Diabetes Specialist

JS Healthcare

Internists & Aesthetic Specialists located in Winter Park, FL

Managing diabetes is critical for maintaining good health and preventing additional health complications. At JS Healthcare in Winter Park, Florida, Dr. Shwetanshu Shukla offers accurate diagnostics and comprehensive treatments for managing both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes. He also helps ensure that prediabetes doesn’t lead to a diabetes diagnosis through well-balanced diets and sufficient exercise. To learn more about managing diabetes, schedule a consultation online or by phone.

Diabetes Q & A

What is diabetes?

Diabetes is a chronic condition involving high levels of blood glucose, or sugar in the bloodstream. The body gets glucose from food and produces a hormone known as insulin that aids the glucose in getting into cells to convert it into energy.

In Type 1 diabetes, the body can't make insulin, and as a result, glucose levels in the blood remain high. Type 1 diabetes is often diagnosed in childhood but can also develop in adulthood.

In Type 2 diabetes, the body is unable to produce a sufficient amount of insulin or doesn’t use the insulin it makes sufficiently.

Prediabetes is a condition where blood sugar levels are higher than usual, but not high enough for a diabetes diagnosis.

Gestational diabetes is a condition affecting women during pregnancy. Glucose levels can remain high throughout the pregnancy, and the problem often resolves on its own once the baby is born.

What are the complications of diabetes?

Untreated diabetes can lead to several chronic health conditions and may even become life-threatening, especially for Type 1 diabetics. Diabetic health complications may include:

  • Stroke
  • Heart disease
  • Eye damage
  • Kidney damage
  • Nerve damage

In some cases, untreated diabetes may result in the need to amputate a limb due to severe nerve damage, especially in the legs and feet.

How is diabetes diagnosed?

Dr. Shukla performs blood tests to determine the level of glucose in the blood. He also reviews the family and medical history of the patient to determine the risk factors for diabetes. Besides family history, other risk factors for diabetes include:

  • Being overweight
  • Lack of physical activity
  • Poor eating habits or diet

What treatment options are available for diabetes?

Properly managing Type 1 diabetes requires daily blood sugar monitoring and insulin. Insulin is available as an injectable or as an oral medication.

For Type 2 diabetes, Dr. Shukla may initially recommend dietary and lifestyle changes to effectively manage diabetes. Incorporating better eating habits, a healthier diet, and regular exercise may improve blood sugar levels without medication. That may also be the recommended treatment for those with prediabetes.

If these methods don’t manage the condition, Dr. Shukla may prescribe daily insulin or other therapies. Regular blood glucose testing is also vital for monitoring sugar levels.

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