Diabetes, while manageable, remains a serious disease with the potential for many complications. Choosing Dr. Mirela Mircea and Dr. Vivian Lugo-Eschenwald of Family Medicine Associates of Alexandria in Alexandria, Virginia as your partners in diagnosis, treatment, and ongoing diabetes care is a wise choice to ensure your future health.
Diabetes is a collection of diseases affecting how the body accesses sugar. In the form of glucose, sugar fuels the brain and body tissues. Regardless of the type of diabetes, the patient has too much glucose in the blood, and this can lead to serious health issues. Type 1 and type 2 diabetes are chronic and ongoing. Prediabetes and gestational diabetes may be temporary and reversible.
No matter which type of diabetes, problems originate with insulin – or the lack of it. In type 1 diabetes, the pancreas creates little or no insulin while in type 2, the body becomes resistant to insulin. Insulin is necessary for normal body functions since it’s the key that opens cells up and lets glucose in. The type 1 diabetes patient has no natural insulin, and therefore requires external sources. The type 2 diabetes patient's cells resist the effects of insulin. The amount the pancreas makes is no longer sufficient, and either more insulin or some other medication treatment becomes necessary.
There are symptoms associated with both type 1 and type 2 diabetes. In the case of type 2 patients, symptoms may be incomplete or may not exist at all. With type 1, the symptoms often start suddenly and with greater severity. Symptoms common to both type 1 and 2 diabetes include:
Improving certain lifestyle choices has a major effect on stabilizing and reducing the effects of diabetes and high blood sugar. Dr. Lugo and Dr. Mircea can help you plan the balance of medication, diet, and exercise to help you deal with diabetes.
We accept most major insurances. Please see the full list of plans that we accept. If you do not see yours, please call our office to see how we can help. We will file out of network insurances but visit must be paid at checkout in full.
"Fantastic doctors & staff; they take the time to truly understand patients and put them at ease. The doctors do a great job giving you their rationale..."
"She has a phenomenal, empathetic bedside manner; I never feel rushed, she asks lots of questions, and makes me an active participant in decisions about my care."
"Had my first visit there a month or so ago. It went exactly as I wanted. I waited only a few minutes, the staff was professional. They answered all of my questions."
"...FMAA has been a loyal and consistent part of my family staying healthy while overcoming a myriad of different issues."
"I'm usually really uncomfortable with doctors offices, but the staff here is all very friendly...Billing was really easy- they have online payment..."
"I have been trying to find a good doctor for many years. My first visit here was excellent. Professional and courteous..."
"Dr. Vivian Lugo is a very professional - ethics, knowledge and experience. She has been my primary physician for 11 years...She is the best!"
"Dr. Vivian Lugo is a very caring and professional MD. The feeling of being listened to and care for is achieved when seeing Dr Lugo. She is thorough and clear..."
"I've been going to Family Medicine for three years. Usually can get an appointment with Dr. Mircea within a week..."
