** Diabetes Mellitus – A brief Overview **by
Dr. Smith Joseph, D.O.
Diplomat of the American Board of Internal Medicine
Diabetes is a problem in the way the body handles blood glucose (sugar). There are two types:
In Type 1 diabetes, which usually starts in childhood or early adulthood, the body stops making Insulin completely. Insulin is a substance called “hormone”, which is produced in a gland called “pancreas”. Insulin is responsible to control glucose (sugar) in the blood.
In Type 2diabetes, also called adult-onset diabetes, the body still makes some insulin, but cannot use it properly.
Most adults have type 2 diabetes; in fact, type 2 diabetes accounts for 90 percent of all diabetes.
Facts About Diabetes in Adults
About 16 million people in the U.S. have type 2 diabetes. Half those are unaware that they have the condition.
Diabetes contributes to the deaths of more than 190,000 Americans per year.
Diabetes often leads to blindness, heart and blood vessel disease, strokes, kidney failure, limb amputations, and nerve damage.
Uncontrolled diabetes can complicate pregnancy and put a mother at risk for having a baby with birth defects.
In 1997, diabetes cost the U.S. $98 billion.
Obesity raises the risk for diabetes by as much as 93%, and an inactive lifestyle can raise it by as much as 25%.
Complications of Diabetes
Severe blood acidity (Diabetic ketoacidosis) – Can be life-threatening
Nerve Damage (Diabetic Neuropathy)
Blindness (Diabetic Retinopathy)
Foot Problems – Due to poor blood flow
Heart Problems (Coronary artery Disease)
Kidney Problems (Renal Failure)
Stroke (Cerebral Vascular Accident)
Who Gets Diabetes?
Type 2 diabetes affects all types of people. However, there factors that can put you at higher risk, such as being overweight, Fat around the waist and stomach, being inactive (lack of exercise), being more that 45 years old, family history of type 2 diabetes, diabetes during pregnancy, being of African-American, Latino, Asian-American, or Native American descent.
Symptoms of Diabetes mellitus
Most people may just feel tired at first, the later may develop these symptoms:
Urinating more than usual
Feeling unsually thirsty
Nausea
Blurred Vision
Feeling Hungry all the times
Frequent Infections
Skin sores that won’t heal
It is important to remember that not all people will have the same symptoms. If you have any of these aforementioned symptoms, please contact your regular doctor or call us for a Free Diabetes check. At Universal Medical Centre, we treat Diabetes, Hypertension, Heart Disease, Prostate problems, auto accident victims, etc… For an experience of a lifetime, come visit us, and you will see the difference. See our ad in this magazine.
At Universal Medical Centre, “Your Health is our Concern”.
Dr. Smith Joseph, D.O.
Diplomat of the American Board of Internal Medicine
Smile your way to success!
Dr. Lucie Casthely
Research has shown that you have less than 10 seconds to make a good first impression on someone you’re meeting for the first time. And, healthy , straight teeth go a long way in helping make that initial positive impression.
For this reason, Orthodontic treatment has become an increasingly popular way to achieve that healthy, straight and attractive smile in children and adults.
Although, it is estimated that approximately 4.5 million individuals are undergoing orthodontic treatment in the US, it is still a mystery to most. When most people hear the word “Orthodontics”, their first response is: “What’s that?”
Orthodontics is the specialty within the field of dentistry that deals with the correction of misaligned (“crooked”) teeth and jaws. This correction is commonly performed through the use of “braces” (i.e. the metal appliance that is placed on the teeth). Therefore, an Orthodontist is a dentist that spends additional years in residency to master the art and science of teeth movement and jaw alignment.
With today’s technology, wearing braces has become a lot more comfortable. In addition, with a wide range of choices from the traditional metal braces to clear and even removable ones, adults that did not have the opportunity nor the desire to wear them as children are now opting for treatment. Cost and length of treatment depend on the difficulty of the case and varies amongst patients.
Yes! A beautiful smile with straightened teeth is the obvious benefit of having braces, but braces can prevent/correct problems related to speech, eating difficulties and low self-esteem. For more information, feel free to contact the office of Dr. Lucie Casthely, a certified and board eligible orthodontist. She welcomes questions and extends an open invitation for a free consultation. Call 305-756-8632 or visit www.DoctorLucie.com