Do You Have Diabetes? Here Are 5 Ways To Protect Your Eye Health

Diabetic retinopathy is a frequent complication of diabetes. An elevation in blood sugar can damage the delicate blood vessels inside the eye, causing them to leak, bleed and become blocked. The damage from diabetic retinopathy is usually permanent. Diabetes can also contribute to changes in nearsightedness, farsightedness and premature presbyopia (the inability to focus on close objects with age). The disease may also contribute to the onset of cataracts, glaucoma, strabismus (lack of eye alignment) and decreased corneal sensitivity.

Maintaining control of your diabetes is crucial. Regular visits to your physician are necessary, along with adherence to your doctor’s instructions on diet, exercise and medication. Following the right steps to maintaining your diabetes can greatly reduce your risk of developing diabetic retinopathy. Protect your eye health. Follow the tips below to take care of your eyes if you have diabetes.

SCHEDULE REGULAR, COMPREHENSIVE EYE EXAMS.

Talk to your Midwest Eye Consultants optometrist about how often you should schedule a dilated eye exam. This type of exam allows for better visualization of the retinas, which can give an indication of the presence of a diabetic eye condition. Our doctors can handle your changing eyes with new glasses or contact lenses. In some cases, surgical procedures may be necessary.

MAINTAIN A HEALTHY LIFESTYLE.

Are you monitoring your blood sugar regularly? Exercising, eating healthy, taking your medication as prescribed by your doctor and monitoring blood sugar regularly are all great steps to controlling your blood sugar and living a healthy lifestyle. According to the ADA (American Diabetes Association), people with uncontrolled blood sugar levels are four times more likely to develop diabetic retinopathy.

MONITOR YOUR BLOOD PRESSURE & CHOLESTEROL

Changes in the retina can be due to high blood pressure. This condition is called hypertensive retinopathy. This condition can lead to blockage of retinal arteries or veins, which can ultimately result in the loss of vision. Your doctor will look for tiny cholesterol-containing plaques in the retinal blood vessels as well as other blood vessel changes like narrowing and thickening. Make sure you are monitoring your blood pressure and taking care of your health; cut back on caffeine, quit smoking, limit alcohol intake, reduce sodium in your diet, and see your doctor regularly.

EAT FOR YOUR EYES.

Use the diabetes plate method for healthy meals. Fill half of your plate with watery veggies like kale, spinach, cucumber, brussels sprouts or broccoli. One quarter of your plate should be reserved for meat, fish, poultry, tofu, eggs, nuts or other foods high in protein. Reserve one quarter for breads, starches or grains which includes dry beans and starchy vegetables. Fill one small cup with milk or yogurt and one small cup with fruit, applesauce, or fruit juice. Use healthy fats in small amounts for cooking or include nuts, seeds or avocados. Eating healthy foods will help prevent the conditions that come with diabetes, including diabetic retinopathy.

GET REGULAR PHYSICAL ACTIVITY.

Exercise is considered an integral part of diabetes therapy. Not only does exercise improve respiratory and cardiovascular function, it helps with flexibility and well-being. However, you should discuss with your doctor to develop an exercise regimen that works for you. For example, patients who have had significant eye complications caused by diabetes are advised to avoid contact sports that could injure the eye further. Moderate-intensity activity, like walking or bicycling, are great options for exercise.

Take care of your eyes. Schedule a comprehensive eye exam today at Best Diabetes eye Care clinic in Vashi and follow these tips to prevent diabetic retinopathy from affecting your life. 

Little Known Ways to DIABETES SELF-MANAGEMENT | Sweet Clinics

Diabetes Self-Management Tips

Overseeing diabetes doesn't mean never enjoying nourishments you appreciate, which is the reason you'll discover more than 900 diabetes-accommodating plans on this blog. Diabetes Self-Management additionally offers posts about item surveys, sustenance, dinner arranging, and exercise, in addition to apparatuses for checking carbs, arranging exercises, and substantially more.

Tip #1 – Eat a balanced diet with a variety of foods

Aim to eat mostly fruits, vegetables, whole-grain foods, low-fat dairy products, and lean meat, poultry, fish or meat alternatives. Developing a plan with a registered dietitian knowledgeable about diabetes-specific nutrition is a good idea, especially if you’re just starting out.
You might also consider the Diabetes Plate Method, which is a visual way to make sure each meal is diabetic-friendly. Here’s how it works:
Half your plate should have non-starchy vegetables
One-quarter of your plate should have whole grain or starchy foods
One-quarter of your plate should have with lean proteins
Depending on your meal plan and calorie needs, you can include fruit and low-fat dairy on the side.

Tip #2 – Follow a consistent meal plan and schedule 

Some people with diabetes need to eat at about the same time each day, while others can be more flexible with the timing. A lot depends on whether you have type 1 or 2 diabetes, how well it’s controlled if you’re on medication, and if you take insulin. Depending on your diabetes medication or type of insulin, you may need to eat the same amount of carbohydrates at the same time each day.

It’s critical to understand your specific needs by talking to your healthcare professional. Then, be careful to follow their instructions.

Tip #3 – Develop an exercise routine

Physical activity is an important part of managing your blood glucose level. The American Diabetes Association recommends at least 30 minutes of physical activity that increases the heart rate five days per week. Exercise and weight loss have been shown to decrease certain risk factors associated with diabetes, such as high blood pressure and high cholesterol. In addition, over time, physical activity can allow for improved blood flow and decreased risk for stroke and other associated heart diseases.
However, before you start, talk to your healthcare provider to make sure you’re healthy enough for physical activity. They can also decide the best time of day for you to exercise. If you take insulin, you need to balance your activity with your insulin doses and meals so you don’t get low blood glucose.

Tip #4 – Check your blood sugar as directed

If you need to test your blood sugar, be sure to follow the instructions from your healthcare provider regarding frequency and time of day. This information may identify blood sugar patterns, which can help your healthcare team adjust your treatment.
Always check your blood sugar if you have high blood sugar symptoms (thirst, frequent urination, fatigue, blurry vision). You should do the same for low blood sugar symptoms (lightheadedness, dizzy, confusion, sweating, shaking, fast or pounding heartbeat). Remember to immediately take a simple carbohydrate like fruit juice or glucose tablets.

Tip #5 – Ask for the right tests and checkups

A critical part of managing diabetes is getting routine tests and checkups that can spot problems early so you can avoid potential complications. Strive to be an active participant in your  Diabetes Care Centre Vashi, keeping track of results and asking questions to make sure diabetes complications aren’t developing.

A1C test – This blood test measures your average blood sugar levels over the previous two or three months, which indicates how well your blood sugar is being controlled.

Blood pressure checks – Diabetes can cause high blood pressure, which increases stroke and heart attack risk. Have your blood pressure checked every time you see your primary care doctor.

Cholesterol test – Diabetes also increases your risk of heart disease, so be sure to have a blood test to check your cholesterol annually (more frequently if it’s already high).

Foot exam – Get a complete foot exam at every office visit to test your reflexes and check your feet for calluses, infections, sores, and loss of feeling.

Eye exam – Get a yearly eye exam from an ophthalmologist for early signs of glaucoma, cataracts, and diabetic retinopathy.

Kidney test – High blood glucose can damage the blood vessels in your kidneys over time. You should get tested every year for kidney disease if you have type 2 diabetes have had type 1 diabetes for more than five years.

Dental exam – See your dentist for a regular cleaning every six months and keep up with self-care like flossing and brushing daily.

Do you know your diabetes targets...?

Do you know your diabetes targets?

Dealing with diabetes can get overwhelming at times. You have to keep your blood sugar within a certain range, maintain a particular weight, monitor blood pressure levels, cholesterol levels and a lot more. Yet most of us aren’t even aware of the targets that we must be at. We keep striving to reach a goal without even knowing what the accurate goal is. Knowing the range we must be at for all these is essential for effectively treating diabetes. Also, diabetics need to constantly monitor certain levels on a daily basis. Since the doctor is not available daily, it is imperative to know what targets we must be at for good health.

Keep in mind that diabetes is a condition which requires a customised treatment per case. So even though you may be aware of a normal range of levels, the doctor may want you to maintain a more specific target. There are several factors that can influence blood sugar levels and thus need to be monitored regularly. Thus, knowing the specific targets that keep your blood glucose levels in the normal range is crucial for good diabetic control.

Factors that influence blood sugar and recommended targets

There are several factors that can impact blood sugar levels and need to be monitored carefully. The levels included here are the normal range that is considered healthy. However, you should talk to your doctor for advice on more specific targets that should be maintained.

Blood sugar levels

This is the number one focus for all diabetics! Keeping blood sugar levels within the normal range at all times is crucial for good health.

Fasting levels: Taken early morning before a meal, the fasting blood test reveal the effectiveness of medicines in controlling sugar at night. The healthy range is 80-110 mg/dl while a level between 111-125 mg/dl is considered borderline. However, anything over 125 is not healthy and needs correction.

Post meal:This test is done 2 hours after eating to judge how blood sugar levels react to the food being consumed. A target between 120-140 mg/dl is considered healthy with levels below 200 considered fair in some cases. Anything over 200 is a cause for concern and may require changes in the diet plan or medication.

HbA1c test: This is the most trusted vale for diabetics. Also known as Glycated haemoglobin, this level indicates the blood sugar levels over a span of three months. It is considered to be most reliable as it accounts for unexpected fluctuations in glucose levels. In healthy people, HbA1c level is less than 6%. Studies suggest that complication can be prevented or delayed if Hb1c levels are maintained below 7 %

HbA1c level of 8 % or above indicates that better control of blood sugar level is required.

Blood pressure

Blood pressure levels should ideally be 130/80 mm/Hg. Elevated levels at 140/90 is considered borderline high, with anything higher than that requiring food and lifestyle changes.

Lipid Profile

Measuring the levels of good and bad cholesterol levels for diabetes is essential as they not only impact blood sugar levels but can also warn of serious illnesses. Heart problems, hypertension, liver damage etc. can be diagnosed early by monitoring these levels. The ideal values should be:

HDL-cholesterol (Good cholesterol): This number should be higher than 60mg/dl for healthy heart function and not lower than 40 mg/dl at any time.

LDL-cholesterol (Bad cholesterol): Ideally, LDL levels should not exceed 100 mg/dl. However, in otherwise healthy adults a value up to 129 is also accepted. A value of 130 or more outs one at increased risk for chronic ailments.

Total cholesterol: A good judge of overall cholesterol health, total cholesterol values should of under 200mg/dl is considered ideal.

Triglycerides: This level should be maintained at under 150mg/dl while some doctors may accept a value up to 200, anything higher than that is a concern.Best diabetologist in vashi

Body Mass Index

Obesity is a leading cause for diabetes. Maintaining a healthy weight can help one keep their sugar levels in control. While a weighing scale gives you an idea if you are overweight, Body mass Index (BMI) is preferred as it accounts for total body fat. A BMI value of 20-23 is considered best though up to 25 is accepted, higher than 25 puts one at an increased risk for chronic ailments such as heart disease, hypertension etc.

Waist Hip Ratio

Did you know that your body shape can also have a bearing on diabetes? People with higher fat concentrated around their waist (apple shaped bodies) are said to be more at risk for diabetes and other chronic ailments as compared to people with more fat concentrated around their hips (pear shaped).

So we see there are several factors that can have an impact in keeping diabetes under control. Talk to your doctor and find out what your targets are so that you can focus on achieving them.

UNDERSTANDING INSULIN RESISTANCE – THE KEY CONSPIRATOR

UNDERSTANDING INSULIN RESISTANCE – THE KEY CONSPIRATOR

Don’t be scared about the highly technical terminology. I would make it easy for you to understand what it means and how to remain healthy.

Human body, though a very complex machine is not that difficult to understand. I have made it easy for you to understand in my earlier article –

Simplifying the most complex machine – human body

The body has an inbuilt mechanism to maintain energy balance. Any interference from our end leads to weight gain and the same is explained in another article –

Why am I putting on weight?

Role of Insulin

Glucose is the basic source of energy for every cell of the body. The glucose generated through digestion of carbohydrates in our food reaches cells via blood. Now at the level of cells for uptake of this glucose another component is required and that is insulin. Insulin is a hormone produced in our body by pancreas. This is an inbuilt check to ensure that glucose enters the cells only if required. The excessive glucose gets converted to fat and is stored as reserve largely in abdomen.



What is insulin resistance?

Insulin resistance is a condition in which though body has a sufficient amount of insulin it is not able to function properly. It means that for completing its task (which is uptake of glucose by cells), body would require larger amount of insulin. Its analogues to have incompetent people in an organization, you would need more people to complete the same task that can be done by fewer people.

What causes insulin resistance?

There are number of causes that lead to insulin resistance including genetic factors. A person with his first degree relatives having diseases like diabetes, heart disease etc would be at higher risk of having insulin resistance. Genetic factors are beyond our control.
Additionally there are number of other external factors that we can intervene with. Obesity specifically abdominal obesity is the biggest risk factor. There are number of scientific publications on this issue. I have proposed a simple marker to identify if you are having abdominal obesity – Index of central obesity. All this research papers can be accessed here.

The simple message from all this research is that limit your waist size to half of your height. If you are 5 feet 8 inches tall (68 inches), you should limit your waist size to 34 inches.



How does insulin resistance harm you?

Insulin resistance is the key conspirator behind number of diseases. People with resistance would need more insulin in their blood for proper uptake of glucose. This would lead to burden on pancreas leading to deficiency of insulin which will lead to diabetes. Additionally high levels of insulin in blood lead to atherosclerosis (thickening on your blood vessels) which causes blockages in arteries. If the arteries supplying your heart are affected, you can get heart attack, if the arteries supplying brain are affected, it can lead to paralysis. High levels of insulin in blood also lead to cholesterol problems which further increase risk of atherosclerosis. Disease like kidney failure, gangrene etc are also largely due to atherosclerosis. This conglomeration of various risk factors is called metabolic syndrome.

How to prevent and treat insulin resistance?

The best way to prevent insulin resistance is controlling your tummy size – limit your waist size to half of your height.
Control your weight. The ideal weight can be simply calculated by subtracting 100 from your height in cm. If your height is 176 cm, the ideal weight for you is 76 kg.
Regular exercise is improves the sensitivity of insulin. Daily brisk walk of 45 minutes is ideally recommended, more the better.
One should take healthy diet with less of fat and high proteins. Simple carbohydrates (sweets) should be avoided.
Insulin resistance is treated by physicians using drugs like Metformin.


Conclusion

Simply by understanding the basics of Insulin resistance, you can prevent or treat it before it causes deadly diseases like diabetes, high blood pressure, heart attack, paralysis etc. Control your weight, limit your waist size, have a healthy diet and exercise regularly, that’s the key to being healthy.

Don’t ignore these 5 lesser known signs of pre-diabetes - Sweet clinics Diabetologist in Navi Mumbai

Pre-diabetes has become a raging concern in India with an increasing number of cases being diagnosed. 60% of Prediabetics go on to develop Diabetes.

In addition, common symptoms like increased thirst and urination, increased hunger and blurry vision, may have become well known, but it is important to note that these symptoms do not arise overnight, but tend to build up gradually. Further, there are some additional symptoms that may be indicative of high blood sugar, which one would not even think to associate with pre-diabetes.

This could be a major reason why a majority of pre-diabetes cases are still undiagnosed. Here we bring you some of the lesser known symptoms of pre-diabetes that can help you with a timely diagnosis and better management of this condition.

Your vision seems to be changing

You may have heard that blurry vision is a sign of blood sugar levels being higher than normal, but did you know that a sudden improvement in your vision can also indicate abnormal sugar levels? According to research studies, high sugar levels can lead to movement in the bodily fluids including the eyes. This can lead to changes in the vision which may be blurry or more defined. However, the instant you observe any sudden changes in your eyesight, it is advisable to go in for a consultation.

UTI seems to be a frequent occurrence

UTI or Urinary Tract Infection can also be a symptom of elevated sugar levels. Especially if this condition becomes a recurrent concern, doctors advise to instantly check blood glucose levels. When sugar levels in the blood and urine are high, the genitals are more prone to bacterial and yeast infections, upping the risk for UTI.

Skin is constantly itchy

A skin condition is clearly a dermatological issue right, how can it relate to blood sugar? This is a common thought as a large number of people are still unaware of the connection of sugar levels and skin health. High sugar levels can slow down the blood and oxygen circulation in the body, leading to an increase in itchiness especially around the hands, feet and genital areas. If you notice any rashes or experience constant itchiness which doesn’t seem to subside after a couple of days, it may be time to check your sugar levels.

Your TV volume is louder than before

One of the least known symptoms of pre-diabetes is often changes in hearing levels. Without realising you may find yourself talking louder so as to encourage people to talk back at a louder volume. The volume of your music station may be set a little higher than before cause your hearing isn’t as good. In a country as noisy as India, it is easy to attribute this to external sounds.top diabetologist in Vashi However, it may also be a sign of high blood sugar which can damage the nerves of the inner ear, affecting your ability to hear.

Sleep comes with loud snores

Yes, if you find your partner suddenly complaining about your loud snoring (something you swear you don’t do), it may be time to check your sugar levels. A large number of people with higher sugar levels than normal also develop a sleep disorder known as sleep apnea which leads to disturbed sleep, snoring and often tiredness during the day.

So while it is advisable to look out for common pre-diabetes symptoms, it is essential not to ignore any of the above-mentioned signs either as enable timely diagnosis, it is recommended to get a timely diagnosis and treatment from a Diabetologist, as Prediabetes with proper treatment and lifestyle changes can be reversed.

Arthroscopic Release of Frozen Shoulder Problems in Diabetics By Sweet Clinics..!!

Diabetics in India have an additional burden of joint problem in addition to their systemic problems of nerves, eyes, blood vessels, kidneys etc. Diabetics are prone to develop a condition of the shoulders called primary frozen shoulder. It can affect both shoulders in a small percentage of people. It usually resolves over a period of time but can leave behind a lasting deficit of certain movements.

Middle aged diabetics also develop tears of the rotator cuff and this can lead to a secondary frozen shoulder. Rotator cuff is group of tendons on top of the shoulder which help to stabilize the joint.

They can develop calcium deposition in the rotator cuff tendons.

They are prone to develop Gouty arthritis in their shoulders like in any other joints since Gout has an association with diabetes. Gout is a condition due to consumption of uric acid which is a by product of the digestion of red meat.

In this article I shall discuss frozen shoulder.

Definition-

Frozen shoulder (Adhesive capsulitis, periathritis) is a condition characterized by a loss all movements at the true shoulder joint. There is pain initially. Pain settles down and there remains stiffness which sets in over a short period of time. Clever people may recall a traumatic incident. In others it may come on slowly. Stiffness may be permanent. The movement that is maximally affected is external rotation (rotating the arm outwards away from the body). This results in inability to reach behind the head with the hand to tie the hair. When both shoulders are affected elderly women are in an embarrassing situation. Overhead activities are also affected as the degree of elevation of the arm is reduced.

Anatomy

The shoulder is the most mobile joint in the body. Its function is to position the arm in space to reach out to objects and deliver them to the mouth for eating and for other actions. The shoulder is a ball and socket joint formed by the upper end of the humerus (arm bone) and the socket formed by the glenoid of the shoulder blade. It is lined by a bag like capsule. The capacity of this joint is about 15- 20 cc. In frozen shoulder the capacity is reduced to 2- 3 cc. The movements at the shoulder joint occur synchronously with that at joint between the shoulder blade and the torso and are compensated to some extent by this.

History of frozen shoulder-

Only in the last few years has the ideal treatment been suggested. It is a relatively rare disorder of the shoulder and in a population of 20 shoulder patients there may be one or two with this condition.

However many doctors and orthopaedic surgeons label any painful condition as a frozen shoulder and advice physiotherapy. This can make the condition worse.

Recent advances

It has been recently discovered that the answer to frozen shoulder lies in the genes. These genes may also be associated with Diabetes mellitus. The alterations in these genes and chromosomes lead to a distorted response to wound healing and scar tissue formation. Exuberant scar tissue forms in response to trauma. The remodeling of scar tissue collagen is less. When more scar tissue forms in the capsule of the shoulder joint, the normally possible movements are grossly reduced. Diabetics also develop nodules in their palms and feet, another evidence of the exaggerated healing process.

Standard treatment-

This is a combination of physiotherapy and steroid injections when the condition is initially painful. Physio can be done at home. The standard Orthopaedic treatment has been a manipulation under anaesthesia. This carries a theoretical risk of fracture but has not been validated in practice.best diabetologist in navi mumbai

A manipulation is contraindicated when a x ray reveals that the bone is very osteoporotic. It is also contra indicated in diabetics as more exuberant scar tissue will form in response to the crude method.

Since I have pointed out that sometimes rotator cuff tears can coexist with a frozen shoulder, the ideal management for a frozen shoulder would be an arthroscopic release of the contracted structures within the joint. An arthroscope is an instrument used to look into joints through tiny key hole incisions. The benefits are less pain after surgery and faster rehabilitation. Since scar tissue formation is minimized, chances of recurrence are less and greater are the chance of retaining the full range of movement achieved during the procedure. The range of movement achieved after the release has to be maintained with physiotherapy. In case there is some tear of the rotator cuff, repair can be done at a later stage.