National Diabetes Awareness Month

Over 35 million people are dealing with the effects of diabetes that range from all areas of their bodies. Diabetes occurs when the human body has trouble regulating blood sugar levels. When the blood sugar level is too high or too low, it can affect the individual's health. Although diabetes is related to your blood sugar levels, consuming too much sugar is not the sole reason and cause for an individual to have diabetes. There are also three different types of diabetes: Type 1, Type 2, and Gestational diabetes.

Type 1 diabetes is when the human body's immune system destroys the cells responsible for producing the hormone insulin. Usually, small children or young adults need a constant source of insulin through injections or a pump to stay alive. Type 2 diabetes, the most common form out of the three, is when the pancreas has trouble producing enough insulin to regulate and control glucose levels. Factors that can contribute to this would be poor diet, obesity, and no exercise. Dr. Nandini Gowda, an internal medicine physician at UCR Health Multispecialty Center, suggests that individuals who have diabetes and are on medication "to keep hard candy in your pockets, or to carry around an orange or apple."

Lastly, gestational diabetes happens during pregnancy when mothers who are pregnant have trouble producing insulin to maintain control of their blood sugar levels. Gestational diabetes can cause more complications during the pregnancy and mothers have a higher chance of developing Type 2 diabetes after their pregnancy if the mothers do not have healthy eating habits in addition to healthy lifestyle habits.

Uncontrolled diabetes can lead to serious health effects like kidney damage, eye problems, heart problems, etc. Dr. Gowda states that "common symptoms of diabetes include urinating frequently, hungry all the time, reoccurring yeast infections, dehydration, and tiredness." If you're unsure whether you have diabetes or not, make an appointment and get regular checkups so that you may know if you're pre-diabetic and should be more cautious of your lifestyle habits. To avoid increasing the risk of being pre-diabetic or diabetic, you should maintain a balanced and healthy diet, exercise regularly, and maintain a healthy weight.

Want to talk with an internal medicine physician about your concerns regarding diabetes or want to find out if you're pre-diabetic? Contact us at 1-844-827-8000 or submit an online appointment request form to schedule an in-person or telehealth appointment.

About UCR Health

UCR Health is comprised of a team of physicians, specialists, and healthcare professionals dedicated to improving people’s health. With five medical offices located throughout the Inland Empire and Coachella Valley, UCR Health is growing to meet the healthcare needs of the region, bringing innovative, culturally sensitive medical care to the community. Established alongside the School of Medicine at the University of California, Riverside, UCR Health’s patient-centered primary care and specialty services deliver university-based healthcare excellence and innovation to all communities.