Diabetes

Hispanic adults are 70% more likely to receive a diabetes diagnosis than non-Hispanic white adults, so it’s especially vital to monitor risk factors, have regular checkups, and treat the disease effectively if diagnosed. Clinica Latina offers highly skilled diabetes care in Irving, Texas, making it convenient to get help whenever you need it. The practice staff mainly speaks Spanish but is fluent in English too. Book your screening test or other diabetes care by calling the office or scheduling an appointment online.

What is diabetes?

Diabetes is a disease that happens when you’re unable to regulate your blood glucose (sugar), the main source of cellular fuel. It occurs when you have too-high glucose levels, leading to health issues and complications such as:

• Nerve damage (diabetic peripheral neuropathy)
• Vision loss (diabetic retinopathy)
• Kidney damage
• Diabetic foot ulcers
• Hearing problems 
• Heart attack
• Stroke
• Limb loss (amputation)

Having diabetes also doubles the risk of other conditions like hypertension and heart disease.

More than 37 million Americans have diabetes. It’s particularly common among Hispanic individuals and is growing more common in children.

What causes diabetes?

Diabetes occurs because of insulin problems in your body. Insulin is the hormone that keeps your blood glucose at optimal levels. There are a couple different reasons you might have insulin problems, including:  

Autoimmune issues

Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition. It happens when your immune system attacks and kills the pancreas cells that make insulin. Type 1 diabetes isn’t preventable. 

Unhealthy lifestyle

Type 2 diabetes happens when you make insulin, but your body stops responding to it (insulin resistance). This potentially preventable disease commonly develops due to extra weight, unhealthy diet, and lack of physical activity. If detected and treated early, Type 2 diabetes may be reversible.

Another type of diabetes, gestational diabetes, affects only pregnant women who don’t have a history of diabetes. While it usually goes away after having the baby, gestational diabetes does raise the risk of having Type 2 diabetes in the future.

How is diabetes treated?

Clinica Latina helps you control your blood glucose so you can prevent dangerous spikes and dips. 

If you have Type 1 diabetes, you need insulin injections or an implanted pump that delivers insulin into your blood every day. 

Lifestyle changes are the crucial foundation for Type 2 diabetes care, including:

• Losing weight
• Exercising regularly
• Reducing unhealthy dietary fats
• Avoiding carb-heavy foods
• Avoiding sugary foods
• Stopping smoking

Lifestyle changes are often sufficient to control Type 2 diabetes, although you could need a medication such as Metformin to better manage your blood glucose. Late-stage Type 2 diabetes may require insulin.

With both types of diabetes, you must monitor your glucose levels at home and come to Clinic Latina regularly for blood tests and checkups. There, you’ll receive the highest standard of care so you can have an excellent quality of life. Call the office or book your exam through online scheduling now.