Diabetes is a common, chronic condition that causes serious health complications when not treated properly. It can damage your blood vessels, heart, kidneys, nervous system, digestion, and vision — to name a few.
Family medicine specialist and female physician Poonam Malhotra, MD, and our team at Central Clinic in Spring Hill, Florida, consider education a critical component of her whole-patient approach to managing chronic diseases like diabetes.
We’re happy to debunk a few common myths about diabetes, replacing them with facts to help protect your health and overall well-being.
Type 1 diabetes does tend to cause severe symptoms that come on suddenly, making them difficult to ignore.
However, one of the significant dangers of Type 2 diabetes (the most common type) is it’s often asymptomatic in its early stages. And, if you have symptoms such as urinary frequency, irritability, blurry vision, or fatigue, you may mistake them for other issues.
Unfortunately, persistently elevated blood sugar can damage your nerves, heart, blood vessels, and other organs long before you’re diagnosed with diabetes.
Routine physical exams that include blood sugar checks can alert Dr. Malhotra to concerning upward trends, giving you time to change course with weight reduction, increased exercise, and other lifestyle improvements that can normalize your blood sugar levels.
If you do develop Type 2 diabetes, early and consistent treatment can prevent some of the dangerous health complications such as kidney failure, heart attack, or stroke.
While unhealthy diets can increase the risk of Type 2 diabetes, it's an oversimplification to say that too much sugar alone causes diabetes.
Overindulging in carbohydrates of any type, including bread, potatoes, and even fruit, can also elevate blood sugar levels since your body converts carbs into glucose (sugar).
It’s also important to note that while lifestyle and diet can worsen the effects of Type 1 diabetes, it’s caused by an immune system response and not poor dietary choices.
Further, while Type 2 diabetes is linked to lifestyle factors such as diet, lack of physical activity, and excess weight, genetics also play a crucial role.
Managing your blood sugar, changing your diet, starting medications, and attending routine follow-up visits can feel overwhelming when you’re first diagnosed with diabetes.
However, Dr. Malhotra and our team here at Central Clinic are committed to providing the information and professional support necessary to help you overcome the challenges of living with diabetes.
With our support, what may seem overwhelming initially can quickly become a familiar routine. We’re happy to explain the ins and outs of diabetes management and always take time to explain labs, reasons for referrals to specialists, and other critical components of your care.
We also provide nutritional counseling, help with weight management, and offer tips for a routine exercise strategy that’s enjoyable rather than a chore.
As a primary care physician and family medicine specialist, Dr. Malhotra aims to help you achieve your best possible health. Schedule a visit at Central Clinic today by calling the office or requesting an appointment online.
