Our Services / Diabetes

What is diabetes?

Diabetes is a chronic health disease that affects your body’s ability to effectively convert food into energy. To understand diabetes, it helps to think about how this process works. 

Each time you eat, a portion of that food is converted into glucose, a form of sugar. Glucose travels throughout your circulatory system to nourish your cells and fuel virtually every function within your body. 

Glucose needs the presence of the hormone insulin to get through cells’ membranes. Insulin is manufactured in your pancreas, but people with diabetes either don’t produce enough insulin (Type 1 diabetes) or can’t make proper use of the insulin that is produced (Type 2 diabetes). 

Women can develop a special type of diabetes during pregnancy, called gestational diabetes. While the condition usually resolves after childbirth, women with gestational diabetes have a much higher risk of developing Type 2 diabetes for the rest of their lives.  

How do I know if I have diabetes?

Fortunately, screening for diabetes requires just a simple blood test. Because diabetes essentially “traps” glucose in your bloodstream, a basic screening will reveal abnormally high blood sugar, the primary symptom of diabetes. 

Routine screening is part of preventive health care. That’s why it’s so important to work closely with a medical professional to have annual physicals and the appropriate screenings for your age and sex.

Left untreated, diabetes can cause a wide range of health issues, affecting virtually every organ and system in your body. Screening allows your practitioner to track your blood sugar over time and support you in making changes that prevent or manage diabetes.  

What kinds of treatments help with diabetes?

If you learn you’re pre-diabetic, you still have time to make meaningful lifestyle changes to prevent the condition from developing into Type 2 diabetes. For example, if you’re carrying extra pounds, one of the best ways to reduce your risk of diabetes is to move closer to a healthy weight.

One approach is to boost your nutrition by including more fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins into your diet. You can also add to your daily amount of physical activity. It doesn’t take an extreme fitness plan to get healthier; just taking a walk each day is enough to improve your overall health. 

Medications can help manage diabetes. Some drugs alter the amount of glucose your body manufactures, while others help your body make more efficient use of insulin. Some people need supplemental insulin, which is available via self-injection or numerous other methods. 

If you need diabetes screening or treatment, call Old Greenbelt Family Health today to set up a visit. Online booking is also an option, and takes just moments to complete.