Diabetes Specialist
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Keven Tagdiri, M.D.
Internists located in Encinitas, CA
More than 100 million Americans have diabetes or prediabetes, conditions that can cause serious health complications and even death. At his clinic in Encinitas, California, Dr. Keven Tagdiri is an experienced internal medicine physician offering same-day services and real-time communication for a wide range of conditions, including diabetes. If you’re managing diabetes or think you may be at risk, call Keven Tagdiri, MD, or schedule an appointment online today.
Diabetes Q&A
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a blood sugar disorder that requires careful management through a healthy diet, exercise, or the use of oral medications and insulin.
Blood sugar, or glucose, comes from the food you eat and gives your body energy. Insulin regulates your blood sugar; your pancreas makes this hormone.
When you have diabetes, your blood sugar levels are elevated because your body either doesn’t make enough — or any — insulin, or it doesn’t use the insulin it makes effectively.
Are there different types of diabetes?
There are several types of diabetes, such as:
- Type 1: usually diagnosed in children; your pancreas doesn’t make insulin
- Type 2: more common in adults; your body doesn’t make or use insulin correctly
- Gestational: arises due to pregnancy and resolves after childbirth
You can also develop a condition called prediabetes. If this occurs, your blood sugar is high, but not high enough to be considered diabetic. Like Type 2 diabetes, prediabetes is typically the result of being overweight, not getting enough exercise, and eating poorly.
What are the symptoms of diabetes?
Diabetes can be present without displaying symptoms. If you have a family history or personal risk of developing this condition, it’s important to talk to Dr. Tagdiri.
When diabetes does cause symptoms, they’re usually similar in all types. However, Type 1 symptoms typically develop suddenly and are more severe.
Common signs and symptoms of diabetes include:
- Itchy skin
- Dry mouth
- Blurry vision
- Nausea and vomiting
- Increased thirst and urination
- Increased hunger and unexplained weight loss
- Frequent yeast infections
- Pain or numbness in your legs or feet
When left untreated, diabetes can cause dangerous health complications, like high cholesterol, nerve damage, heart disease, and death.
How is diabetes diagnosed and treated?
Dr. Tagdiri can usually diagnose diabetes during a comprehensive physical examination and a blood glucose test.
Based on your condition, Dr. Tagdiri works closely with you to outline a whole-body approach to managing your blood sugar. In most cases, Type 1 diabetes requires daily insulin injections, but diet and exercise can often control Type 2 and prediabetes.
In addition to managing your blood sugar with medications or insulin, Dr. Tagdiri also makes lifestyle recommendations to help you improve your diet, lose weight, and increase your daily activity.
For more information on managing diabetes, call Keven Tagdiri, MD, or schedule an appointment online today.
