Dr. Jean Chen from Texas Diabetes and Endocrinology discusses diabetes and living in triple-digit temperatures in the Austin American-Statesman. Dr. Chen points out the risks to those with diabetes and what precautions everyone can take to safeguard their health.
Read the article here.
Did you know that things like stress, illness, and food can affect your blood sugar levels? Small spikes in your blood sugar can be normal, but if you also have insulin resistance, then blood sugar levels can be significantly higher.
One of our board certified endocrinologists, Dr. Jean Chen, answers some important questions about blood sugar spikes here:
What is a blood sugar spike and why does it happen
A blood sugar spike is where there is a rapid rise in blood sugar in a short amount of time. There are numerous reasons why a blood sugar spike can occur. It can occur if a person is acutely stressed, ill or on certain medications, like steroids. However, the most common reason is due to the body’s response to foods that are high in carbohydrates or sugar. Small spikes in blood sugar after eating carbohydrates can be normal, but if someone also has insulin resistance, then blood sugar levels can be significantly higher. When we intake food that is high in carbohydrates or sugar, our body must produce insulin to signal to our muscles and organs to absorb that sugar from the bloodstream. When there is insulin resistance, the body does not respond to insulin as quickly as it should. Sugar remains in circulation longer, leading elevations in blood sugar.
Why do regular blood sugar spikes matter? What is the impact on your health?
Everyone needs a certain amount of sugar to produce enough energy for our body to work appropriately. However, if blood sugars elevate too high or stay elevated for too long, it has the reverse effect and can cause dysregulation in our body. This can lead to several complications, such as obesity, cardiovascular disease, high cholesterol and kidney disease.
Are there signs/symptoms of a blood sugar spike? If so, what are they?
Sometimes there are no symptoms or signs when blood sugars spike. If blood sugars reach a severe level and stay elevated, then people can have fatigue, increased thirst, increased urination and even weight loss.
What about a subsequent blood sugar crash? Are there signs/symptoms associated with that? Why does blood sugar crash following a spike?
If blood sugar starts to drop after a spike, it is most likely due to high amounts of insulin the body has released in response to either insulin resistance or foods that are high in sugar or carbohydrates. Therefore, people tend to feel these drops more after a large meal that is high in carbohydrates, especially carbohydrates that are low in fiber. People can start feeling more sluggish or tired. If blood sugars reach a critically low level, then symptoms of sweating, tremors, nervousness, fast heart rate and hunger may occur.
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Join us in giving a big congratulations to our 2022 Super Doctors! Rising Stars are physicians that have been active and fully-licensed to practice for 10 years or less, and they are selected by peer recognition and their professional achievements. We’re so proud to have Dr. Harrison, Dr. Chaicha-Brom, Dr. Chen, and Dr. Pandit on the list!
Did you know that nearly one in four adults have an abnormal buildup of fat in the liver? Your liver works to clean toxins from your blood and processes nutrients, so it’s important to make sure it’s functioning properly. Read on to learn what you need to know about fatty liver disease and how it can be detecte
What is Fatty Liver Disease?
Fatty liver disease happens when there is a buildup of fat in your liver, also known as hepatic steatosis. Too much fat in your liver can cause inflammation and, in severe cases, lead to liver failure.
What Causes Fatty Liver Disease?
There are two main forms of fatty liver disease – alcoholic fatty liver disease (AFLD) and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). AFLD is caused by excessive drinking, while NAFLD does not have an exact cause.
NAFLD affects up to 25 to 30 million people in the United States and Europe. While the cause is still unclear, factors such as obesity, high blood pressure, diabetes, and a family history of liver disease can increase your risk.
How is Fatty Liver Disease Detected?
Fatty liver disease can develop without symptoms until it reaches advanced stages. It can be missed in routine medical care, so it’s important to be proactive in detecting it. FibroScan is a non-invasive test that helps assess the health of your liver and identify issues that might impact the quality of liver function – like fatty liver disease. Texas Diabetes & Endocrinology is one of the first endocrinology clinics in the Austin area to provide this innovative procedure!
Conducted with ultrasound-based imaging, this cutting-edge diagnostic test gauges the amount of fat in the liver and allows specialists to assess the degree of stiffness in the liver tissue. FibroScans are not painful, and no sedation is needed. The scan only takes about 15 minutes to complete and the results will be ready for your doctor to review with you during your appointment.
Don’t forget to follow us on Facebook and Instagram and check back with us each month as we provide you helpful health and wellness information.
There is a newer, silent epidemic striking one in four adults known as nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Find out if you’re at risk and about a painless, rapid test that we do here at Texas Diabetes and Endocrinology to detect it.
