Updated: 23 hours ago
Though diabetes is one of the most common chronic health conditions in the United States, its exact nature and differences between types of the disease may be less well-known. Whether you have diabetes or are concerned about your risk, Double board-certified physician Dr. Raj Singh and the HEALOR Primary Care team can help Las Vegas, NV area residents manage the disease or lower their risk altogether.
What is diabetes?
When you eat food, most of it is broken down by your body into a substance called glucose. When the glucose in your blood rises, your pancreas springs into action, releasing insulin, which allows the body’s cells to accept glucose as fuel. But for those with diabetes, their bodies either don’t produce enough insulin or use the insulin produced inefficiently, which means too much glucose remains in their blood rather than being absorbed by cells. Over time, diabetes can lead to cardiovascular disease, raise the risk of infection, and cause long-term organ damage that results in death. According to the most recent data from the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 34 million U.S. adults have diabetes, but about one in five haven’t been diagnosed yet. Over the past two decades, the number of adults diagnosed with the disease has more than doubled, and it is currently the seventh-leading cause of death in the nation. Symptoms of Type 1 diabetes include increased thirst, frequent urination, extreme hunger, unintended weight loss, fatigue, irritability or other mood changes, and blurry vision. Diagnosis is done through blood tests.
What is Type 1 diabetes?
Type 1 diabetes is the less common of the two main forms of the disease, affecting about 10% of people with diabetes, according to the CDC. People with Type 1 diabetes make little to no insulin naturally. Historically, Type 1 diabetes was referred to as juvenile diabetes because it’s most often diagnosed in children, teenagers, and young adults. However, it can be diagnosed at any stage of life. This form of diabetes usually comes on very quickly, so if you’re a Las Vegas, NV area resident concerned that you or your child may be dealing with type 1 diabetes, contact Dr. Singh at HEALOR Primary Care to schedule an evaluation.
What is Type 2 diabetes?
Individuals with Type 2 diabetes do