that you should know about.
The first is Type 1 diabetes. This is often caused by an autoimmune reaction where the body begins to attack itself on accident. This attack causes your body to stop making the proper amount of insulin, so for treatment, you’ll need to take insulin on a daily basis in order to live a healthy life.
Another type of diabetes is Type 2 diabetes. With this form, your body doesn’t properly use insulin and cannot keep blood sugar at normal levels. Type 2 diabetes is the most common and is usually diagnosed in adults. It’s important to get tested if you’re at risk for type 2 diabetes, because you may not notice any symptoms with it. When it comes to managing your diabetes, your doctor in Houston, TX, can recommend some lifestyle changes that you may need to make.
The last form of diabetes is gestational diabetes. This is a form that manifests in pregnant women who have never experienced diabetes in the past. This usually goes away once your baby is born but does increase your chance of developing type 2 diabetes at some point in your life.
If you’re at risk for dealing with diabetes, don’t hesitate to get tested! Contact Dr. Tomas Rios and Dr. Nicolin Neal at Rios Healthcare Associates in Houston, TX, to learn more about diabetes and how it can be managed. Call for more information today at (832) 323-9230.