Diabetes: Know the Risks, Take Control

By Andrew Wilson

While every patient has their own health issues, a common issue to watch for is diabetes and pre-diabetes. November is Diabetes Awareness Month.  

Diabetes is a chronic health condition where high blood sugar occurs because the body either cannot make enough insulin or cannot use it properly. There are two main types of diabetes.

Type 1 is an autoimmune illness where the body attacks insulin-making cells and no insulin is produced.

Type 2 is a condition where the body still makes insulin but not enough to meet its needs. This type accounts for about 90 percent of all diabetes cases.

There is also gestational diabetes, which occurs in women during pregnancy and usually resolves following birth.

Pre-diabetes is a state where blood sugars are higher, but not high enough to warrant a diagnosis of diabetes. 

“It can be extremely common, and it is immensely important to examine the risk factors that each person may have,” Dr. Solava said, adding that it is important to test and establish a baseline for blood sugars that can be compared at each subsequent visit. “We will try to control blood sugar through modifying diet and exercise, but we may need to prescribe medications if the blood sugars are really high.”

Diet and exercise can turn around a diagnosis of pre-diabetes.

“That’s why it’s important to maintain a healthy weight,” Dr. Solava said. “It’s important to get 30 minutes of exercise every day and watch your diet, particularly your intake of carbs and sugars.”