What is Diabetes?

Diabetes is a chronic medical condition characterized by elevated levels of sugar (glucose) in the blood. It occurs when the body either does not produce enough insulin, a hormone that regulates blood sugar, or does not effectively use the insulin it does produce. This results in an accumulation of glucose in the blood, leading to a range of symptoms, including increased thirst, frequent urination, blurred vision, and fatigue.

There are two main types of diabetes:

1. Type 1 diabetes: It is an autoimmune disorder in which the body's immune system attacks and destroys the cells in the pancreas that produce insulin. This type of diabetes is typically diagnosed in children and young adults, and it is not caused by lifestyle factors.
2. Type 2 diabetes: It is caused by a combination of factors, including genetics and lifestyle. The main factor is the body's inability to effectively use insulin, a condition known as insulin resistance. As the body becomes resistant to insulin, blood sugar levels rise, leading to diabetes. Risk factors for type 2 diabetes include being overweight or obese, having a family history of diabetes, having high blood pressure, and not getting enough physical activity.

Both type 1 and type 2 diabetes require regular check-ups, maintaining a healthy lifestyle, and adhering to medication schedule are important in preventing or delaying the onset of diabetes-related complications.

Begin Your Journey to Wellness with Patients Medical

Our job at Patients Medical is to listen, to connect the dots between a patient's medical history, symptoms, and their underlying causes. Patients Medical is a superb place for women and men to secure integrative and holistic health care from providers who give personalized care, partner with the patient to focus on the root cause of their illness, support their recovery, and help them maintain good health.

To make an appointment with one of our physicians, please call us at 1-212-794-8800. We look forward to hearing from you.