At MHC Healthcare, we have many internal medicine providers who specialize in treatments for diabetes. Diabetes is a condition that affects millions of Americans. In Arizona alone, over 12.5% of adults have diabetes. Diabetes is a condition that can be managed with the help of insulin therapy and other treatments. Uncontrolled diabetes can cause severe long-term health complications such as blindness, amputation and kidney failure.

There are two types of diabetes, type 1 is usually diagnosed in children but can develop at any age. This type occurs when the body’s pancreas doesn’t produce insulin or does not produce enough insulin. Without insulin, blood sugar cannot get in to the cells and builds up in the bloodstream which is damaging to the body. This type of diabetes can be managed by checking blood sugar levels regularly and wearing an insulin pump or taking insulin injections to help regulate the body’s blood sugar.

Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes. It typically develops in adults over the age of 45 although it is becoming more common in younger people. Type 2 diabetes is caused when the body doesn’t respond normally to insulin and ends up producing too much. High blood sugar is damaging to the body and can cause serious health problems. A key part of managing type 2 diabetes is keeping a healthy diet and lifestyle.

Type 2 diabetes can be prevented. Many people with diabetes do not show symptoms, therefore testing regularly for diabetes is essential. A diabetes screening is as simple as a blood test and can be done at many of our MHC Healthcare locations around the Tucson area. Schedule an appointment or find a provider today