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Diabetes Care at Buckhead Primary Care

You can visit our clinic for evaluation, diagnosis, and ongoing management of diabetes.

Our providers offer a comprehensive approach to diabetes care. This includes the following services.

blood sugar testing and monitoring (including HbA1c)
diagnosis of diabetes and prediabetes
personalized treatment planning
prescription and adjustment of medications, including insulin when appropriate
guidance on nutrition, weight management, and physical activity
monitoring for potential complications
referrals to specialists when needed

We focus on long-term health and work with you to manage diabetes safely and effectively.

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What Is Diabetes

Diabetes is a common chronic condition in which the level of sugar in the blood remains higher than normal.

After you eat, your body turns food into glucose. This glucose enters the bloodstream and is used by your cells for energy. To do that, the body relies on insulin, a hormone that helps move sugar from the blood into the cells.

In diabetes, this process does not work properly. The body either does not produce enough insulin or cannot use it effectively. As a result, sugar stays in the bloodstream instead of being used for energy.

Over time, elevated blood sugar can affect many organs, including the heart, kidneys, nerves, and eyes.

Diabetes is very common in the United States. About 40 million people have diabetes, and many more have prediabetes or do not yet know they have the condition.

Who Should Be Screened for Diabetes

Regular screening helps detect diabetes early, often before symptoms appear. Adults are generally advised to start screening at age 35 and repeat testing every 3 years if results are normal.

You may need earlier or more frequent testing if you have certain risk factors. These include the following.

overweight or obesity
family history of diabetes
high blood pressure
history of gestational diabetes
low physical activity

Many people with diabetes or prediabetes do not have clear symptoms, which is why routine testing is important.

Symptoms of Diabetes

Diabetes often develops gradually, and early signs are easy to overlook. Pay attention to the following changes.

increased thirst and frequent urination
constant fatigue, low energy, and sleepiness
persistent hunger even after eating
unexplained weight gain or weight loss
slow healing of cuts, scratches, or insect bites
numbness or tingling in the hands or feet
dry or itchy skin
blurred vision
headaches or difficulty concentrating
unusual fruity odor on the breath

These symptoms may not appear all at once and are often ignored at first. If you notice several of these changes, it is important to check your blood sugar and consult a healthcare provider.

How Diabetes Affects the Body Over Time

Diabetes may not cause immediate severe symptoms, but consistently high blood sugar affects different organs and systems in the body.

Possible long-term effects include the following conditions.

vision problems, which can progress to diabetic retinopathy
kidney damage (diabetic nephropathy)
increased risk of heart disease and stroke
damage to blood vessels and nerves
poor circulation, especially in the legs, which can lead to slow healing and, in advanced cases, tissue damage
severe metabolic imbalance that can lead to medical emergencies

These changes are usually associated with prolonged periods of uncontrolled blood sugar.

What Causes Diabetes

Diabetes develops for different reasons depending on the type of the condition. It is not caused by a single factor, and in many cases several factors play a role.

Type 2 diabetes is the most common form. It develops when the body becomes resistant to insulin and cannot use it effectively. Over time, the pancreas may not produce enough insulin to keep blood sugar within a normal range. Excess body weight, low physical activity, and genetic predisposition increase the risk, but diet alone is not the only cause.

Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition. The immune system attacks insulin-producing cells in the pancreas, which leads to a significant decrease or complete absence of insulin. This type is more often diagnosed in children and young adults, although it can develop at any age.

Family history is an important risk factor for both types of diabetes. If close relatives have diabetes, the risk is higher, and regular screening becomes more important.

Diabetes can also develop as a result of other conditions affecting the pancreas, as well as during pregnancy. In these cases, blood sugar levels should be monitored closely.

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