Diabetes Specialist
VNC RealHealth PLLC
Valentine Ugwu, MD, FACOG, MBA
OBGYN & Family Medicine located in Pearsall, TX
If you’re one of the more than 100 million Americans living with diabetes or prediabetes, you can count on expert care at VNC RealHealth, in Pearsall, Texas. Valentine C. Ugwu, MD, FACOG, MBA, is a board-certified family physician who offers customized treatments to help you manage your blood sugar levels and improve your health and quality of life. Call VNC RealHealth or make an appointment online today.
Diabetes Q & A
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a common condition in which your body either doesn’t produce enough insulin or doesn’t use insulin correctly. Insulin is a hormone that helps your body convert your glucose — also referred to as blood sugar — into energy.
The three most common types of diabetes are Type 1, Type 2, and gestational diabetes.
Type 2 diabetes is the most prevalent type of the disease. Also referred to as insulin resistance, Type 2 diabetes develops when your body doesn’t use insulin correctly, and your blood sugar levels increase. Lifestyle factors such as being overweight or obese or leading a sedentary lifestyle contribute to your risk of developing Type 2 diabetes.
Type 1 diabetes is less common and is usually diagnosed in childhood. Type 1 diabetes occurs when your body doesn’t produce insulin. Your immune system attacks the insulin-producing cells in your pancreas, although medical researchers aren’t sure why this happens.
Gestational diabetes is a condition that sometimes develops during your second trimester of pregnancy. During pregnancy, your placenta produces hormones that can interfere with the way your body uses insulin.
What are the symptoms of diabetes?
In many cases, diabetes doesn’t cause any noticeable symptoms, and the only way for Dr. Ugwu to diagnose your condition is through the standard blood tests you have at your annual physical. However, in some cases, diabetes may cause symptoms including:
- Increased thirst
- Extreme hunger
- Frequent urination
- Unexplained weight loss
- Fatigue and irritability
- Blurred vision
- Slowly healing sores
- Recurrent infections in your gums or skin
If you’re concerned about diabetes or have a family history of the disease, make an appointment with Dr. Ugwu for diagnosis and treatment.
How is diabetes treated?
At VNC RealHealth, Dr. Ugwu offers expert, customized treatments to manage your diabetes. In many cases, you can control your blood sugar levels with adjustments to your diet and exercise habits.
For example, reducing the sugar in your diet also reduces the burden placed on your body to convert sugar into energy and helps regulate your blood glucose levels. Additionally, regular moderate exercise helps your body use glucose more efficiently. Even a 20-minute walk after a meal can increase the efficiency of your glucose conversion.
However, if you have Type 1 diabetes or advanced Type 2 diabetes, you may need medicine including insulin injections to meet your body’s needs.
Call VNC RealHealth or make an appointment online today.
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