Diabetes Mellitus is a common disorder with detrimental complications to the whole body. Diabetes experts like Jongoh Kim, MD and Libu Varughese, MD at Endocrine & Diabetes Plus Clinic in Houston, Texas will tailor the treatment to your needs. You will feel empowered to manage this condition. Please call the office to schedule a prompt appointment or use the online booking feature.

Diabetes Q & A

What is the difference between Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes?

The key difference between Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes is the need for insulin. Insulin is the hormone that your body naturally makes to package away the glucose (“sugars”).

Type 1 diabetes

Type 1 diabetes is caused by an autoimmune disorder that damages your pancreas. Your pancreas is an endocrine gland that produces insulin. When this is destroyed, then blood sugars will start to rise. For type 1 diabetics, insulin is a life-saving drug and necessary for survival. Type 1 diabetes can occur at any age but this is commonly in early adulthood.

Type 2 diabetes

Type 2 diabetes typically occurs later in life but can be seen at any age. This occurs when two problems coincide. The pancreas is unable to meet the need for insulin. The second reason is due to insulin resistance which means insulin has to work twice as hard.

What is insulin resistance?

Glucose is used by your cells to generate the energy needed to survive. The blood will transport the glucose from the stomach to the cells. Insulin is considered the key to the door of the cell so that glucose can enter inside.

When you have insulin resistance, the key doesn’t fit inside the door as easily as before. This leads to a build-up of glucose outside the cell. This is how glucose levels shoot up in your blood.

Does diabetes cause health complications?

Think of it this way, your cells are drunk with sugar. The excess sugars over a long period of time will cause damage to blood vessels and the nerves.

Large blood vessel complications include

Cardiovascular disease eg) heart attack
Cerebrovascular diseases- eg) stroke

Small blood vessel complications include

Chronic kidney disease
Vision loss

Nerve damage leads to

Erectile dysfunction

loss of sensation of your feet

Other complications include

Skin infections
Foot ulcers that don’t heal

What symptoms develop due to diabetes?

Symptoms for both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes are very similar. Type 1 diabetics typically have a story that occurs over a matter of hours to days. Type 2 diabetics give a story that occurs over weeks to months. Some of the symptoms include

Excessive thirst. Constant thirst despite drinking plenty of water
Frequent urination. All the excessive sugars get dumped into your urine, so you have to constantly go again and again
Fatigue
Blurry vision. Almost like your car’s windshield wipers don’t work while you drive in the rain
Excessive hunger.
Sores take a long time to heal
Unexplained weight loss

How is diabetes managed?

It is very important to keep your blood sugars within a normal range. Dr. Varughese and Dr. Kim can help you customize your plan which will include

Dietary and exercise changes: essential to stabilize blood sugar
Medications:
- For Type 1, it has to be insulin injections
- For Type 2, it can be oral pills to injections
Insulin pump management: insulin pumps are used to continuously give insulin without the need for multiple shots a day.
Glucose sensor: It is a new technology that constantly monitors your glucose levels