Diabetes

What is diabetes?

Diabetes is a chronic medical condition defined by high levels of glucose (sugar) in the blood. This occurs when the body either doesn’t produce enough insulin, a hormone that regulates blood sugar, or can’t effectively use the insulin it produces. 

The two primary types of diabetes are type 1, where the body’s immune system attacks insulin-producing cells in the pancreas, and type 2, which is more common and involves insulin resistance or deficiency. 

Another form is gestational diabetes, which occurs during pregnancy and can increase the risk of developing type 2 diabetes later in life.

What causes diabetes?

The causes of diabetes vary by type:

Type 1 diabetes is believed to be an autoimmune condition triggered by genetic and environmental factors, though the exact cause isn’t fully understood. It often appears in childhood or adolescence. 

Type 2 diabetes is largely influenced by lifestyle factors like poor diet, lack of exercise, obesity, and genetic predisposition. The body’s cells become resistant to insulin, and the pancreas can’t produce enough insulin to overcome this resistance. 

Gestational diabetes is caused by hormonal changes during pregnancy that make the body less responsive to insulin.

What are the symptoms of diabetes?

Common symptoms of diabetes include:

• Frequent urination
• Excessive thirst
• Unexplained weight loss
• Extreme hunger
• Fatigue
• Blurred vision
• Slow-healing sores
• Frequent infections
• Tingling or numbness in the hands or feet 

In some cases, especially with type 2 diabetes, symptoms may develop gradually and can be mild, making the condition hard to detect without medical testing.

How is diabetes treated?

Diabetes treatment focuses on managing blood sugar levels to prevent complications. For type 1 diabetes, treatment involves daily insulin injections or the use of an insulin pump, blood sugar monitoring, and a healthy diet. 

Type 2 diabetes management includes lifestyle changes like improved diet, regular physical activity, weight loss, and blood sugar monitoring. 

Medications like metformin or insulin therapy may be required in some cases. 

Gestational diabetes is typically managed with dietary changes, physical activity, and sometimes insulin. Across all types, Platinum Concierge offers superior education and regular follow-up care for effective diabetes management, helping to prevent or delay complications, such as heart disease, kidney damage, and neuropathy.

To learn about Platinum Concierge’s membership program for frontline health services, call or send a message online now.