Diabetes Specialist

Pacifica Health

OBGYNs & Primary Care Practice located in East Hollywood, Los Angeles, CA, Chinatown, Los Angeles, CA & Monterey Park, CA

Diabetes is a chronic disease that affects more than 4 million adults in California. This chronic health condition requires ongoing medical care and management, and having diabetes increases your risk of developing other health complications. At Pacifica Health, with offices in the East Hollywood and Chinatown neighborhoods of Los Angeles and in Monterey Park, California, board-certified internal medicine physician Antuan Kiley, MD, specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of diabetes. The practice also includes board-certified OB/GYNs who provide expert care for diabetes during pregnancy. Call the office nearest you or book an appointment online today.

Diabetes Q & A

What is diabetes?

When you have diabetes, your blood sugar levels run higher than normal. Over time, too much sugar in your blood can damage your blood vessels and organs, increasing your risk of developing health complications such as heart disease, diabetic neuropathy, or kidney disease.

The sugar in your blood, also known as glucose, serves as the main source of energy for all the cells in your body. A hormone made in your pancreas — insulin — helps transport the sugar from your blood into the cell to supply the energy. If you have diabetes, either your pancreas isn’t making enough insulin or your insulin isn’t working as it should.

Diabetes requires ongoing medical care and support to help you keep your blood sugars under control and prevent other health complications.

What are the types of diabetes?

There are several main types of diabetes, including Type 1, Type 2, and gestational diabetes.

Type 1 diabetes

Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disorder that develops when your immune system attacks and destroys the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. Type 1 diabetes typically develops during childhood or adolescence.

With Type 1 diabetes, your body doesn’t produce insulin, and you need to take insulin injections to maintain blood sugar control.

Type 2 diabetes

With Type 2 diabetes, your insulin isn’t working as it should. This type of diabetes is more common than Type 1 diabetes. Though you can develop Type 2 diabetes at any age, it’s most often diagnosed in adults 40 and over.

You may be at risk of developing Type 2 diabetes if it runs in your family, you’re overweight or obese, or you have a history of gestational diabetes.

Gestational diabetes

Gestational diabetes occurs in women during pregnancy. Once you give birth, the elevated blood sugars usually return to normal. However, gestational diabetes is a risk factor for Type 2 diabetes.

How is diabetes managed?

Your provider at Pacifica Health uses a combination of lifestyle changes and medication to help you manage your diabetes. The specifics of your plan may depend on the type of diabetes you have, the severity of your blood sugar numbers, and your overall health.

Your treatment plan may include:

A personalized nutrition care plan
An exercise program
Weight loss for overweight or obese individuals
Oral hypoglycemic medication
Insulin injections
Home blood glucose monitoring

With diabetes, your doctor schedules regular follow-up appointments to monitor your blood sugar numbers and adjust your plan as needed.

Diabetes is a manageable medical condition. To get a personalized plan that helps you take control of your diabetes and your health, call Pacifica Health or book an appointment online today.

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