Diabetes

As many as 7 in 10 people with diabetes have nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). But many don’t know about this severe health threat. HealthScansBCS offers FibroScan® liver scans from the medical imaging leaders at Echosens. These state-of-the-art liver scans evaluate patients with diabetes and other liver disease risk factors to find signs of liver damage. Earlier detection means a healthier liver because it allows you to understand your liver health and make needed changes. No referral is necessary for a liver scan. Call the Bryan, Texas, office today or schedule your scan online.

What is diabetes?

Diabetes is a disease that develops when you have excessive amounts of sugar in your blood. This happens because you don’t have enough insulin — the hormone that moves glucose from your blood and into your cells to be used for energy.

Type 1 diabetes means you don’t make enough or any insulin. Type 2 diabetes means your body is resistant to the insulin your body produces. Type 1, an autoimmune disease, is usually present from childhood or early adulthood. Type 2 usually starts around middle age but can start much earlier.

How does diabetes harm the body?

Diabetes damages many parts of the body, including the nerves, blood vessels, liver, and kidneys. It can cause heart disease, vision loss, foot ulcers, kidney disease, and liver disease.

About 70% of people with diabetes have nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), in which the liver stores too much fat. NAFLD starts as a fatty liver without liver damage; it can progress to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), an inflammatory liver disease.

With NASH, the liver has both excessive fat and scarring. It can eventually turn into permanent liver hardening (cirrhosis) or even liver failure and cancer. 

How can I prevent my diabetes from getting worse?

The best way to stop your diabetes from worsening is by working with your doctor and taking proactive steps to protect your health.

Your doctor creates a plan that addresses your disease. Many people with Type 2 diabetes manage their disease with diet and exercise. But you might need oral medication (like metformin) or insulin. Type 1 diabetes sufferers must take insulin and live a healthy lifestyle.

Health screenings are among the essential aspects of diabetes management and prevention. You’ll need to check your blood sugar daily at home or wear a sensor that automatically checks it.

Also, you need regular lab tests (blood and urine) to track your blood sugar and other important indicators like cholesterol levels.

Because diabetes and liver disease are closely connected, you’ll need to look after your liver health with regular screenings. 

HealthScansBCS provides noninvasive, painless, and affordable liver scans in the office. The FibroScan® technology checks the liver’s fat content. It will also detect problems like liver inflammation (hepatitis) and cirrhosis in the early stages.

You can avoid liver damage with diabetes. Call HealthScansBCS now to book your scan, or reach out online.