Diabetes

Up to 37 million Americans have diabetes, a group of chronic diseases that cause high blood sugar. At Elora Health and Wellness in the Rockville Centre neighborhood of Long Island, New York, experienced primary care provider Dr. Shakiraye Rookwood, DNP, FNP-BC, specializes in diagnosing and treating diabetes with a holistic and patient-centered approach. A combination of healthy lifestyle changes, medication, and regular checkups can keep your blood sugar at optimal levels. Call Elora Health and Wellness today to request treatment for diabetes, or book online.

What is diabetes?

Diabetes is a blanket term for several diseases that affect how your body uses blood sugar. Everyone needs some blood sugar to survive –– it provides fuel for the cells in your muscles and helps power your brain. But too much blood sugar results in health problems.

At Elora Health and Wellness, Dr. Rookwood treats several types of diabetes, including:

Type 1 diabetes

Type 1 diabetes causes the immune system to destroy the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. Insulin helps regulate blood sugar. Without adequate insulin production, your blood sugar levels spike.

Type 2 diabetes

With type 2 diabetes, the pancreas produces insulin, but the cells in your body don’t use it properly. As a result, sugar builds up in the bloodstream, increasing the risk of nerve damage and other problems.

Gestational diabetes

This type of diabetes affects pregnant people. Usually, it resolves after giving birth, but it can increase your risk of type 2 diabetes later in life.

Dr. Rookwood also treats people with prediabetes –– a condition that can be reversed when caught early on.

How is diabetes diagnosed?

Dr. Rookwood reviews your medical history, asks about your symptoms, and completes a physical exam. She also orders lab tests, including:

Glycated hemoglobin (A1C) test

This test measures your average blood sugar over a few months. A result with an A1C level of 6.5% or higher on two separate tests means you have diabetes. 

Random blood sugar test

This test analyzes your blood sugar levels at a random time of day with no fasting required. A blood sugar level of 200 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL) or higher indicates diabetes.

Glucose tolerance test

This test requires you to fast the night beforehand. Dr. Rookwood draws a sample of your blood and then has you drink a sugary liquid. Then, she regularly retests your blood sugar levels over the next few hours.

How is diabetes treated?

At Elora Health and Wellness, Dr. Rookwood treats diabetes with a holistic approach. Often, that includes the following:

• Losing weight
• Healthy eating
• Regular exercise
• Monitoring your blood sugar daily
• Routine checkups and blood sugar screenings

If you have type 1 diabetes, Dr. Rookwood prescribes insulin, a drug that helps blood sugar enter your cells, providing energy.

Depending on your age, symptoms, and health history, Dr. Rookwood may prescribe other drugs as well.

Call Elora Health and Wellness today to receive treatment for diabetes, or book your appointment online.