

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 offices in Houston, Texas or Memorial City, Texas 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 packages 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?
Does diabetes cause health complications?
- Cardiovascular disease eg) heart attack
- Cerebrovascular diseases- eg) stroke
- Chronic kidney disease
- Vision loss
- Erectile dysfunction
- loss of sensation of your feet
- Skin infections
- Foot ulcers that don’t heal
What symptoms develop due to diabetes?
- Excessive thirst. Constantly 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?
- 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