More than 130 million American adults now have diabetes or prediabetes. At TRiiBE Medical LLC, in Upper Marlboro, Maryland, you’ll find empathetic medical care providers who can help with diabetes screening, diagnosis, and chronic disease management. Talented providers Uloma Ibe, MD, and Abimbola Hillard, CRNP, create personalized diabetes management plans to help you feel your best. Call the office or schedule an appointment online today.
Diabetes is a family of diseases in which blood glucose (blood sugar) levels are higher than they should be. High blood sugar happens because your body doesn’t produce insulin (the hormone that moves sugar out of your blood and into your cells) or doesn’t use insulin correctly.
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease affecting around 5-6% of people with diabetes. In Type 1 diabetes, your body destroys the pancreas, the organ that produces insulin, and leaves you with no natural insulin.
Type 2 diabetes affects more than 90% of people with diabetes. This type of diabetes occurs when your pancreas produces insulin, but your body doesn’t use it properly.
Prediabetes is a condition where your blood sugar levels are higher than they should be when tested but don’t meet the threshold for a diabetes diagnosis. Although not a form of diabetes, prediabetes is a strong predictor of Type 2 diabetes if you don’t take preventive steps.
Untreated diabetes can cause vision loss, heart disease, kidney failure, and other life-threatening complications.
The cause of Type 1 diabetes is unknown, but certain variants in human leukocyte antigen (HLA) complex genes increase your risk of developing the disease. Type 1 diabetes isn’t preventable.
Several factors usually contribute to Type 2 diabetes — many who develop the disease struggle with excess weight and lead sedentary (not physically active) lifestyles. In particular, extra fat around the belly frequently precedes Type 2 diabetes as well as heart and vascular disease.
As with Type 1 diabetes, genetics can contribute to Type 2 diabetes. If diabetes screening shows an increased risk of Type 2 diabetes, you can start blood sugar monitoring, a diet plan, exercise, and weight management to prevent the disease.
Type 1 diabetics require daily insulin. While a healthy lifestyle is very beneficial for any chronic disease, it won’t change or control Type 1 diabetes on its own.
Type 2 diabetics can, in many cases, control their disease with the same changes that prevent the disease — blood sugar monitoring, healthy eating, exercise, and weight management. You may also need oral medication, such as metformin to treat your high blood sugar.
TRiiBE Medical LLC offers comprehensive chronic disease management, from monitoring your blood sugar to prescribing medication and helping you manage your lifestyle.
With diabetes, the earlier you start treatment, the better. Controlling your blood sugar can prevent serious complications and even save your life, so call TRiiBE Medical LLC or book your appointment online for help today.