Tag: diabetes

Advanced Practice Providers (APPs) are skilled professionals that play a critical role in our practice to ensure patients receive high quality, comprehensive care.
What is an Advanced Practice Provider?
Posted on by Leslie Branon

Advanced Practice Providers (APPs) are skilled professionals that play a critical role in our practice to ensure patients receive high quality, comprehensive care. Our endocrinologists work with Physician Assistants (PA), Nurse Practitioners (NP), and Clinical Nurse Specialists (CNS), who all have extensive training and offer a patient-centered approach that focuses on preventive care, education and overall wellness.

What is the difference between the various types of APPs? 

A Physician Assistant has a master’s degree and works in collaboration with a licensed physician, providing almost all services as a physician. A Nurse Practitioner has earned both a bachelor of science in nursing and a master of science in nursing degree prior to undergoing a certification exam and applying for a NP license. A Clinical Nurse Specialist is a graduate-level registered nurse who is certified in a specialty. Nurse Practitioners and Clinical Nurse Specialists can both diagnose and treat patients, prescribe medications, and order and interpret medical tests.

What is a Certified Diabetes Educator? 

At Texas Diabetes, all of our advanced practice providers are also Certified Diabetes Educators (CDE), who educate, support, and advocate for people impacted by diabetes. CDEs must have clinical diabetes experience and training and pass a national exam to become credentialed. Our APPs have comprehensive knowledge and experience in diabetes prevention, prediabetes and diabetes management. 

APPs at Texas Diabetes and Endocrinology

The APPs at Texas Diabetes and Endocrinology have had rigorous clinical training, are licensed by the State of Texas, and can prescribe medication. Most of our new diabetes patients will have their initial visit with an APP who will spend time with you getting a thorough health history, reviewing lab results, and devising an appropriate treatment plan. Our number one goal is to educate and support you on your journey and be there every step of the way to help you manage your condition.  

We are fortunate to have the opportunity to work with such an incredible team of APPs, including:

  • Amanda Bonazzi, MSN, APRN, ACNS-BC, CDCES
  • Ashley Davila, MSN, ACNS-BC, Clinical Lipid Specialist
  • Azaret Villeda, MSN, APRN, FNP-C
  • Ben Pagano, MSN, ACNS-BC, CDE
  • Brandy Wellmon, PA-C, CDCES
  • Carmen Addington, MSN, FNP, CDCES
  • Carrie Barlow, PA-C, CDCES,
  • Emily Simon, MSN, APRN, AGCNS-BC, CDCES
  • Jessica Ribeiro, RN, MSN, FNP, CDCES
  • Kim Jones, MSN, FNP, CDCES
  • Rachel Kohls, MSN, AGCNS-BC, CDCES
  • Sarah King, MSN, FNP-C, CDCES
  • Tracy Chan, MSN, FNP, CDCES

If you’d like to learn more about our full range of endocrine services, please call Texas Diabetes and Endocrinology 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.

Dr. Patel for Parade: What Exercise is Best for Type 2 Diabetes
Posted on by Leslie Branon

Type 2 diabetes is a chronic condition that affects millions of people worldwide, characterized by high blood sugar levels resulting from insulin resistance or insufficient insulin production. While medical treatments and lifestyle changes, including diet, play a crucial role in managing the condition, exercise is also a vital component in the fight against Type 2 diabetes. 

In a Parade article, Texas Diabetes endocrinologist Dr. Ishita Prakash Patel explains the exercise-diabetes connection and which workout routines are recommended for people with Type 2 diabetes. 

Dr. Patel recommends following the American Diabetes Association’s guideline of 150 minutes of moderate aerobic exercise per week. “Ideally, it is good to have a consistent regimen of at least 30 minutes of exercise a day,” Dr. Patel says.

Always remember to work closely with your healthcare team to create an exercise plan that suits your individual needs and goals.

Read the article to learn what type of exercise is best for people with diabetes.

For more information on diabetes management and taking control of your health, schedule a consultation with one of our board certified endocrinologists 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.

Insulin resistance and diabetes are distinct in their characteristics and implications on our health.
What is the difference between insulin resistance and diabetes?
Posted on by Leslie Branon

Insulin resistance and diabetes are two terms we talk about often in the endocrine world. While the conditions are connected, they are distinct in their characteristics and implications on our health. 

Insulin Resistance: The Precursor to Diabetes

Insulin plays a key role in regulating blood sugar levels. Our body converts carbohydrates into glucose and insulin facilitates the entry of glucose into cells. However, in the case of insulin resistance, the normal interaction between insulin and cells becomes disrupted.  

Dr. Srujana Yada describes insulin resistance as when “a person must produce more insulin than the general population to keep his blood sugars levels normal. In other words, insulin resistance means that they need more insulin to keep the glucose levels at a normal range than others.” 

Insulin resistance can present in a number of ways, including: 

  • Impaired glucose tolerance, impaired fasting glucose, type 2 diabetes mellitus, increased insulin requirements in type 1 diabetes
  • Hypertension (high blood pressure)
  • Hyperlipidemia (high cholesterol)
  • Coronary artery disease
  • Metabolic syndrome (conditions that increase the risk of heart disease, stroke and diabetes)
  • Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
  • Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease
  • Certain obesity-related malignancies (eg, endometrial cancer)

Insulin resistance typically precedes the development of Type 2 diabetes, and is diagnosed based upon clinical findings, which include:

  • Hyperglycemia (high blood sugar)
  • Dyslipidemia (lipid imbalance)
  • Abdominal obesity
  • Hypertension (high blood pressure)

Diabetes: Improper Blood Sugar Regulation

Diabetes is a chronic condition characterized by high levels of glucose in the blood. Diabetes occurs when your pancreas is not making enough insulin to regulate your blood sugar, often due to prolonged insulin resistance. Similarly, prediabetes occurs in about 1 out of every 3 adults in the United States and means that your blood glucose levels are higher than normal but not high enough to be considered diabetes yet.

Diabetes is diagnosed based on specific blood sugar levels that consistently exceed normal ranges. Once diagnosed, diabetes requires careful management to prevent complications.

Can you prevent insulin resistance?

Unfortunately you can’t prevent insulin resisitance entirely, but living a healthy lifestyle can help make your body’s cells more receptive to insulin. Our team of endocrinologists recommend taking proactive steps toward managing insulin resistance and ultimately preventing the progression to diabetes. Adopting a balanced diet, maintaining a healthy weight, staying physically active and scheduling regular medical appointments and screenings can lead to significant improvements in your overall health. 

If you need to make lifestyle changes, our medically supervised NextStepMD weight loss program can help you gain better control of your health. The NextStepMD health and wellness coaches offer one-on-one sessions and work closely with you to recommend the methods that offer the greatest opportunities of success.

In addition to adopting a healthy lifestyle, your doctor may recommend taking an insulin-sensitizing medication to manage your glucose control. 

Endocrinologists in Austin, TX

If you’d like to learn more about our full range of endocrine services, please call Texas Diabetes and Endocrinology 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.

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.

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