Diabetes is a disease characterized by high levels of glucose in the blood. Although your body needs glucose to function, too much glucose increases the risk of serious health problems. Learn more about diabetes treatment, including what you can expect when you visit our diabetes clinic in Canton.
Key Takeaways
- Diabetes occurs due to elevated levels of glucose (blood sugar).
- Over time, high glucose levels can damage the nerves and blood vessels.
- Diabetes has been linked to blindness, kidney damage and other serious complications.
- Georgia Medical Treatment Center addresses the root causes of diabetes with personalized treatment plans.
Why Diabetes Is More Than a Blood Sugar Problem
Glucose, also known as blood sugar, primarily comes from the foods you eat. As you digest carbohydrates, they break down into glucose and other substances. Your liver also produces glucose. Normally, insulin (a hormone produced by the pancreas) helps move glucose out of the bloodstream and into your cells. If your body doesn’t produce insulin or use it effectively, glucose remains in your bloodstream.
Unfortunately, diabetes is more than just a blood sugar problem. High levels of glucose in the blood cause chemical changes that can damage your nerves. For example, some people with diabetes develop peripheral neuropathy, which can cause tingling, numbness and other symptoms. In severe cases, peripheral neuropathy causes muscle weakness, loss of balance and changes in blood pressure.
High glucose levels can also damage your blood vessels, causing plaque to build up. Plaque is a sticky substance that makes the blood vessels narrower, reducing blood flow. Poor blood flow has been linked to kidney damage and blindness in people with diabetes.
Common Root Causes of Diabetes Many Patients Overlook
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition that develops when the body’s immune system attacks the pancreas. As a result, the pancreas produces little to no insulin. Type 2 diabetes has many causes, but smoking, obesity, poor dietary habits and a lack of physical activity are among the most common.
What many people don’t know is that Type 2 diabetes can have some root causes that are less obvious:
- Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). OSA increases insulin resistance, making it more difficult to control your blood sugar.
- Chronic inflammation. Fatty tissue is always using oxygen and energy. This contributes to chronic inflammation.
- Hormonal disorders. Cushing’s syndrome, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and other hormonal disorders may cause diabetes by triggering insulin resistance.
- Medications. Some medications, including corticosteroids and certain HIV drugs, can elevate your glucose levels.
What a Diabetes Clinic in Canton Evaluates During Care
When you visit our diabetes clinic in Canton, we do more than just evaluate your blood sugar. We seek to understand the root causes of your diabetes, which allows us to design a treatment plan tailored to your needs. For example, we’ll check for hormonal imbalances that could trigger inflammation and insulin resistance. Our care plans also address diet, activity and stress to reduce the risk of long-term health issues.
Non-Invasive, Whole-Body Approaches to Diabetes Management
Georgia Medical Treatment Center is proud to offer non-invasive, whole-body approaches to diabetes management. When you see a diabetes specialist in Canton, they’ll recommend lifestyle changes that can help you manage your glucose levels and prevent your diabetes from getting worse.
We’re also one of the only providers in the region to administer insulin infusions as a treatment for Type 1 diabetes, Type 2 diabetes and pre-diabetes. These infusions use insulin as a hormone instead of a drug, improving insulin resistance and helping your body use glucose more effectively.
When to Visit a Diabetes Clinic in Canton
You should visit a diabetes clinic in Canton if:
- You haven’t been able to control your diabetes with medication alone.
- Your current treatment plan isn’t addressing the root causes of your diabetes.
- You have prediabetes and want to see a specialist before it turns into full-blown diabetes.
Georgia Medical Treatment Center has a team of board-certified physicians and other practitioners available to address the root causes of your diabetes. Contact us today to get on the road to a healthier life.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does treating the root causes help prevent diabetes complications?
Treating the root causes of diabetes can improve insulin resistance and reduce chronic inflammation. When you address these issues, you’re less likely to develop kidney damage, heart disease, blindness and other serious complications.
Why isn’t medication alone enough for long-term control?
For many people, medication alone isn’t enough to control Type 2 diabetes. This is because many lifestyle factors affect insulin resistance and glucose production. Diabetes also tends to progress, so medication that works now may not be as effective in the future. A diabetes doctor in Canton can recommend medications, diet changes and other lifestyle changes to reduce your risk of complications.
How do lifestyle, stress and metabolic health affect diabetes?
Poor eating habits and a lack of physical activity aren’t the only lifestyle risk factors for diabetes. High levels of stress cause your endocrine system to release cortisol and adrenaline, hormones that trigger glucose production in the liver. Your metabolic health also plays a role by influencing insulin resistance and inflammation.
