More than 100 million American adults are living with some form of diabetes. You can enjoy a long healthy life with proper care for your diabetes from Rolando Posada, MD, and the team at Harlingen Family Care Clinic located in Harlingen, Texas. They can help you manage your condition and prevent complications. If you think you’re diabetic or are living with diabetes, call today or book a consultation online.
Diabetes is a chronic condition affecting how your body processes blood sugar, or glucose. The insulin in your body is meant to manage your blood sugar levels, but when you have diabetes, your body either doesn’t make enough insulin or doesn't use it properly. Without insulin, sugar builds up in your blood.
Diabetes comes in two main forms. Type 1 diabetes is due to your body’s inability to produce insulin. It typically begins in childhood and was once known as juvenile diabetes.
Type 2 diabetes is far more common than type 1. This form occurs when your body stops using insulin properly. Although you can develop type 2 at any age, it's more common over age 40. Between 80-90% of people with type 2 diabetes are overweight or obese.
The warning signs of diabetes are sometimes unnoticeable, or you may confuse your symptoms with something else. Still, common symptoms include:
You may also experience drowsiness, nausea, or blurry vision.
Having diabetes puts you at risk for a wide variety of health conditions, including some that are quite serious. These include:
You’re also at a higher risk for stroke, kidney disease, or kidney failure.
There are a few blood tests used to assess your blood sugar levels. You may undergo one of these tests:
Once you get your diagnosis with your form of diabetes, you’ll be recommended an appropriate treatment plan so you can continue to enjoy an active, healthy life.
Take a step for your lasting health today. Call or schedule a consultation online with Harlingen Family Care.