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Diabetes Specialist

Valdosta Family Medicine Associates, P.C.

Family Medicine Practice located in Valdosta, GA

Diabetes affects more than 34 million Americans today, and 33% of all others have prediabetes. At Valdosta Family Medicine Associates, P.C., the experienced team includes an endocrinologist who specializes in diabetes and its effects on the body. The specialists help with all your unique needs as a diabetic, from nutritional support to weight control, wound care, foot care, and insulin management. To get help with diabetes management, call the Valdosta, Georgia, office, or click the online scheduler.

Diabetes Q&A

What is Type 1 diabetes?

Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease in which your pancreas doesn't make the insulin hormone you need to turn blood glucose into energy. 

Without insulin, glucose levels increase steadily to cause a number of damaging effects, including nerve damage, vascular problems, vision loss, slow healing, chronic infections, and other issues. But, with careful medical management, you can stay healthy. 

A Type 1 diabetes diagnosis usually happens at age 4-14 and almost always prior to age 40. 

You can't prevent Type 1 diabetes. 

What is Type 2 diabetes?

Type 2 diabetes is the most common kind of diabetes, affecting 90-95% of all diagnosed diabetics today. This type of diabetes is very different from Type 1 because you originally make and use insulin properly. 

But, after a while, your body can't use it the right way anymore and, thus, you can't process blood glucose effectively. Usually, diagnosis occurs after age 45, but Type 2 diabetes is growing more common in children and young people today.

As with Type 1 diabetes, Type 2 diabetes can cause whole-body damage and thus requires careful management.

You can prevent Type 2 diabetes. If you have prediabetes, in which you have high blood glucose but not consistently high enough for a Type 2 diabetes diagnosis, the Valdosta Family Medicine Associates, P.C., team can help you prevent Type 2 diabetes with diet, weight, and other health changes. 

What are the symptoms of diabetes?

Diabetes symptoms may not occur until the disease causes serious damage within your body. Some of the most common symptoms can include:

  • Extreme thirst
  • Increased hunger
  • More frequent urination
  • Blurry vision
  • Chronic fatigue
  • Mood swings
  • Slow-healing wounds
  • Frequent infections

To diagnose the disease as early as possible, even before you have symptoms, Valdosta Family Medicine Associates, P.C., routinely includes blood work at the on-site lab as part of annual physical exams and other examinations. 

How does diabetes treatment work?

It's critically important to monitor your blood glucose regularly, both at home and in the office. But that's only one of your special needs when you have diabetes. 

Valdosta Family Medicine Associates, P.C., offers head-to-toe diabetes management with an endocrinologist who specializes in diabetes care. That includes not only close blood glucose monitoring but also:

  • Weight management 
  • Lifestyle management
  • Wound care
  • Foot care
  • Medication management
  • Insulin regulation

If you have Type 1 diabetes, you must take insulin daily. With Type 2, you may not need insulin or oral medication. It's often possible to manage your blood glucose through diet and lifestyle, but it requires a strict commitment and regular check-ins with your medical support team. 

With the support of the Valdosta Family Medicine Associates, P.C., team, you can enjoy optimal diabetic health. Don't hesitate to reach out to its diabetes specialty clinic by phone or through the online scheduler.