Diabetes Specialist
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LibertyMed Health Group
Board Certified Family Medicine Physicians located in Glendale, CA
Diabetes and prediabetes impact the lives of over 100 million people in the United States. At LibertyMed Health Group in Glendale, California, experienced physicians Ara Shafrazian, MD, and Arthur Babakhanians, MD, offer comprehensive care for all types of diabetes. They offer in-office blood tests to confirm diabetes and customize treatment plans to your needs. Whether you need insulin or support for making necessary lifestyle changes, you can rely on the expertise of LibertyMed Health Group. Schedule a consultation online or by calling the office today.
Diabetes Q&A
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic disease that affects your blood sugar (glucose) levels. In a healthy body, your pancreas produces the hormone insulin to convert sugar you eat into the energy you need to function. When you have diabetes, this process doesn’t work as it should.
There are several different types of diabetes:
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes develops when your body doesn’t make any insulin, or it can’t produce enough to control your blood sugar levels. Many people with Type 1 diabetes receive a diagnosis in childhood, befitting the condition’s former name, juvenile diabetes. But the condition can occur in adults.
The root cause of Type 1 diabetes isn’t well understood, but it may be due to an autoimmune disorder that mistakenly attacks your pancreas and prevents the production of insulin.
Type 2 diabetes
In Type 2 diabetes, your body doesn’t use your insulin properly, needing increasing amounts to maintain functioning, so even if your pancreas increases its insulin production, it eventually can’t make enough to control your blood sugar levels.
Type 2 diabetes is most often the result of an unhealthy lifestyle. If you’re obese, don’t eat a healthy diet, and don’t exercise, you may be at increased risk for diabetes.
Gestational diabetes
Gestational diabetes is a condition that develops during pregnancy. A woman experiences high blood sugar levels while pregnant, although the condition typically resolves soon after birth.
Prediabetes
Prediabetes is a condition where your blood sugar levels are high but not high enough to be considered Type 2 diabetes. This condition also occurs due to an unhealthy lifestyle.
What are the symptoms of diabetes?
Symptoms of diabetes vary from person to person. In the earliest stages of the disease, you may not notice any symptoms, but as your blood sugar levels remain high, you may experience:
- Blurry vision
- Frequent urination
- Chronic fatigue
- Dry and itchy skin
- Extreme hunger and thirst
- Unexplained weight loss
If left uncontrolled, diabetes can lead to serious, long-term health complications including nerve damage. This type of damage can cause tingling and numbness in your feet and hands.
You may also be at increased risk for heart disease, organ damage, blindness, and premature death.
How is diabetes treated?
The team at LibertyMed Health Group can quickly evaluate your blood sugar levels through an in-office blood test. Once they confirm diabetes, the physicians create a treatment plan that helps you stay in control of your blood sugar levels.
Treating Type 1 diabetes involves taking insulin daily. You also need to carefully monitor your blood sugar at home and eat a healthy diet.
In prediabetes and Type 2 diabetes, the LibertyMed Health Group team may initially work with you on lifestyle changes to control your blood sugar levels naturally. This involves making changes to your diet and activity level to help you maintain a healthy weight.
If lifestyle modifications aren’t enough, you may need medications to control your blood sugar and test your blood sugar levels daily.
If you have symptoms of diabetes or need help managing your condition, schedule a consultation with the team at LibertyMed Health Group online or by phone today.