Front page image: 

Diabetes Mellitus, more commonly known as diabetes, occurs when sugar levels within the body become unbalanced, according to Dr. Tamea Evans, of Lexington Diabetic Center. Glucose (sugar) is your body’s major form of fuel. Sugar is absorbed from food and, with the help of insulin, stored for later use when you need it. Too much sugar in your blood leads to nerve and blood vessel damage that can affect your eyes, kidneys, feet, legs, heart and brain.

Diabetes is a chronic disease that affects the lives of over 23 million people in the United States, nearly 6 million of whom are unaware that they even have the disease. Studies suggest an additional 57 million Americans have elevated blood sugar levels classified as pre-diabetes by the American Diabetes Association, which puts them at an increased risk of developing the disease.

Kentucky estimates suggest that over 400,000 adults have diagnosed or undiagnosed diabetes and over 600,000 additional Kentuckians are at risk for pre-diabetes. Based on these statistics, it is likely diabetes has touched the life of everyone reading this article.

Diabetes is a leading cause of blindness, kidney failure and amputations in Kentucky and across the nation. It is universally recognized as a major risk factor for high blood pressure and high cholesterol levels which, in turn, can increase the risk of heart attack, stroke and death.

Symptoms of diabetes, or pre-diabetes, may:
• frequent urination
• excessive thirst or extreme hunger
• unexplained weight loss
• blurred vision
• fatigue
• tingling or numbness of the feet and hands
• slow healing wounds especially of the lower extremity
• susceptibility to certain infections

No one knows why people develop diabetes, but once diagnosed, the disease is present for life. Risk factors include: family history, obesity prior history of developing diabetes while pregnant, and being older than 40.  

While there is no cure for diabetes, the good news is that much of the sickness, loss of limb, disability, and death associated with diabetes can be eliminated through treatment approaches including normalization of blood glucose levels, proper diet and exercise, routine physician visits, self-management training, a yearly dilated eye exam, A1C sugar checks and routine foot exams. Knowing that you have diabetes or pre-diabetes is the major step in preventing the complications that can be associated with the disease, according to Tosha Garrison, ARNP with the Lexington Diabetic Center. Screening for diabetes is quick, simple, and can set your mind at ease.

Recent studies show that people with pre-diabetes can prevent the development of type II diabetes by making changes in their diet and increasing their level of physical activity. They may even be able to return their blood glucose levels to the normal range. While medications can sometimes delay the development of diabetes, moderate physical activity, combined with even a modest amount of weight loss, can make a significant difference in risk and overall health.

If you need to take control of your health, let us partner with you.

This practice is not limited to treatment of diabetes. Dr. Evans, Tosha Garrison, ARNP and the staff of Lexington Diabetic Center welcome new patients who have any healthcare concerns.

Lexington Diabetic Center, PSC
3292 Eagle View Lane, Suite 210
Lexington, near St. Joseph’s East
859-977-8855

- or -

103 Diagnostic Drive, Suite A
Frankfort, KY