Dr. Tiffany Sizemore is a board-certified cardiologist with over ten years of experience in cardiovascular disease and heart health. Dr. Tiffany Sizemore’s practice in Fort Lauderdale offers a monthly awareness program called to help educate people about their health and how they can take steps to improve their overall health. This month’s focus is on Diabetes management.
Here’s What You Need to Know Diabetes management.

Dr. Tiffany Sizemore also offers concierge Medicine, a term used to describe a medical practice where patients pay a monthly fee to access a physician who sees them as soon as possible after they call. This allows you to avoid long waits and unnecessary visits to urgent care centers.

What Is Diabetes?

Diabetes is a condition where the body does not produce enough insulin or cannot use it properly. Insulin helps your cells absorb glucose, which is a sugar found in food. If the pancreas does not make enough insulin, your blood sugar will continue to grow. Over time, high levels of blood sugar cause damage to many parts of the body, including the eyes, kidneys, nerves, feet, legs, and heart.

Insulin levels

The correct amount of insulin needed by each person depends on several factors: age, weight, diet, exercise, stress, illness, medications, and other conditions. To determine what dose of insulin you need, talk to your doctor. Testing your blood sugar regularly will help you know when to adjust your insulin doses.

Types of Diabetes

There are two main types of diabetes: Type 1 and type 2. Both require treatment.

Type 1 diabetes occurs when the pancreas stops making insulin. In most cases, children develop type 1 diabetes. They may be diagnosed before age 5. Adults usually develop type 1 diabetes after age 40.

People with type 2 diabetes do not make enough insulin or use it poorly. Most adults have type 2 diabetes. Some people with type 2 diabetes have normal fasting blood sugars but higher than normal ones after meals. These people often have problems using insulin correctly.

Treatment Options for Diabetes

Treatment options for diabetes depend on the type of diabetes you have and whether you have any complications from diabetes.

For type 1 diabetes, there are two treatments:

a. Regular insulin injections are the oldest form of treating diabetes. You take shots of insulin under your skin. This method works well for some people. However, others find that they must inject more frequently. It also takes longer to get into action.

b. Continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII) uses an insulin pump. The pump delivers insulin continuously through a tube placed under the skin. This method primarily uses people whose bodies don’t respond well to regular insulin injections. Continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion can control your blood sugar much better.

For type 2 diabetes, there are four treatment options:

a. Diet and exercise. Follow a healthy diet plan and exercise 3-4 days per week.

b. Oral medication. Take pills to lower your blood sugar.

c. Insulin therapy. Use insulin injections to lower your blood sugar levels. There are different types of insulin available. Your doctor will choose the right one for you based on your health history and current condition.

d. Combination therapy. Combine oral medications and insulin.

Diabetes Management

To manage your diabetes, you need to know what to eat, how much to eat, when to eat, and how to monitor your blood sugar. Here are some tips:

• Eat five or six small meals daily instead of three large ones. Smaller meals keep your blood sugar level steady throughout the day.
• Make sure you eat at least half of your calories before every meal.
• Drink plenty of water. Water keeps your kidneys working properly and helps regulate your blood sugar.
• Keep track of your food intake. Write down everything you eat and drink. Record this information in a food diary.
• Know your blood sugar target range. Ask your doctor which numbers mean high, average, and low blood sugar.
• Don’t skip meals. Skipping meals causes your blood sugar to drop too low.
• Avoid sugary foods and drinks. They raise your blood sugar quickly.
• Exercise regularly. Physical activity improves your overall health and helps you maintain a healthy weight.

Diabetes mellitus is a chronic disease that affects many parts of the body. It requires lifelong management. It would be best if you worked closely with your healthcare provider to learn ways to control your diabetes. Dr. Tiffany Sizemore aims to help people like you live healthier lives by providing them with valuable information. She has written informative articles on various diabetes, nutrition, and fitness topics. She aims to provide readers with helpful information to make informed decisions about their health.