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Preventative Healthcare services offered in Floral Park, NY & Jackson Heights, NY
More than 10% of adults in New York have diabetes, a chronic disease that causes elevated blood sugar levels. Over time, too much sugar in your blood leads to other health problems like heart disease or neuropathy. At Floral Park Medical, P.C. and Cross Island Medical, Himanshu Pandya, MD, and the team provide diabetes screening and comprehensive diabetes management. Call the office in the Jackson Heights or Floral Park neighborhood of Queens, New York, or book an appointment online today.
Diabetes Q & A
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic health condition that affects how your body uses energy from the food you eat. Foods that contain carbohydrates — bread, starches, fruit, and milk — provide your body with its main source of energy, glucose.
Your digestive system breaks down the carbohydrates into glucose, which enters your bloodstream and signals the release of insulin from your pancreas. Insulin is a hormone that helps transport the glucose from your bloodstream into the cells.
If you have diabetes, the glucose is unable to get from your blood into the cells because your pancreas no longer makes insulin or the insulin isn’t working like it should.
There are three common types of diabetes:
- Type 1 diabetes — pancreas stops making insulin
- Type 2 diabetes — insulin doesn’t work the way it should
- Gestational diabetes — occurs during pregnancy
There’s also a condition known as prediabetes. With prediabetes, your blood glucose levels are higher than normal, but not high enough to be considered diabetes. Unlike diabetes, prediabetes is reversible.
When do I need diabetes screening?
Dr. Pandya recommends diabetes screening if you have any of the common symptoms of diabetes, including:
- Excessive thirst and hunger
- Increase in urination, especially at night
- Unexpected weight loss
- Fatigue
- Blurry vision
- Tingling in the fingers or toes
Not everyone with diabetes has symptoms, or the symptoms may go unnoticed or be dismissed as something else. In addition to screenings for patients with symptoms of diabetes, Dr. Pandya also conducts diabetes screenings for those at risk of developing diabetes.
You may need diabetes screening if you’re 45 or older, overweight or obese, or have a family history of diabetes
Dr. Pandya performs a blood test to screen for diabetes.
How is diabetes managed?
Dr. Pandya takes an individualized approach to diabetes management. The specifics of your treatment plan depend on diabetes type, your blood sugar numbers, and related health complications.
Your diabetes management plan may include:
- A healthy diet plan
- A personalized exercise program
- Weight loss
- Diabetes medication
- Home blood glucose monitoring
- Stress management
Dr. Pandya and the team work closely with you to manage your diabetes, scheduling regular appointments to help you gain control of your health.
For a primary care provider that puts you and your health first, call our offices, or schedule an appointment online today.