Diabetes Specialist

Approximately a third of American adults have prediabetes. At this stage, blood sugar is only slightly elevated, and you have a good chance of preventing diabetes. The experienced doctors at Boerne Family Medicine in Boerne, Texas offer diabetic screenings and comprehensive educational and medical support. They're available to help you prevent type 2 diabetes and provide ongoing blood sugar management if you already have it.

Diabetes Q & A

Both types of diabetes are chronic diseases caused by problems with insulin, which in turn causes high blood sugar. The kind of insulin problem defines the two categories:

Type 1 diabetes

Type 1 diabetes develops from an autoimmune disorder that damages the pancreas, destroying its ability to produce insulin. You can't prevent type 1 diabetes, and once it develops, you must take insulin.

Type 2 diabetes

People with type 2 diabetes have a pancreas that functions, but it doesn't secrete enough insulin. They also have insulin resistance, which means their bodies can't use the insulin that's produced. Type 2 diabetes accounts for 90-95% of all cases of diabetes.

Nine out of 10 cases of type 2 diabetes can be prevented by taking steps to eliminate the top factors that increase your risk:

Being overweight or obese
High blood pressure
High levels of triglycerides
Lack of exercise
Smoking cigarettes

Symptoms often occur suddenly in type 1 diabetes. By comparison, they take years to develop in type 2 diabetes. However, both types share the same symptoms:

Increased thirst
Frequent urination
Blurry vision
Increased hunger
Fatigue
Unexplained weight loss

High blood sugar damages nerves and blood vessels, leading to complications such as:

Heart disease
Kidney disease
Wounds that don't heal
Eye diseases like retinopathy
Tingling, numbness, and pain in feet

Diabetes management includes lifestyle changes and medication to keep your blood sugar at normal levels.

The team at Boerne Family Medicine develop an individualized plan and talk with you about a diet to control carbohydrate consumption, lifestyle counseling if needed to lose weight, and tips for increasing exercise.

Your plan may also include medication to lower blood sugar. Your medication is also customized because a variety of medications are available, and they work using different mechanisms.

Your doctor at Boerne Family Medicine works with you to create a plan you can stick with because the only way to prevent serious complications is to maintain healthy blood sugar levels.

If you have any questions about diabetes, or you'd like help with diabetes management, call the office or book a consultation with Boerne Family Medicine online.