
Nearly 10% of Americans have diabetes, according to the CDC. Almost another 30% have pre-diabetes, which if left untreated can lead to type 2 diabetes (T2) within 5 years. More than 30% of adults in the United States are obese and more than 65% of adults with T2 are obese. So, does obesity cause diabetes, or the other way around?
At Carolina Nuclear Medicine in Burlington, NC, Dr. Sam Morayati helps patients untangle their obesity and diabetic statuses, and find ways to mitigate both conditions for better health.
While many people oversimplify obesity to mean simply overeating, obesity has multiple causes, which can often overlap and make it almost impossible to avoid obesity risk:
While you can’t control everything about your genetics or how your body handles food, you can control your lifestyle and make positive changes.
Just as with obesity, many people make the mistake of defining diabetes as something “people who like to eat sugar” get. If you have T2 diabetes, you may also have family members who have it. For T2 diabetics:
Being obese and/or having metabolic syndrome can lead to insulin resistance. Having diabetes that is uncontrolled can also lead to obesity. For some people, it can be impossible to tell which came first.
Lifestyle changes are the first line of treatment for both T2 diabetes and obesity. Losing weight can help lower blood sugar levels and blood pressure, reduce the risk of heart attack or stroke, and reduce fatigue and other symptoms of both conditions.
Dr. Morayati will determine your level of obesity and type of diabetes if you are affected by either or both. He will then work with you to create a treatment plan which may include oral medication or injected insulin, a sensible diet, and nutrition plan, an exercise plan, and changes such as stopping smoking, if indicated.
If you have a family history of either diabetes or obesity and worry that you might be at risk, know that early action can help reverse the ill effects that obesity and diabetes can have on your body and reduce your risk of serious health events. Contact our offices or book a consultation with Dr. Morayati by either calling 336-310-1390, or requesting an appointment online.