Diabetes Education

DIABETES MELLITUS – TYPE 1

Finding a healthy balance, sustaining a positive mental outlook, being in control of your strategy, and managing your medications is crucial!

Find the balance.

No matter how type 1 diabetes has shown up in your life, you can find success by balancing your medications, and sticking to your daily exercise routine and nutrition plan. But wherever you’re at with this challenge, you can always reach out for help of any kind. Your caregivers, your family, or other people who live with type 1 diabetes can be helpful allies in your finding your balance.

Pay attention to your mental well-being.

Stress is natural part of fighting type 1 diabetes, so if you’re experiencing unusual stress, depression, or anxiety of any kind, know that you’re not alone. A heightened risk for mental health challenges comes hand in hand with all of the physical challenges, so know that it’s not your fault—and there are plenty of resources and support to help you along the way.

You are in control.

Knowing what to eat with type 1 diabetes can be tough. You need a strategy for balancing food, insulin doses, and physical activity to maintain your blood sugar levels. Learning how different foods affect your blood sugar and figuring out how to balance that within your daily routine is key. And remember, it can be a little bit of trial and error. Experiment with different foods and watch your blood sugar as daily activities change. You can also work with a dietician to build a personalized nutrition plan that works for you.

Manage your medication.

Everyone manages their diabetes in different ways. But the key to finding the right way to manage type 1 diabetes lies in working with your healthcare providers to discover what works best for you. Reach out to your doctor and have a candid conversation about your concerns—and then work with all the resources at your disposal to push ahead and find your balance.

courtesy: American Diabetes Association

DIABETES MELLITUS – TYPE 2

Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes. Type 2 means that your body doesn’t use insulin properly. While some people can control their blood sugar levels with healthy eating and exercise, others may need medication or insulin to manage it. Regardless, you have everything you need to fight it.  

Every type 2 journey is unique.

There’s no one-size-fits-all treatment for type 2, but we can help you take each step forward. You have tools. You have resources, friends, and healthcare providers. Whatever step you take next, know that you won’t take it alone.

Put the right fuel in your body.

A huge part of managing type 2 diabetes is developing a healthy diet. You need to eat something sustainable that helps you feel better and still makes you feel happy and fed. Remember, it’s a process. Work to find helpful tips and diet plans that best suit your lifestyle—and how you can make your nutritional intake work the hardest for you.

Get moving with a fitness plan.

Fitness is a key part of managing type 2. And the good news, all you have to do is get moving. You don’t have to become an ultra-marathoner. You can start slowly with a walk around the block or a simple bike ride. The key is to find activities you love and do them as often as you can. Talk to your doctor or one of our specialists to customize a plan just for you.

courtesy: American Diabetes Association

PREDIABETES

You have the power to change things.  

There are no clear symptoms of prediabetes so you may have it and not know it. But before people develop type 2 diabetes, they almost always have prediabetes—blood sugar levels that are higher than normal but not yet high enough to be diagnosed as diabetes. You may have some of the symptoms of diabetes or even some of the complications. Check with your doctor and get tested. If you discover that you do have prediabetes, remember that it doesn’t mean you’ll develop type 2, particularly if you follow a treatment plan and a diet and exercise routine. Even small changes can have a huge impact on managing this disease or preventing it all together. 

courtesy: American Diabetes Association

DIABETES DURING PREGNANCY

GESTATIONAL DIABETES – Nearly 10 percent of pregnancies in the U.S. are affected by gestational diabetes every year. And know that it doesn’t mean that you had diabetes before you conceived or that you will have diabetes after you give birth. It means that, by working with your doctor, you can have a healthy pregnancy and a healthy baby. No matter what, you have all the support you need for both you and your baby.

courtesy: American Thyroid Association

DIABETES COMPLICATIONS

Diabetes increases your risk for many serious health problems. The good news? With the correct treatment and recommended lifestyle changes, many people with diabetes are able to prevent or delay the onset of complications.

Types of Complications may include:

• Skin complications – Stay alert for symptoms of skin infections and other skin disorders common in people with diabetes.
• Eye complications – Keep your risk of glaucoma, cataracts and other eye problems low with regular checkups.
• Neuropathy – Nerve damage from diabetes is called diabetic neuropathy (new-ROP-uh-thee). About half of all people with diabetes have some form of nerve damage.
• Foot complications – Learn about neuropathy (which can cause numbness in the feet) as well as other complications.
• DKA (ketoacidosis) & ketones – Know the warning signs of DKA and check urine for ketones, especially when you’re sick.
• Kidney disease (nephropathy) – Keep your diabetes and blood pressure under control to lower the chance of getting kidney disease.
• High blood pressure – High blood pressure—also called hypertension—raises your risk for heart attack, stroke, eye problems, and kidney disease.
• Stroke – Maintain target levels for blood glucose, blood pressure, and cholesterol to reduce your risk of stroke.

courtesy: American Thyroid Association

THYROID DISEASES & CONDITIONS

HYPERTHYROIDISM – The term hyperthyroidism refers to any condition in which there is too much thyroid hormone produced in the body. In other words, the thyroid gland is overactive. Another term that you might hear for this problem is thyrotoxicosis, which refers to high thyroid hormone levels in the blood stream, irrespective of their source.

HYPOTHYROIDISM – Hypothyroidism is an underactive thyroid gland. Hypothyroidism means that the thyroid gland can’t make enough thyroid hormone to keep the body running normally. People are hypothyroid if they have too little thyroid hormone in the blood. Common causes are autoimmune disease, such as Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, surgical removal of the thyroid, and radiation treatment.

THYROIDITIS – Thyroiditis is a general term that refers to “inflammation of the thyroid gland”. Thyroiditis includes a group of individual disorders causing thyroidal inflammation but presenting in different ways. For example, Hashimoto’s thyroiditis is the most common cause of hypothyroidism in the United States. Postpartum thyroiditis, which causes temporary thyrotoxicosis (high thyroid hormone levels in the blood) followed by temporary hypothyroidism, is a common cause of thyroid problems after the delivery of a baby. Subacute thyroiditis is the major cause of pain in the thyroid. Thyroiditis can also be seen in patients taking the drugs interferon and amiodarone.

THYROID NODULES – The term thyroid nodule refers to an abnormal growth of thyroid cells that forms a lump within the thyroid gland. Although the vast majority of thyroid nodules are benign (noncancerous), a small proportion of thyroid nodules do contain thyroid cancer. In order to diagnose and treat thyroid cancer at the earliest stage, most thyroid nodules need some type of evaluation.

THYROID CANCER – Thyroid cancer is relatively uncommon compared to other cancers. In the United States it is estimated that in 2016 approximately 64,000 new patients will be diagnosed with thyroid cancer, compared to over 240,000 patients with breast cancer and 135,000 patients with colon cancer. However, fewer than 2000 patients die of thyroid cancer each year. In 2013, the last year for which statistics are available, over 630,000 patients were living with thyroid cancer in the United States. Thyroid cancer is usually very treatable and is often cured with surgery. Even when thyroid cancer is more advanced, effective treatment is available for the most common forms of thyroid cancer. Even though the diagnosis of cancer is terrifying, the prognosis for most patients with papillary and follicular thyroid cancer is usually excellent.

HYPERTHYROIDISM & HYPOTHYROIDISM DURING PREGNANCY – Overall, the most common cause of hyperthyroidism in women of childbearing age is Graves’ disease, which occurs in 0.2% of pregnant patients. In addition to other usual causes of hyperthyroidism, very high levels of hCG, seen in severe forms of morning sickness (hyperemesis gravidarum), may cause transient hyperthyroidism in early pregnancy. The correct diagnosis is based on a careful review of history, physical exam and laboratory testing.

Overall, the most common cause of hypothyroidism is the autoimmune disorder known as Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. Hypothyroidism can occur during pregnancy due to the initial presentation of Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, inadequate treatment of a woman already known to have hypothyroidism from a variety of causes, or over-treatment of a hyperthyroid woman with anti-thyroid medications. 

courtesy: American Thyroid Association

PITUITARY DISEASES

The pituitary gland is the “master gland” of the body,  producing many hormones that travel throughout the body, directing certain processes or stimulating other glands to produce other hormones.

PITUITARY TUMORS – There are two types of tumors—functioning and non-functioning. Functioning tumors produce too much of a hormone normally made by the pituitary, and non-functioning tumors do not. Both types of tumors can cause problems if they are large and interfere with normal function of the pituitary gland and/or nearby structures in the brain.  Learn More

HYPOPITUITARISM – Hypopituitarism (also called pituitary insufficiency) is a rare condition in which your pituitary gland doesn’t make enough of certain hormones. Hormones coming from the pituitary gland control the function of other glands in your body.

ACROMEGALY – Acromegaly is a rare but serious condition caused by too much growth hormone (GH) in the blood. GH is released into the bloodstream by the pituitary gland, located at the base of the brain. The blood carries GH to other parts of the body where it has specific effects.

HYPERPROLACTINEMIA & PROLACTIN DISORDER – Hyperprolactinemia is a condition in which a person has higher-than-normal levels of the hormone prolactin in the blood. The main function of prolactin is to stimulate breast milk production after childbirth, so high prolactin levels are normal in pregnancy. Prolactin also affects the levels of sex hormones.

DIABETES INSIPIDUS – Diabetes insipidus (DI) is a rare condition that leads to frequent urination (passing a lot of clear urine) and excessive thirst. The condition may be caused by problems with your pituitary gland and/or your kidneys. DI is not related to diabetes mellitus (type 1 and type 2 diabetes), which is when your levels of blood sugar (glucose) are too high.

courtesy: The Hormone Health Network

ADRENAL DISEASES

Adrenal insufficiency is a disorder that occurs when the adrenal glands don’t make enough of certain hormones – such as cortisol – and is sometimes called the “stress hormone” which is essential for life.

DIAGNOSIS – Doctors diagnose adrenal insufficiency with blood tests. Other tests, such as computed tomography (CT) scans and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), help find the cause of this disorder.

DIET & NUTRITION – Some people with adrenal insufficiency may need a high-sodium diet. People who take medicines to replace cortisol also need plenty of calcium and vitamin D. A health care professional or dietitian can tell you how much you should have.

SYMPTOMS & CAUSES – The most common symptoms are fatigue, muscle weakness, loss of appetite, weight loss, and abdominal pain. Adrenal insufficiency can be caused by autoimmune disease or suddenly stopping steroid medicines used to treat other conditions, among other causes.

TREATMENT – Doctors treat adrenal insufficiency with medicines that replace the hormones your body isn’t making. Your doctor will adjust your dose in special situations, such as during surgery, illness, or pregnancy; or after a serious injury.

courtesy: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases

REPRODUCTIVE HORMONES

Hormones are the drivers of human reproduction, responsible for sexual development and controlling the menstrual cycle.

FEMALE ESTROGEN DEFICIENCY – A reduction in ovarian function results in a number of symptoms. Symptoms secondary to changes in ovarian hormones can be difficult to distinguish from those due to general aging and/or other medical or endocrine disorders.

MALE HORMONES – Low testosterone (hypogonadism) and erectile disfunction (ED) are just a few conditions common to men over 45 years of age that can be treated.

TRANSGENDER HEALTH – Transgender and gender non-binary (TGNB) people are defined as having gender identity that is not aligned with their sex recorded at birth. medical interventions for TGNB people must be customized and can range from no medical intervention, to hormone therapy, to surgeries of various sorts. 

POLYCYSTIC OVARY SYNDROE (PCOS) – Polycystic ovary syndrome(PCOS) is a hormone disorder defined by elevated testerone levels, acne, facial hair and in male pattern on the body, and thinning hair on the scalp. 

HIRSUTISM – Hirsutism is excessive growth of “male” pattern hair that appear on the face, back, chest, abdomen, and thighs in women. It is common and is usually a sign of underlying PCOS.

GYNECOMASTIA – Gynecomastia is breast enlargement in boys or men due to a benign (non-cancerous) increase in breast tissue. This condition results from an imbalance between the hormones testosterone and estrogen

courtesy: The Hormone Health Network

OBESITY

Obesity  is a chronic (long-term) medical disease of having too much body fat. Health care providers can diagnose obesity using a number called the body mass index (BMI).

MEDICAL NUTRITIONAL THERAPY – Following various nutrition programs such as the Mediterranean, DASH or portion-controlled diets can help you lose weight and stay healthy. A dietitian may be able to help you meet your weight goals. 

PRESCRIPTION OBESITY MEDICATIONS – There are a variety of medications designed to help you lose weight and lower your BMI.

PRE / POST OPERATIVE MANAGEMENT OF BARIATRIC SURGERY – Bariatric surgery helps people who are very obese to lose a lot of weight and improve their health. Most weight-loss surgeries limit how much food your stomach can hold, making you feel full after just a small meal (called restriction). They sometimes also limit the calories and nutrients your body can absorb (called malabsorption). Studies show that bariatric surgery also changes the action of certain hormones, such as ghrelin—“the hunger hormone.”

courtesy: The Hormone Health Network

CALCIUM & BONE METABOLISM

OSTEOPOROSIS – Osteoporosis is a disease in which bones become weak and are more likely to fracture or break. It is called a “silent” disease because bone loss often occurs without your knowing it.

OSTEOPENIA – This condition occurs when your bones are weaker than normal but not so far gone that they break easily.  Osteopenia happens when your body gets rid of more bone than it is creating.

HYPERCALCEMIA – People with high blood calcium, also called hypercalcemia, have above-normal levels of calcium in their blood. Hormone problems are some of the many possible causes of high blood calcium.

VITAMIN D DEFICIENCY – Known as the sunshine vitamin, VITAMIN D is essential for strong bones because it helps the body use calcium. Symptoms of deficiency include bone pain and muscle weakness.  Vitamin D deficiency has also been associated with rickets, a disease in which the bone tissue doesn’t properly mineralize, leading to soft bones and skeletal deformities.

courtesy: The Hormone Health Network

PARATHYROID GLANDS DISORDER

HYPERPARATHYROIDISM – The body’s parathyroid glands—four pea-sized glands in the neck—produce parathyroid hormone (PTH). Primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) is a condition in which, most commonly, an overactive parathyroid gland makes too much PTH.

HYPOPARATHYROIDISM -You can get hypoparathyroidism when you have too little PTH. This can happen if your parathyroid glands get damaged during surgery on your thyroid gland, throat, or neck. Hypoparathyroidism also can be hereditary.

courtesy: The Hormone Health Network

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