Diabetes

Nearly 12% of the United States population has diabetes, one of the most common chronic diseases. At Internists of North Dallas in Irving, Texas, board-certified internal medicine physician Nabila Aslam, MD, screens for and helps effectively manage diabetes. Schedule an evaluation at Internists of North Dallas by phone or request one online today.

What is diabetes?

Diabetes is a chronic disease that affects the body’s ability to stabilize blood sugar in the bloodstream. It can cause consistently high blood sugar, increasing your risk of long-term health complications when not managed effectively. Dr. Aslam is highly trained in managing all types of diabetes to optimize health and quality of life in patients with diabetes or its risk factors.

What are the common types of diabetes?

The main forms of diabetes include:

Type 1 diabetes

Type 1 diabetes is often diagnosed during childhood. It appears because the body doesn’t produce enough of a hormone called insulin, which is responsible for blood sugar regulation. 

Type 2 diabetes

Type 2 diabetes typically develops in adulthood because of carrying excess body weight, genetics, poor diet, lack of exercise, or other unhealthy lifestyle habits. It appears when the body doesn’t properly respond to insulin production. 

Gestational diabetes

Gestational diabetes is a form of diabetes that appears during pregnancy. It typically goes away after delivery but might reappear as Type 2 diabetes later in life.

Prediabetes 

If you consistently have high blood sugar that’s not high enough to be classified as Type 2 diabetes, you likely have prediabetes. Fortunately, this condition is reversible — often with a healthy diet, exercise program, and weight loss. 

Which symptoms can diabetes cause?

Diabetes can cause the following symptoms:

• Fatigue
• Blurry vision
• Increased thirst or urination
• Dry mouth
• Unexplained weight loss
• Slow-healing wounds
• Tingling or numbness in the hands or feet
• Frequent vaginal or skin infections

However, not everyone with diabetes has noticeable symptoms — particularly not in the initial phase of the disease. That’s why routine diabetes screening is vital to early detection and complication prevention. 

How is diabetes diagnosed?

Dr. Aslam checks your vital signs, weighs you, completes a physical exam, and discusses your symptoms and medical history. She uses a blood test to determine if your blood sugar is high and if you have prediabetes, diabetes, or other chronic diseases.

How is diabetes treated?

Treating diabetes depends on the type you have. Dr. Aslam may recommend one or more of the following:

• Diet and exercise changes
• Weight loss
• Oral diabetes medications
• Insulin injections
• Insulin pump
• Combination of treatments

It’s also highly important to monitor your blood sugar levels at home and periodically at the Internists of North Dallas office. Dr. Aslam helps you manage your condition to avoid complications like nerve damage, heart disease, dementia, eye damage, and foot problems. She also provides referrals as needed.

Schedule a diabetes evaluation at Internists of North Dallas by calling the office or requesting an appointment online today.