Diabetes in Plainview, NY

An estimated 1.5 million adults in the U.S. are diagnosed with diabetes every year. Countless more are living with the disease, but don’t know it. Diabetes often causes no symptoms until serious health problems start to appear. At your regular wellness exam with Primary Medical Associates of Long Island, PLLC, Natalia Levinskaya, D.O. and Vanessa Ali-Pennock, D.O. screen for diabetes and many other conditions to catch them early when they’re easier to treat or manage.

To schedule a thorough health and wellness assessment, call or click today.

Diabetes is a chronic health condition in which your blood glucose, or blood sugar, levels are too high. You get glucose from the foods you eat. Insulin is the hormone that transfers glucose to your cells, giving them energy.

When your body doesn’t make enough insulin or use insulin efficiently, you can develop diabetes. There are two types of diabetes.

• Type 1 diabetes: People with type 1 diabetes don’t produce enough insulin. There is no cure for type 1 diabetes, but can be effectively managed by taking insulin with injections, pumps, or syringes.
• Type 2 diabetes: Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of the disease. People with type 2 diabetes don’t make or use insulin well, causing too much glucose to remain in the blood. Type 2 diabetes symptoms can be managed with a healthy lifestyle and medication.

Other than a family history of diabetes, type 1 diabetes has no real risk factors. Type 2 diabetes has more obvious risk factors, including:

• Age: men and women 45 or older more likely to develop diabetes
• Excess weight: additional pounds stress the body’s insulin response
• Inactivity: lack of physical activity increases the risk of diabetes
• Family history: including a parent or sibling with the disease
• Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: a condition in women causing increased glucose levels
• Prediabetes: blood sugar levels that are slightly higher than normal

Many people go undiagnosed because they don’t have symptoms. For others, symptoms of diabetes include:

• Frequent urination
• Increased hunger and thirst
• Losing weight without trying
• Persistent fatigue
• Slow-healing sores

After your diagnosis, your doctor creates a personalized treatment plan to manage the conditions and prevent serious diabetes-related health complications.

Diabetes treatment involves one or more of the following steps:

• Lifestyle changes: regular physical activity and healthy food choices to help regulate blood sugar levels
• Medication: prescriptions drugs to increase insulin production and improve your body’s response to it
• Blood sugar monitoring: checking and recording your blood sugar levels throughout the day
• Insulin therapy: insulin taken through a syringe, pen, pump on an ongoing basis

Dr. Levinskaya and Dr. Ali-Pennock want you to know that diabetes is manageable with a healthy lifestyle and proactive healthcare.

Can I manage diabetes without medication?

In some cases, lifestyle changes like a healthy diet and regular exercise can help manage diabetes without medication. However, many individuals require medication or insulin therapy for effective control.

What happens if diabetes is left untreated?

Untreated diabetes can lead to serious complications such as heart disease, kidney damage, vision problems, and nerve damage. It can also result in life-threatening conditions like diabetic ketoacidosis.

Does diabetes get harder to manage over time?

Diabetes management may become more challenging over time due to factors like aging, lifestyle changes, and the progressive nature of the disease. Regular monitoring, medication adjustments, and lifestyle modifications can help maintain control.