Diabetes
According to the American Diabetes Association, 193,000 Americans under age 20 have diabetes, and cases of Type 1 diabetes outnumber Type 2 diabetes by 3 to 1. At MIPEDS in Livonia, Michigan, Michael Wood, MD, a double board-certified pediatric endocrinologist, diagnoses and treats diabetes with cutting-edge management care. Over the past 25 years, Dr. Wood has helped thousands of children and young adults manage their diabetes, and he has been active in diabetes research for over 15 years and has launched pediatric diabetes management programs statewide.
Diabetes Q & A
What is diabetes?
Diabetes includes diseases that interfere with the way your body produces or uses insulin. Insulin is a hormone produced in your pancreas that helps your body convert blood sugar into energy. The two most common types of diabetes are:
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes, often called juvenile diabetes, develops when your pancreas doesn’t produce insulin. It’s caused by an autoimmune disorder that attacks the insulin-producing cells in your pancreas. Type 1 diabetes is most often diagnosed in children and is identified after the sudden onset of symptoms.
Type 2 diabetes
Type 2 diabetes, sometimes called insulin resistance and the most prevalent form of the disease develops when your body doesn’t use insulin correctly. Type 2 diabetes usually emerges in adulthood, although it’s becoming more common in children and adolescents. Type 2 diabetes is linked to obesity and other lifestyle factors, including a poor diet and a sedentary lifestyle.
What are the warning signs of diabetes?
Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes cause similar symptoms. However, Type 1 diabetes symptoms usually develop rapidly, while the warning signs of Type 2 diabetes are slow to emerge. You or your child could have Type 2 diabetes or prediabetes and have no idea your health is at risk.
Some of the common signs of diabetes include:
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Increased thirst and hunger
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Increase urination
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Fatigue
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Blurred vision
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Numbness or tingling in your hands and feet
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Wounds that don’t heal
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Unexplained weight loss (Type 1)
If you’re concerned about diabetes or have any symptoms, it’s essential to talk to experts, like our team at MI PED to get the treatment you need to protect your health.
How is diabetes managed?
Dr. Wood has been treating children with Type 1 diabetes and their families for over 25 years. He is an expert in the outpatient management of Type 1 diabetes with continuous glucose monitors and insulin pumps, which provide outstanding results for his young patients.
Not only is treatment more affordable for your family, but you also reduce your child’s risk of hospital-acquired infections and psychosocial distress related to hospital admission.
Dr. Wood also diagnoses and treats Type 2 diabetes in young people, often helping them make the necessary lifestyle changes to control their health without having to rely on insulin. He and our team are committed to patient health and satisfaction. He provides his cellphone number to patients’ families for help with urgent or emergent diabetes-related issues. Your child’s health is our top priority.