Diabetes Specialist
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Daisy Manuel-Arguelles, DO
Family Practice Physician located in Sonoma, CA
According to the American Diabetes Association, more than 30.3 million Americans are living with diabetes, and more than 7 million of those men and women have no idea they have the disease. Daisy Manuel-Arguelles, DO, understands the toll that diabetes places on your body, and offers comprehensive care for diabetes through her Sonoma, California, family medicine practice. Whether you’re looking for an accurate diagnosis, a plan to manage your diabetes, or ways to improve your numbers, Dr. Manuel-Arguelles can help. Call the office to schedule your visit, or try the simple online scheduling tool. There’s no better time than today to get started on a path toward improved health and wellness.
Diabetes Q & A
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic disease characterized by excess glucose, or sugar, in your blood. To understand diabetes, it helps to know how your body uses blood sugars. Your pancreas manufactures a hormone called insulin, which works to “unlock” or “open” your cells to accept sugar from your bloodstream. Insulin also works to store excess sugar in your liver until it’s needed.
There are two main types of diabetes:
Type 1 diabetes
This type of diabetes occurs when your pancreas does not make insulin due to an immune system malfunction that causes your body to mistakenly attack pancreatic cells. Insulin must be taken every day to sustain life.
Type 2 Diabetes
This type of diabetes occurs when your body cannot make enough insulin, or cannot make proper use of the insulin that is created. Type 2 diabetes is a progressive disease and must be actively managed to slow symptoms from worsening.
Pregnant women can develop a type of diabetes known as gestational diabetes. For most, the condition ends with the birth of the child.
What health issues can diabetes cause?
High blood sugar might not sound like a significant problem, but it places a great deal of strain on your body. Some potential health problems include:
- Kidney issues
- Nerve damage
- Heart disease
- Stroke
- Foot issues
- Dental disease
- Eye health problems
Managing your diabetes can help reduce your risk for these issues, but it takes a level of commitment on your part, and the help of a skilled medical professional.
How is diabetes treated?
Insulin supplementation is a common treatment, especially if your disease has progressed. Insulin can be delivered via injections or through a medical pump. You’ll learn to monitor your blood sugar levels throughout the day to ensure you’re getting sufficient insulin at the right time. Injectable insulin comes in several forms, and Dr. Manuel-Arguelles works with you to find the right option.
Medications might play a role in your treatment plan. Some drugs work to increase insulin production or decrease sugar production. Others alter how your body uses insulin or blocks reabsorption of glucose.
Lifestyle modification can help you manage your disease. Reaching and maintaining a healthy weight, eating a varied diet, and getting plenty of exercise are all part of living a healthy life, even with diabetes.
If you’re ready to explore treatment options, schedule an appointment online or by phone today.
