Diabetes is a common chronic disease that can lead to serious medical problems when left untreated. At Joel Wellness Clinic in Livonia and Saline, Michigan, Binju Joel, MD, and her highly trained team diagnose and manage diabetes to keep you healthy and provide the best quality of life possible. Call the office to schedule an appointment or book an evaluation online today.
Diabetes is a condition that affects your blood sugar. If you have Type 1 diabetes, your body doesn’t make enough insulin to keep blood sugar levels under control; with Type 2 diabetes, your body can’t utilize insulin the right way; gestational diabetes develops during pregnancy.
All forms of diabetes can cause high levels of sugar to build up in your bloodstream.
Common symptoms you might notice with diabetes include:
You might not experience any symptoms of diabetes, especially in its early stage. However, complications associated with untreated diabetes may include nerve damage, heart problems, depression, foot damage, kidney problems, eye damage, skin issues, and dementia.
Common diabetes risk factors, particularly with Type 2 diabetes, include:
Ways to reduce your risk of developing diabetes include maintaining a healthy weight, getting regular exercise, and eating nutritious foods.
To diagnose diabetes and its complications, Dr. Joel reviews your medical history and symptoms, then completes a physical examination and a simple blood test to evaluate levels of sugar in your blood. In addition, she may suggest you undergo heart function testing, vision tests, or other diagnostic tests.
Dr. Joel is well-versed in using the newer non-insulin injectables like GLP1 agonists like liraglutide and semaglutide and SGLT2 inhibitors like dapagliflozin.
Your personalized diabetes treatment depends on the type and severity of your condition. Dr. Joel may suggest:
Weight loss, diet changes, and regular exercise can help you control blood sugar when you have diabetes. Joel Wellness Clinic offers a medical weight loss program to help you get excess weight off and improve blood sugar control.
Taking oral medications is an effective way to keep blood sugar in check, particularly if you have Type 2 diabetes.
Insulin injections help you manage high blood sugar levels when your body doesn’t produce enough insulin on its own.
If you’re at risk for diabetes or suspect you have it because of your symptoms, call the Joel Wellness Clinic office or schedule an appointment online today.
