Diabetes is not uncommon in America. According to the American Diabetes Association, about 10% of Americans have been diagnosed with diabetes.

Dr. Gregory Geiger specializes in Family Medicine at SIMED Primary Care. “Diabetes is defined as a condition where your blood glucose runs higher than what is considered normal. Common symptoms of diabetes include increased thirst, increased urination, changes in eyesight, numbness and tingling in hands and feet and sudden unexplained weight loss. Diabetes could also affect your vision, your kidney function, your nervous system, and your cardiovascular system.”

Dr. Geiger goes on to explain, there are three different types of diabetes: Type One, Type Two, and Gestational.

• Type one: Known as juvenile diabetes, is commonly found in children and young adults. According to the American Diabetes Association, only about 5% of people diagnosed with diabetes have type one. In diabetes Type 1 is when the pancreas doesn't’t make insulin, therefore your body has no way of getting the glucose, sugar in your bloodstream into the cells of your body where it is needed for energy. Insulin therapy, is required to live with Type 1 diabetes.
• Type two: This is the most common form of diabetes. In type 2 diabetes the pancreas continues to produce insulin, however your body does not properly use the insulin. This is called insulin resistance. In the beginning, due to persistently higher glucose levels your pancreas produces extra insulin to try and make up for it. But, eventually the pancreas can’t keep up and isn’t able to make enough insulin to maintain normal blood glucose at normal levels.
• Gestational: This type of diabetes effects women during pregnancy – usually around the 24th week. Many women develop gestational diabetes. However a diagnosis of gestational diabetes is only temporary, resolving after the delivery of the baby. It is important to maintain appropriate blood glucose (blood sugar) levels during pregnancy, to increase the chances of a healthy baby at delivery.

According to Dr. Geiger, early detection is key to avoiding complications. We use blood or urine testing to diagnose and monitor diabetes.

The best way to keep your diabetes under control is to have a healthy diet, restrict carbohydrates, maintain a healthy weight, obtain routine aerobic exercise, and if applicable compliance with medication.

SIMED is a participant in the American Medical Group Association’s Diabetes: Together 2 Goal campaign, which is a national campaign to improve diabetes care.

The health care providers at SIMED Primary Care are available and committed to working with you and encouraging you to prevent diabetes and for those already diagnosed with diabetes help you manage the condition. Request an appointment online or call us at (352)-224-2200 to take control of your health today.