Crofton Office

1657 Crofton Blvd, Suite 201

Crofton, MD 21114

(410) 721-4505

(410) 721-2394

Woodbridge Office

14010 Smoketown Rd., Suite 103

Woodbridge, VA 22192

(703) 583-5959

(703) 890-4970

Chantilly Office

3914 Centreville Road, Suite 200

Chantilly, VA 20151

(703) 490-5599

(703) 583-5995

Sterling Office

46440 Benedict Dr., Suite 111

Sterling, VA 20164

(703) 444-9555

American Diabetes Month

Those with diabetes know the effects it can have on your body and lifestyle once symptoms begin. Meals, exercise, rest and blood glucose monitoring must all be planned out, and the smallest change can lead to symptoms of high or low blood sugar, such as nausea, dizziness, confusion (for high blood sugar), and headache, weakness, shaking, and sweating (for low blood sugar).

Diabetes is not a rare disorder. The most recent data suggest that just under 30 million US adults have diabetes and about 1 of 4 do not know they have it. The exact causes of both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes are unknown, but it seems that genetics and environmental factors seem linked. If you have risk factors of diabetes, it’s helpful to get checked and begin to make changes to prevent progression to Type 2 diabetes.

In the general public, not much is known about how insulin plays a role in blood sugar and diabetes. Insulin is a hormone that regulates blood sugar. In Type 1, the pancreas doesn’t make insulin anymore, whereas in Type 2, your body does not use insulin properly. With the high rate of prevalence in US adults, it’s important to become more aware and educated about the disease.

The following are signs of diabetes:

  • Hunger and fatigue affects you more than usual.
  • You are thirsty and urinate often.
  • Dry mouth and dry skin.
  • Your vision can become blurry.
  • Type 1: Nausea and vomiting, weight loss
  • Type 2: Yeast infections, slow-healing cuts, pain or numbness in feet or legs.

How does diabetes affect the feet?

High blood sugar levels can cause damage to nerves and blood vessels, particularly in the feet. It can lead to diabetic peripheral neuropathy where the feet and legs lose sensation, have decreased blood flow and poor circulation. It can make it harder for you to notice if you have an injury or infection and healing can be very slow. Review these tips for taking care of diabetic feet.

What can you do to lower your risk?

For Type 1, risk factors include: genetics, environment, diet (e.g. low vitamin D). For Type 2, risk factors include: being overweight, inactivity, family history, race, age (older than 45), high blood pressure, and high cholesterol. For Type 1 diabetes symptoms tend to occur quickly, whereas for Type 2, you can mitigate effects by making changes:

  • Manage your weight. Your goal is to maintain a healthy weight by eating a nutritional diet and increase activity to at least 3 times a week.
  • Monitor blood glucose, blood pressure, and cholesterol levels.
  • Stop smoking and reduce other unhealthy habits. 

Contact Us

Our Locations

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Office Hours

(We have new hours as below!)

Crofton Podiatry

Monday:

9:00 am-5:00 pm

Tuesday:

9:00 am-5:00 pm

Wednesday:

9:00 am-5:00 pm

Thursday:

7:30 am-3:30 pm

Friday:

By Appointment Only

Saturday:

Closed

Sunday:

Closed