Untreated diabetes can devastate your health, resulting in blindness, organ failure, and limb amputation in severe cases. Melonie Parmley, DO, at Open Door Medical Clinic in Great Falls, Montana, specializes in treating diabetes using holistic care. Dr. Parmley can address the causes of Type 2 diabetes by losing weight, eating a healthy diet, and leading a more active life. To learn how to manage and potentially reverse early-stage diabetes, call the office or use the online booking tool to set up your appointment.
request an appointmentWhat is diabetes?
People with diabetes have problems regulating sugar levels in their blood. In the correct quantity, blood sugar performs a valuable function, providing instant access to energy. However, if there’s too much sugar in your blood, it can cause multiple health conditions.
Some people have Type 1 diabetes, an autoimmune disorder where the immune system destroys cells in your pancreas that produce insulin — the hormone that keeps your blood sugar at healthy levels. Type 1 diabetes is unpreventable and incurable. It typically starts causing symptoms in childhood or early adulthood.
More people have Type 2 diabetes, where your body doesn’t make enough insulin or becomes resistant to the insulin your body produces. The most common reasons for getting Type 2 diabetes are excess body weight, a high sugar, high-fat diet, and insufficient exercise, making the problem worse.
Why should I be concerned about diabetes?
Diabetes causes numerous complications if you don’t manage it properly. Excess sugar in your blood damages nerves and blood vessels, causing or significantly increasing your risk of conditions, such as:
- Heart disease
- Stroke
- High blood pressure
- Atherosclerosis (narrowed blood vessels)
- Diabetic peripheral neuropathy (nerve damage)
- Heart arrhythmia
- Erectile dysfunction
- Diabetic nephropathy (kidney disease)
- Diabetic retinopathy (eye damage)
- Cataracts and glaucoma
- Hearing impairment
- Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA)
- Dementia
- Skin infections
- Diabetic ulcers
Ulcers are wounds that form when you injure the skin on your lower limbs. Nerve damage prevents you from feeling the injury, and poor blood flow stops the wound from healing. The surrounding tissues break down, leaving an open sore that doesn’t heal well and is prone to infection. You could lose the affected foot if gangrene (tissue death) develops.
Unfortunately, Type 2 diabetes symptoms develop slowly, and your condition can advance before you realize something’s wrong. Dr. Parmley offers diabetic screening blood tests to detect diabetes in its earliest stage (prediabetes).
How is diabetes treated?
Treating Type 1 diabetes involves taking insulin for the rest of your life. However, you can manage Type 2 diabetes successfully by making lifestyle changes.
Dr. Parmley recommends lifestyle changes, such as losing weight, reducing fat and sugar, eating fewer processed foods, exercising regularly, and quitting smoking. Many patients don’t require medication if they make the required changes, but drugs like metformin are available for those who need it.
To arrange your diabetes screening test or receive expert diabetes treatment, call Open Door Medical Clinic or use the online booking tool today.