Educational health information to improve your well-being.
Posts in Diabetes
What should I know about Diabetes and COVID-19?
April 9, 2020
This is an unsettling time for many people, especially for people who have existing medical conditions such as diabetes. So if you have diabetes, whether you are concerned or not, it's good to take steps to be prepared and get some information on your increased risk for complications from COVID-19. What Can I Do to be Prepared? Everyone has their own diabetes treatment plan, but here are some general preparation guidelines based on the American Diabetes Association recommendations. You should have: Extra supplies on-hand (rubbing alcohol, hand soap, blood glucose testing strips, needles, etc...Continue Reading
Know your Diabetes Basics
January 15, 2020
Diabetes is a disease that affects the way the body turns sugar into energy. There are several types of diabetes—the most common is Type 2 Diabetes.Continue Reading
Diabetes Warnings from A to Z
August 28, 2019
Below we've listed—as alphabetically as possible—some of the warning signs, risk factors, and preventative measures that can be useful in identifying or preventing the disease. Adults diagnosed with type 2 diabetes have tripled over the previous 20 years - so it’s important to keep an eye out for the early warning signs that might increase your odds of being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. Blood pressure that is higher than normal can increase one’s chances of being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, so it is recommended to monitor (and reduce) your blood pressure through regular diet and...Continue Reading
After School Activities to Keep Your Kids Fit!
August 5, 2019
School is starting back up and what better way to kick the back to school blues than with some fun after-school activities to keep your kids active! According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in the United States, nearly 1 in 5 school-aged children and young people (ages 2-19) has obesity. Childhood obesity is a national epidemic, and Type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol and cardiovascular risks are attacking children at a young age due to their poor diet and lack of exercise. Based on an interview that Care.com conducted, Dr. Christopher Ledingham, an assistant professor in the...Continue Reading
Diabetes: One of the Fastest Growing Diseases in America
November 29, 2017
Over 100 million adults in the United States have diabetes or pre-diabetes according to a recent study by the Centers for Disease Control . Alarmingly, the rate of type 2 diabetes has doubled over the last five years. This chronic condition can cause other serious health complications and even death if left untreated. It's imperative to know the signs, symptoms, and risk factors of diabetes. What is Diabetes? Diabetes occurs when the pancreas doesn't produce insulin correctly. Insulin is a hormone that helps your body use and store sugar from food for energy. Problems occur when the pancreas...Continue Reading
Go the Distance with Hydration
August 31, 2017
Harrowing tales of being lost at sea have always captured our imaginations. Who can forget Tom Hank's portrayal of a shipwreck survivor in the movie Castaway? In all these tales, finding water is a vital, primal need that makes the difference between life and death. In fact, water is more important than food in a survival situation. Your body is unable to function long without it. The human body is 65% water. Your brain is around 70% water, and your lungs are nearly 90% water. For proper body function, you need to replace about 2.5 quarts each day by consuming food and liquids. Hopefully,...Continue Reading
Are you Shortening Your Life with these 5 Unhealthy Habits?
August 29, 2017
Very few people look forward to getting older, but most people would agree that it's better than dying before your time. While most people would love to stop the aging process somewhere around age 25, this fantasy probably won't happen very soon. However, it is possible to increase your odds of living a longer and healthier life by practicing healthy habits. Unhealthy habits are one of the leading reasons why people die earlier. In 2010, the life expectancy for individuals living in the United States was 78 years. Just two short years later, this figure is rapidly declining for certain age...Continue Reading
How Diabetes Increases Your Risk of Stroke
May 30, 2017
Nearly 100 million people in the United States suffer from diabetes or prediabetes. Unfortunately, individuals who have diabetes are also 2 to 4 times more likely to have a stroke. They also tend to develop heart disease or experience strokes at a much earlier age. With this in mind, it’s important to understand the relationship between diabetes and stroke so you can take steps to stay healthy.Continue Reading
What you Need to Know about Surgery and Diabetes
November 30, 2016
Surgery is sometimes unavoidable, and if you're one of the nearly 30 million Americans suffering from diabetes, getting your body ready for surgery is critical to ensuring a healthy recovery. Taking care of your body in the weeks and months leading up to your surgery can have a huge impact on how well your body is able to recover. How does Diabetes Affect My Body's Recovery from Surgery? Poor Circulation People who suffer from diabetes have difficultly processing sugar which leads to elevated blood sugar levels. As a result of elevated blood glucose levels, arteries tighten up, becoming more...Continue Reading
Ask A Doctor... What is Type 2 Diabetes?
November 11, 2016
Nelly Maybee, MD Answer provided by Nelly Maybee , MD, endocrinologist at the Augusta Health Diabetes & Endocrinology Clinic. Dr. Maybee attended medical school at the University of Maryland and completed her residency and fellowship at the University of Virginia. She is Board-Certified in Endocrinology, Diabetes & Metabolism and Internal Medicine. In addition to English, she speaks Russian and recently was awarded the 2016 Best Bedside Manner Award in Endocrinology by Our Health Magazine. Both Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes are diseases related to the problem of hyperglycemia, or high...Continue Reading