Diabetes 101: Causes, Symptoms and Management

The World Health Organization has called diabetes the greatest epidemic in human history. Consider these facts from the American Diabetes Association: In the United States, one in three people have been diagnosed with prediabetes and one in 12 have been diagnosed with diabetes. Diabetes is the third highest risk factor globally for premature death.

It’s a very complicated disease, noted Washington Township Medical Foundation endocrinologist Jean Huang, MD. She explained that diabetes is actually a group of diseases (type 1, type 2, prediabetes and gestational diabetes) that affect how the body uses blood sugar (glucose) as fuel. During digestion, the body breaks food down into glucose that goes into the bloodstream. At the same time, the hormone insulin is released by the pancreas into the bloodstream. Insulin’s job is to regulate glucose levels by moving it from the bloodstream to cells throughout the body to be used for energy. This works smoothly for most people, but not for people with diabetes, where glucose is prevented from entering the cells, leading to high blood sugar levels.

Type 2 is the most common form of diabetes, affecting nearly 95% of people dealing with the disease. Patients with type 2 diabetes either don’t produce enough insulin, can’t use what is produced effectively, or their cells become resistant to insulin. This form of diabetes is often linked to such factors as being overweight, leading a sedentary lifestyle, having a family history of diabetes and belonging to one of several ethnic groups (including Asians, Hispanics and African Americans) that have a high predisposition to develop the condition.

While diabetes is a disease without a cure, Dr. Huang is helping her patients learn to manage their diabetes to lead full lives. In her Fremont practice, she uses a comprehensive, holistic approach. Dr. Huang is passionate about helping her patients find the right path to manage the disease.

“I work collaboratively with my patients,” Dr. Huang said. “I teach them about the impact diabetes has on various body systems. It can lead to high blood pressure, high cholesterol, heart disease and stroke, and can cause serious damage to blood vessels, eyes, kidneys and nerves. Because of the potential for whole-body damage from diabetes, comprehensive management is very important in treating these patients.”

For new patients, Dr. Huang begins by explaining lab test results. Many come in expecting medication, but she uses her first consultation to learn about their lifestyle as well as ethnic and cultural background.

“We talk about their diet, how much exercise they get and what kind of exercise they participate in,” Dr. Huang said. “And, because nearly 75% of the Tri-Cities population has an ethnic predisposition for diabetes, I ask them if anyone in their family has diabetes and what their ethnic and cultural background is. It’s important that I understand what their lives are like as we work together to manage their disease.”

Type 2 diabetics typically struggle with their weight, so Dr. Huang’s comprehensive approach starts by introducing dietary changes. That could include replacing high calorie or high carb snacks with fresh fruits or vegetables or setting new times for meals. She works with patients to set small, realistic goals for sustainable weight loss and increased exercise.

“We talk about what a healthy diet looks like and how they can have one and still have the foods they enjoy,” she said. “If they avoid a soda at lunch, skip a mindless snack, or add 15 minutes of walking to their daily schedule, it can have a long term positive effect.”

Some patients are able to manage their diabetes through diet and exercise alone. Others may be more insulin resistant and need medication to help them lower their blood sugar levels. For these patients, Dr. Huang notes new diabetes medications, including semaglutide GLP-1 agonists such as Ozempic, Mounjaro and Wegovy, can help with both blood sugar control and weight management.

“These medications can help tune down the ‘food noises’ people deal with – the kind of thing where you are thinking about what you’re going to eat all the time,” Dr. Huang explained. “These medications help patients become more aware of their eating habits and allow them to see food as fuel, rather than as a reward.”

The GLP-1 medications offer patients the extra boost they may need to get their diets under control, lose weight and keep it off while they also function to help prevent or control other issues in addition to diabetes.

“We’ve seen a reversal of diabetes in some patients who have lost significant amounts of weight through the use of these medications, together with comprehensive lifestyle changes and meal planning,” she noted. “Some no longer have to take blood pressure or high cholesterol medications. It’s important to empower my patients and give them tools to manage their disease, because it’s ultimately their fight. I’m there as a teacher, coach and cheerleader.”

For more information on Dr. Jean Huang, scan the below QR code or visit https://www.mywtmf.com/finda- doctor/jean-huang-md/. Washington Hospital offers outpatient diabetes education and management services. For more information, see whhs.com/Diabetes.