Diabetes Specialist
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Prime Endocrinology of Tampa
Archana Swami, MD
Endocrinology, Diabetes, & Thyroid Specialist located in Tampa, FL
You can prevent Type 2 diabetes, but once diagnosed, you have a lifelong condition. At Prime Endocrinology of Tampa, Archana Swami, MD, specializes in diabetes prevention and provides the ongoing medical, lifestyle, and educational support you need to stay healthy once the disease develops. If you need a diabetes risk assessment or comprehensive blood sugar management, call the office in Tampa, Florida, or book an appointment online today.
Diabetes Q & A
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic health condition that causes high blood sugar (glucose). Your blood sugar naturally rises after eating carbohydrates. Then your pancreas releases insulin to restore normal levels.
Insulin clears excess sugar out of your bloodstream by transporting it into cells (that use the sugar for energy) or sending the extra sugar to be stored as fat. Diabetes develops when your pancreas stops producing insulin, or your body doesn't use insulin properly.
What are the different types of diabetes?
The types of diabetes include:
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes develops when your immune system attacks the pancreas, stopping the organ from producing insulin. This autoimmune disease usually appears in childhood but can appear at a later age.
Type 2 diabetes
Type 2 diabetes develops due to insulin resistance, a condition that occurs when cells stop responding to insulin and can't take in sugar. As a result, blood sugar levels stay too high. Your risk of Type 2 diabetes increases if you're overweight, not physically active, or have a family history of the disease.
Prediabetes
You have prediabetes when your blood sugar is elevated but not high enough to be diagnosed as diabetes. The condition develops in the early stage of insulin resistance or when your pancreas doesn't make enough insulin. With treatment, you can reverse prediabetes and prevent Type 2 diabetes.
Gestational diabetes
This type develops during pregnancy and usually improves after childbirth. However, women who have gestational diabetes have a higher risk of developing Type 2 diabetes later in life.
What symptoms develop due to diabetes?
Diabetes causes:
- Excessive thirst
- Increased urination
- Increased hunger
- Dry, itchy skin
- Blurred vision
- Fatigue
- Unexplained weight loss
- Foot sores that don't heal
- Tingling or numbness in your feet
These symptoms occur quickly in people with Type 1 diabetes but appear slowly if you have Type 2 diabetes.
What complications does diabetes cause?
When your blood sugar stays above the normal range, it damages nerves and blood vessels. The damage leads to serious health conditions:
- Heart disease
- Peripheral artery disease
- Peripheral nerve damage
- Chronic kidney disease
- Diabetic retinopathy
- Diabetic foot ulcers
These conditions may cause vision loss, kidney failure, stroke, or foot amputation.
How is diabetes treated?
Prime Endocrinology of Tampa provides comprehensive care for adults with diabetes, from helping you prevent the condition to long-term blood sugar management. Your treatment includes:
- Diabetes education
- Continuous glucose monitoring
- Insulin pump
- Nutrition and diet counseling
- Weight loss management
- Medication management
Your provider teaches what you need to know to control your blood sugar and prevent complications. Diabetes education includes information such as how to monitor carbohydrates, eat healthy meals, check blood sugar, and inject insulin when needed.
To learn about your risk for diabetes or to receive exceptional diabetes management, call Prime Endocrinology of Tampa or book an appointment online today.
