Diabetes

More than 11% of all Americans have diabetes, but many don’t realize the risk of diabetes and its long-term complications. At Merak Health in Rockwall and Fort Worth, Texas, Dr. Akhil Vats and the compassionate team offer complete diabetes care. From lab tests to medication and long-term diabetes management, Merak Health has you covered. Both office visits and house calls are available, so call the office or book an appointment online today. 

What is diabetes?

Diabetes is a chronic condition that alters your body’s food processing abilities. When you eat, your body breaks the food down into sugar that then enters your blood.

Your pancreas makes a hormone called insulin, which essentially unlocks your cells so they can absorb the sugar and use it for energy. However, people with diabetes either don’t make insulin (Type 1 diabetes) or can’t use the insulin they make properly (Type 2 diabetes). 

This lack of usable insulin means your blood sugar doesn’t make it into your cells and builds up in your bloodstream. So, the blood sugar level of people with diabetes is higher than it should be. This can lead to some serious health problems. 

What kinds of health problems does diabetes cause?

Diabetes can lead to damage throughout your entire body, including:

• Nerve damage
• Blood vessel damage
• Heart disease
• Kidney disease
• Slow-healing wounds and ulcers
• Vision loss 

People with diabetes are also more likely to experience depression. In addition, people with Type 2 diabetes or those with higher than normal blood sugar (prediabetes) have a higher risk of Alzheimer’s disease. 

What are the symptoms of diabetes?

Diabetes symptoms often include: 

• Excessive thirst or hunger
• Unexpected weight loss
• Tiredness
• Numbness or tingling in hands or feet
• Frequent nighttime urination
• Blurry vision
• Dry skin
• Slow-healing wounds
• Frequent infections

With Type 2 diabetes, the symptoms usually develop slowly. It may not cause symptoms until the disease has already caused some internal damage. However, Type 1 diabetes symptoms often develop suddenly and may cause abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting. 

How is diabetes treated?

Diabetes treatment depends on which type you have and your symptoms. If you have Type 1 diabetes, the Merak Health team can prescribe insulin. You’ll inject the insulin yourself at home or wear an insulin pump, a tiny computerized tool that sends insulin into your blood when needed. 

If you have Type 2 diabetes, the team recommends weight management and blood sugar control through a healthy diet and physical activity. 

If you need some extra help to control your blood sugar, they may prescribe an oral medication like metformin to improve your insulin response and to decrease your sugar production and absorption. 

Merak Health can help you control your blood sugar and improve your whole-body health. Call the office or use the online booking feature today for help with diabetes.