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Comprehensive
Women's Healthcare
Diabetes Management Program
The Diabetes Management Program at Women's Medical Group of Irvine is a comprehensive effort that considers the causes of this disease, the lifestyle changes that you can reasonably adopt to naturally counteract the effects of the condition, and the medical treatment options you have for bringing this disease fully under control. Our clinical team works together to ensure that your individual program remains on target as you progress to a fuller, more satisfying state of health.
Who is at risk for Diabetes?
There are over 21 million Americans who have diabetes. There are several risk factors for diabetes including: physical inactivity, having a first degree relative with diabetes, delivering a baby weighing more than nine pounds or being diagnosed with gestational diabetes, and a history of hypertension and/or heart disease. However, the increasing prevalence of obesity is a major contributor to the rise in this disease. In fact, 80-90% of Type 2 diabetics are obese.
How does Diabetes develop?
Diabetes is caused by a complex interaction of environmental factors and predisposing genetic factors. The food we eat is broken down by digestive juices into glucose. This glucose travels through the bloodstream and then into cells to be used for energy. Most cells require insulin to "unlock" them, so that glucose can enter. In diabetes, the pancreas makes little or no insulin, or the body does not respond to the insulin produced. The result is that glucose builds up in the bloodstream and can overflow into the urine.
How do I know if I have Diabetes?
The symptoms of high blood sugar (hyperglycemia) include: frequent urination, extreme thirst, hunger, fatigue, weakness, blurred vision, nausea, recurrent urinary tract infections, and vaginal yeast infections. The symptoms of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) include: sweating, shakiness, dizziness, rapid heart rate, mood swings, headache, hunger, fatigue, and weakness. However, most people with Type 2 diabetes have no symptoms!. Therefore, the diagnosis of diabetes can be delayed for more than five years!
What is pre-Diabetes?
The gold standard test for diagnosing diabetes is a 2-hour oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). If the fasting glucose is between 101-125, this is considered pre-diabetes. A fasting glucose greater than 126 on at least 2 occasions is diabetes. If the 2-hour glucose is between 141-199, this is pre-diabetes. If the 2-hour glucose is greater than 200, this is diabetes. Having pre-diabetes is a serious concern since most will develop diabetes within ten years. However, this progression to diabetes in NOT inevitable.
Prevention and Management
Here at the Women's Medical Group of Irvine, we use the most cutting edge treatments for diabetes and are equally aggressive in the prevention of the disease. Under the leadership of our board-certified endocrinologist, Dr. Martin, each patient will be assessed for factors affecting diabetes such as blood pressure, cholesterol, weight, insulin levels, diet, and exercise. Our team understands that every patient is unique and deserves an individualized treatment plan that fits that person's needs.
Related Websites:
www.diabetes.org
www.niddk.nih.gov
www.diabetic-recipes.com
