Diabetes Specialist
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HT Family Physicians
Family Medicine located in Stockton, CA & Lodi, CA
It’s estimated that about 29 million Americans live with diabetes, a complicated chronic illness that causes blood sugar levels to rise to dangerously high levels. The first-rate team of physicians at HT Family Physicians is dedicated to providing diabetic patients with the medical treatment and self-management skills they need to avoid complications and lead a long, healthy life. With two convenient locations in the cities of Stockton and Lodi, California, they serve patients living in the greater San Joaquin area. Call or book your appointment online today.
Diabetes Q & A
What is diabetes?
There are two types of diabetes:
Type 1 diabetes
This serious condition occurs when the pancreas stops producing insulin. Type 1 diabetes is often diagnosed during childhood, and is more likely to affect those who have a family history of the illness.
Type 2 diabetes
This form of the disease, which is caused by a combination of factors and is largely preventable, accounts for about 90% of all diabetes cases. It can develop when the pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin, or if your body has become resistant to insulin.
What are the symptoms of Type 2 diabetes?
During the precursor stages of diabetes, also known as insulin resistance and prediabetes, symptoms may be mild and slow to emerge. When symptoms finally do emerge, they can vary greatly among individuals.
Some of the most common symptoms of Type 2 diabetes include:
- Extreme thirst or hunger
- Frequent urination
- Fatigue and irritability
- Tingling in the extremities; numb hands or feet
- Frequent infections and slow-healing sores
- Unexplained weight loss
More severe symptoms include unusually bad breath, high blood pressure, rapid breathing, blurry vision, and darkening skin around your neck or in your armpits.
If you have any of these symptoms, make an appointment to see your doctor at HT Family Physicians as soon as possible.
Am I at risk for Type 2 diabetes?
Researchers don’t know why some people develop Type 2 diabetes more easily than others, but there are several known risk factors that can increase your chances of having the disease, including:
Excess weight and inactivity
Being overweight or obese is the most significant risk factor for Type 2 diabetes, while being sedentary substantially boosts your risk, too.
Age and ethnicity
Your risk of developing Type 2 diabetes increases with age, particularly after the age of 45. Hispanic Americans, African Americans, Native Americans, and Pacific Islanders also are more likely to be diagnosed with the disease
Unhealthy blood pressure and blood lipid levels
Having blood pressure higher than 140/90 boosts your chances of developing diabetes, as does having high triglyceride or low HDL (good) cholesterol levels.
Why is early diagnosis so important?
When it comes to Type 2 diabetes, early diagnosis is key to attaining the kind of intervention that can help you manage your condition, avoid complications, and live a long, healthy life.
That’s why the team at HT Family Physicians provides in-office retinol eye screenings, which can detect the condition well before any signs or symptoms appear.
After you’ve been diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes, learning everything you can about your condition can empower you to stay healthy.
Eating right, getting regular exercise, shedding excess body weight, and taking your diabetes medications exactly as prescribed is key to maintaining optimal blood sugar levels and feeling healthy.
