Diabetes Specialist
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Health First Primary Care
Primary Care Practice & Internal Medicine located in Tampa, FL & Tampa, FL
Diabetes is a serious personal and public health issue, affecting more than 30 million Americans. For those living in Tampa, Florida, and the surrounding communities, Gisela Vargas, MD, and the Health First Primary Care team can help by providing comprehensive diabetes care. If you’d like information on diabetes diagnostics or treatment, call today, or spend a few moments on the online scheduling page to set up a visit.
Diabetes Q & A
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic disease characterized by high blood sugar. To understand diabetes, it helps to think about how your body converts food into fuel.
When you eat, your body converts carbohydrates in your food into a form of sugar called glucose. That glucose fuels all the cells in your body, including your muscles, nervous system, and more.
For glucose to enter your cells, a hormone called insulin must be present. Insulin is produced in your pancreas. People with diabetes either don’t produce enough insulin or cannot make proper use of the insulin that is produced.
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition in which your body mistakenly attacks the cells in your pancreas. People with this form of diabetes need supplemental insulin to survive.
Type 2 diabetes is far more common and accounts for nearly 90% of all diabetes cases. This type of diabetes is linked to being overweight and living a sedentary lifestyle. People with type 2 diabetes can still produce insulin, but not at sufficient levels.
What are some symptoms of diabetes?
Though nothing can replace coming in for routine health screenings, knowing what to look for can help you identify if diabetes might be a concern. Some symptoms include:
- Fatigue
- Blurred vision
- Increased hunger or thirst
- Numbness or tingling in hands or feet
- Unexplained weight loss
- Sores that are slow to heal
If you notice these changes, be sure to book a visit at Health First Primary Care for diabetes screening.
What are some treatments for diabetes?
Numerous tools can help treat diabetes, and your plan will likely consist of multiple treatments. Medication can help control your blood sugar. There are drugs that reduce glucose production in your liver and others that help your body use insulin more effectively or boost insulin production.
Supplemental insulin is also a common treatment approach. There are various ways to introduce insulin into your bloodstream, including injections, a pen device, pumps, inhalers, injection ports, and jet injectors. Health First Primary Care offers on-site lab services that can monitor how well your current medication plan is working, allowing your doctors to make adjustments as needed.
Lifestyle modifications can also play a powerful role in treating diabetes. Health First Primary Care offers medically supervised weight loss, an approach that provides the support you need to embrace a healthier diet and activity habits that can last a lifetime.
If you’re concerned about diabetes or looking for a new health team to manage your care, reach out to the Health First Primary Care team to book a visit. Online scheduling is fast and easy, or you’re welcome to call to speak with a member of the administrative staff.
