Diabetes

If you need help managing diabetes, you can benefit from the mobile medical services available at H & F Urgent Care and Family Medicine, led by Dorian Frackelton, CRNP. The practice's evidence-based Lifestyle Medicine approach promotes nutrition and wellness and can prevent and reverse chronic diseases such as diabetes. In-home blood tests are available to confirm a diabetes diagnosis. The team provides individualized treatment plans using lifestyle changes. Medications may be necessary in addition to lifestyle changes to bring your blood sugar levels under control. The specialists can also manage your progress with treatment through home visits and virtual telehealth. Call the North Austin, Texas, practice to schedule an evaluation or request online. 

What is diabetes?

Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disorder that develops when your immune system mistakenly attacks your pancreas, the organ that produces the insulin hormone.

Your body uses insulin to regulate your blood sugar levels. When your pancreas can’t make insulin properly, your blood sugar levels can elevate, leading to nerve damage, vision loss, and other serious complications.

Other types of diabetes can develop in childhood and adulthood, including:

Type 2 diabetes

Type 2 diabetes may develop from unhealthy lifestyle choices, such as a poor diet and lack of exercise, that interfere with your body’s insulin production.

When your body can’t produce enough insulin to control your blood sugars or doesn’t use insulin properly, your blood sugar levels increase.

Prediabetes

Prediabetes describes elevated blood sugar levels that aren’t high enough to be considered Type 2 diabetes but can eventually lead to the condition.

Gestational diabetes

Gestational diabetes describes elevated blood sugar levels during pregnancy, which often resolves on its own after the child is born.

How do I know I have diabetes?

You can have diabetes for some time before you experience any symptoms. As the condition progresses, you may experience any of the following:

• Increased thirst and hunger
• Frequent urination
• Persistent fatigue
• Blurry vision
• Dry skin
• Tingling or numbness in feet and hands

H  & F Urgent Care and Family Medicine provides blood tests in the comfort of your home to confirm or rule out diabetes.

You might also need routine diabetes screenings if you’re obese, have a family history of diabetes, or have other diabetes risk factors.

How is diabetes treated?

Lifestyle Medicine programs incorporate evidence-based care plans to prevent, treat and even reverse diabetes by evaluating symptoms and their correlation to lifestyle behaviors including nutrition, physical activity, patterns of rest, stress management, and social connection. The providers suggest meal plans and lifestyle changes that stabilize your blood sugar levels with a goal of remission or decreased diabetes medications.

Call H & F Urgent Care and Family Medicine in North Austin to schedule a diabetes screening or book a consultation online today.