There are many reasons why people develop Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes.

Sharon Tilbe is a registered dietitian with Lee Diabetes Care. She says, “There are actually a lot more people with Type 2 Diabetes than Type 1.  Type 1 is classified as an autoimmune condition whereby the beta cells in the pancreas that produce insulin are no longer producing insulin. Type 2 Diabetes has a strong family link often times associated with aging, weight gain or overweight and lack of regular activity.”

Common complications of diabetes include everything from heart disease and stroke to kidney, eye, and limb conditions. Another condition that is commonly associated with diabetes is trigger finger. “Your finger can end up getting locked or clicked or cause significant pain in the palm of your hand as well as dysfunction when flexing or extending your finger. Probably the most common cause of trigger finger is diabetes,” says Dr. Dennis Sagini, an orthopedic surgeon with Lee Memorial Health System.

He says diabetes causes insulin in a person’s body to be distributed differently and that can directly affect the joints in your fingers and hands. “Diabetes causes sugars to be deposited in different areas of your body and it causes shifts of fluid in your body that swelling plus the changes when the tendons have sugars attached to them can cause difficulty with tendon function.” Changes in tendon function may develop gradually.

If you have or at risk for diabetes it’s important to make sure the disease is managed properly so that it can have the most minimal affect possible. To learn more about diabetes programs and treatments you can call (239)-573-5720.