Diabetes is a serious health condition that continues to affect millions of people in the United States each year. In light of American Diabetes Month, AFC Urgent Care Danbury encourages everyone to get their blood sugar levels checked regularly and to take the necessary steps to avoid getting full blown diabetes.
You don’t want to become another statistic! Diabetes is on the rise.
Understanding the different types of diabetes
People often confuse type 1 diabetes with type 2 diabetes. However, these types of diabetes are very different.
If you have type 1 diabetes, your body isn’t producing insulin. Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition, which means your body attacks a particular organ. In this case, the body attacks the pancreas, the organ that produces insulin. Most people with type 1 diabetes must inject insulin daily to control the condition. Type 1 diabetes often develops in people who are younger, and it’s not always preventable.
Type 2 diabetes is much more common, and it usually develops later in life. Your body makes insulin, but it can’t use it as well as it should. There are different degrees of Type 2 diabetes, and often times you may be able to control it with lifestyle changes, like a healthy diet and exercise.
Diabetes during pregnancy or “gestational diabetes” is the third type of diabetes, and it can also be pretty scary for mothers as it can affect both you and your newborn. During pregnancy, a woman's body produces more hormones and goes through other changes, such as weight gain. According to the CDC all women have some insulin resistance during late pregnancy, which makes them more susceptible to developing gestational diabetes and even type 2 diabetes after pregnancy.
Being prediabetic is the first warning sign
If you count prediabetes as the 4th type, you’re looking at the most common type that Americans have. In 2019, the CDC reported 96 million cases of prediabetes. This was more than the previous years! Don’t become another statistic!
There are many people who are diagnosed with diabetes who wish they would have reacted sooner to the warning signs. In fact, there are millions of people in the United States who are prediabetic or not diagnosed because they avoid going to the doctor.
If you notice any of these symptoms and risks, we encourage that you go to the doctor or come see one of our providers at any of our 3 Danbury AFC Urgent Care Centers to get evaluated.
These symptoms and risks include one or more of the following:
Risk factors for diabetes
- Being overweight (including childhood obesity)
- Family history of diabetes
- Lack of exercise
- Having a history of high blood pressure or takes medicine for high blood pressure
- Having low HDL cholesterol and/or high triglycerides
- Having diabetes during pregnancy (Gestational Diabetes)
- Having been diagnosed with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
Symptoms of early onset diabetes
- Increased thirst and urination
- Fatigue
- Blurred vision
- Unexpected weight loss
- Increased hunger
- Slow-healing sores and frequent infections
- Red, swollen gums
- Tingling or numbness in your hands or feet
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms or warning signs, then it’s time to pay a visit to your general doctor. A medical professional can provide better insight on ways to manage these symptoms and prevent full blown diabetes.
How To Test for Diabetes?
The first step is to get blood work to check for diabetes.
An A1C test can help you determine where your blood sugar levels are at. From there you can speak with your doctor about prevention. You may need to consider changing your lifestyle by incorporating more exercise and dietary changes. Depending on your blood sugar levels it is highly suggested to get your blood sugar levels checked more often.
If you already have the disease, know that there are still management tools to help you stay on track mentally and physically.
AFC Urgent Care Danbury Offers A1C Tests and Screening for Diabetes
Are you worried about your blood sugar levels being too high? Us too! AFC Urgent Care Danbury offers routine checkups 7 days a week. You can walk-in or make an appointment online and we can check your blood sugar levels at any of our 3 Danbury locations on:
- 100 Mill Plain Rd.
- 2 Main St.
- 76c Newtown Rd.
We can also help point you in the right direction to better manage your diabetes or prevent you and your loved ones from developing it.
