Diabetes

An alarming 1 in 3 Americans has prediabetes, a condition that often develops into diabetes when not addressed. At CHAP Med in Sherman Oaks, California, family and osteopathic medicine specialists and their skilled team diagnose and treat diabetes and prediabetes in men and women, reducing their risk of life-altering complications. Schedule an in-person or telehealth evaluation by phone or request one online today. Walk-ins by established patients are welcome.

What is diabetes?

Diabetes affects nearly 12% of Americans. It’s a chronic disease characterized by consistently high blood sugar levels. It develops because the body can’t produce enough of the hormone insulin or can’t effectively use insulin to move sugar, an energy source, from the blood into other body tissues.

What types of diabetes are there?

While all forms of diabetes affect blood sugar levels, the different types are:

• Type 1 diabetes: the body doesn’t produce sufficient insulin
• Type 2 diabetes: the body can’t use insulin efficiently
• Prediabetes: blood sugar is higher than usual but not high enough to be diabetes
• Gestational diabetes: diabetes develops during pregnancy but often ends with childbirth

Prediabetes and gestational diabetes are usually reversible when properly managed. 

Which symptoms can diabetes cause?

Diabetes can cause:

• Unexplained weight loss
• Increased urination and thirst
• Tiredness
• Weakness
• Irritability or other mood changes
• Slow-healing sores
• Frequent infections

In the early stages of diabetes, you might not experience any symptoms.

What are the risk factors for diabetes?

Diabetes risk factors include carrying excess weight, eating unhealthy foods, lack of exercise, and a family history of diabetes.

Type 1 diabetes is usually found during childhood, while Type 2 and prediabetes often develop after age 40. However, children and teens are developing Type 2 diabetes at increasing rates, often due to excess body weight.

How is diabetes diagnosed?

Diagnosing diabetes at CHAP Med involves checking vital signs, weighing in, and discussing your symptoms and medical history. Your provider completes a physical exam and then orders on-site bloodwork to screen for high blood sugar levels.

How is diabetes managed?

CHAP Med offers a diabetic management program for patients with diabetes. Your personalized treatment plan can consist of:

• Medically supervised weight loss
• Custom diet and exercise programs
• Quitting smoking
• Behavioral therapy 
• Dietary supplements
• Oral medication
• Insulin injections
• Insulin pump

If you have a complication linked to diabetes, your CHAP Med provider refers you to a specialist.

The CHAP Med team follows up to ensure that your diabetes treatment plan is effectively managing your blood sugar levels. They adjust treatments when needed to optimize your health and well-being.

If you’re concerned about diabetes, call the CHAP Med office or request an appointment online today. Established patients are welcome to walk in.