Diabetes
Learn how to manage diabetes with integrative medicine in Manhattan, New York, and Stamford, Connecticut
Diabetes is a life-threatening condition that requires daily care to manage. Nearly 10 percent of Americans have diabetes, affecting over 25 percent of adults over 65. The New York Center for Integrative Health focuses on holistic treatments optimized for your individual needs, and our treatments for diabetes take this same approach. The good news is that Type 2 Diabetes is a preventable and, at times, reversible chronic condition if the correct approach is taken.
What Causes Diabetes?
There are two forms of diabetes with very different causes. Type 1 Diabetes is an autoimmune disorder that typically develops in childhood. Similar to allergies, your body misidentifies something as a threat and attacks it. Unlike allergies, your body is attacking the insulin-producing cells in your pancreas. Without these cells, your body isn’t able to regulate your blood sugar.
Type 2 Diabetes occurs when your body develops insulin resistance, often gradually over many years. It is typically associated with obesity and physical inactivity, but genetics can play an important role as well. Neither type of diabetes can be cured, but both can be managed, and with Type 2 Diabetes, some people can see complete remission.
What are the Signs of Diabetes?
Diabetes can have a wide range of severe health effects, and some people may live with it for years without realizing they have it. However, it is easily detectable with a blood screening. If you are dealing with any of these symptoms, you should seek care:
- Intense thirst and frequent urination
- Low energy and frequent hunger
- Irritability
- Unexplained weight loss or weight gain
- Tingling in your fingers or toes
- Blurred vision
- Wounds that heal slowly
Pre-diabetes is a condition that occurs before any of the above symptoms begin. As these complications of diabetes are preventable, and pre-diabetes produces no symptoms, getting screened is essential.
How Diabetes is Addressed/Treated
Diabetes treatment is different depending on which type you have. Both forms of diabetes are typically managed with medications, diet, and exercise. Patients with type 1 diabetes need insulin to control their blood sugar, but not all patients with type 2 diabetes use insulin.
The New York Center for Integrative Health in Manhattan offers comprehensive testing to determine how your condition affects you and the best way to manage the disease. We will tailor our treatment protocol to find the best ways to manage your blood sugar and reduce your need for insulin and pharmaceuticals. We can help you find an optimal nutrition and lifestyle plan for your body’s needs and add essential nutrients and nutraceuticals to it. Reach out to us at our office in Manhattan or Stamford today for help.
Dr. Robert Kachko, Founder and Director of the NY Center for Integrative Health, is a pioneer in Naturopathic and Integrative Medicine and has developed an extensive bio-psychosocial methodology for people living with chronic diseases. As Immediate Past President of the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians, Dr. Kachko advocates for healthcare reform to allow everyone accesses to the kind of care our clinic provides.
