Diabetes

Diabetes is the 8th leading cause of death in the United States. In Apple Valley, California, Hisham Abukamleh, MD, helps patients properly manage diabetes to reduce the chance of severe or life-threatening complications. Schedule a diabetes screening with Dr. Abukamleh, a board-certified internal medicine physician, by phone or request one online today.

What is diabetes?

Diabetes is a chronic disease that affects your body’s ability to manage sugar in its bloodstream. Without treatment, high blood sugar levels can eventually cause nerve damage, eye problems, heart disease, and other complications. If you’ve been diagnosed with diabetes or have its risk factors, see Dr. Abukamleh routinely for chronic disease management. 

What are the different types of diabetes?

Common forms of diabetes include:

Type 2 diabetes

Type 2 diabetes typically appears during middle age, when the body produces insulin but isn’t able to use it effectively. Insulin is a hormone that moves sugar from your blood into other areas of the body. 

Type 1 diabetes

Type 1 diabetes is often diagnosed during childhood when the body doesn’t make enough insulin to control blood sugar. 

Prediabetes

Prediabetes occurs before diabetes, when blood sugar is higher than normal but not yet classified as diabetes. Prediabetes is reversible with a healthy diet and other lifestyle changes.

Gestational diabetes

Gestational diabetes appears in some women during their pregnancies. It might disappear after they deliver their babies.

Does type 2 diabetes cause symptoms?

Type 2 diabetes doesn’t always cause symptoms in its early stages, but you might develop:

• Frequent urination
• Increased thirst
• Frequent infections
• Blurry vision
• Unintentional weight loss
• Slow-healing sores
• Weakness
• Fatigue
• Irritability
• Mood changes

Diabetes can also cause nerve damage, heart or kidney problems, eye damage, foot issues, and even dementia when not treated. 

How does my specialist diagnose diabetes?

Dr. Abukamleh diagnoses diabetes after discussing your medications, lifestyle, and medical history. He checks your vital signs, weighs you, determines your body mass index (BMI), and completes a physical exam.

Type 2 diabetes risk factors include a family history of diabetes, carrying excess weight, poor dietary habits, and lack of exercise. 

A blood test allows Dr. Abukamleh to determine if you have diabetes or how well you’re managing your condition based on blood sugar readings. 

How is diabetes treated?

Treating diabetes may involve medical weight management, taking oral medications, receiving insulin injections, using an insulin pump, or combining multiple treatments. Alter your diet and exercise habits if needed, check your blood sugar regularly, and see Dr. Abukamleh periodically to ensure your diabetes treatment is effective. Call his office at any time with questions.

Schedule a diabetes evaluation with Hisham Abukamleh, MD, by calling the office or booking an appointment online today.