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Diabetes Specialist

One Health Medical Care

Internists & Primary Care Practice located in Reston, VA

Diabetes is now more common than ever; especially the very preventable type 2 diabetes. Whether you suffer from type 1 diabetes or type 2 diabetes, there are ways to effectively deal with your disease and preserve your health. Dr. Mingliarti Tjahjana at One Health Medical Care in Reston, Virginia, can provide help with lifestyle changes, prescribed medications, and other diabetes treatments. Make your appointment to get control of your diabetes with Dr. Tjahjana at One Health Medical Care.

Diabetes Q & A

What are the types of diabetes?

Type 1 diabetes is often diagnosed during youth or young adult years. It's also called insulin dependent diabetes because type 1 diabetes patients must use insulin injections or an insulin pump to replace the insulin that their body fails to produce. Type 1 diabetes can't be prevented, and many patients are born with it or develop it when they're very young.

Type 2 diabetes is usually diagnosed during adulthood and is even sometimes called adult onset diabetes. Type 2 diabetes is much more common than type 1 diabetes. This kind of diabetes doesn't necessarily require insulin injections or an insulin pump, although it may require some type of insulin supplementation.

In many cases, type 2 diabetes can be controlled through smart lifestyle choices. Type 2 diabetes is usually preventable, so it's important to work closely with Dr. Tjahjana at One Health Medical Care to avoid developing this type of diabetes if you have risk factors.

What are the risk factors for type 2 diabetes?

There are several clear risk factors for type 2 diabetes. These include:

  • Being overweight or obese
  • Leading a primarily or entirely sedentary lifestyle
  • Having high cholesterol
  • Having high blood pressure

The above risk factors are controllable, but there are also several uncontrollable risk factors including:

  • Being over 45 years of age
  • Being a member of African American, Alaskan, American Indian, Asian, or Hispanic ethnic groups
  • A family history of type 2 diabetes, heart disease, or stroke

Even though some of the risk factors like age, race, and family history can't be controlled, the risk factors that are within your control are important enough to prevent type 2 diabetes in most cases if you take the right steps.

What are normal blood sugar levels?

A fasting — first thing in the morning, or before you eat your first meal — blood sugar level should be: 70–100 mg/dl. A couple of hours after you've eaten, it's normal for the blood sugar level to be around 140 mg/dl.

How is diabetes treated?

Type 1 diabetes requires insulin replacement, typically with daily injections or with an insulin pump.

Type 2 diabetes may be treated with lifestyle changes, including weight loss, exercise, and healthier eating.

In some cases, type 2 diabetes treatment also includes oral insulin supplementation if needed.