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Diabetes Specialist

Seven Corners Medical Center

Internal Medicine & Primary Care Practice located in Falls Church, VA

Diabetes affects more than 30 million Americans, and many more people remain undiagnosed. At Seven Corners Medical Center in Falls Church, Virginia, skilled internal medicine physicians, Anu George, MD, and George Sopko, MD, MPH, offer comprehensive on-site diabetes screenings and long-term management for controlling blood sugar. The team is also skilled in managing prediabetes through nutrition counseling and weight management to help you avoid full-blown diabetes. Schedule a consultation today to learn more about your options for diabetes treatment by calling the office or requesting an appointment online.

Diabetes Q & A

What is diabetes?

Diabetes is a chronic condition that affects how your body manages the glucose (sugar) it gets from your diet. Your body makes the hormone insulin to control glucose levels in your blood and helps your cells use glucose for energy.

There are two primary types of diabetes. If you have Type 1 diabetes, your body doesn’t make insulin, so it can’t properly control blood sugar. With Type 2 diabetes, your body doesn’t produce enough insulin, or can’t use the insulin it does make to properly control sugar levels. In both types, sugar levels in your blood remain high, which leads to damage to several body systems and serious complications.

In addition to Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes, you can also have prediabetes, a condition where your blood sugar levels are high, but not high enough to be considered full diabetes. Prediabetes increases your risk for developing Type 2 diabetes.

Gestational diabetes affects pregnant women who develop high blood sugar levels throughout pregnancy, and it typically resolves after the baby is born.

How is diabetes diagnosed?

Type 1 diabetes is commonly diagnosed in childhood but can also develop in adulthood. Type 2 diabetes is typically the result of a poor diet or underlying health issues. When symptoms like excessive thirst, unexplained weight loss, or vision changes affect your health, you may need testing for diabetes.

The Seven Corners Medical Center offers on-site blood testing services which helps your doctor evaluate blood sugar levels to confirm or rule out diabetes.

Because diabetes can be a hereditary condition, you may also benefit from routine blood work to monitor your glucose levels if you have a parent or sibling with the condition. Your provider may also recommend routine screenings based on your lifestyle and diet.

How is diabetes treated?

If you have Type 1 diabetes, you need daily insulin therapy, which is available as injections or using an insulin pump.

If you’re diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes, your doctor may first try to control your blood sugar through dietary changes and lifestyle modifications. The Seven Corners Medical Center team also offers on-site weight management services. If these aren’t enough to keep blood sugar levels well-controlled, you may also need medication.

If you need diagnostic testing for diabetes or help to maintain healthy blood sugar levels, schedule a consultation with the medical team at Seven Corners Medical Center. Use the online booking feature or call the office.