Diabetes Specialist

What is diabetes?

Diabetes is a chronic condition that affects how your body metabolizes the sugar you get from your diet. Typically, your body uses the hormone insulin to regulate blood sugar and convert it into the energy you need to function. When you have diabetes, the process doesn’t work properly.

There are several types of diabetes:

Type 1 diabetes

Type 1 diabetes describes a condition where your body doesn’t produce insulin to control blood sugar. As a result, the sugar levels in your blood remain high and can lead to serious health complications.

This condition is usually the result of an autoimmune disorder that causes your immune system to mistakenly attack your pancreas, the organ that produces insulin.

Type 2 diabetes

Type 2 diabetes occurs when your body can’t produce enough insulin to control your sugar levels or doesn’t use the insulin you have properly. This condition is generally the result of an unhealthy lifestyle, such as a high-sugar diet, lack of exercise, and obesity.

Prediabetes

Prediabetes is a condition where your blood sugar levels are high, but not high enough to be considered diabetes. Lifestyle and dietary factors can also cause this condition.

Gestational diabetes

Gestational diabetes affects pregnant women, causing their blood sugar levels to remain uncontrolled throughout pregnancy. For many women, this type of diabetes resolves after childbirth.

How is diabetes diagnosed?

Diagnosing diabetes requires a simple blood test to evaluate the level of sugars in your blood. Because diabetes may not cause any symptoms until the disease is advanced, the team at Healing Duo Integrative Family Medical Practice recommends routine diabetes screenings if you:

• Have prediabetes
• Are overweight or obese
• Live a sedentary lifestyle
• Have a family history of diabetes

You should also request a diabetes screening if you experience symptoms of diabetes. These include excessive thirst and hunger, more frequent urination, blurry vision, and unexplained weight loss.

How does naturopathic medicine treat diabetes?

Healing Duo Integrative Family Medical Practice offers comprehensive treatment services for all forms of diabetes. If you have Type 1 diabetes, you will need daily insulin to regulate your blood sugar levels.

If you have Type 2 diabetes or prediabetes, the providers start working with you on necessary lifestyle changes and dietary improvements you need to control your sugar levels naturally. They may recommend:

Dietary supplements

To keep your body healthy and functioning optimally, your provider may recommend nutritional supplements that supply your body with essential nutrients.

They also work with you on a diet plan that helps you reduce your carbohydrate intake, avoid sugar, and incorporate more fresh, whole foods to lower and help you maintain healthy blood sugar levels.

Increased exercise

A daily regimen of exercise is essential for losing weight and making it easier for you to control your blood sugar naturally. Aim to get at least 30 minutes of cardiovascular exercise a day by walking, jogging, or taking an exercise class.

Educational resources

The team at Healing Duo Integrative Family Medical Practice strongly believes in providing you with the educational resources you need to make better choices about your diet and lifestyle to manage diabetes.

The physicians work with you to ensure you know how to closely monitor your blood sugar levels at home and offer routine blood sugar checks in the office.

If you’re looking for holistic treatment options to manage diabetes, call Healing Duo Integrative Family Medical Practice or request an appointment online today.