With proper management, you can enjoy a long, fulfilling life with diabetes. Ralf Lukner, MD, PhD, proudly provides comprehensive care for all types of diabetes at Lukner Medical Clinic, located in the Pampa Mall in Pampa, Texas. Dr. Lukner works with you to create an individualized care plan that reduces your risk of complications and helps you maintain your health as you age. Call the office or schedule an appointment online to learn more.
Diabetes is a chronic disease in which the body can’t properly process and use glucose (sugar). Glucose is the main source of energy for the body's cells, but it needs help reaching the organs and tissues in your body. Insulin, a hormone that the pancreas produces, allows glucose to enter the cells.
When you have diabetes, the pancreas either doesn’t produce enough insulin or doesn’t use it efficiently, leading to high levels of glucose in the blood. Too much sugar in the blood damages the blood vessels over time, increasing your risk of stroke, vision impairment, and heart disease.
The most common types of diabetes include:
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease occurring when your immune system attacks the insulin-producing cells in your pancreas. Most people get diagnosed during childhood, but symptoms can begin in early adulthood.
Type 2 diabetes usually develops later in life and is far more common than other types of diabetes. Diet, lifestyle choices, and genetics can increase your risk of this condition.
If your blood sugar levels are consistently too high during pregnancy, you may have gestational diabetes. The condition typically resolves after childbirth but can increase your risk of Type 2 diabetes.
Prediabetes means your blood sugar levels are repeatedly too high but not high enough to warrant a diabetes diagnosis. Early intervention can reverse the effects of prediabetes and prevent the condition from progressing.
The symptoms of diabetes can vary depending on what type and severity you have. Common signs of diabetes include:
Many individuals with diabetes also experience slow-healing wounds. Treatment is essential to prevent open sores and infection.
Dr. Lukner takes a multimodality approach to diabetes treatment that may include a combination of the following:
Diabetes symptoms are manageable when treated early. Call Lukner Medical Clinic today or schedule an appointment online to learn more.