Understand the best strategies for diabetes management.
As of 2015, approximately 30.3 million Americans have diabetes. The shocking statistic lies in the fact that of the 30.3 million adults with 
diabetes, as many as 7.2 million adults is undiagnosed. There are also 1.5 million Americans diagnosed with diabetes every year. Diabetes can cause severe complications if left untreated, which is why it’s important to have a team of providers that you trust to provide you with care. If you’ve been diagnosed with diabetes or suspect that you might have it, our Silver Spring, MD, provider Florence (NP) can help you get your condition under control.
What are the symptoms of diabetes?
It’s important to recognize the warning signs of diabetes. These signs and symptoms include:
- Unexpected weight loss or gain
- Blurry vision
- Wounds and injuries that are slow to heal
- Excessive thirst
- Frequent urination
- Numbness or tingling in the hands and feet
While these symptoms aren’t always caused by diabetes it’s important to turn to our Silver Spring, MD, physician to rule it out. The sooner diabetes is diagnosed the sooner our provider can create at treatment plan to get your symptoms under control and to prevent complications.
Diabetes management
The best way to manage your symptoms is to control your blood sugar levels, which requires medication. Diabetes medication can ensure that your blood sugar levels stay in a healthy, normal range. Of course, finding the right medication can take time and our medical team is happy to work with you to find the right medications to manage your diabetes.
Along with medication there are also lifestyle changes you should make to reduce your risk for diabetes-related complications. These lifestyle changes may include:
- Getting regular exercise
- Eating a healthy, balanced diet (your provider can help you create a diabetes-safe meal plan)
- Quitting smoking
- Avoiding alcohol
- Reducing stress
- Maintaining a healthy weight
- Checking your blood glucose levels daily
Maintaining a healthy lifestyle and taking your medications as prescribed as invaluable to someone with diabetes. Uncontrolled blood sugar levels can negatively impact just about every system in the body and can lead to serious complications including amputation. To reduce your risk for life-threatening complications it’s important to have a provider that you can turn to regularly for care and treatment.
If you or someone you know is dealing with uncontrolled diabetes the medical team at Exceptional Primary & Preventive Healthcare in Silver Spring, MD, can help manage your condition for life to improve your quality of life. Call us today at (301) 587-6464.