Type 2 Diabetics at Greater Risk for Glaucoma

by

What is Type-2 Diabetes?

Type-2 diabetes, the most common form of diabetes, is caused by insulin resistance which results in high blood glucose levels. The condition occurs most often in older or middle-aged adults, but it can also occur in teens and children.

Unmanaged type-2 diabetes can lead to many health complications and can increase the risk of glaucoma, a family of eye diseases characterized by dangerously high eye pressure. Spikes in intraocular pressure can damage the optic nerve and can cause progressive vision loss and blindness.

Glaucoma can be challenging to diagnose because it often develops slowly without noticeable symptoms. By the time changes in eyesight are noticed, permanent nerve damage has already occurred.

If you have type-2 diabetes, you can take two proactive steps to prevent glaucoma and protect your vision.

Manage Your Diabetes to Prevent Glaucoma

Controlling your diabetes can help promote overall health and prevent glaucoma and vision loss. This includes eating a nutritious diet, exercising regularly and taking your medication as directed. When you regulate your blood sugar levels, blood pressure and cholesterol, you are actively reducing your risk of glaucoma. 

Being obese and leading a sedentary lifestyle contribute to insulin resistance, so talk to your doctor about how to lose weight with diet and exercise.

Annual Eye Exams Can Prevent Glaucoma

Visit an ophthalmologist at least once per year for a comprehensive eye exam with dilation. During the exam, the ophthalmologist will dilate your pupil to evaluate the health of your retina, retinal blood vessels and optic nerve. Dilation is essential to monitor your eye health and assess your risk for glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy, another diabetes-related eye condition, which can damage retinal blood vessels.

November is National Diabetes Month, so call your eye doctor to make an appointment for a comprehensive eye exam with dilation. Your ophthalmologist can also provide strategies for effectively managing your diabetes and preserving your eyesight. 

Knowing Family Health History Helps Prevent GERD, Cancer

by

Thanksgiving Day is also Family Health History Day, a day to communicate about chronic conditions like gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) that can run in families. About 15 million Americans experience heartburn symptoms of chest pain, burning throat and chronic cough on a daily basis, and these warning signs are common indicators of GERD.

GERD May be Genetic

Although most people think certain foods and stressful situations trigger acid reflux, many studies suggest GERD may also have a genetic component. In 1999, the Mayo Clinic studied over 1,500 people in Minnesota and found that participants who had an immediate family member with heartburn or a disease of the stomach or esophagus were twice as likely to experience heartburn or acid reflux.

Chronic heartburn and acid regurgitation may lead to Barrett’s esophagus, a complication of GERD that can evolve into esophageal cancer. Specific gene mutations on chromosomes 6 and 16 have been linked to Barrett’s esophagus, and a 2016 study discovered distinct genetic patterns among GERD, Barrett’s esophagus and esophageal cancer.

Family Health History Conversations Save Lives

You can increase GERD awareness among your family members by initiating a conversation about family health history on Thanksgiving Day. Ask any of your family whether they have experienced heartburn. Mention the symptoms of GERD including:

  • Chest pain
  • Acid reflux
  • Sour taste in the mouth
  • Burning in the throat or chest
  • Dry cough
  • Difficulty swallowing
  • Hoarseness
  • Sore throat
  • Lump in the throat

Remind your family members they can reduce their risk for GERD and GERD-related complications by eating smaller meals, exercising regularly, maintaining a healthy weight and avoiding heartburn trigger foods.

Visit a Gastroenterologist

Finally, encourage your family members to schedule a visit to a gastroenterologist after the holiday. GERD is a serious health concern, so frequent heartburn should not be ignored. Make this Thanksgiving meaningful and memorable by discussing family health history. Your discussion could help family members get the digestive care they need.

Filed Under: News Tagged With:

Smoking Increases Risk of Osteoporosis and Bone Loss

by

Osteoporosis causes bones to become brittle and weak over time. The disease increases the risk of broken bones as a result of a fall or injury. If the condition is severe, a person can even break a bone by sneezing, coughing or making small movements.

Researchers first discovered a link between cigarette smoking and osteoporosis more than two decades ago. Since then, research confirms a direct relationship between tobacco use and bone loss. Researchers have found:

  • Risk of hip fracture in people who smoke versus those who do not smoke is:
    • 17 percent greater at age 60
    • 71 percent greater at age 80
    • 108 percent greater at age 90
  • Risk of hip fracture is lower in former smokers than in those who continued to smoke (suggesting that quitting sooner rather than later can slow the rate of bone loss)

How does it happen? The substances in cigarettes can cause bone loss because they:

  • Limit the body’s capacity to absorb calcium from food sources
  • Make it harder for the body to produce osteoblasts, the bone-forming cells that grow new bone
  • Cause estrogen, a hormone critical for healthy bones, to break down
  • Reduce blood supply to the bones

Help in Quitting Smoking

The best thing a smoker can do to reduce the risk of osteoporosis is to quit smoking. Quitting smoking, even if it happens later in life, can reduce bone loss.

There are also many reasons besides reducing the risk of osteoporosis to quit smoking: smoking is the number one cause of preventable death in the U.S., and people who smoke are at greater risk of cancer, heart disease and stroke.

The Great American Smokeout

The Great American Smokeout is a one-day event designed to help smokers quit. It is held on the third Thursday in November each year and is sponsored by the American Cancer Society. While a person can decide to quit at any time of the year, this day is unique in that it offers extra encouragement, motivation and support by joining with others who also want to quit.

This year, if you are a smoker, consider quitting during The Great American Smokeout. Or if you have a family member or friend who smokes, share this information with them and encourage them to quit.

Other Ways to Reduce Osteoporosis Risk

In addition to quitting smoking, there are other steps you can take to help reduce your risk of osteoporosis:

  • Eat foods that are naturally high in calcium such as dairy products and dark green, leafy vegetables. Also look for calcium-fortified foods and beverages. If your doctor recommends it, you can also take calcium tablets.
  • Engage in exercise like lifting weights, jogging, walking, yoga, aerobics or swimming.
  • Limit your use of alcohol. Alcohol interferes with the balance of calcium in the body. It also impacts bone-protecting hormones and the body’s ability to absorb vitamins.

Finally, if you are a current or former smoker, ask your doctor about a bone density test. The results can predict how likely you are to fracture a bone in the future — and having this information could be helpful in quitting for good. Also, recognize that quitting smoking can be hard. If you want to quit, talk to your doctor about resources that could help you, such as prescription medications and counseling.

Resources

Diabetes-Cataracts Link Becomes Focus of New Study

by

November is National Diabetes Month, a time to focus on diabetes prevention and management. About 10 percent of Americans have diabetes, a disease that affects the body’s ability to use glucose for energy. Diabetes is especially prevalent among seniors, affecting about 25 percent of Americans age 65 and older.

Diabetes Can Double the Risk for Cataracts

According to a recent study in the United Kingdom, having diabetes can double the risk of developing cataracts, an eye disease that progressively clouds the lens of the eye and blurs vision. Among all age groups, the study found that the relative risk for cataract development is highest in adults between the ages of 45 and 54.

The study looked at medical records from over 56,000 patients who had diabetes and were older than 40. Cataract diagnosis among this group was 20.4 per 1,000 people compared to 10.8 percent per 1,000 people in the general population.

Cataracts: Common but Treatable

The risk of developing cataracts increases with age. Cataracts are the leading cause of vision loss among adults 55 and older, but people with diabetes are at risk for developing cataracts more rapidly and at an earlier age.

If you have diabetes, you can protect your vision by scheduling regular eye appointments with an ophthalmologist. Frequent check-ups allow your eye doctor to monitor your eye health and detect diabetic eye diseases like cataracts, as well as glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy.  These diseases often develop without noticeable symptoms, so early detection is paramount.

Schedule an Eye Appointment During National Diabetes Month

Make an appointment for a comprehensive eye exam during National Diabetes Month. Even if you do not have diabetes, you should make an eye appointment as part of your commitment to your vision health.

Prevent Colon Cancer, Diabetes During National Diabetes Month

by

Diabetes and cancer are two of the leading causes of death worldwide. According to statistics from the Global Burden of Disease, deaths related to diabetes increased by 90 percent and colon cancer deaths increased by 57 percent over the past two decades. Colon cancer risk also increased by 27 percent in patients with type 2 diabetes.

The Diabetes-Colon Cancer Connection

Why are diabetes and colon cancer rates increasing? Perhaps we should consider how our society has changed in the past 20 years. As people have become increasingly sedentary and the Western diet has become centered around red meat and processed foods, obesity rates in the United States have skyrocketed. 

Recent studies reveal unhealthy eating, obesity and inactivity contribute to metabolic syndrome, an array of conditions that include:

  • Hypertension
  • High blood sugar
  • Excess body fat around the abdomen
  • High cholesterol and triglyceride levels

When these conditions occur together, they increase the risk of diabetes, heart disease and stroke. Colon cancer shares many of these same risk factors like smoking, alcohol use, high-fat diet and sedentary lifestyle.

Research shows a link between diabetes and colon cancer. Patients who had colon cancer and diabetes were more likely to die than patients with colon cancer who did not have diabetes.

Prevent Two Diseases With One List

Colon cancer is mostly preventable, but it is still the third leading cause of cancer death among men and women in the United States. Because diabetes and colon cancer share the same risk factors, you can prevent both diseases by making the same healthy modifications:

1. Do not smoke.

2. Limit alcohol intake.

3. Exercise 60 minutes per day.

4. Eat a diet centered on lean proteins, fruits, vegetables and whole grains.

5. Avoid red meat, processed foods and fast food.

6. Maintain a healthy weight, as suggested by your doctor.

Get Screened for Colon Cancer

If you are 45 or older, you should begin preventative colon cancer screening and should have routine screenings every ten years unless your physician advises otherwise. If you are at increased risk for colon cancer, you may need to be screened earlier, so talk with your doctor.

November is National Diabetes Month, so make an appointment with your primary care physician for a wellness screening and diabetes checkup and then call a gastroenterologist for a colonoscopy. Annual check-ups and regular screenings can save your life, so call today.

Filed Under: News Tagged With:

Winter Increases Risk of Foot Injury

by

Winter outdoor activities and sports — like ice skating, sledding, skiing and snowboarding — also increase your chances of injuring your feet. Colder weather can lead to foot issues for other reasons. For instance:

  • Winter boots can squeeze toes unnaturally, increasing the risk of problems like bunions.
  • Cold temperatures can cause frostbite, which most often occurs in the toes and can result in permanent damage and numbness.
  • Slips and falls can cause stress fractures, tiny cracks that can occur in the bones of the feet or other parts of the body.

About Stress Fractures

Stress fractures can be very painful and can lead to a complete break if not treated — and they’re more common in winter. Athletes who run or jump frequently are commonly afflicted by stress fractures, since these activities put extra strain on the foot. However, non-athletes can get them too, and even standing on a hard floor for a long time can produce a stress fracture.

Symptoms of stress fracture include pain, swelling, redness and bruising, and stress fractures often come on quickly. The symptoms may subside if the person stops the activity; however, they often return after the activity resumes, and the pain can be worse. Foot doctors (podiatrists) can diagnose stress fractures through physical examination and, if needed, can schedule an imaging test like an X-ray to confirm the diagnosis.

At first, a doctor may recommend rest, icing the painful area, elevating the foot and using anti-inflammatory medications at home. During this time, the doctor may also recommend wearing a cast boot as the stress fracture heals. Although it’s rare, surgery may be needed to treat this condition.

Protecting Your Feet in the Winter

Here are some tips to reduce your risk of foot injury and pain in the colder winter months:

  • Build strength to avoid falls. Building leg muscle strength and performing exercises that help improve balance can help you avoid falls in winter and at any time of the year. Read the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services article, “Lower Your Risk of Falling,” for more tips.
  • Wear footwear designed for winter and wear it consistently. It can be tempting to briefly step outside in your slippers to take out the trash, check the mail or call the dog back into the house. But if you do, you’re at greater risk of slipping and falling. Make it a habit to never step outside the door unless you’re wearing proper footwear.
  • Check that last year’s boots still fit properly. As we age, our feet often get wider. Before stepping out for the first time this winter season, make sure your boots still fit properly.
  • Choose water-resistant footwear. Keeping your feet dry is important to help avoid injury and maintain foot health. If the footwear you own is not water-resistant, you may be more likely to develop blisters, calluses or other foot problems. If your boots aren’t water-resistant, consider applying a water-resistant spray or wax to them.
  • Keep floors dry. Wearing winter boots into the house can leave puddles, which can make floors slippery. Keep a dry mop or old towel near the door so you can wipe up any snow or ice.

Eye Exams Prevent Diabetic Eye Disease

by

Diabetes is a metabolic disease that affects how your body uses sugar. Over 30 million Americans have diabetes, including 12 million seniors. Chronic diabetes can cause eye damage that can lead to low vision or blindness.

Diabetic eye disease is the collective term for several eye conditions that commonly affect people with diabetes. Some of the most common forms of diabetic eye disease are glaucoma, cataracts and diabetic retinopathy.

Glaucoma and Diabetes

Glaucoma is a family of eye diseases that damage the optic nerve, which is responsible for transmitting visual images to the brain. High blood sugar levels can cause tissues and blood vessels in the eyes to swell and leak fluid. Some patients with diabetes develop “neovascularization” in which blood vessels grow on the iris and obstruct the flow of fluid within the eye. Blocked fluid flow may lead to dangerous levels of inner eye pressure and cause glaucoma.

Cataracts and Diabetes

A cataract is the progressive clouding of the eye lens, which causes distorted vision. Anyone can develop cataracts, but people with diabetes are more likely to develop cataracts. Diabetes also causes cataracts to progress faster.

Cataract-related vision loss is reversible through a simple outpatient procedure that replaces the deteriorated lens with a customized intraocular lens (IOL). Cataract surgery is one of the most common outpatient procedures performed today, with greater than a 95 percent success rate.

Diabetes and Diabetic Retinopathy

Any retinal damage that develops from diabetes is called diabetic retinopathy. This eye disease alters retinal blood vessels and causes them to leak blood or fluid within the eye, which impairs vision. Other symptoms of diabetic retinopathy include floaters, shadows and missing areas in the visual field. Many people with diabetic retinopathy do not experience any symptoms in the early stages.

Schedule a Comprehensive Eye Exam

You can prevent diabetic eye disease by managing your diabetes and visiting your eye doctor regularly for frequent eye exams. Comprehensive eye exams with dilation are essential for healthy eyes and clear vision, especially for people with diabetes. 

November is Diabetes Awareness Month, so call your ophthalmologist to schedule a comprehensive eye exam today.

Quit Smoking, Prevent Cancer and Boost GI Health

by

Smoking and Esophageal Cancer Risk

Smoking is the leading preventable cause of disease and premature death in the United States and is responsible for 29 percent of all cancer deaths. Besides lung cancer, smoking is linked to several cancers of the gastrointestinal tract including cancer of the larynx, mouth, stomach, pancreas, colon and esophagus.

Esophageal cancer is one of the most aggressive and deadly cancers, and smoking is a primary risk factor. The longer you have used cigarettes, cigars, pipes or chewing tobacco, the higher your risk of cancer. You can reduce that risk, however, if you can quit smoking and stick to your commitment.

Join the Great American Smokeout on November 15

The Great American Smokeout is an annual initiative of the American Cancer Society to provide smokers with resources and support to quit smoking. Increased education and awareness over the past few decades have dramatically reduced cigarette smoking, but 40 million Americans still smoke or use tobacco.

This year, the Great American Smokeout will be on November 15, the third Thursday of November. You can participate in this event by planning to quit or committing to create a plan to quit smoking. You can also team up with family members, community groups, local businesses and healthcare providers to put a larger plan into action.

Commit to join the Great American Smokeout and begin a smoke-free life on November 15. When you quit smoking, you’ll also lower your risk for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), a condition characterized by chronic acid reflux.

Visit Your GI Specialist

Make an appointment with your gastroenterologist for a current assessment of your digestive health. Your GI doctor can provide a full examination, suggest diagnostic tests and treatments and support you in your efforts to quit smoking. 

Filed Under: News Tagged With:

People with Diabetes are Twice as Likely to Have Joint Pain

by

That’s because diabetes itself not only causes problems related to blood sugar, but it can also damage the bones, tendons, ligaments, muscles and nerve tissues.

Although some joint conditions cannot be cured, many can be treated using therapies like anti-inflammatory medications, steroid injections or minimally invasive surgical procedures.

If you, a family member or a friend has diabetes, it is helpful to learn about the joint conditions that are most commonly associated with the disease. That way, you can recognize any symptoms and make an appointment with your doctor for early diagnosis.

Joint Conditions Commonly Associated with Diabetes

Adhesive Capsulitis (Frozen Shoulder)

People with diabetes can be at a greater risk for frozen shoulder, a condition in which the shoulder joint gradually becomes more painful and the range of motion becomes increasingly limited. Frozen shoulder can improve by itself, but it can take months or even years. Steroids can often help.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Diagnosing carpal tunnel syndrome in those with diabetes can be challenging. That’s because people with diabetes may also have peripheral neuropathy, a nerve issue that causes many of the same symptoms as carpal tunnel syndrome, such as tingling and numbness. A doctor may schedule nerve conduction studies to help diagnose the underlying issue.

Charcot Foot

This condition causes swelling in the foot (and sometimes the ankle) and can progress until it causes deformity. Other signs to look for include redness, a feeling of warmth in the foot and pain. A doctor may be able to treat it using a foot cast.

Diabetic Hand Syndrome

This disorder causes the hands to become waxy and thickened due to an excess of collagen that develops directly below the skin. This syndrome also causes finger movement to become extremely limited.

Dupuytren’s Contracture

Dupuytren’s contracture is an abnormal, painless thickening of the connective fascia tissue located beneath the skin. Eventually, it can cause a deformity in which one or more fingers stays bent toward the palm.

Osteoarthritis

People who are overweight or obese are at risk for type 2 diabetes, and they are also at risk of developing osteoarthritis because the excess weight puts more strain on their joints. When people with diabetes reach the age of 50, they should talk to their doctor about their risk, since the disease becomes more likely with age. There are several non-surgical treatment options available for osteoarthritis.

Osteoporosis

People with diabetes can be at higher risk for a bone-thinning disease known as osteoporosis. The bones can ultimately become so weak that they can break as a result of a minor fall. They can even break from something as simple as sneezing or coughing.

Trigger Finger

Inflammation of the tendons in the finger can cause it to bend, resulting in a condition called trigger finger. The finger can make a popping or clicking sound when a person tries to extend the hand or fingers. A doctor can treat it using splints, medications or if needed, surgery.

Talk to Your Orthopaedic Doctor

In addition to recognizing these signs and getting help early on, another way to better manage and minimize the discomfort of diabetes-related joint pain is exercise. Although it may sometimes be challenging to want to exercise, doing so can help improve both diabetes and arthritis. Talk to your doctor about what exercise might be appropriate for you if you have diabetes, joint pain or both.

Best Hiking Shoes to Avoid Ankle Pain

by

If you find yourself hiking in the wrong pair of shoes or boots, it could not only ruin the day of your hike, you could develop foot and ankle pain that could last for days, weeks or longer. To avoid this, make sure you have the proper footwear before you start any fall treks. Here are a few things to look for when selecting the proper footwear for fall hiking:

Hiking Boots/Shoes:

While you may have a pair of shoes that is comfortable for everyday wear, that pair will not offer the extra support you need when you are hiking in the great outdoors. Neither will your athletic shoes be the best choice. Instead, look for footwear that has been designed specifically for hiking.

Height/Weight:

Low-cut or mid-cut hiking boots are best for trails that are well-maintained and for day hikes. If you are doing light backpacking, look for hiking boots that are ankle height for additional support. If you plan to do more intense hiking on rougher terrain and are carrying a larger pack, try styles with above ankle support.

Fit/Comfort:

Any boots you try on should fit snugly at the heel, but your toes should have enough room for some movement. Look for styles with a wide enough toe box for comfort. Also, consider these two comfort-related factors:

  • Padding: Make sure there is enough padding in the tongue of the hiking boots. If not, long downhill or steep uphill hiking could become especially painful. Proper ankle padding is important too, since it helps ensure a secure fit and minimizes chafing and blistering.
  • Socks: When you test the fit of new hiking boots, try them on with the same type of socks you will wear when you are hiking.

Quality/Durability:

Think quality and durability over look and style when shopping for hiking boots. Any style you choose should be made of high-quality materials and should be able to withstand a variety of weather conditions. Also, make sure the boots are waterproof and have some insulation, so your feet will stay both warm and dry.

Stability/Traction:

Think of the terrain where you will be hiking — will it be slippery or steep in places? If so, pay special attention to the sole of the boot and the traction it will offer. Also, be aware that hiking boots offer stiffer soles than regular shoes, but some will be stiffer than others, and this may make them heavier. If you are taking a simple day hike on paved trails, you may be better off wearing a lighter weight, low-cut boot with a sole that is not as stiff as a hiking boot.

If You Need Guidance

Fall hiking is wonderful for both physical and mental health. But be wise before you go — don’t risk foot pain by heading out with improper footwear. If you’re unsure of what is best for you, make an appointment with an orthopedic doctor. He or she can recommend hiking boots or prescribe custom-molded orthotics (shoe inserts) for you if needed.

One final tip: make sure you break in any boots. That means wearing them for a day or two before your hiking trip. This way, you can identify problem areas with the boots, so you can avoid discomfort when you are out on the trail.