Diabetes, generally speaking, is a chronic disease that affects the body’s ability to produce or absorb insulin. It currently affects an estimated 1.7 million adults in Urgent & Primary Care’s home state of New York and 29.1 million adults nationwide, making it the country’s seventh leading cause of death. According to the Peterson-Kaiser Health System Tracker, these numbers have been steadily increasing over the last decade, meaning we as a country need to reevaluate how we approach both treatment and prevention.

According to Urgent & Primary Care, you can start by learning more about diabetes. Here are four facts their primary care doctors think you should know.      

Key Facts About Diabetes Prevention & Treatment

1. There Are 3 Main Types of Diabetes

Type I, also known as insulin-dependent diabetes, is an autoimmune disease that attacks the beta cells in the pancreas. As a result, the body cannot produce enough insulin nor can it regulate blood glucose levels. People with undiagnosed Type I diabetes often experience above-average thirst, frequent urination, unexplained weight loss, and daytime fatigue. The disease’s cause is unknown, but many researchers and primary care doctors believe it’s a combination of genetic and environmental factors.

Type II, or non-insulin-dependent diabetes, is a metabolic disorder in which the body becomes resistant to insulin and can’t properly absorb it. At first, your pancreas tries to move the sugar in your blood to your cells by making more insulin. Eventually, it won’t be able to keep up, and your blood sugar levels will increase. Those who smoke or are overweight are at a higher risk of developing this disease. 

Gestational diabetes, on the other hand, is caused by hormonal changes that occur between the 24th and 28th week of pregnancy and typically goes away after the baby is born. However, women who have had gestational diabetes are at a higher risk of developing Type II later in life.

2. Early Intervention Is Key

Because Type II diabetes is linked to modifiable factors, meaning factors you can change, it is essential that at-risk individuals and their health care providers act fast. Simply losing weight and not smoking can significantly reduce one’s chances of developing the disease.

Early intervention is also crucial in the treatment of Type I and gestational diabetes. Insulin therapy, dietary changes, and other lifestyle modifications all reduce the likelihood of diabetic complications.  

3. Patients With Diabetes May Face Other Complications

Diabetes puts you at risk for other serious health concerns such as:

• Cardiovascular Disease
• Kidney Damage
• Nerve Damage
• Alzheimer’s Disease
• Vision Problems

Luckily, as mentioned above, early intervention by a qualified primary care doctor will get your symptoms under control as well as prevent these complications.  

4. You Can Live a Long, Healthy Life With Diabetes

Although diabetes is a chronic disease, it doesn’t have to rule your life. Many people with diabetes lead happy, healthy, and active lives with the help of simple lifestyle changes—like diet and exercise—insulin therapy, and the support of their primary care doctor. 

If you are at risk for diabetes or already have the disease, call Urgent & Primary Care at (518) 463-8262. Serving Albany and the surrounding areas, their experienced primary care doctors will develop a treatment or prevention plan that suits your unique needs, so you too can lead a long, healthy life. For more on their comprehensive services, visit them online.