Tag: endocrinologist

Five Tips For Healthier Eating
Posted on by Leslie Branon

You are what you eat as the saying goes. Good nutrition and a balanced diet, along with regular physical activity, go a long way in contributing to your overall health, both physical and mental. 

The benefits of healthy eating are limitless. It helps support strong bones and muscles, boosts immunity, increases brain function, and lowers the potential for heart disease, diabetes, stroke, and some forms of cancer. 

Our team of board-certified endocrinologists place a great deal of emphasis on smart eating habits as we treat diabetes and help facilitate healthy weight loss for our patients. 

Improving your Diet with Five Tips for Healthier Eating

1. Eat the rainbow. Try to fill up with brightly colored fruits and vegetables at every meal. They provide an endless supply of fiber and nutrients and are an excellent source of hydration as well. 

2. Pay attention to portion sizes. Eat everything in moderation, but reserve your larger portions at each meal for fruits and veggies, lean proteins, and whole grains. More on healthy food portions can be found here. 

3. Read your food labels. Take a close look at what you’re eating and make sure to scan food labels of what you’re buying. Try to avoid anything with artificial colors/dyes, added sweeteners/sugars, or excessive amounts of sodium, cholesterol, and fats. 

4. Get in the kitchen and get cooking. The healthiest meals are often the ones you prepare at home with your own ingredients knowing exactly what goes into each recipe. Try to prioritize frequent family dinners together (pick fun theme nights or experiment with another culture’s cuisine) and meal prep on the weekends to set you up for success during the busy week ahead. 

5. Sub in the healthy swaps. Whether it’s beans as your main protein for a meatless Monday meal, or opting for a more fiber-filled whole wheat pizza crust, discovering smart and healthy swaps wherever you can is always a plus.  

Finally, if you need direction with your diet or weight loss goals, don’t be afraid to ask for help. Registered dieticians and weight loss professionals are experts at tailoring programs to suit your unique body’s needs.

At Texas Diabetes & Endocrinology, we specialize in working with those who need to lose weight in order to manage chronic health conditions, like diabetes. Our weight loss management program offers guidance and support for nutrition education, diet and exercise, and FDA-approved weight loss medications if necessary. 

We are here for you!

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.

fatty liver disease
What you need to know about fatty liver disease and alcohol
Posted on by Leslie Branon

The liver is a multi-tasking organ that performs many essential functions for the body, one of which is detoxification. Sometimes the liver itself can accumulate too many toxins, such as in the case of fatty liver disease, when harmful fat deposits build up and cause inflammation. This can lead sometimes lead to more permanent damage, known as cirrhosis.

Approximately 25 percent of adult Americans are living with one of the most chronic liver diseases known as nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Those with type 2 diabetes (T2D) are heavily prone to developing this condition. It is estimated that up to 70% of those living with T2D also suffer from  NAFLD. 

What is NAFLD?

NAFLD is the accumulation of fat in the liver that is unrelated to alcohol use, as opposed to alcoholic fatty liver disease which can be attributed directly to excessive alcohol consumption. While the exact cause of NAFLD can be hard to pinpoint, however, conditions such as diabetes, obesity, and high cholesterol are frequent triggers.

If too much fat builds up, the liver’s ability to function properly and eliminate toxins starts to decrease and can eventually shut down altogether. This leaves the body susceptible to severe sickness from the accumulated toxins. 

Unfortunately, NAFLD often develops without any significant symptoms.

How is NAFLD diagnosed?

NAFLD can be detected and further characterized through a non-invasive imaging study called FibroScan. Texas Diabetes & Endocrinology is one of the first endocrinology clinics in Central Austin to offer this innovative testing.

FibroScan technology allows our endocrinologists to gauge the amount of fat in the liver by observing the degree of stiffness in liver tissue.  The FibroScan evaluation is painless, performed conveniently in our offices, and only takes about 15 minutes to complete. 

NAFLD and Alcohol

If a diagnosis of NAFLD is made, one of the common questions our board-certified endocrinologists get is how drinking alcoholic beverages can affect this condition.

Endocrinologist Dr. Ishita Prakash Patel offers the following guidance to patients.

Is moderately drinking safe for those who are diagnosed with nonalcoholic fatty liver?

Abstinence from drinking is the safest option for those who already have the diagnosis of fatty liver disease.

What are the benefits of alcohol avoidance for those with NAFLD?

The benefits are stabilizing the liver disease and not aiding in progression of liver cell injury and the development of fibrosis, which is permanent.

Do any beverages actually help reduce liver fat?

A healthy balanced diet with vegetables, fruits and whole grains is important. It is also very important to lose weight if you are overweight or obese. There are no specific beverages which are proven to reduce liver fat. Drinking beverages without added sugars or chemicals are best. It is also recommended to stay away from processed and high fat foods.

Dr. Patel shares that “there is a rapidly growing percentage of the population that is developing NAFLD, as it is closely associated with obesity and diabetes.”

It is important to be aware of the potential for NAFLD if you possess one of the risk factors, such as diabetes, and get screened for it as “this condition can lead to liver fibrosis and cirrhosis, which are more permanent and dangerous conditions.”

How is NAFLD treated?

Lifestyle changes are typically the first, and most effective, form of treatment recommended. Your physician may suggest the following modifications to encourage healthier liver function:

  • Eating a balanced diet low in fats and sugar and high in vegetables, fruits, and whole grains
  • Maintaining a healthy weight, or losing weight if necessary
  • Exercising regularly, at least 150 minutes per week for the average adult
  • Quitting smoking
  • Properly managing (and monitoring) chronic conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol

Some medications and dietary supplements may also be helpful in relieving the liver of fatty buildup. Our team of endocrinology experts will work closely with your physician or gastroenterologist to help create a treatment plan that works best for you.

Welcoming Endocrinologist Dr. Lucy Esteve
Posted on by Leslie Branon

Texas Diabetes & Endocrinology is thrilled to welcome Dr. Lucy Esteve to our team of board-certified endocrinologists and diabetes experts. She is now seeing patients at our South Austin location. 

Dr. Esteve specializes primarily in diabetes management and cutting-edge treatment technologies, such as wearable smartwatches, for the early detection and prevention of diabetes and related complications. 

She is fluent in multiple languages including French, Italian and Spanish. Her ability to communicate in several languages will be helpful in serving our diverse and multicultural population here in Central Texas. 

She joined TDE most recently from her Endocrinology Research Fellowship at Duke University in Durham, NC. 

Dr. Esteve attended Imperial College London in the U.K. where she obtained a BEng in Biomedical Engineering and a MSc in Immunology. She then completed her medical training at Warwick Medical School in the U.K. followed by her Internal Medicine residency training at UT Health San Antonio, TX. 

She holds certifications from the American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) in both Endocrinology and Internal Medicine. 

Dr. Esteve and her family chose to settle down in Austin for its multicultural population, strong art and music scene and great food. She instantly felt like Texas Diabetes would be a great fit for her and is excited to work alongside a well-organized, strong clinical team. 

Getting to Know Dr. Esteve

Why are you passionate about what you do?

Coming from a multicultural background, I feel like I can relate to patients and love creating long- term partnerships where we develop a personalized treatment plan together that works for them!

What are some fun facts you’d like to share?

I am the first physician in my family. My family is originally from Europe, but we are all now proudly American! My mother is an artist and my father an engineer, and they could not be more opposite! I am married with two children. 

How do you spend your free time when not caring for patients?

Outside of clinic, I love swimming, cooking, traveling the world, and watching soccer.  I am also an editor for an online knowledge sharing platform called theMednet.

Please join us in warmly welcoming her to the TD&E family!

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

If you’d like to schedule an appointment with Dr. Esteve or 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.

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.

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