Diabetes is a common chronic disease affecting more than 100 million adults in the United States. If left untreated, diabetes can lead to serious health complications, such as heart disease and nerve damage. At A&U Family Medicine in Sugar Land, Texas, Hammad Zaidi, MD, and his experienced medical staff test for and treat diabetes to control your blood sugar and prevent complications. To learn more, schedule an appointment with A&U Family Medicine over the phone or use the online booking tool at your convenience.
Diabetes is a chronic disease that occurs when your body can’t sufficiently control blood sugar on its own. Type 1 diabetes occurs when your body doesn’t make the hormone insulin, which is necessary to move sugar from your blood into cells within the body. Type 1 diabetes often occurs during childhood.
Alternatively, type 2 diabetes occurs when your body makes insulin but can’t use it properly. It’s more common in people over 40.
Gestational diabetes happens during pregnancy, and pre-diabetes is a condition that occurs before developing diabetes when your blood sugar is higher than normal but not yet high enough to be diabetes.
If you have one or more of the following symptoms, you might have diabetes:
You might not experience any symptoms in the beginning stages of diabetes, which is why routine screening is so important if you're at risk.
Anybody can develop diabetes at any age, but the following factors increase your risk of getting the disease:
If left untreated, diabetes can lead to heart or kidney problems, nerve damage, eye damage, skin conditions, feet problems, hearing issues, depression, or dementia. Dr. Zaidi diagnoses diabetes using a simple blood test called Hemoglobin A1C.
Dr. Zaidi and his team develop a personalized diabetes treatment plan based on the type of diabetes you have. He might recommend:
Taking oral diabetes medicines helps control blood sugar to prevent diabetes complications.
If you have type 1 or type 2 diabetes, Dr. Zaidi might recommend insulin injections to replace the insulin your body isn't producing.
Making healthy lifestyle changes, such as losing weight, consuming a nutritious diet, and getting regular exercise, helps control diabetes, or can prevent it from occurring altogether. Dr. Zaidi creates a personalized diet and exercise plan just for you.
Routine blood sugar monitoring helps ensure your treatment works properly to prevent complications associated with diabetes. See Dr. Zaidi during regularly scheduled appointments and check your blood sugar at home often.
Don’t succumb to health problems resulting from uncontrolled diabetes when simple treatment options are available. Schedule an appointment with A&U Family Medicine over the phone or online today.
