Diabetes

More than 13% of people in Tennessee have diabetes. Without proper medical management, diabetes leads to other health problems like heart disease and neuropathy (nerve damage). Lauren Reilly, MSN, FNP-BC, is an experienced family medicine practitioner who provides expert care for people with type 2 diabetes at Collierville Family Health. For patient-centered care for your diabetes, call the office in Collierville, Tennessee, or schedule an appointment online today.

What is diabetes?

Diabetes is a chronic disease that affects your body’s ability to use glucose for energy. Glucose is a type of sugar that comes from the food you eat and serves as the preferred energy source for all the cells in your body.

After digestion, all the nutrients from the food you eat enter your bloodstream. When blood glucose levels are high, your pancreas releases a hormone called insulin, which helps get the glucose from the bloodstream into your cells.

If you have diabetes, you have problems with insulin. Your pancreas either can’t make any insulin (type 1 diabetes) or enough insulin, or your cells are no longer responsive to the actions of the insulin (type 2 diabetes). 

Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disorder that usually appears during childhood or adolescence but can develop at any age and requires insulin injections. Type 2 diabetes affects people of all ages but is more common in adults.

At Collierville Family Health, Mrs. Reilly provides chronic disease management for people with type 2 diabetes.

What is type 2 diabetes?

If you have type 2 diabetes, your blood glucose levels are higher than normal because your cells are resistant to the actions of the insulin, or your pancreas can’t make enough to keep blood glucose numbers within a normal range. 

Your risk of developing type 2 diabetes increases if it runs in your family, you’re overweight or obese, or you have a personal history of gestational diabetes (diabetes during pregnancy). Mrs. Reilly performs blood tests to screen for diabetes during annual physicals.

What are the treatments for type 2 diabetes?

Mrs. Reilly takes an individualized approach to care and customizes your type 2 diabetes treatment plan based on your glucose numbers, related health complications, and lifestyle habits.

Your diabetes treatment plan may include:

• Weight loss
• Nutrition therapy
• Personalized exercise program
• Stress management
• Medication (oral or injections)
• Blood glucose monitoring

Mrs. Reilly schedules regular follow-up appointments to monitor your health and blood glucose numbers and provide additional support and education as needed. 

Diabetes is a chronic health condition that requires ongoing medical care and support. To get the patient-focused care you need to take control of your diabetes, call Collierville Family Health or schedule an appointment online today.