Category: Diabetes

managing diabetes in college
Ten Tips for Managing Diabetes at College 
Posted on by Leslie Branon

Navigating the complexities of college life is a challenge in itself, but for students managing diabetes, the journey comes with an added layer of responsibility. Balancing classes, social activities, and personal care can seem overwhelming, yet it is entirely possible to thrive with the right strategies in place. 

Here are some tips our endocrinology experts share for managing diabetes on campus and away from home:

Ten Tips for Managing Diabetes at College

1.         Touch base with your regular endocrinologist before leaving and make sure your recommended protocol and prescriptions are all current.  

2.         Locate your campus health center as soon as you arrive so you know where to head for minor complications or emergencies.  

3.         Bring along a mini fridge for your dorm room to store medications/insulin, juices, and several healthy snacks to have on hand.

4.         Share your condition with your roommate(s) so they’re aware of your diabetes and let them know who to contact in case of an emergency. 

5.         Find a local pharmacy that can fill your prescriptions as needed or set up automatic refills to be shipped directly to you. 

6.         Put a medical alert message or symbol on your phone’s screensaver.

7.         Add family or friend’s contact numbers to your phone under ICE (In Case of Emergency).

8.         Grant remote access to your parents via digital glucose monitors and sensors so that they can help keep you on track from home (and it may help ease their anxieties of knowing how you’re doing). 

9.         Do your best to get some movement and exercise each day to keep blood flowing and blood sugars balanced. 

10.       Be cautious with alcohol use (and know your limitations), which can cause serious blood sugar spikes and impair your cognitive abilities. 

Finding Diabetes Support on Campus

Once away at school, be sure to know what health resources (both mental and physical) are available to help you on campus. Being in a healthy state with your mind and body will help you to better succeed as a student and make the most of your college experience.

Check out the College Diabetes Network to see if your school has a support group on campus, or visit The Diabetes Link that serves as an excellent resource for college students and young adults as they embark out on their own. 

Contact Us to Help Manage your Diabetes, Osteoporosis and Thyroid Conditions 

If you’d like to schedule an appointment with one of our specialists at Texas Diabetes & Endocrinology and discover how our diabetes services, heart disease prevention,  and other endocrinology therapies can help you lead a full and active life, please contact us at (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.

diabetes complications
Decreasing Your Risk for Diabetes Complications 
Posted on by Leslie Branon

The CDC estimates that more than 29 million American adults are currently living with diabetes.

Diabetes is a chronic disease that affects how your body makes and processes glucose, or blood sugar. While it is possible to lead a very full and active life with diabetes if your diet and medications/insulin are carefully managed, there is still the potential for serious complications to occur. 

What are some common diabetes complications? 

Diabetes complications usually develop gradually over time with the disease. It is important to monitor your blood glucose levels vigilantly and stay on track regarding regular check-ups with your endocrinologist.

Some of the most common diabetes complications that our endocrinology experts see include: 

  • Heart disease: diabetics are twice as more likely to suffer from heart disease and stroke than others due to damaged blood vessels and nerves surrounding the heart 
  • Kidney disease: elevated blood sugar levels over time can lead to chronic kidney disease, the need for dialysis, and even kidney failure 
  • Blindness and eye issues: diabetes can also damage blood vessels in the eye/retina (diabetic retinopathy) 
  • Neuropathy: diabetic neuropathy, or nerve damage, is pain or numbness that stems from blood vessels and nerves (typically in the legs and feet) lacking sufficient oxygen or nutrients hijacked by high blood sugar 
  • Non-healing foot and leg ulcers: sores and infections that appear on the legs or feet due to poor circulation and elevated glucose levels can be hard to treat and may lead to amputation in extreme cases

If you notice signs or symptoms of any of these diabetes complications, speak with your endocrinologist right away about solutions to treat and manage them effectively. 

Decreasing Your Risk for Diabetes Complications

Along with keeping regularly scheduled appointments with your physician, and taking medications/insulin as instructed, here are five other ways to help prevent from developing severe diabetes complications: 

1.         Follow a healthy diet of lean proteins, brightly colored fruits and vegetables, and whole grains. 

2.         Exercise regularly and aim for at least 150 minutes of physical activity per week. 

3.         Maintain a healthy weight and BMI (Body Mass Index) and speak to your doctor about what that optimal weight should be. 

4.         Manage your blood pressure and cholesterol levels and make sure they are within healthy and normal ranges. 

5.         Stop smoking to avoid additional damage to your heart and lungs beyond what high blood sugar levels may already contribute. 

With proper management, and prompt attention to any symptoms you are experiencing, you can keep your diabetes complications to a minimum.

Contact Us to Help Manage your Diabetes, Osteoporosis and Thyroid Conditions 

If you’d like to schedule an appointment with one of our endocrinology specialists in Austin or Round Rock please contact us at (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.

menopause and diabetes
What should you know about menopause and diabetes?
Posted on by Leslie Branon

There’s no doubt that cases of diabetes are on the rise. In fact, experts predict that by the year 2050, one in every three adults in the United States could suffer from this chronic disease that disrupts hormones, affects how the body reacts to food and sugars (glucose), and can lead to obesity, heart disease and stroke if not managed properly.  

At Texas Diabetes & Endocrinology (TD&E), our board-certified endocrinology experts treat diabetes, along with other endocrinology disorders like osteoporosis, every day. 

One group in particular that is experiencing an uptick in diabetes diagnoses is menopausal women.  During menopause, estrogen levels decrease (because of diminishing ovarian reserves) which can cause weight gain leading to potential insulin resistance and difficulty metabolizing glucose. 

New research now shows that Type 2 Diabetes (T2D) is one of the most common health risks associated with postmenopausal women (up to age 55 years). 

This particular study evaluated 2,295 postmenopausal women and surveyed them and their propensity towards diabetes via blood tests, physical exams and measurements, and in-person interviews. 

Here’s what was found:

  • Lower levels of the hormones estrogen and progesterone are key factors in contributing to more cases of T2D in women over the age of 40
  • The prevalence of T2D increased in women with a greater BMI (Body Mass Index) and also elevated cholesterol levels 
  • Mood swings and hot flashes associated with menopause can cause poor sleep which is also a contributing factor to obesity, and therefore diabetes 

One of the most important things women can do to prevent diabetes brought on by menopause is to get screened.

“In support of recommendations by the American Diabetes Association, we suggest getting tested for diabetes every three years after the age of 45 if you are overweight or have a family history of the disease,”  says TD&E board-certified endocrinologist and diabetes expert Dr.  Jean Chen.

“Additionally, adopting a healthy lifestyle including eating a well-balanced, low fat and low cholesterol diet, and exercising regularly incorporating weight-bearing workouts can go a long way in helping to prevent diabetes as women approach menopause and this transitional phase in life.”

Diabetes Treatment for Women in Menopause 

Hormone Therapy (HT), or hormone replacement therapy and estrogen supplements, is the standard treatment for women experiencing severe menopausal symptoms. HT can help balance and regulate hormones which are depleted and improve symptoms like hot flashes, help with insulin function, and decrease the potential for developing diabetes. 

HT has also been shown to reduce the risk of osteoporosis (weakened bones), another common condition as women reach menopause. 

At TD&E, we offer individualized treatment plans to help effectively manage your diabetes through tools like weight management and insulin pumps.  We also provide extensive treatment options for osteoporosis and fracture prevention.  

Contact Us to Help Manage your Diabetes, Osteoporosis and Thyroid Conditions 

If you’d like to schedule an appointment with one of our specialists at Texas Diabetes & Endocrinology and discover how our diabetes services  and other endocrinology therapies can help you lead a full and active life, please contact us at (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.

nonalcoholic fatty liver disease
T2D and Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD)
Posted on by Leslie Branon

Diabetes is a serious condition that not only causes hormonal and blood sugar imbalances, but can also damage nerves, blood vessels and other organs. Common side effects of diabetes include poor circulation, non-healing foot and leg ulcers, vision loss, kidney damage and liver disease.  

At Texas Diabetes & Endocrinology (TD&E), our board-certified endocrinology experts treat diabetes and help with the many other issues that coincide with it, like Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD). 

Here’s what you should know about the liver and diabetes related NAFLD…

The liver performs many functions including helping to regulate blood sugar levels, making vital proteins, and filtering toxins and chemicals from your blood. The liver can be damaged by alcohol, hepatitis, autoimmune diseases but much more commonly from fat accumulation which is called NAFLD.  

NAFLD can lead to serious complications such as liver cirrhosis, or scarring that could cause potential liver failure. 

Research shows that up to 70% of those living with type 2 diabetes (T2D) also have NAFLD. 

How is NAFLD diagnosed?

NAFLD is usually asymptomatic.  There are blood tests that can suggest the diagnosis but the best non-invasive test isa dedicated screening called FibroScan.  

TD&E is one of the only endocrinology clinics in Austin to offer this innovative diagnostic test to closely examine the liver. FibroScan uses ultrasound imaging to assess liver tissue and can quantify fat accumulation and the degree of liver damage., 

If you have T2D and abnormal liver labs or other risk factors such as obesity or high cholesterol your endocrinologist may suggest a FibroScan to assess your liver health. 

How do you treat NAFLD? 

While there currently is no cure for NAFLD, the same healthy lifestyle changes recommended to help manage diabetes can also help to slow, or even reverse, liver damage and decrease fatty buildup, including:

  • Maintaining a healthy weight, or losing weight if overweight or obese
  • Eating a well-balanced diet to lower high cholesterol levels 
  • Staying physically active and aiming for at least 150 minutes of exercise per week
  • Controlling your diabetes and blood glucose levels as directed by your endocrinologist
  • Avoiding alcohol or consuming in moderation

If you are living with T2D and have other risk factors for NAFLD, speak with your physician about getting screened. 

Contact Us to Help Manage your Diabetes, Osteoporosis and Thyroid Conditions 

If you’d like to schedule an appointment with one of our specialists at Texas Diabetes & Endocrinology and discover how our diabetes services  and other endocrinology therapies can help you lead a full and active life, please contact us at (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.

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