Diabetes Specialist

What is diabetes?

When you eat food, your body naturally breaks it down and consumes the vitamins and minerals to make energy. When you have diabetes, this process doesn’t always work. As a chronic condition, diabetes is the result of the body’s inability to convert glucose in the blood to energy. This results in the starvation of cells and destruction of the body’s organs and their systems.

There are two types of diabetes. Type 1 diabetes is chronic and often starts in childhood or young adulthood. With Type 1 diabetes, the pancreas ceases to produce insulin and the body can no longer regulate the amount of glucose in the blood. Insulin must be supplemented with daily insulin injections.

Type 2 diabetes typically occurs in adults in one of two ways. Either the pancreas isn’t producing enough insulin or the body has become insulin-resistant and doesn’t properly use the insulin available. This type of diabetes is often associated with unhealthy eating habits, obesity, and an inactive lifestyle.

What are the symptoms of diabetes?

When you have diabetes, your body doesn’t convert glucose into energy. When this occurs, your cells starve for energy. What’s more, the added glucose -- also called blood sugar -- puts added stress on the body’s organs which causes permanent damage. This can result in a wide range of symptoms, including:

• Excessive thirst and frequent urination
• Unexplained weight loss or excessive hunger
• Vision changes
• Tingling or numbness in the hands and feet
• Extreme tiredness

Diabetes can also compromise your immune system: You may notice that you’re more prone to infections or that wounds heal slowly. You may also notice that you’re fatigued and often lack energy.

How is diabetes treated at Valley Medical Center?

How Dr. Babalola, internist at Valley Medical Center, treats diabetes depends on the type and severity of your condition. If you have Type 1 diabetes, she recommends insulin injections and may prescribe other medications to help manage your symptoms.

If you have Type 2 diabetes and your symptoms aren’t yet severe, Dr. Babalola may recommend lifestyle changes to improve your condition. Eating a healthy diet rich in fiber and engaging in 30 minutes of daily activity can greatly improve the symptoms of Type 2 diabetes. In some cases, losing weight may reverse the condition.

Other times, she may recommend medication to help produce more insulin or medicine that assists the body in using insulin more effectively. If needed, there are also medications that reduce blood sugar levels and protect the kidneys.

If you struggle to manage your diabetes, contact Dr. Babalola’s office to schedule a consultation.