Diabetes

Diabetes is a chronic disease affecting your body’s ability to control blood sugar levels. Without expert management, diabetes can cause severe complications and a poor quality of life. Internal medicine specialist Edmee Rodriguez, M.D. at the office of James R. Tryon, M.D. PC, in Albuquerque, New Mexico, provides the screenings and treatments needed to help you stay on top of a diabetes diagnosis. Call the office today to schedule your diabetes appointment.

What is diabetes?

Diabetes is a collection of illnesses involving your body’s ability to regulate blood glucose (sugar) levels. The pancreas, an organ next to your stomach, produces the hormone insulin that helps your body use sugar properly.

If your pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin, your blood sugar levels rise too high. This causes devastating health effects, including nerve damage, kidney damage, vision loss, and heart disease.

What causes diabetes?

The cause of your diabetes depends on which type you have.

Type 1

Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition usually diagnosed in childhood or young adulthood. Type 1 means your body can’t make enough insulin to regulate blood sugar levels because your immune system destroys insulin-producing cells.

Type 2

Type 2 diabetes has historically been a disease found in older adults, but it’s increasing in younger people. People with Type 2 diabetes don’t produce enough insulin, and their bodies often become resistant to the insulin they produce.

Being overweight and sedentary contribute to the development of Type 2 diabetes. A family history of diabetes, poor gut health, and stress are other factors that put you at risk. Type 2 diabetes is controllable (and preventable) with a healthy diet, weight loss, exercise, and other lifestyle changes.

Prediabetes

You have prediabetes when your blood sugar levels are high but not high enough to qualify as full-blown diabetes. Changes in diet, exercise, and weight help reduce your blood sugar levels so you can avoid developing chronic diseases.

How do you treat diabetes?

If you have Type 1 diabetes, you need replacement insulin. Dr. Rodriguez helps you determine whether daily injections or an insulin pump are best for you. She’ll monitor your dosing and symptoms to help you avoid complications.

Care for Type 2 diabetes includes: 

• Blood sugar monitoring plan
• Weight loss
• Nutrition counseling
• Oral medications as needed
• Insulin therapy, if needed
• Periodic blood sugar testing

In Type 2’s early stages, you might be able to control your symptoms and the disease’s progression with dietary and lifestyle changes.

Type 2 diabetes management also means Dr. Rodriguez is available to treat infections, slow-healing wounds, and other diabetes-related problems. The concierge model means she’s available to answer your questions and give you the one-on-one care you deserve.

Call the office of James R. Tryon, M.D. PC, to schedule an appointment.