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Diabetes/Endocrine Issues Specialist

John Paul Cardin Jr, MD

Family Medicine & Primary Care Physicians located in Long Beach, CA

Diabetes is the 7th leading cause of death in the United States. Although it is treatable, more than 30 million people suffer from diabetes and over 84 million U.S. adults have prediabetes. At his self-titled practice in Long Beach, California, primary care physician John Paul Cardin Jr., MD, diagnoses and treats diabetes. He uses a variety of methods to get your blood sugar under control and prevent serious health complications. Book an appointment by phone or online to learn more.

Diabetes/Endocrine Issues Q & A

What is diabetes?

Diabetes is a chronic health condition that occurs when blood sugar, or blood glucose, levels are too high. Insulin is a hormone the body uses to move glucose from your blood to other cells. When you have diabetes, your body may lack insulin or the ability to use it the right way. Several types of diabetes exist, including:

Type 1 diabetes

In type 1 diabetes, the body doesn’t make insulin. Type 1 diabetics must take insulin injections to keep blood sugar levels under control.

Type 2 diabetes

If you have type 2 diabetes, your body doesn’t make enough insulin or doesn’t use insulin properly. This leads to high blood sugar levels.

Gestational diabetes

Gestational diabetes occurs in women during pregnancy but may resolve itself after delivery. Having gestational diabetes increases you and your baby’s risk of developing diabetes in the future.

Prediabetes

Prediabetes refers to diabetes in its early stage. If you have prediabetes, your blood sugar is higher than usual, but not high enough to be classified as diabetes.

 

What are the symptoms of diabetes?

If you have diabetes, you might notice:

  • Frequent urination
  • Increased thirst
  • Extreme hunger
  • Weight loss
  • Irritability
  • Fatigue
  • Blurred vision
  • Frequent infections
  • Slow-healing wounds

 

Some people may not experience symptoms at all. However, symptoms of type 1 diabetes often occur during childhood or adolescence, while type 2 diabetes is more common after age 40.

 

What are the complications of diabetes?

Uncontrolled diabetes can lead to serious health problems over time, such as:

  • Eye damage
  • Kidney damage
  • Nerve damage
  • Heart disease
  • Foot damage
  • Alzheimer’s disease
  • Skin conditions
  • Depression

 

Babies born to mothers with untreated gestational diabetes have a higher risk of excessive birth weight, preterm birth, respiratory distress syndrome, low blood sugar, or even death.

 

How is diabetes diagnosed and treated?

Dr. Cardin completes blood analyses to find out if you have diabetes or prediabetes. These tests determine how well your body is controlling blood sugar.

If you have prediabetes, lifestyle changes may reverse the condition and prevent it from developing into diabetes. Your individualized treatment might include one or a combination of the following:

  • Insulin injections
  • Oral medications
  • Weight loss
  • Healthy eating
  • A controlled carbohydrate intake
  • Regular exercise
  • Continuous blood sugar monitoring

 

Dr. Cardin tailors your treatment based on the type of diabetes you have and various other factors.

 

What are other endocrine disorders?

In addition to diabetes, Dr. Cardin monitors you for other endocrine issues during primary care visits. Examples of endocrine conditions that affect the way your body secrets or utilizes hormones include thyroid disorders, adrenal gland disorders, growth hormone problems, and many more.

If you’re experiencing symptoms of diabetes or you’d like to get checked for other endocrine disorders, call Dr. Cardin’s office today or schedule an appointment online.