All About Diabetes: Causes, Symptoms, Treatment, and Care

The most common association people make with diabetes is that it's "the illness where you can't have dessert". While there's a lot more to it, the connection quite rightly strikes fear into the hearts of many. If you have diabetes, or if you'd like to be extra careful to maintain your access to the occasional sugary treat, then TelMDCare has virtual doctors who can answer all your medical questions.

The benefit of choosing a telemedicine doctor is that you can speak to a doctor online instead of going to a clinic, sitting in a waiting room, and traveling back home. For most people, this might be a minor inconvenience. If you're dealing with the symptoms of diabetes, or even if you have a sinus infection, it takes work.

This is a common deterrent for people experiencing ill health. Especially when the symptoms seem harmless, like nausea, vomiting, or allergies. However, what a layperson may mistake for a minor may indicate a serious problem. Consulting an internal medicine doctor is the only way to rule it out.

If you think you see signs of diabetes, but you can't be sure, then here's what you need to know:

The Sugar Hormone — Or Is It?

The pancreas is responsible for producing insulin, a hormone that's meant to break down glucose. Coming back to desserts, it's important to note that while glucose is sugar, it's not just sugar as we know it.

Glucose is in bread, fruit, vegetables, and even some alcohol. The body uses glucose as fuel, so when it can't be broken down, it affects overall health.

The Two Types

There are two different types that have their own treatment plans and causes. Understanding the symptoms and causes can help you determine what to expect from your treatment plan.

Type 1

This isn't as common as type 2 is a chronic condition, meaning it'll require long-term care.

How it works

Type  1 is an autoimmune disease. The body's immune system begins to attack the cells in your pancreas. The immune system is designed to attack foreign cells when they enter your body to prevent infections and viruses. When it attacks the pancreas, it cannot fulfill its functions as an organ.

Symptoms

It can take a while for the symptoms to be noticed because everyone has their own timeline. However, once patients reach the later stages, it's impossible not to notice them. Book an appointment with an online doctor if the following happens:

• Constant thirst
• Frequent urination
• A sudden increase in appetite
• Unexplained weight loss
• You experience unexplained mood swings
• Constant fatigue
• Your vision blurs at times
• You start feeling ill all the time

All or some of the above could be a sign that your body isn't able to break down sugar, and that your pancreatic health is affected. However, other illnesses could cause similar symptoms. Frequent urination could be a urinary tract infection.

Consult a family doctor, and if they believe that you are diabetic, then they can guide you on how to proceed. However, if you do have type 1 diabetes, then you should avoid exposing yourself to bacteria and viruses as much as possible. Especially when you start medication.

Since your immune system will be suppressed, you could very easily catch an ear infection, a dental infection, or even acute bronchitis.

Who's At Risk?

Unfortunately, no cause has been identified for the onset of type 1. However, some correlations suggest that genetics play a role. Certain ethnicities also show higher rates of type 1.

Type 2

This is also a long-term condition, and the symptoms are similar, but they stem from completely different problems.

How it works

In type 1, the immune system begins to function improperly, whereas the second type starts at the pancreas. The vital organ fails to produce enough insulin, and simultaneously the cells take in less sugar because they're not properly responding to the insulin being produced.

It's more common in adults but not unheard of in children. The number of children to be diagnosed with type 2 diabetes has only increased over the years.

Symptoms

The symptoms are near identical to type 1; however, they also include the following:

• Slow-healing sores
• Numbness in the extremities
• Patches of darkened skin

It's important to be proactive when seeking care from a general practitioner for these symptoms because type 2 has been known to take years to show itself. However, the fact that you're not experiencing symptoms doesn't mean that it's not detrimental to your body internally.

Who's At Risk?

Type 2 also hasn't had its cause identified yet, but here are two things that seem to contribute to it:

• A lack of exercise
• An excess of carbohydrates, especially refined carbs in the diet
• obesity
• Age— diabetes is more common in older people
• Genetics

If you think the above applies to you, you might be predisposed to diabetes.  It's best to take the time to consult a doctor and get recommendations for personalized solutions that consider your biological details.

Furthermore, since you can only reduce the likelihood, if you do contract diabetes, then you'll have a family doctor who knows your history inside out.

Diabetes is a complicated illness that the scientific community hasn't fully explored. While more research and development happens every day, it's far better to act preventively in the face of an unpredictable chronic ailment.

That's why it's a good idea to engage with an urgent care doctor who's also a telemedicine doctor.  TelMDCare allows patients to speak to a doctor online. All you have to do is sign up, and book an appointment.

We can help you prioritize your health by getting the rest you need without worrying about venturing out to seek urgent care. Our virtual doctors are right at your fingertips when you need them most. We can take on a variety of illnesses like yeast infections, pink eye, and genital herpes. We can also help you get a refill for your birth control.