Prime Healthcare Internal Medicine Group

Diabetes

Diabetes is a chronic condition that affects over 20 million people in the US - nearly 7 percent of the population. Diabetes is a metabolic disorder in which the body does not produce or absorb enough insulin, a hormone that moves glucose into the bloodstream.

Most of the food that we eat is broken down into glucose, which is the main source of fuel in the body. If there is not enough insulin, or the insulin cannot be utilized properly, the glucose cannot fuel our body. This causes a buildup of glucose that then passes out through the urine.

There are several different types of diabetes that affect the body in different ways:

Type 1 Diabetes is an autoimmune disease that attacks the body's insulin-producing cells.
Type 2 Diabetes includes an ineffective use of natural insulin and is affected by age, weight and family history.
Gestational Diabetes occurs in pregnant women and involves a shortage of insulin. This puts women at a higher risk for type 2 diabetes.

Treatment of diabetes includes maintaining a healthy diet, active life and monitoring blood glucose levels. Insulin injections or oral medications are needed for many people as well. Managing diabetes requires a lifelong commitment of daily treatment in order to prevent complications. If glucose levels get too high or low, you may experience hyperglycemia or hypoglycemia. If not treated properly, diabetes can lead to heart disease, stroke and kidney failure. It can also cause permanent eye, foot, skin and bone damage.

Ear Infection

Ear infections are one of the most common diseases in children and occur most often between the ages of four months and five years, although older children and adults may be affected as well. An infection occurs when excess fluid, often as a result of a cold, becomes trapped in the eustachian tubes or infected by bacteria. This fluid pushes against the eardrum and causes pain.

Aside from pain, ear infections can also cause:

Hearing loss
Fever
Irritability
Discharge from the ear canal
Difficulty sleeping

Although an ear infection can cause your child pain and may result in crying, sleepless nights, there is no real treatment method. Ear infections usually go away on their own and are not helped much by antibiotics. Over-the-counter pain relief is often recommended, but otherwise there is no standard treatment for this common condition.

Fever, General Malaise

A low-grade fever and general malaise (a feeling of overall discomfort and uneasiness) are common symptoms that often develop as a result of upper respiratory infections such as the flu, strep throat, bronchitis and sinusitis. These symptoms are usually present along with others such as a runny nose, headache, sore throat and nausea, depending on the individual condition.

For most patients, these infections and their corresponding symptoms can be effectively managed through over-the-counter medications. It is also important for patients to rest and drink plenty of fluids to help relieve symptoms. In most cases, fever and general malaise are not life-threatening conditions, but can severely affect a person’s quality of life for a few days.

Hypertension

High blood pressure occurs when the pressure of the blood flowing against the blood vessel walls is above the normal range. It is also known as hypertension. It is written in two sets of numbers, as an example, 120/70. The first number is the systolic reading, which is the pressure when the heart is beating. The second number is the diastolic number, the pressure when the heart is resting. High blood pressure occurs when the systolic reading is elevated above 140 or higher and/or the diastolic reading is 90 or above.

The causes of high blood pressure are not exactly known. It cannot be cured but it can be controlled with changes to your life and medicine prescribed by your doctor. Almost 1 out of 4 Americans have high blood pressure and most of them don't know that they have it. High blood pressure doesn't have any signs, which is why it is so dangerous.

Who is at risk for High Blood Pressure?

People who are at risk for high blood pressure usually have one or more of the following factors:

Close relatives with high blood pressure
African-American
Over 35 years of age
Overweight
Excessive use of salt in food
Alcohol consumption
Women using oral contraceptives
Physically inactive
Pregnant women

How do I know if I have high blood pressure?

Usually you cannot tell if you have high blood pressure. You can get blood pressure readings during your physical exam.

What can happen to me if I don't treat my high blood pressure?

High blood pressure is a serious condition. If you do not treat it, you may experience heart failure, kidney failure, a heart attack, stroke or death.

How can I control my high blood pressure?

There are several things that you do to reduce your blood pressure.

Lose weight if you are overweight
Eat a healthy diet that is low in salt and fat
Limit your alcohol to no more than two drinks a day
Become physically active
Take the medicine your doctor prescribes for you
Know what your blood pressure should be and work to keep it at that level

<< previous page

next page >>