Comprehensive Services for Diabetes Management

There are several types of diabetes. The causes and risk factors for each type vary but they all involve elevated blood glucose levels and have similar symptoms. The most common types of diabetes include:

• Pre-Diabetes
• Type 1 Diabetes
• Type 2 Diabetes
• Pregnancy-Induced Diabetes (Gestational Diabetes)

Other, less common types of diabetes include:

• Type 3c Diabetes
• Latent Autoimmune Diabetes in Adults (LADA)
• Mitochondrial Diabetes
• Monogenic Diabetes (Genetic Diabetes)
• Post-Transplant Diabetes Mellitus (PTDM)

With pre- or early stage diabetes, there may not be any symptoms. For this reason, routine screenings at your annual physical are the best way to catch a blood sugar problem before it becomes more serious. Symptoms of more advanced diabetes may include:

• Excessive thirst
• Frequent urination
• Unintentional weight loss
• Blurry vision
• Fatigue and weakness
• Slow-healing sores
• Recurring infections of the gums, skin and genitals

These symptoms can be warning signs of other conditions so it’s important to be evaluated by a medical professional. Most patients are diagnosed with diabetes by a primary care doctor and will be referred to one or more specialists for care, based on the disease type, stage and severity of symptoms.

The exact cause of diabetes is unknown but there are several risk factors that increase the chance of developing type 2 diabetes. These include:

• Age. Type 2 diabetes is more common in people over the age of 35. However, type 2 diabetes in children and younger adults is on the rise.
• Diagnosed with pre-diabetes.
• Excess weight or obesity.
• Sedentary lifestyle and infrequent exercise.
• Low HDL cholesterol (good cholesterol).
• High triglycerides (fatty molecules in the blood).
• Gender. Type 2 diabetes is more common in women.
• Race or ethnicity. People of Black, Hispanic, American Indian and Asian American heritage are at higher risk for type 2 diabetes.
• Family history of diabetes.

Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition in which your pancreas stops making insulin. It is formerly known as juvenile diabetes but almost half of cases present during adulthood.

Sometimes, pre-diabetes and type 2 diabetes may be prevented, managed or reversed through simple lifestyle modifications, including:

• Diet. There are multiple dietary patterns that work well for people with pre-diabetes and diabetes. For many, it is recommended to fill a third of your food plate with non-starchy vegetables, a third of your food plate with lean protein and a third of your food plate with whole grain carbohydrates.
• Exercise. Aim for 150 minutes per week of moderate to intense aerobic activity and 2–3 strength training sessions a week.
• Weight loss. Losing just 5–7 percent of your body weight can significantly lower your risk of developing diabetes.