By conservative estimates, over 35 million Americans have diabetes, although not all of those cases have been diagnosed. This accounts for over 11% of our population.
If you are struggling to manage your diabetes or are starting to develop diabetes-related symptoms, our patient-centered practice is here to help.
With four convenient locations, Edward M Condon, M.D., F.A.C.E., E.C.N.U. serves families and individuals throughout Long Island.
Diabetes is a generalized term that includes conditions that affect the body’s ability to utilize blood sugar (glucose). Every cell in the body—especially brain cells—relies on steady supplies of glucose to perform its unique functions.
But glucose can’t enter cells without the help of the hormone insulin, secreted by your pancreas. Below are descriptions of some of the most common types of diabetes:
Type 1 diabetes is often referred to as “juvenile diabetes” because it tends to surface during adolescence. This type of diabetes can be hereditary, or it can be caused by damage to your pancreas, as with a viral infection, among other causes.
When you have Type 1 diabetes, your pancreas doesn’t produce insulin, meaning you have to get insulin into your body through regular injections (or an insulin pump).
Type 2 diabetes typically occurs in adulthood because of obesity, although genetic factors and hormonal issues can certainly play roles. With Type 2 diabetes, your pancreas might send out insulin, but in inadequate amounts.
You may also have plenty of insulin in your body, but your system becomes resistant to it, often because of excessive body fat.
Gestational diabetes sometimes affects women during pregnancy because some of the hormones you produce lead to insulin resistance. Usually, gestational diabetes resolves shortly after labor and delivery, although it can increase your risk of developing Type 2 diabetes in the future.
If you already have a confirmed case of diabetes that you’re having trouble managing or may be at risk of developing diabetes — as with prediabetes — you’re likely going to start experiencing some symptoms. The blood sugar fluctuations you have with diabetes can lead to:
Diabetes can also affect your vision. You may find that your eyeglass prescription changes frequently or that your vision is blurred. If any of these issues sound like you, please do not hesitate to contact our practice.
Prediabetes means that your blood glucose, or blood sugar, levels are higher than normal but not high enough to be called diabetes. Glucose comes from the foods you eat. Too much glucose in your blood can damage your body over time.
Prediabetes usually happens when your body has a problem with insulin. Insulin is a hormone that helps the glucose get into your cells to give them energy. A problem with insulin could be:
Insulin resistance, a condition in which the body can’t use its insulin properly. It makes it hard for your cells to get glucose from your blood. This can cause your blood sugar levels to rise.
Your body can’t make enough insulin to keep your blood sugar levels at a healthy level
Researchers think that being overweight and not getting regular physical activity are major factors in causing prediabetes.
Who Is At Risk for Prediabetes?
Most people don’t know they have prediabetes because usually there are no symptoms.
Some people with prediabetes may have darkened skin in the armpit or on the back and sides of the neck. They may also have many small skin growths in those same areas.
There are a few different blood tests that can diagnose prediabetes. The most common ones are:
If you have prediabetes, you may be able to delay or prevent type 2 diabetes through lifestyle changes:
In some cases, your health care provider may also recommend taking diabetes medicines.
Fundus photography takes an image of your retina, providing valuable data pertaining to the diagnosis of various health conditions. When your glucose levels fluctuate, the vessels within your eyes cannot always handle it, causing microbursts (diabetic retinopathy). A fundus photo analysis can be vital to preventing the loss of sight. Our trusted network of Long Island-based ophthalmologists can help with any dysfunction we find in your fundus images.
At Edward M Condon, M.D., F.A.C.E., E.C.N.U., we pride ourselves on employing the latest medical technologies. Our metabolic rate analysis system provides information that is not only beneficial to diabetic patients but can also help:
Treating diabetes depends on the type of diabetes you have and how well you manage your blood sugar. Your physician at Edward Condon Medical, P.C. may recommend a glycated hemoglobin (A1C) test or another blood test to evaluate your glucose levels and determine the best treatment course.
With any type of diabetes, there are several actions you can take to live a healthier life, including:
It is also vital to check your blood sugar several times per day.
If you have Type 1 diabetes, our team can work with you to manage insulin injections or help you begin using an insulin pump. Occasionally, taking insulin is also necessary for Type 2 diabetes.
Many patients benefit from oral medications, especially those diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes. Modern diabetes medications can stimulate glucose production, slow down the release of glucose, or resolve insulin sensitivity issues.
Edward M Condon, M.D., F.A.C.E., E.C.N.U. is one of the only endocrinology practices on Long Island that offers scrambler therapy. While proven to help treat the symptoms of diabetic neuropathy, the scrambler device helps treat almost all types of chronic neuropathic pain.
If you have experienced diabetes-related pain, then you are aware of how unresponsive it can be to traditional treatment methods. Scrambler therapy stimulates areas of pain with safe electrical pulses, targeting the nerve fibers that carry pain signals to your brain. This process disrupts the pain, mitigating your symptoms safely.
Edward M Condon, M.D., F.A.C.E., E.C.N.U., our medical team is committed to helping you manage your diabetes.
Before your diabetes starts causing serious complications, schedule an appointment with our endocrinology experts.