When you have diabetes, keeping it under control is crucial. Otherwise, you risk developing heart problems, kidney problems, nerve damage, and other health issues. At Family Medicine Austin, our diabetes doctors provide men and women in Austin, Texas, with the education they need to manage blood sugar levels regularly and reduce the risk of health complications.
Diabetes is a metabolic condition that results when the pancreas fails to secrete adequate insulin or the body fails to use it effectively.
The pancreas produces the hormone insulin. It plays a key role because it enables glucose derived from the food to enter the body’s cells. Glucose is produced in the body from the digestion of foods high in carbohydrate content. Insulin makes it easier for cells to take in glucose.
Blood sugar levels increase (hyperglycemia) when insufficient insulin is produced or when insulin is not utilized effectively. Several organs and tissues can perish if blood glucose levels remain elevated for an extended time.
Catching diabetes early gives you a better chance of avoiding complications. What is the best way to know if you have this disease? Watch for common symptoms of diabetes and make an appointment for testing if you have any.
You might have diabetes if you’re thirstier than usual and need to use the bathroom more often to urinate. If you feel hungrier than usual or lose weight without trying to, you might have type 2 diabetes. Other common signs you might experience include:
