Diabetes and You!

Dr. Suresh Lohano and Family Nurse Practitioner Taylor Thomas both have extensive knowledge in diagnosing and treating diabetes as well as a passion for educating and caring for diabetic patients. 

What is Diabetes? There is Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus. Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus is an autoimmune condition where the pancreas creates very little to no insulin. Without insulin, our body cannot regular the glucose in our blood stream. Patients with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus are on insulin therapy and often an insulin pump. 

Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus is when the pancreas cannot produce enough insulin to keep up with elevated blood sugar levels or when the cells in your body become resistant to the insulin. Increased weight and a diet high in carbohydrates can lead to elevated blood glucose levels and insufficient insulin production, leading to prediabetes and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus. The remainder of this article will focus on Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus. 

Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus can lead to many complications. When blood glucose levels are elevated, our blood cannot get to our organs like it needs to, resulting in organ dysfunction and damage. Diabetes can cause diabetic retinopathy which effects vision. Diabetes can cause chronic kidney disease due to lack of blood getting to the kidneys. Diabetes can cause neuropathy, which is a numbness, tingling, and burning sensation predominantly in the hands and feet. Elevated blood sugar can cause symptoms such as increased thirst, frequent urination, dry mouth, yeast infections, and increased hunger. Having uncontrolled diabetes can lead to fatigue and can cause wounds to heal very slowly resulting in infection. 

Treating Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus starts with screening and diagnosis. At Premier Primary Care we screen all patients 35 and over who meet criteria, and younger if there are risk factors. Once a diagnosis of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus is made, we can help choose the right medications and discuss diet with you to help manage your Diabetes. There are several different types of medications to treat Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus. These can be oral pills, daily or weekly non-insulin injections, and insulin injections. We take into account your lifestyle, schedule, resources, and glucose readings to help choose the best medications and treatment regimen for you. We will also help you find a good eating plan that works for you as there is no one size fits all diet for every diabetic patient. We follow up with our diabetic patients closely to help monitor their glucose readings and make sure you are on the right track to a healthier you! 

We not only want to help choose the best diet and medications for you but we want you to feel confident at home with monitoring your diabetes. We can show you in the office how to use your insulin and non-insulin injectable medications. We can help write out treatment schedules and meal plans. We can help you learn how to use your blood glucose meter and check your glucose at home. 
We will also make sure that after diagnosed with diabetes, you stay up to date on your screenings. We will help monitor for diabetic eye disease, kidney disease, neuropathy, and skin concerns. Our goal is to prevent these complications before they start!

For comprehensive care and management of your Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus, come see us to get started! We have same day appointments available to serve you!