Over 35 million people are affected by diabetes, which can impact various parts of the body. Diabetes occurs when the body struggles to regulate blood sugar levels, leading to health complications. When blood sugar levels are too high or too low, an individual's health can be affected. Although diabetes is related to your blood sugar levels, excessive sugar consumption is not the sole cause. There are also three different types of diabetes: Type 1, Type 2, and Gestational diabetes. Our incredible Internal Medicine experts weigh-in on common misconceptions regarding diabetes below.

Myth:Diabetes is caused by eating too much sugar.

Fact:False! Eating a lot of sugar can lead to weight gain, which increases the risk of developing type 2 diabetes, but eating sugar does not cause diabetes.

Myth:People with diabetes can't participate in sports or exercise

Fact:False! This is not true, and many people with diabetes participate in sports. 

Myth:Once my diabetes is under control, I can stop taking my medicines.

Fact:False! Unexpectedly stopping diabetes medication is dangerous and could lead to complication, so always consult your healthcare provider first.

Want to talk with an internal medicine physician about your concerns regarding diabetes or want to find out if you're pre-diabetic? Contact us at 1-844-827-8000 or submit an online appointment request form to schedule an in-person or telehealth appointment.

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Over 35 million people are dealing with the effects of diabetes that range from all areas of their bodies. Diabetes occurs when the human body has trouble regulating blood sugar levels. When the blood sugar level is too high or too low, it can affect the individual's health. Although diabetes is related to your blood sugar levels, consuming too much sugar is not the sole reason and cause for an individual to have diabetes. There are also three different types of diabetes: Type 1, Type 2, and Gestational diabetes.

Type 1 diabetes is when the human body's immune system destroys the cells responsible for producing the hormone insulin. Usually, small children or young adults need a constant source of insulin through injections or a pump to stay alive. Type 2 diabetes, the most common form out of the three, is when the pancreas has trouble producing enough insulin to regulate and control glucose levels. Factors that can contribute to this would be poor diet, obesity, and no exercise. Dr. Nandini Gowda, an internal medicine physician at UCR Health Multispecialty Center, suggests that individuals who have diabetes and are on medication "to keep hard candy in your pockets, or to carry around an orange or apple."

Lastly, gestational diabetes happens during pregnancy when mothers who are pregnant have trouble producing insulin to maintain control of their blood sugar levels. Gestational diabetes can cause more complications during the pregnancy and mothers have a higher chance of developing Type 2 diabetes after their pregnancy if the mothers do not have healthy eating habits in addition to healthy lifestyle habits.

Uncontrolled diabetes can lead to serious health effects like kidney damage, eye problems, heart problems, etc. Dr. Gowda states that "common symptoms of diabetes include urinating frequently, hungry all the time, reoccurring yeast infections, dehydration, and tiredness." If you're unsure whether you have diabetes or not, make an appointment and get regular checkups so that you may know if you're pre-diabetic and should be more cautious of your lifestyle habits. To avoid increasing the risk of being pre-diabetic or diabetic, you should maintain a balanced and healthy diet, exercise regularly, and maintain a healthy weight.

Want to talk with an internal medicine physician about your concerns regarding diabetes or want to find out if you're pre-diabetic? Contact us at 1-844-827-8000 or submit an online appointment request form to schedule an in-person or telehealth appointment.

About UCR Health

UCR Health is comprised of a team of physicians, specialists, and healthcare professionals dedicated to improving people’s health. With five medical offices located throughout the Inland Empire and Coachella Valley, UCR Health is growing to meet the healthcare needs of the region, bringing innovative, culturally sensitive medical care to the community. Established alongside the School of Medicine at the University of California, Riverside, UCR Health’s patient-centered primary care and specialty services deliver university-based healthcare excellence and innovation to all communities.

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What is Diabetes? 

Diabetes is a health condition that affects the way your body is able to break down food. There are a few types of Diabetes, the most common are Type 1, Type 2, Gestational, and Prediabetes. 

What’s the Difference?

People with Type 1 Diabetes require insulin in their bodies every day. People with Type 2 can live without insulin every day but may require it if their body needs it. Gestational diabetes is developed in pregnant women. Prediabetes means you have above-average blood sugar, but not enough to be considered Type 2.

To speak with a UCR Health physician more about diabetes, please visit: https://www.ucrhealth.org/make-an-appointment/

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Join Dr. Crystal Glassy over zoom for Medical Group Visits! The small group setting allows for extended time to interact with Dr. Glassy and her medical colleagues, as well as participate with others in a relaxed environment.

• Stress Management: Last Wednesday of every month from 10 - 11:30 AM
• Prediabetes Management: Third Wednesday of every month from 10 - 11:30 AM

Dr. Glassy specializes in Family Medicine and Integrative Medicine at the UCR Health Multispecialty Center. She is board certified by the American Board of Family Medicine and the American Board of Physician Specialties. Dr. Glassy is an active member of the Academy of Integrative Health and Medicine, the American Board of Integrative Medicine, and the American College of Osteopathic Physicians.

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The two most common types of diabetes is Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes. Type 1 Diabetes is a genetic autoimmune disorder that usually begins before adulthood, where the immune system destroys cells within the body that make insulin. Type 2 Diabetes usually begins in middle age and occurs when the body isn’t able to use insulin properly to regulate blood sugar. Type 2 is also caused by genetics but also by lifestyle habits. 

To help spread awareness of Diabetes this month, you can educate yourself and those around you on diabetes.

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Reducing your risk of type 2 diabetes 

Diabetes is a chronic disease in which there is an excessive amount of sugar (glucose) in the blood system. If left untreated, it can cause severe health concerns such as heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, cancer, vision problems, and more. 

There are three forms of diabetes: type 1, type 2, and gestational diabetes. Type 2 diabetes is the most common type of diabetes, affecting 95% of the 30 million Americans living with diabetes. In type 2 diabetes, the insulin in the body is not used properly, and the blood sugar level rises. Risk factors for developing type 2 diabetes include having prediabetes, being overweight, eating an unhealthy diet, leading a sedentary lifestyle, and/or having a parent or sibling with type 2 diabetes.

Diabetes prevention 

While there are currently no known ways to prevent type 1 or gestational diabetes, there are things you can do to reduce your risk of developing type 2 diabetes: 

Get active. Physical activity can lower blood glucose, lower blood pressure, burn calories and fat, improve sleep and mood, and maintain weight loss. Daily workouts at the gym, walking, and playing a sport are all great options to get active. Talk with your doctor about ways you can increase your activity level, and the right type of exercise for you. 

Change your eating habits. Balancing the different kinds of food on your plate is critical to preventing diabetes. Replace foods high in sugar, refined carbohydrates, and trans-fat with fruit, whole grain, vegetables, fiber, and fish. Ask your doctor about your dietary options based on your specific needs. 

Commit to rest. Getting enough sleep every night can help in controlling high blood sugar, maximizing energy, improving overall awareness, and activating insulin. 

Avoid sugary beverages. Stay away from drinks containing high amounts of sugar or containing high fructose corn syrup, sucrose, and fructose. Instead, drink water more frequently. Low sugar coffee and tea are good substitutes as well. 

Talk to your doctor and stay educated. Have a conversation with your doctor on specific ways to help you prevent diabetes based on your health history − and commit to staying well-informed. Know the signs and symptoms of type 2 diabetes, which include frequent urination, extreme hunger and thirst, unexpected weight loss, and extreme tiredness. If you experience these symptoms – especially if you are in a high-risk group – contact your physician or healthcare provider right away.

View Dr. Mohammad Kharazmi’s profile to learn more.

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Left untreated, gestational diabetes increases the risk of childhood obesity

Gestational diabetes is a form of diabetes which occurs in a pregnant woman who did not have diabetes before she was pregnant. In an expectant mother with gestational diabetes, the body does not produce adequate amounts of insulin to regulate blood sugar. Doctors usually test for gestational diabetes between 24 and 28 weeks of pregnancy. However, women who have had diabetes in a previous pregnancy, are over the age of 35, overweight, or those who have a family history of diabetes may be tested earlier and more often.

What are some of the risks associated with gestational diabetes?

If you are diagnosed with gestational diabetes, it is important to work with your physician to control your blood sugar. Often, gestational diabetes can be controlled with changes in your diet and regular exercise. Sometimes, however, a woman with gestational diabetes must also take medication which can be oral or may require insulin injections.  Maintaining normal sugar levels in pregnancy is important because high sugars in mothers can result in very low sugars for the newborn at birth.

Uncontrolled gestational diabetes can lead to increased risk of pregnancy complications, such as:

• A large baby
• Premature delivery
• Increased chance of cesarean delivery
• Higher risk of preeclampsia
• Slightly increased risk of fetal and neonatal death

Gestational diabetes and childhood obesity

The health risks associated with uncontrolled gestational diabetes go beyond pregnancy and the birth of your baby. Studies have shown that babies exposed to gestational diabetes in the womb are at high risk of developing health problems such as obesity and abnormal blood sugars even as children. When gestational diabetes is not well managed, a baby’s blood sugar can also be high. The baby becomes “overfed” and potentially predisposed to becoming obese. Infants born to mothers with untreated or uncontrolled gestational diabetes have nearly double the normal risk of becoming obese during childhood. The good news is that controlling blood sugar also normalizes risk. When gestational diabetes is well managed and blood sugar is controlled, the baby’s risk for childhood obesity is the same as children born to mothers with normal blood sugar.

For most women, gestational diabetes doesn't cause noticeable signs or symptoms, so it is important to get regular prenatal care to keep you and your baby healthy during pregnancy.

UCR Women's Health physicians provide compassionate, sensitive care for every stage of a woman's life.

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