Diabetes

More than 130 million American adults now have diabetes or are at risk of developing it. At Advantage Primary Care, the team knows how important early intervention and individualized care are for people with diabetes. The team never rushes appointments, so call the Richmond, Virginia, office or click on the provided scheduler to make your appointment now.

What is diabetes?

Diabetes includes conditions that affect your body’s glucose (sugar) regulation. Your pancreas makes insulin — the hormone that helps your body use sugar properly. 

But, with diabetes, a problem with your insulin means you can’t process sugar. Your sugar levels increase, causing devastating effects on your health, such as nerve damage, cardiovascular disease, kidney damage, and vision loss. 

What causes diabetes?

The causes of each type of diabetes are:

Type 1 diabetes

In Type 1 diabetes, your body can’t make enough insulin to regulate blood sugar levels. That happens because your immune system destroys the insulin-producing cells. 

Experts aren’t completely sure what causes this, but Type 1 diabetes isn’t preventable.

Type 2 diabetes

In Type 2 diabetes, you produce insulin, but it’s inadequate, or you’ve become resistant to its effects. Weight challenges and lack of physical activity are significant factors in the development of Type 2 diabetes, but anyone can develop it. 

Other factors that can contribute to the development of Type 2 diabetes include family history, stress, gut health, and your diet. 

About 90% of Type 2 diabetes is preventable with weight loss, a healthy diet, exercise, and other lifestyle modifications.

How is diabetes treated?

Advantage Primary Care offers comprehensive care for Type 2 diabetes, including: 

• Periodic blood sugar testing in the in-house lab
• Blood sugar monitoring plan for home 
• Weight loss program
• Oral medications as needed
• Insulin therapy as needed
• Treatment of infections, slow-healing wounds, and other diabetes-related issues 

Your Type 2 diabetes care plan depends on the stage of your disease, but in the earlier stages, many people can manage their condition without medication as long as they make healthy lifestyle changes and maintain them. 

With Type 1 diabetes, you require insulin therapy. You can inject it or use an insulin pump that automatically delivers it into your bloodstream.

The Advantage Primary Care team can manage your Type 1 diabetes care in many cases. However, with Type 1 diabetes, you’ll also have an endocrinologist who specializes in the disease.  

Advantage Primary Care offers one-on-one diabetes care in a warm and supportive setting. Call the office or click the online appointment maker to set up your visit today.