Diabetes Specialist
While different kinds of diabetes can be controlled with medication and a modified lifestyle, internist Dr. Hansa Bhakti Medley can advise you on how to manage the disease. Visit her at her Houston, Texas area practice to learn more about the variety of methods, such as diet and lifestyle choices, medication or alternative forms of healing, that can help patients with diabetes live healthy lives.
Diabetes Q & A
What are the different kinds of diabetes?
Diabetes is a metabolic disorder that’s often characterized by how the body manages the hormone insulin and processes food for energy. There are 3 main kinds of diabetes, including:
- Gestational diabetes: Affects pregnant women
- Type 2 diabetes: The most common type, which primarily affects adults and is often the result of genetics, lifestyle choices, such as being overweight, physical activity and diet.
- Type 1 diabetes: Most common in people under the age of 20, but can happen at any age.
Does my risk of diabetes increase if my parents have it?
Yes, it can. The only way to know for sure, though, is to see Dr. Medley for a health exam to determine whether you have diabetes. One of the signs a patient has diabetes is the presence of high levels of blood sugar. Dr. Medley may also conduct tests, such as a fasting glucose test or a hemoglobin A1C to test a patient’s blood sugar levels. The good news is that diabetes is often treatable with medication, lifestyle changes or a combination of both.
What does pre-diabetes mean?
Having prediabetes doesn’t always mean you’re going to get diabetes. It means that you’re on the verge of diabetes and that you can prevent diabetes with the proper diet and lifestyle changes that keep your blood sugar levels within a normal range. Some doctors call prediabetes a warning, meaning that if you start doing things that increase your blood sugar levels, you could be in jeopardy of developing diabetes.
Can I prevent diabetes with lifestyle changes?
That’s an excellent plan, but it won’t guarantee that you’ll never get diabetes, especially if people in your family have it. Let Dr. Medley test you for diabetes and give you a doctor-approved plan for reducing your risk factors. Early detection and proper treatment of diabetes greatly decreases the risk of developing any complications.
If you think you may have diabetes or need help managing it, call or schedule an appointment online with Dr. Medley at her Houston practice. The practice is currently welcoming new patients and accepts most major forms of insurance.