Diabetes

About one in 10 Americans have diabetes and need help managing their condition. At Alertive Healthcare Medical Group, you can access comprehensive diagnostic testing services and customized treatment plans for Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes and prediabetes. The experienced medical providers take an integrative approach to keep your blood sugar levels healthy and prevent nerve damage and other diabetes-related complications. They offer in-office visits and telehealth appointments to manage your care in the long term. Call the Riverside, California, office to schedule a diabetes screening appointment or book a consultation online today. 

What is diabetes?

Diabetes is a chronic health condition that affects how your body converts the food you eat into the energy it needs to function. Typically, your pancreas produces the insulin hormone to metabolize sugar into energy. When you have diabetes, this process doesn’t work as efficiently as it should.

There are three types of diabetes the Alertive Healthcare Medical Group providers can diagnose and treat:

Type 1 diabetes

Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease that affects insulin production in your pancreas. Your immune system mistakenly attacks healthy pancreas cells, so the organ can’t produce the insulin your body needs to control blood sugar levels.

Type 1 diabetes often develops in childhood but can also occur in adulthood.

Type 2 diabetes

Type 2 diabetes develops when your pancreas can’t produce enough insulin or doesn’t use the insulin it makes properly to regulate your blood sugars.

Poor diet, lack of exercise, weight challenges, and other lifestyle factors often cause Type 2 diabetes.

Prediabetes

Prediabetes describes consistently high blood sugar levels, but not high enough to be considered diabetes. Having prediabetes significantly increases your risk of developing Type 2 diabetes.

How do I know I have diabetes?

You can have diabetes without knowing it because the disease doesn’t always cause noticeable symptoms. For that reason, the Alertive Healthcare Medical Group providers recommend routine blood sugar screenings to identify the condition.

You should also schedule a diabetes consultation if you experience symptoms of uncontrolled blood sugar levels such as:

• Blurry vision
• Increased thirst
• Frequent urination
• Persistent fatigue
• Slow-healing sores
• Unintentional weight loss

The providers offer in-office blood tests to assess your blood sugar levels and identify the type of diabetes you have. They may also recommend routine screenings if you don’t have symptoms or a family history of diabetes, are overweight, or have other diabetes risk factors.

How is diabetes treated?

The Alertive Healthcare Medical Group providers tailor a diabetes treatment plan to control your blood sugar levels. They offer in-office and telehealth visits for your convenience.

If you have Type 1 diabetes, your physician prescribes daily insulin. They also provide routine, in-office blood tests and resources to help you regularly test your blood sugar levels at home.

Your initial treatment plan for Type 2 diabetes and prediabetes may include lifestyle changes and diet improvements to lower your blood sugar levels naturally. If these strategies aren’t enough, you may also need medications.

Call the Alertive Healthcare Medical Group to schedule a diabetes consultation or book an appointment online today.