Diabetes Specialist
-
- Tweet
Sherman Oaks Family Medicine, Inc.
Family Medicine & Board Certified Family Medicine Physicians located in Sherman Oaks, CA
Diabetes affects more than 10% of the United States population. At Sherman Oaks Family Medicine, Inc. in Sherman Oaks, California, board-certified family medicine physician Donna Cashdan, DO, and her team can screen you for diabetes or help you better manage your condition to help prevent complications. To schedule an appointment, call the office or use the online booking feature today.
Diabetes Q & A
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic disease in which your body can’t properly control blood sugar.
With Type 1 diabetes, you don’t produce enough insulin. If you have Type 2 diabetes, your body can’t use insulin effectively. Both types of diabetes require treatment to keep blood sugar within a normal range.
Prediabetes is reversible and often occurs prior to developing diabetes. Gestational diabetes can happen during pregnancy and may go away after delivery.
What are common symptoms of diabetes?
If you have diabetes, you might experience the following common symptoms associated with the disease:
- Extreme hunger and thirst
- Frequent urination
- Irritability
- Unexplained weight loss
- Fatigue
- Slow-healing sores
- Blurry vision
Initially, you might not experience any symptoms with diabetes. Type 1 diabetes usually appears during childhood or the teenage years, while Type 2 diabetes often develops after age 40.
Complications that can occur with untreated diabetes include nerve damage, eye problems, heart disease, foot damage, kidney problems, skin issues, depression, and hearing impairment.
What are some diabetes risk factors?
Certain lifestyle habits and genetic factors put you at risk of developing diabetes. Examples include:
- Older age
- Family history of diabetes
- Physical inactivity
- Overweight or obesity
- Hypertension
- High cholesterol and triglycerides
- Pregnancy
- Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
Healthy eating, regular exercise, and weight management can lower your risk of developing diabetes.
How does my doctor diagnose diabetes?
To find out if you have diabetes, the team at Sherman Oaks Family Medicine, Inc. reviews your family and personal medical history. They ask about any symptoms you have and use a simple blood test or urine test to diagnose diabetes and develop a treatment plan.
What are my diabetes treatment options?
Your family medicine specialist might recommend one or more of the following diabetes treatments to help you properly manage your blood sugar levels:
Lifestyle changes
Lifestyle changes that promote blood sugar control include regular exercise, weight loss, and healthy eating. Increase your intake of vegetables, protein, and nutritious fats, steer clear of added sugar and refined grains, and control your total carbohydrate intake.
Oral diabetes medications
If you have Type 2 diabetes, your family medicine specialist can prescribe oral medicines that help keep blood sugar in check.
Insulin injections
If your body doesn’t produce enough insulin, injecting synthetic insulin into your body can help you manage diabetes and prevent complications.
Don’t let diabetes go untreated, putting you at risk of serious medical problems. Schedule an appointment with Sherman Oaks Family Medicine, Inc. by phone or online today.
