Diabetes
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Thomas Family Practice
Family Medicine located in Houston, TX
Diabetes affects over 100 million US men, women, and children. Those affected have problems producing the insulin vital to properly convert sugar into energy. At Thomas Family Practice in Houston, Texas, Dr. Sally Thomas specializes in helping English- and Spanish-speaking men and women minimize the side effects of diabetes through comprehensive treatment options that prevent diabetes-related health complications. Call or go online today to learn more about how you can lead a healthy life with diabetes.
Diabetes Q & A
What are the types of diabetes?
Diabetes is an autoimmune disease that affects your pancreas. Autoimmune diseases cause your immune system to attack healthy cells in your body. There are three types of diabetes.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is when your body doesn’t make insulin or makes an insufficient amount. Insulin is instrumental in regulating your blood sugar and processing food. Type 1 generally affects young adults and children.
Type 2 diabetes
Type 2 diabetes is the most common form and refers to your body’s improper use of insulin to move sugar into your cells. This type affects adults and children, affecting middle-aged and older adults more often.
Gestational diabetes
Gestational diabetes occurs in pregnant women and may disappear after the pregnancy. Women who’ve suffered from gestational diabetes are much more likely to contract Type 2 diabetes later in life.
What are the symptoms of diabetes?
Each type of diabetes has its own set of symptoms, especially given that blood sugar deficiency uniquely affects each individual. The most common symptoms of both types of diabetes include:
- Vision changes
- Bladder issues
- Weight loss
- Tingling or numbness in hands or feet
- Fatigue
- Dry skin
- Slow-healing sores
Untreated diabetes can significantly affect your overall health and lead to other health conditions, including heart, dental, and kidney diseases; damage to nerves and vision; and dietary restrictions.
How do you treat diabetes?
Dr. Thomas provides individualized treatment for Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes. She treats Type 1 with insulin injections or by giving you an insulin pump that administers insulin to your body steadily throughout the day.
For Type 2 diabetes, Dr. Thomas works with you to establish a healthy diet and exercise routine to stabilize your blood sugar. She might also prescribe medication, but only when necessary or based on your preferences for treatment.
If you think you or a family member might be experiencing the symptoms of diabetes, contact the friendly bilingual staff at Thomas Family Practice today by phone or online to learn more about diabetes and the medical services that can help you control all types of this disease.
