Diabetes

If you’re constantly hungry, tired, or urinating often, diabetes may be the reason. At Expedient Medical, PLLC, in Williamsville, New York, board-eligible internal medicine physician Sarwat Khawar, MD, and his dedicated staff diagnose and manage diabetes to reduce the chance of significant complications. Call the office to schedule an appointment or book online today.

What is diabetes?

Diabetes is a chronic disease that prevents you from properly controlling sugar in your bloodstream. It develops when you don’t produce enough insulin (Type 1 diabetes), a hormone responsible for blood sugar control, or your body doesn’t use insulin correctly (Type 2 diabetes). 

Prediabetes develops before Type 2 diabetes and is often reversible with healthy lifestyle changes. Gestational diabetes occurs during pregnancy and might resolve after delivery. 

What are the symptoms of diabetes?

Diabetes can cause the following symptoms:

• Frequent skin, vaginal, or gum infections
• Slow-healing sores
• Unexplained weight loss
• Frequent urination
• Extreme thirst
• Fatigue
• Weakness
• Blurry vision
• Irritability
• Mood swings

See Dr. Khawar for an evaluation at the first sign of diabetes or if you have diabetes risk factors.

What are the risk factors for developing diabetes?

The primary risk factor for developing Type 1 diabetes is a family history of diabetes.

Prediabetes and Type 2 diabetes risk factors include:

• Unhealthy dietary habits
• Lack of exercise
• Carrying excess body weight
• Family history of diabetes
• Being over 40

When left untreated, diabetes can cause nerve damage, heart problems, kidney issues, eye damage, or other complications.

How does my doctor diagnose diabetes?

To diagnose diabetes and treat it, Dr. Khawar discusses your symptoms, lifestyle, and medical history. He assesses your body weight, evaluates your body mass index (BMI), and checks your blood pressure and other vital signs. He also completes a physical exam to look for signs of complications and orders a blood test to detect or rule out diabetes. 

How can I properly manage diabetes?

Diabetes management may consist of making lifestyle changes, using insulin injections, an insulin pump, taking oral diabetes medications, or combining multiple treatments to control blood sugar levels.

It’s also important to get regular exercise, eat nutritious foods, and maintain an ideal body weight. Control your blood pressure and cholesterol levels and check your blood sugar regularly. See Dr. Khawar for follow-up visits to ensure your diabetes treatment is effective.

Schedule an appointment at Expedient Medical, PLLC, by phone. You can also book a consultation online today if you’ve been diagnosed with diabetes or have risk factors.