Diabetes Treatment Sterling, VA
Diabetes is a common condition that affects both children and adults. If left undiagnosed, diabetes can have disastrous effects on the body. Even patients with diagnosed diabetes must ensure they are receiving proper care to avoid complications.
Diabetes treatment is available at Millennium Medical Care Stone Springs in Sterling and the surrounding area. Do not wait until your condition gets worse. Call us today at (703) 665-3242 to schedule an appointment or to learn more about our services.
Understanding Diabetes
Diabetes refers to a group of metabolic diseases that manifest when the affected individual's blood glucose (also known as blood sugar) is too high. Ideally, the pancreas releases insulin to assist the body in storing and using sugar and fat intake. However, in diabetic patients, the pancreas produces little to no insulin — or, the body responds inappropriately to insulin.
There are three main types of diabetes: type 1, type 2, and gestational diabetes. Type 1 diabetes, also called juvenile diabetes, occurs when the body cannot produce insulin. As a result, those affected are dependent on taking artificial insulin daily. Type 2 diabetes, the most common type of diabetes, influences how the body uses insulin. Gestational diabetes occurs in pregnant women when the body may become less sensitive to insulin.
“…in diabetic patients, the pancreas produces little to no insulin — or, the body responds inappropriately to insulin.”
Causes of Diabetes
Different types of diabetes have different causes. While experts have yet to determine the exact cause of type 1 diabetes, it is generally believed to occur due to a combination of environmental factors and genetic susceptibility. The same is true for type 2 diabetes, which is also strongly associated with being overweight.
Gestational diabetes is caused by hormonal changes brought on by pregnancy. As the placenta produces extra hormones to sustain the pregnancy, the body's cells become more resistant to insulin. The pancreas will typically produce excess insulin to compensate for this resistance. If this is insufficient, then gestational diabetes will occur.
“Different types of diabetes have different causes.”
Symptoms of Diabetes
After consuming food, the body works to convert it into glucose for energy. The body then transports the glucose into the blood, where proper insulin production is necessary for the body to absorb the glucose. Those who have diabetes have a problem both with insulin production and glucose absorption, leading to high glucose levels in the blood (or high blood sugar). This is responsible for the symptoms of diabetes, including:
- Blurred vision
- Increased thirst
- Increased urination, especially at night
- Weight loss (less common)
If left untreated, diabetes can cause severe dehydration and a feeling of dullness or light-headedness. At its absolute worst, diabetes can cause diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), which may cause abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting. This condition can also cause more severe symptoms, such as mental dullness, partial paralysis or weakness of the body, seizures, and even a coma.
“Those who have diabetes have a problem both with insulin production and glucose absorption, leading to high glucose levels in the blood (or high blood sugar).”
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Diagnosing Diabetes
As diabetes has such a wide array of risk factors, an urgent care physician will have to make a detailed assessment of the patient's entire medical history. The physician may note any symptoms or weight changes a patient reports experiencing. If applicable, they will also consider the patient's chronic conditions and medication schedule. A random blood glucose test is a typical procedure when it comes to diagnosis. This process involves taking a small drop of the patient's blood to measure the amount of glucose present. If it exceeds a certain threshold, then a diabetes diagnosis is likely.
Patients may be tested for diabetes, even if their symptoms are not very severe or noticeable. Other tests used in diagnosis include A1C tests, fasting plasma glucose tests, and oral glucose tolerance tests. In an A1C test, the physician takes a blood sample to measure the blood sugar levels. An oral glucose tolerance test involves an oral administration of pure glucose, followed by a blood sugar test two hours later. Finally, a fasting plasma glucose test requires the patient to fast overnight before getting their blood sugar levels tested.
Questions Answered on This Page
Q. What are the different types of diabetes?
Q. What are the signs of diabetes?
People Also Ask
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Q. When should I seek professional treatment for vomiting or diarrhea?
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What can an urgent care physician do to treat diabetes?
A. Suppose your blood sugar is extremely high and there are severe symptoms at the time of your arrival to the urgent care center. In that case, your urgent care physician will give you medication to immediately lower your blood sugar and IV fluids to rehydrate you. You may also be prescribed medications to keep your blood sugar under control and receive recommendations on how to better manage your condition.
Q. What is prediabetes?
A. Patients with prediabetes have a blood sugar level that is higher than average but not yet high enough to be considered type 2 diabetes. Though it can be reversed with lifestyle changes, those with prediabetes may already be experiencing the long-term damage of diabetes. As such, consulting with a physician is key to protecting your health.
Q. What is the best diet for those with diabetes or prediabetes?
A. A healthy eating plan is key to managing your blood sugar, weight, and heart disease risk factors. A diet rich in extra calories and fat will inevitably cause the blood sugar levels to rise, which may lead to severe conditions like hyperglycemia. Those affected by diabetes or prediabetes should focus on fiber-rich foods, fish, healthy carbohydrates, and "good" fats.
Q. Is gestational diabetes permanent?
A. As mentioned earlier, gestational diabetes is a natural result of changing hormone levels during pregnancy. It is usually a temporary condition that subsides once hormone levels have returned to normal after the mother has given birth.
Q. Are there risk factors for diabetes?
A. Yes. Risk factors can vary depending on the type of diabetes. However, specific populations are more likely to develop diabetes than others. These include persons who are overweight or obese, have a family history of diabetes, have had gestational diabetes in the past or have given birth to a baby weighing more than nine pounds, have high blood pressure, or have abnormal cholesterol. Leading a physically inactive lifestyle can also raise one's risk.
Start Feeling Better – Visit Us Today
By visiting us as soon as possible, our team can help get you the professional treatment you need. Instead of waiting around and allowing the symptoms to get worse, we can provide you with stronger medication and treatment options instead of ineffective store-bought products.
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Definitions
Come In Today
Proper diabetes care is crucial to ensure one's health. We at Millennium Medical Care Stone Springs may be able to help. Call us today at 703-665-3242 to learn more about our services. We also accept walk-ins.
Helpful Related Links
- American Journal of Medicine. American Journal of Medicine. 2023
- American Medical Association (AMA). American Medical Association (AMA). 2023
- American Medical Society For Sports Medicine (AMSSM). American Medical Society For Sports Medicine. 2023
- American Trauma Society. American Trauma Society. 2023
- John Hopkins Medicine Orthopaedic Surgery. John Hopkins Medicine Orthopaedic Surgery. 2023
- National Council on Aging. National Council on Aging. 2023
- Orthopaedic Surgery: Association of American Medical Colleges. Orthopaedic Surgery: Association of American Medical Colleges. 2023
- Radiological Society of North America. Radiological Society of North America. 2023
About our business and website security
- Millennium Medical Care Stone Springs was established in 2023.
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- We serve patients from the following cities: South Riding, Brambleton, Sterling, Ashburn, and Aldie
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