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Diabetes services offered in throughout SE Michigan
Nearly 900,000 people in Michigan have been diagnosed with diabetes, which is a chronic disease that increases your risk of developing other chronic conditions. The team at Hypertension Nephrology Associates, PC, takes a patient-centered approach to the management of diabetes, creating individualized treatment plans that put you in control of your health. To schedule an appointment with the compassionate team, call the office in Livonia, Michigan, or use the online booking feature today.
Diabetes Q & A
What is diabetes?
The sugar in your blood, also referred to as glucose, serves as your body’s primary source of energy and comes from the foods you eat. Diabetes develops when your blood sugar levels are above normal.
Insulin is a hormone produced by your pancreas, and it’s responsible for transporting the sugar from your blood into your cells. Diabetes develops because of problems related to your insulin. Either your pancreas isn’t making enough insulin, or any at all, this is referred to as Type 1 diabetes, or the insulin your pancreas is producing isn’t able to do its job, this is called Type 2 diabetes.
Type 2 diabetes is more common than Type 1 diabetes. You may be at risk of developing Type 2 diabetes if you’re older than 45, have a family history of diabetes, or you’re overweight or obese.
What are diabetes-related complications?
Though diabetes can be managed, the chronic health condition increases your risk of developing other health issues. Diabetes-related health complications include:
- Peripheral neuropathy
- Peripheral vascular disease
- Retinopathy
- Heart disease
- Kidney disease
- Stroke
The team at Hypertension Nephrology Associates, PC, specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of diabetes-related peripheral vascular disease. Diabetes is one of the strongest risk factors for the development of peripheral vascular disease, which affects circulation in your lower extremities and is a major contributor to the formation of foot infections that can sometimes lead to lower extremity amputations.
What can I expect during a diabetes evaluation?
At Hypertension Nephrology Associates, PC, your provider takes a proactive approach to care and considers your involvement in the process vital to improving your diabetes management. In addition to reviewing your medical history and conducting a physical exam, your provider performs advanced diagnostic testing to better understand the effects your diabetes is having on your health.
Testing may include:
- Blood work
- Urinalysis
- Ultrasound testing
- Ankle-brachial index (ABI)
- Cardiac tests
After your diagnostic testing has been completed, your provider reviews the details of your results with you.
How is diabetes treated?
Your physician develops individualized treatment plans for diabetes. They know there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to diabetes, and they work one-on-one with you to create a treatment plan that fits your lifestyle and health needs. Your treatment plan may include:
- Diet modification
- Exercise program
- Diabetes-related medication
- Disease-specific medication
For impaired heart disease and peripheral vascular disease, your provider may recommend L-arginine, which is an amino acid that helps relax your blood vessels to improve blood flow.
To schedule a consultation at Hypertension Nephrology Associates, PC, so you can get the plan and support you need to manage your diabetes, call the office or book online today.