Vim & Vigor - Winter 2011 - Parrish Medical Center - (Page 44)

ASSIGNMENT: PROTECT YOUR EYES. When it comes to caring for your eyes, glucose isn’t your only concern. Along with high blood sugar levels, high blood pressure can damage the tiny blood vessels in your retina, which is the lining at the back of your eye. This is known as diabetic retinopathy, and it’s the most common eye problem among people with diabetes. Individuals with diabetes are also more likely to develop glaucoma and cataracts. But you can ﬁght back. “The best thing you can do day in and day out to prevent eye problems beyond keeping your blood glucose in control is to get and keep your blood pressure under control,” says Hope Warshaw, a dietitian, certiﬁed diabetes educator and author of several books, including Real-Life Guide to Diabetes: Practical Answers to Your Diabetes Problems. “I don’t think that’s always an obvious connection for people with diabetes, but it needs to become one.” EXTRA CREDIT: Get an annual eye test, including a dilated retinal exam, which allows your eye doctor to see the back of your eye and check for problems, recommends the American Diabetes Association (ADA). ASSIGNMENT: SHOW YOUR FEET SOME LOVE. Feet are a major concern in diabetes care. Foot problems such as calluses are more common and develop more quickly in people who have type 2 diabetes, according to the ADA. And because diabetic neuropathy (or nerve damage) may cause you to lose feeling in your feet over time, you might not notice a callus until it’s already broken down and developed into an ulcer. With daily foot care, you can keep calluses from building. Most experts recommend using a pumice stone right after showering and a good moisturizer to keep your feet soft, as well as keeping your toenails neatly clipped straight across to help prevent them from becoming ingrown. But be sure to consult with your healthcare provider before performing any foot care—especially if you have little or no sensation in your feet. EXTRA CREDIT: Increase the blood ﬂow in your feet, and improve your health, by taking daily walks. ASSIGNMENT: KEEP YOUR SKIN MOISTURIZED. ASSIGNMENT: BE GOOD TO YOUR TEETH AND GUMS. Good dental hygiene is important for everyone, but when you have diabetes, it becomes even more critical. “You’re more likely to experience problems with your teeth and gums than people without diabetes, especially if your blood sugar isn’t controlled,” Warshaw says. “And dental problems like a tooth infection or mouth sores can actually cause your glucose to become elevated, so it’s important to take good care of your teeth and gums.” Use a soft toothbrush at least twice daily, ﬂoss, and keep your mouth moist to avoid dry mouth, which increases your cavity risk. Try sugar-free gum or candies or simply drinking more water. EXTRA CREDIT: Be sure to see your dentist at least twice a year, and tell him or her that you have diabetes. Dry skin doesn’t get as much attention as other complications, but it’s another unwanted side effect of high blood sugar. Resist the urge to scratch, Warshaw says. “Scratching that itch can cause sores and lead to infection, which individuals with diabetes are more prone to anyway,” she says. The ADA recommends applying a moisturizer to your skin while it’s still damp from your shower or bath to help seal in moisture, paying special attention to your elbows, legs and heels. EXTRA CREDIT: Your lifestyle has an impact on your skin’s moisture, so eat a healthy diet, drink plenty of water and exercise to keep your skin healthy. ASSIGNMENT: GET TO OR STAY AT A HEALTHY WEIGHT. We know there’s a connection between type 2 diabetes, heart disease and being overweight or obese, but that’s only part of the picture, according to Lee Kaplan, M.D., Ph.D., spokesman for The Obesity Society. “While obesity can be a cause of diabetes in people who are genetically susceptible to it, only about 20 percent of people who are obese have type 2 diabetes,” Kaplan says. That said, if you are overweight or obese, dropping just a few pounds goes a long way to managing your ABCs. It lowers cholesterol, glucose and blood pressure in one fell swoop, according to the ADA. 44 Vim & Vigor · W I N TER 2 011

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Vim & Vigor - Winter 2011 - Parrish Medical Center

Vim & Vigor - Winter 2011 - Parrish Medical Center
Contents
Tasty Tips
Opening Thoughts
Community Calendar
Delegation of Authority
Back in Action
Supplementary Knowledge
Keys to Survival
Clearing the Air
Mark Harmon of NCIS fame makes 60 look good
This One’s for the Girls
Life After a Loss
Do Your Diabetes Homework
Healthy Returns
Making Time
Exercise Disguised as Fun
Community Health: Sleep apnea
Foundation Focus: Gifts make a difference
Ask the Expert: Rotator cuff tears and tendinitis

Vim & Vigor - Winter 2011 - Parrish Medical Center