Diabetes
Diabetes is a serious chronic medical condition that affects millions of Americans. Causes and complications from diabetes vary depending on the type and the treatment plan.
Symptoms of diabetes can include:
- Extreme hunger
- Frequent urination
- Frequent infection
- Fatigue
- Increased thirst
- Irritability
- Sores that don’t heal
- Unexplained weight loss
- Vision problems
Type 1 diabetes – The cause of type 1 diabetes is unknown except that your immune system, which normally works to fight bacterial and viral infections, begins to attack the cells in your pancreas that produce insulin. It is likely that a combination of genetics and environmental factors play a part in whether you or a loved one develops type 1 diabetes.
Risk factors include:
- Family history of diabetes
- Environmental factors and exposure to certain viral illnesses
- Low vitamin D consumption during infancy
Type 2 diabetes – Type 2 diabetes is usually the result of environment and unhealthy living habits, although predisposition through a family history of diabetes increases the risk, especially when combined with risk factors such as:
- Weight gain or being overweight
- Sedentary lifestyle, lack of physical activity
- Age
- Race
- History of diabetes while pregnant – called gestational diabetes
- Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome or PCOS in women
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol and triglyceride levels
Whether you or a loved one have already been diagnosed with diabetes and are in need of care and management, or if you suspect you one may have diabetes make an appointment with Arlington Physicians Network today to learn more about diagnosis, treatment, and long-term management options.
You can make an appointment with Arlingtons Physician Network three ways:
Hypertension
Hypertension, also known as high blood pressure, is a common chronic condition determined by the amount of blood your heart pumps and the resistance it receives from your artery walls. The more blood your heart pumps and the narrower your artery walls, the higher your blood pressure.
Symptoms can include:
- In most people there are no symptoms at all
- Some people may experience occasional shortness of breath, nosebleeds, or mild headaches
Risk factors can include:
- Age
- Alcohol and tobacco abuse
- Being overweight
- Certain Chronic conditions
- Family history
- High sodium (salt) intake
- Sedentary lifestyle
- Race
- Too little potassium or vitamin D
High blood pressure, when left undiagnosed and unmanaged, can cause heart disease and lead to heart attack and stroke.
The physicians at Arlington Physicians Network can detect high blood pressure and prescribe medications if needed and recommend effective treatment plans, which include lifestyle changes and modifications. Learn more about what steps you can take today to treat and manage your high blood pressure.
