FAQs

• What is diabetes?
• Am I at risk?
• What are the symptoms of diabetes?
• What are the dangers of diabetes?
• What is diabetes screening?
• How often should I be screened?
• When should I see the doctor?
• What should I expect at the doctor’s office?
• What lifestyle changes can I make to prevent diabetes?

 

What is diabetes?

There are many types of diabetes. All involve a dysfunction in how your body breaks down glucose. Glucose often times is called sugar, but glucose is in everything from vegetables to bread.

1. Type I Diabetes - Type 1 Diabetes occurs when the pancreas produces little to no insulin. Insulin helps your body metabolize glucose as well as other nutrients from food. Without insulin, the glucose levels in your blood become higher than normal.

2. Type 2 Diabetes - in Type 2 Diabetes, your pancreas may make little to no insulin (similar to Type 1), your body may not handle the insulin appropriately, or both. This also causes the glucose levels in your blood to become higher than normal. In the US, about 90% of all cases of diabetes are Type 2.

3. Gestational Diabetes - this type of diabetes only occurs during pregnancy. Women that are diagnosed with gestational diabetes suffer from high levels of blood glucose due to underproduction of insulin. It is important to diagnose this as soon as possible because of the associated health risks for the fetus. Also, there is a higher risk of developing Type 2 diabetes after the pregnancy for women had gestational diabetes.

Top

 

Am I at risk?

There are many risk factors that make you more likely to develop a type of diabetes, if any of these apply to you, you should discuss this with your doctor.

1. Family history - if you have family members with diabetes, you may be more likely to develop diabetes.

2. Diet - if you eat a lot of red meat, processed meat, desserts, sugar-sweetened beverages, and high fat dairy products such as butter or whole milk you are at a higher risk for diabetes. If you consume a lot of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, fish and poultry you are likely to have a decreased risk. As you can see from this list it is not only sugar consumption but also high fat foods that increase your risk for diabetes.

3. Exercise - any moderate exercise helps decrease your risk for diabetes. If you do not currently exercise, starting with something as small as a brisk 10 minute walk a day can help you feel healthier and help prevent the development of diabetes.

4. Obesity - if you are overweight, you are at an increased risk for diabetes. As your weight increases your risk does too.

5. Fat distribution - weight around the stomach area has been linked to a higher risk for diabetes.

6. High cholesterol - Please consult our cholesterol screening section and make an appointment with a doctor if you think you may have high cholesterol.

7. High blood pressure - Please make an appointment with our office if you don’t know if you have high blood pressure. The test is quick and noninvasive. One easy step to help lower your blood pressure is decreasing your salt and sodium intake.

8. Polycystic ovary syndrome - if you have been diagnosed with this, you are at higher risk.

9. Smoking - The more you smoke the higher the risk for diabetes development. If you smoke now, please see our webpage on smoking cessation. If you don’t feel ready to stop now, even decreasing the number of cigarettes a day decreases your risk.

10.Cardiovascular disease

11.Ethnicity - studies have shown that Native Americans, African Americans, Hispanics and Asians are more likely to develop diabetes than Whites

Top

 

What are the symptoms of diabetes?

High blood glucose can cause the following symptoms:
1. Blurred vision
2. Excessive thirst
3. Fatigue
4. Needing to urinate frequently

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms it is very important for you to get your blood tested as soon as possible. Please contact our offices today to make an appointment. Our office is conveniently located in Midtown Manhattan at 274 Madison Ave(between 39-40 streets) Suite #304, New York, NY 10016.

Top

 

What are the dangers of diabetes?

If you do have diabetes but have not been diagnosed or properly treated you may develop any or all of the following complications.
1. Cardiovascular disease - can lead to a heart attack or stroke
2. Eye disease - may lead to blindness
3. Nerve disease - may lead to possible amputation
4. Kidney disease - may lead to kidney failure and dialysis

These possible complications can be avoided or mitigated with early diagnosis, blood sugar monitoring, and regular medical care

Top

 

What is diabetes screening?

Diabetes screening includes a series of tests to diagnose diabetes. Many people are unaware they have diabetes because it can develop very slowly and without symptoms. If you have no symptoms, an early diagnosis can help you avoid the complications listed above. Early detection has been shown to improve long-term health outcomes.

Diabetes screening is highly recommended for all people that have one or more of the risk factors listed above. For people that are considered low-risk, screening is recommended above the age of 45 years old. Diabetes screening includes having blood drawn in our office. The doctor will test for your blood glucose levels and hemoglobin A1C. You will receive results in 3-4 days. Whether you have diabetes or not, one of our staff will call and personally tell you the results of the test. It is important to get screened if you feel you are at risk or may have diabetes. Being informed is the first and possibly most important step in taking control of your health.

Top

 

How often should I be screened?

If you receive normal results, you should be screened again after 3 years.

Top

 

When should I see the doctor?

You should see the doctor if you believe you have diabetes, or if you feel you are at risk for diabetes. Being informed is the first and possibly most important step in taking control of your health.

Top

 

What should I expect at the doctor’s office?

Diabetes screening includes having blood drawn in our office. The blood will be tested for your blood glucose levels and hemoglobin A1C. You will receive results in 3-4 days. Whether you have diabetes or not, one of our staff will call and personally tell you the results of the test. Once you receive a positive or negative diagnosis, our doctors will help you decide on the best plan of action. Options include one or a combination of the following: lifestyle changes, medications, smoking cessation tools, and insulin.
If you’d like to schedule an appointment today, please contact our office.

Top

 

What lifestyle changes can I make to prevent diabetes?

1. Stop smoking - See our section on smoking cessation for more information

2. Exercise - Take the stairs, include a brisk 10 minute walk in your day, any exercise helps!

3. Change your diet - Replace processed and red meats with lean meats(leaner cuts of red meat, poultry), eat more fish, low fat dairy, whole grains, fruits and vegetables, use vegetable oils instead of solid fats(butter, lard, shortening), and decrease your consumption of sugar sweetened beverages and desserts. These small dietary changes can make a big impact on your health and help prevent diabetes.

4. Aim for a healthy weight - if you are underweight or overweight, work with your doctor to discuss changes you can make to arrive at a healthy weight for your height.

5. Regular doctor visits - Keep an eye on any other health conditions like high cholesterol or high blood pressure with your health care professional.
Always consult a medical professional before making drastic lifestyle changes.

Top

 

To schedule an appointment call us at 212 696 5900 or visit us at our  conveniently located Urgent Care NYCoffice in Midtown Manhattan at 274 Madison Ave(between 39-40 streets) Suite #304, New York, NY 10016.