Diabetes Specialist
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Comprehensive Family Medical Practice
Jia Park, M.D.
Family Medicine Practice located in Bayside, NY
Nearly 11% of adults in New York City know they have diabetes. Jia Park, MD, at Comprehensive Family Medical Practice in the Bayside neighborhood of Queens, New York, has provided expert care for diabetic patients for more than 20 years. She served as the team physician for the National Prevention and Diabetes Collaborative Task Force for the Hudson River Community. If you need help improving your blood sugar and managing your diabetes, call the office to get help from a physician passionate about treating the condition.
Diabetes Q & A
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic health condition in which your body doesn’t properly process the food you eat into energy. Your body’s primary source of energy is glucose, or sugar, which comes from carbohydrate-containing foods such as starches, fruit, and milk. Insulin, which is a hormone produced by your pancreas, transports glucose from your bloodstream into your cells for energy.
If you have diabetes, either you don’t make enough insulin, or your body can’t properly use the insulin you do make. This causes an elevation of glucose in your bloodstream and can lead to diabetes.
There are three types of diabetes:
- Type 1 diabetes: your body can’t make enough insulin
- Type 2 diabetes: your body doesn’t use insulin correctly
- Gestational diabetes: high blood sugar during pregnancy
Type 2 diabetes is the most common, and typically affects adults as they get older. Carrying excess weight increases your risk of Type 2 diabetes.
What are the symptoms of diabetes?
Depending on the type of diabetes you have, symptoms are mild to severe. Common symptoms of diabetes include:
- Extreme thirst and hunger
- Unexplained weight loss
- Fatigue
- Frequent urination
- Tingling in your hands or feet
- Blurry vision
For people with Type 1 diabetes, the symptoms tend to come on suddenly and can be severe. With Type 2 diabetes, the symptoms may be so subtle that you don’t even notice them.
To stay on top of your health, Dr. Park recommends you come in annually for your routine physical examination so she can draw blood and send it offsite for a blood test to assess your risk of diabetes. Taking care of diabetes early may help prevent complications related to high blood sugar, such as kidney disease or nerve damage.
How can I improve my blood sugar?
Dr. Park can help you improve your blood sugar with diet and exercise, which are the foundation of diabetes management. She takes especially good care of her patients with diabetes, scheduling regular follow-ups to monitor blood sugar and manage goals.
Controlling the amount of carbohydrates you eat may help you manage your blood sugar. Regular exercise helps burn excess sugar for better blood sugar control. These habits can also help you lose weight, which further improves blood sugar levels.
If you’re struggling to manage your blood sugar with diet and exercise alone, Dr. Park can prescribe medications to help.
For expert care of your diabetes, call Comprehensive Family Medical Practice to schedule a consultation with Dr. Park. The office is located near the residential area of Bayside and provides ample parking to make your visit as easy as possible.
