Author: Leslie Branon

summer heat and diabetes
Tips to Help you Manage your Diabetes this Summer
Posted on by Leslie Branon

As the summer temperatures continue to hit triple digits, it’s important for everyone to take precautions and stay hydrated. For people with diabetes, it is essential that you be extra careful when dealing with high temperatures. Here’s why:

  • Your body is unable to cool properly because of damage to blood vessels and nerves.
  • You are more susceptible to dehydration.
  • Heat can change how your body uses insulin.

If you have diabetes, here are some tips on how to stay safe in the heat this summer:

Stay Hydrated

As you’re battling the heat this summer, keep in mind that when your blood sugars are high, it can also cause dehydration. This can lead to serious conditions, like kidney damage and risks of infection. It’s best to hydrate with water. If drinking juice or sports drinks, our endocrinologists recommend you watch for any extra sugar that can lead to blood sugars getting worse.

Prepare Your Diabetic Supplies

Higher temperatures can impact medications like insulin and diabetes equipment. Don’t store testing strips, insulin, blood sugar monitors, or pumps in a hot car or leave in the direct sunlight. Instead, pack them in a cooler to help keep the temperature down. 

Test Your Blood Sugar Often

High temperatures can impact how your body uses insulin, so make sure you are frequently monitoring your blood sugar and make adjustments as needed.

Other Heat Safety Tips

Everyone should follow these heat-safety tips if you are spending time outdoors this summer:

  • Drink plenty of water and avoid alcohol or caffeinated drinks 
  • Avoid being outside in the hottest part of the day
  • Wear sunscreen and reapply often
  • Wear lightweight, breathable clothing 
  • Take breaks in the shade, especially when exercising or working outdoors
  • Know the signs of heat-related illness including confusion, dizziness, cramping, or seizures

Diabetes Specialists in Austin

Texas Diabetes and Endocrinology offers comprehensive diabetes services and the most advanced insulin treatments including injections, oral medications, and insulin pumps. Our board certified endocrinologists and certified diabetes educators are committed to helping you gain better control of your health. 

Contact us today to learn how we can help you manage your diabetes this summer!

Don’t forget to follow us on Facebook and Instagram and check back with us each month as we provide you helpful wellness and health information.

Men's Health low testosterone
Men’s Health Month: Low Testosterone
Posted on by Leslie Branon

June is Men’s Health Month – a time to focus on the health and well-being of men of all ages. One health issue that impacts many men is low testosterone. It is projected that approximately 6.5 million American men between the ages of 30-79 will have low testosterone by 2025.

While there is still much research to be done around the connection of low testosterone to other health issues, there is already an established link between insulin resistance, diabetes and low T. According to the American Diabetes Association, type 2 diabetics are twice as likely to have low testosterone compared to those without diabetes. 

Here is the information you need to know to better understand how low testosterone affects men’s health.

Low Testosterone Overview

The testosterone hormone is a part of the endocrine system and plays a large role in men’s health. It helps regulate muscle mass and strength, it can impact sex drive and sexual function, and it helps maintain bone strength. If a man is diagnosed with hypogonadism, it means they’re experiencing low testosterone along with a potential for other symptoms.

Causes and Symptoms

There are several potential causes of low testosterone, including:

  • Normal aging
  • Certain cancer treatments
  • Diseases affecting the testicles
  • Disorders that affect the pituitary gland

The symptoms of low T depend on the person, but can include:

  • Low energy
  • Low sex drive
  • Erectile dysfunction (ED)
  • Feelings of sadness or depression
  • Weight gain

Related Health Concerns

Low testosterone is associated with a variety of related health concerns, and some of which can be very serious. 

Examples include:

Low Testosterone Treatment

Low testosterone can be treated with testosterone replacement therapy. It is important to talk to your doctor to find the treatment that will work best for you and to monitor your testosterone levels to optimize the results. At Texas Diabetes & Endocrinology, we offer a variety of testosterone replacement treatments, including skin patches, gels, injections, and nasal spray. Our providers will work with you to find a personalized treatment plan.

Consult with an Endocrinologist in Austin, TX

To learn more about low testosterone (low T) and testosterone replacement therapy, schedule a consultation with one of our board certified endocrinologists in Austin or Round Rock by requesting an appointment online or call (512) 458-8400.

Don’t forget to follow us on Facebook and Instagram and check back with us each month as we provide you helpful wellness and health information.

diabetes and dementia
The Connection Between Alzheimer’s and Diabetes
Posted on by Leslie Branon

In the United States, more than 6 million people are living with the Alzheimer’s disease and this number is projected to rise to nearly 13 million by 2050. In 2025, the number of people aged 65 and older living with Alzheimer’s in Texas is expected to reach 490,000 – a 22.5% increase from 2020.

New research shows that the earlier someone is diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, the higher chance they have of developing dementia. This Alzheimer’s Awareness Month, we’re taking a closer look at the connection between diabetes and dementia.

It’s estimated that up to 81% of people living with Alzheimer’s have type 2 diabetes. While the exact reasons behind this link are still unknown, this connection may be due to hyperglycemia caused by insulin resistance, or when your body cannot use the insulin, it produces properly to reduce the sugar in your blood. A recent study found that chronic hyperglycemia impacts parts of the brain that form and retrieve memories.

There are other potential contributing factors of diabetes that can lead to dementia, including:

  • The increased risk of heart disease and stroke with diabetes, which can lead to damaged blood vessels in the bran and contribute to cognitive decline;
  • Unbalanced chemicals in the brain due to too much insulin; and
  • Inflammation due to high blood sugars that may damage brain cells

“The link between diabetes and dementia is an important area of research given our rapidly aging population,” explains board certified endocrinologist Dr. Ishita Prakash Patel. “If diabetes is found to be an independent risk factor for dementia development, we need to put more focus on diabetes prevention, both at an individual and societal level.” 

Dr. Patel says it is more important than ever to form healthy eating and exercise habits at a young age to prevent obesity and the development of type 2 diabetes. 

“Taking ownership of one’s health by changing unhealthy habits is the most important thing a person can do for themselves,” Dr. Patel says.

To decrease your risk of developing type 2 diabetes, there are a few steps you can consider:

  • Develop healthy eating habits;
  • Incorporate additional exercise into your routine;
  • Quit smoking; and
  • Join our NextStepMD program, which is designed to help our patients lose weight, maintain weight loss, and gain better control of their health.

At Texas Diabetes and Endocrinology, we offer a comprehensive range of diabetes services and are committed to helping our patients gain better control of their health. Contact us today to learn how we can help you manage your diabetes and reduce your risk of developing dementia.

Don’t forget to follow us on Facebook and Instagram and check back with us each month as we provide you helpful wellness and health information.

continuous glucose monitors
Continuous Glucose Monitors: Everything You Need to Know
Posted on by Leslie Branon

Continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) technology provides real-time glucose readings to people with diabetes. CGMs help diabetics track their glucose levels throughout the day and make informed decisions about their food, exercise, and medication intake. This advancement in technology can make living with diabetes easier to manage. 

What are continuous glucose monitors (CGMs)? 

A CGM is a small device that uses a sensor placed under the skin to check blood glucose levels every 5-15 minutes, providing real-time updates to a receiver or smartphone app. 

Benefits of CGMs

CGMs offer many benefits for people with diabetes to help them live more independently. Board certified endocrinologist Dr. Srujana Yada says the real-time updates on blood sugar trends can not only provide guidance on treatment decisions, but also help patients make healthy choices. 

“CGMs can tell patients how their blood sugar changes when eating different kinds of foods,” says Dr. Yada. “This can help them make appropriate changes in their diet and create an even more personalized treatment plan.”

CGMs can also help reduce the risk of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) or hyperglycemia (high blood sugar). 

“Patients are notified by an alarm when they have high or low glucose levels, which helps them make treatment decisions rather than waiting too long,” explains Dr. Yada.

The instant data from CGMs can also improve patient care. “It helps doctors to see where exactly the blood sugars are running high – either fasting or mealtime sugars – and lets us change the regimen accordingly. CGMs help improve HbA1c and reduce variability.”

Who should have a CGM?

Patients who are candidates for a CGM include:

  • All type 1 diabetes patients;
  • Type 2 diabetes patients who are on multiple insulin injections; and
  • Patients with hypoglycemic unawareness.

Patients who are not on insulin do not need a CGM.

Continuous glucose monitors are a valuable tool for people with diabetes. If you’re interested in learning more, talk with your doctor to decide if it is right for you.

Consult with an Endocrinologist in Austin, TX

At Texas Diabetes & Endocrinology, we are committed to helping people gain better control of their health and working with patients to develop personalized treatment plans that work best for their lifestyle. To schedule an appointment with one of our board certified endocrinologist, call (512) 458-8400 or request an appointment online. 

Don’t forget to follow us on Facebook and Instagram and check back with us each month as we provide you helpful wellness and health information.

« Previous Page — Next Page »