Diabetes is a chronic condition that occurs when the body either does not produce enough insulin or cannot use insulin effectively. Type 1 Diabetes is an autoimmune condition where the body doesn’t produce insulin. It usually develops in children or young adults. Type 2 Diabetes occurs when the body becomes resistant to insulin or doesn’t produce enough. It often develops in adults and is linked to obesity, inactivity, and family history. Common symptoms include increased thirst, frequent urination, extreme fatigue, blurred vision, poor wound healing or frequent infections. Routine blood tests with your physician are important to recognize prediabetes (A1C between 5.7-6.4) or diabetes (A1C 6.5 or above). Long-standing poorly treated diabetes leads to many microvascular complications -nephropathy (kidney disease), retinopathy (eye disease), neuropathy (affecting nerves) or macrovascular complications - stroke, heart attack, peripheral disease.  Management of diabetes involves proper diet, exercise, and medications. Balanced diet rich in whole grains, fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and limited in sugars and refined carbs is optimal. Regular physical activity helps manage weight and improves insulin sensitivity. Various medications are now available to manage diabetes. In most people Metformin will be the first-line treatment. Many newer agents (SGLT2 inhibitors (Jardiance, Farxiga), GLP1 Agonists (Ozempic, Wegovy), GLP1/GIP agonists (Mounjaro, Zepbound) are very effective in treating difficult to control diabetes. 

 

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