Type II Diabetes Specialist

What is Type II diabetes?

Type II diabetes occurs when your body doesn’t use insulin correctly to convert blood sugar into energy. This form of diabetes usually emerges in adulthood, although it’s becoming more common for children and teenagers to develop the disease. 

Although your family medical history influences your risk of developing Type II diabetes, your lifestyle plays a significant role. You’re more likely to get Type II diabetes if you’re overweight or obese, carry excess fat around your abdomen, and lead a sedentary lifestyle. 

What is prediabetes?

Prediabetes is the precursor to Type II diabetes. Your body isn’t converting glucose to energy efficiently, but your blood sugar levels and other diabetes indicators haven’t reached the levels needed for clinical diagnosis. 

If you have prediabetes, there’s a good chance that changing your diet and activity levels and losing weight will help restore your insulin production and use. 

What are Type II diabetes symptoms?

Type II diabetes symptoms develop gradually, and you might have the condition for years without knowing about it. As your disease progresses, you’re likely to experience symptoms, including:

• Increased thirst and hunger
• Frequent urination
• Fatigue
• Areas of darkened skin in the armpits and neck

Advanced diabetes causes problems throughout your body as it damages your blood vessels and nerves. Warning signs of severe diabetes include blurry vision, slow-healing sores, frequent infections, and numbness in your hands and feet. 

How is Type II diabetes diagnosed?

In many cases, the Select Family Practice team diagnoses Type II diabetes or prediabetes following blood tests collected during an annual wellness exam. If you have elevated glucose or A1C levels, your provider orders additional tests to confirm your condition. 

They may use a random blood sugar test or a fasting blood sugar test to evaluate your glucose at different times of day and conditions to determine if your initial high results were a one-off or a warning sign of diabetes. 

In some cases, your provider might recommend an oral glucose tolerance test to monitor how your body processes sugar. 

How is Type II diabetes treated?

The Select Family Practice team provides personalized treatment plans for diabetes. They often begin with dietary adjustments, physical activity, and weight loss. 

However, if lifestyle adjustments don’t sufficiently regulate your blood sugar, your provider might prescribe medication to control your insulin levels or how your body responds to insulin. You still need to commit to healthy lifestyle choices if you need medication.

If you’re concerned about diabetes or are due for an annual exam and blood tests, call Select Family Practice today or make an appointment online.