How diabetes can impact your body from head to toe

 

Manage diabetes well

Experts refer to diabetes as a “silent killer”—an ominous label, for sure, but definitely not an exaggeration. Caused by chronic high blood sugar due to the inability of the body to use or produce insulin (the hormone that converts food to energy), diabetes can have no obvious symptoms for many years. When signs do appear, however, they put you at risk for certain diseases or leave you with irreparable damage.

“Diabetes impacts our body literally from head to toe,” says Jimmy B. Aragon, MD from the Diabetes Care Center of top hospital in the Philippines Makati Medical Center (MakatiMed). “That’s why we always advocate for early detection, so treatment can begin before the effects become irreversible.”

Long-term exposure to blood sugar damages our blood vessels, which leads to a host of complications, some of them life-threatening:

Cardiovascular disease. “People with diabetes are more at risk of getting a stroke and heart attack,” reveals Dr. Aragon. “Damaged blood vessels become stiff and develop plaque, hampering oxygen and blood flow to vital organs like the brain and heart.”

Visual problems. “Damaged blood vessels in the eyes can lead to diabetic retinopathy, a condition that blurs vision and could progress to blindness,” shares Dr. Aragon. “Cataracts or a cloudiness in your eye’s lens and glaucoma or the damage of an optic nerve are also traced to diabetes.”

Kidney disease. “When high blood sugar damages the tiny blood vessels and filters of the kidneys, it impairs the kidneys’ ability to filter out toxic waste from our system,” says Dr. Aragon. “The kidneys’ impaired function may eventually lead to dialysis or a kidney transplant.”

Neuropathy. Nerve damage due to high blood sugar usually presents itself in the legs and feet. “The sensation is one of pins and needles,” explains Dr. Aragon. “It could also manifest as numbness, and the loss of feeling makes you unaware of injuries on your feet.” People with diabetes are also known for their slow-healing wounds in the feet—a result, yet again, of damaged blood vessels and poor circulation.

A frequent need to pee, dry skin, fatigue, and unquenchable thirst are other signs of diabetes.

Managing blood sugar is the first step to controlling diabetes. “The two most common tests to check for diabetes are Fasting Blood Sugar and HbA1c,” says Dr. Aragon. “The former measures blood sugar after eight hours of fasting, the latter measures your average blood sugar levels in the last 2-3 months.” Type 2 diabetes (wherein the body cannot make insulin or is resistant to it) is the more common form of disease, while type 1 diabetes (an autoimmune disorder that attacks the cells that make insulin) is usually diagnosed in children and young adults.

Aim for a normal fasting blood sugar between 70 and 100 mg/dl (or (3.9 and 5.6 mmol/L). “You’re considered prediabetes if your blood sugar runs from 100 to 125 mg/dL (5.6 to 6.9 mmol/L). A result of 126 mg/dL (7 mmol/L) or higher means you have diabetes,” reminds Dr. Aragon.

Medications are available to either lower blood sugar levels or aid the body in using insulin more effectively. MakatiMed also shares some simple lifestyle changes to keep blood sugar within normal levels.

Dr. Aragon advises replacing carbs with low-glycemic whole grains and fiber, and hydrating with water, not sugary drinks, to manage blood sugar. The doctor also recommends staying active. Even a 30-minute walk after meals helps lower blood sugar and aids weight loss for better overall health.

Given that people with diabetes have an increased risk of developing serious foot problems, Dr. Aragon stresses moisturizing and cleaning feet, and wearing socks to prevent sores. Diabetes also affects many of our organs, so the expert emphasizes the importance of monitoring any changes not only with your blood sugar but with your eyes, kidneys, blood pressure, and cholesterol.

“Diabetes doesn’t have to be your ‘silent killer,’” asserts Dr. Aragon. “With your doctor’s guidance and your compliance, you can live a full and active life and do what non-diabetics can do, within healthy limits, of course.”

For more information, please contact MakatiMed On-Call at +632.88888 999, email mmc@makatimed.net.ph, or visit www.makatimed.net.ph. Follow @IamMakatiMed on Facebook and Twitter.

Four ways Filipinas can maintain a healthy heart

 

In their 20s, women worried about acne and dysmenorrhea; in their 30s, they focused on reproductive health; in their 40s, they got their first mammogram; in their 50s, they sought ways to manage the effects of perimenopause. Throughout their lives, women are primed to watch out for female-associated conditions like breast cancer, cervical cancer, and maternal mortality. But what about heart health?

Both men and women are susceptible to heart disease, with common risk factors including hypertension, diabetes, obesity, and smoking. However, women face unique risk factors, including hormonal changes associated with perimenopause and pregnancy.

“Estrogen, which declines during perimenopause and menopause, is known to help keep the blood vessels relaxed and open, which in turn helps maintain healthy blood pressure. It also helps control cholesterol levels, preventing plaque buildup in arteries,” reveals Jasmin Melissa B. Bernardo, MD of the Department of Cardiology of top hospital in the Philippines Makati Medical Center (MakatiMed) and current President of the Philippine Society of Vascular Medicine. “Meanwhile, complications during pregnancy like preeclampsia and gestational diabetes could increase a woman’s risk of future heart health issues.”

There’s nothing wrong with loving yourself a little bit more. Ladies, start with these four heart-friendly tips from MakatiMed.

Know your numbers. 

“One of the reasons why stroke is the second leading cause of death in the Philippines is because few Filipinos know their average blood pressure—much less the fact that they’ve been hypertensive all this time and haven’t done anything about it. Aim for a blood pressure of 120/80 mm Hg or less,” says Dr. Bernardo. “Always seek to achieve and maintain normal results – normal lipid profile, normal sugar, normal weight.” Monitor these figures during your company’s annual checkup or commit to seeing a family physician at least once a year.

Don’t disregard the symptoms. 

When it comes to heart attacks, women’s symptoms vary slightly from men’s. “Yes, they too experience pressure on their chest,” shares Dr. Bernardo. “But they also have jaw or back pain, nausea and vomiting, weakness in the arms, and flu-like symptoms. If you feel unwell, err on the safe side and check your blood pressure and heart rate, apart from the symptoms. If you think something is amiss, contact your primary physician—or bring yourself to the emergency room.”

Eat better, move more. 

Fast food may be the most convenient way to squeeze in lunch on a packed workday or serve dinner to the family because you were too busy to cook, but it isn’t as good for your health. “Ideally, a meal loaded with vegetables and complemented with lean protein and complex carbs is a heart-healthy choice,” says Dr. Bernardo. “Try to exercise for 40-60 minutes four times a week. 

Exercise lowers blood pressure and blood sugar, keeps you at a healthy weight, and releases endorphins, ‘happy hormones’ that naturally lift the spirit. Can’t go to the gym because you were stuck at the office? Walk every chance you get. Aim for 7,000 to 10,000 steps a day.

Dr. Bernardo underlines that even if you can’t reach 10,000 steps a day, simple adjustments like taking the stairs instead of the elevator, choosing parking spots further away from the destination, engaging in household chores, and adding light exercises throughout the day like squats, stretches, jumping jacks, and even running in place can significantly help improve your heart health. Investing in a fitness tracker to monitor steps and activities may also help you evaluate your progress.

Manage stress. 

Single women, wives, mothers, and career women will definitely benefit from some much-needed time out from work and home life. “Go on leave. See friends. Exercise. Meditate. Sleep. Consult a professional if the stress becomes overwhelming. The break will clear your mind and energize you, giving you renewed motivation to face demanding days at home or in the workplace,” emphasizes Dr. Bernardo.

“Women can do it all, but they also have to remember that they are not exempt from heart disease—or any disease for that matter,” adds Dr. Bernardo. “Easy changes in your lifestyle and attitude towards heart health help a lot in keeping you healthy and happy for years to come.”

For more information, please contact MakatiMed On-Call at +632.88888 999, email

mmc@makatimed.net.ph, or visit www.makatimed.net.ph. Follow @IamMakatiMed on Facebook and

Twitter.