More than 34 million Americans have diabetes, a chronic ailment that affects the body’s ability to regulate blood sugar. At his practice in Glen Burnie, Maryland, Mahesh S. Ochaney, MD, works with teenagers and adults to diagnose and treat all types of diabetes. To schedule an appointment, call the office, or book online today. You can also schedule telehealth visits with Dr. Ochaney during normal business hours, after business hours, or on weekends.
request an appointmentWhat is diabetes?
Diabetes is a group of diseases characterized by high blood sugar. Everyone needs blood sugar to survive, but if your levels spike, it increases the risk of serious health problems, including heart disease and peripheral neuropathy.
There’s no cure for diabetes, but with early intervention and treatment, it’s possible to manage and keep it from getting worse. Often, healthy lifestyle changes like eating a balanced diet, exercising regularly, and monitoring your blood sugar throughout the day are enough to improve your quality of life.
What are the types of diabetes?
Dr. Ochaney diagnosis and treats all types of diabetes, including:
Prediabetes
Prediabetes causes your blood sugar levels to remain high for an extended period. When left untreated, prediabetes often progresses to Type 2 diabetes.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1, or juvenile diabetes, is an autoimmune disease that affects your pancreas’ ability to produce insulin, a hormone that helps regulate blood sugar. Your blood sugar levels spikes if your pancreas doesn’t deliver enough insulin.
Type 2 diabetes
Type 2 diabetes occurs if your body resists or doesn’t produce enough insulin. When this happens, glucose (sugar) builds up in your bloodstream, triggering symptoms like thirst, frequent urination, and blurred vision.
Gestational diabetes
Gestational diabetes occurs when a pregnant woman’s body releases extra hormones to protect the growing baby. Sometimes, these hormones affect how the body processes insulin, causing blood sugar levels to increase dramatically. In the majority of cases, gestational diabetes resolves after giving birth.
How is diabetes diagnosed?
To diagnose diabetes, Dr. Ochaney reviews your health history, asks about your symptoms and lifestyle, and conducts a physical exam. Afterward, he orders a glycated hemoglobin (A1C) test, a laboratory panel that measures your average blood sugar over the last several months.
Any result of 6.5% or higher on two separate tests indicates you have diabetes. If your test results aren’t consistent, Dr. Ochaney might also order a random or fasting blood sugar test or an oral glucose tolerance test.
How is diabetes treated?
Diabetes treatment depends on the type and the severity of your symptoms. If you have prediabetes, Dr. Ochaney might recommend eating a balanced diet, exercising regularly, maintaining a healthy weight, and monitoring your blood sugar. In some cases, these measures are enough to reverse the condition.
If you have Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes, Dr. Ochaney prescribes insulin therapy, a treatment that keeps your blood sugar levels within the target range. If your symptoms persist even with insulin therapy, Dr. Ochaeny might also prescribe other oral or injected medications.
To receive diabetes treatment, request a consultation at the practice of Mahesh S. Ochaney, MD, by calling the office or booking online today.