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Early Kidney Damage Symptoms and Prevention

Kidney Damage

Early Kidney Damage Symptoms and Prevention

Kidneys are small but powerful organs that perform vital functions in our body, such as filtering waste, balancing electrolytes, and maintaining blood pressure. Despite their importance, kidney disease often develops silently, with early signs going unnoticed until the damage becomes more severe. For people living with diabetes or high blood pressure, the risk is even higher, making early detection and prevention critical. In Coimbatore, Dr. Arun Karthik, the Best Diabetes Doctor in Coimbatore specializes in helping patients manage diabetes while protecting kidney health through early intervention, monitoring, and personalized care.

Recognizing Early Signs of Kidney Damage

The first step in preventing kidney disease is recognizing the early symptoms. Many people underestimate these signs or attribute them to other health issues. Common early indicators include:

1. Puffy Eyes

Swelling around the eyes, particularly in the morning, can indicate that the kidneys are leaking protein into the urine, a condition called proteinuria. This leakage occurs when the kidney’s filtering units, called glomeruli, are damaged. Even mild puffiness should not be ignored, especially in people with diabetes or hypertension.

Puffy Eyes

2. Swollen Feet and Ankles

Another warning sign is fluid retention in the lower extremities. Swollen feet, ankles, or legs often indicate that the kidneys are struggling to remove excess fluid from the body. Persistent swelling warrants a checkup, as untreated kidney dysfunction can lead to complications like high blood pressure, heart problems, and further kidney damage.

3. Changes in Urination Patterns

Kidney dysfunction can cause noticeable changes in urination. This may include increased frequency, particularly at night, decreased urine output, foamy urine, or even blood in the urine. Foamy urine occurs due to excess protein being excreted, signaling early kidney damage.

4. Fatigue and Weakness

When the kidneys fail to filter toxins effectively, these waste products accumulate in the bloodstream. This can result in a feeling of constant fatigue or weakness, making even simple daily tasks exhausting. It’s easy to dismiss fatigue as stress or overwork, but if it persists alongside other symptoms, kidney function tests should be considered.

5. Loss of Appetite and Nausea

Accumulation of toxins in the blood may also lead to nausea, vomiting, or a decreased appetite. While these symptoms can be caused by multiple conditions, combined with swelling and urinary changes, they can point toward early kidney damage.

It’s important to note that these symptoms are subtle and may be easily overlooked. People at higher risk, including those with diabetes, high blood pressure, a family history of kidney disease, or older adults, should be proactive about regular kidney health checkups.

Diagnostic Tests to Detect Kidney Damage

Early detection is key to preventing further kidney damage. Several diagnostic tests help assess kidney function accurately:

1. Urine Tests

Urine tests check for the presence of protein (albumin), blood, or other abnormalities. Even small amounts of protein in the urine, called microalbuminuria, can indicate the initial stages of kidney damage.

2. Blood Tests

Blood tests measure urea, creatinine, and other markers to evaluate how efficiently the kidneys are filtering waste. Elevated levels of urea and creatinine indicate that the kidneys are under stress.

Blood Tests

3. Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate (eGFR)

eGFR is a key indicator of kidney health. It calculates the rate at which the kidneys filter blood, considering factors like creatinine levels, age, sex, and body size. A declining eGFR suggests reduced kidney function.

4. Microalbumin to Creatinine Ratio

This test measures the amount of protein excreted in urine relative to creatinine. It’s particularly useful for detecting early kidney damage in diabetic patients, often before more obvious symptoms appear.

Regular monitoring through these tests, particularly for individuals at risk, allows healthcare professionals to intervene early, slow disease progression, and prevent complications.

Preventing Kidney Damage

While early detection is critical, prevention is the most effective approach. Managing lifestyle factors, maintaining proper hydration, and controlling underlying conditions can significantly reduce the risk of kidney disease.Here’s how:

1. Manage Blood Sugar Levels

For people with diabetes, uncontrolled blood sugar is one of the leading causes of kidney disease. Keeping glucose levels within the recommended range is crucial. This may involve taking prescribed medications, monitoring blood sugar at home, and following a balanced diet. At Diacare Diabetes Specialities Centre, Dr. Arun Karthik emphasizes personalized diabetes management plans that include lifestyle modifications, medication, and regular monitoring to protect kidney function.

2. Control Blood Pressure

High blood pressure can damage blood vessels in the kidneys, reducing their ability to filter waste effectively. Regular blood pressure monitoring, dietary adjustments, and medications, such as ACE inhibitors or ARBs, can help protect the kidneys from damage.

3. Maintain a Healthy Diet

A diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains while low in sodium and processed foods supports kidney health. For some patients, moderating protein intake can reduce kidney stress. Nutrition counseling by specialists, like those at Diacare Diabetes Specialities Centre, can help create a diet plan that balances kidney health with overall wellness.

4. Stay Hydrated

Proper hydration assists the kidneys in flushing out toxins efficiently. However, hydration needs vary depending on underlying conditions, age, and lifestyle, so personalized guidance from healthcare providers is essential.

5. Exercise Regularly

Regular physical activity improves circulation, supports healthy blood pressure, and helps maintain a healthy weight—all factors that contribute to kidney health. Even moderate exercise like walking, cycling, or yoga can be beneficial.

6. Avoid Smoking and Excess Alcohol

Smoking and excessive alcohol consumption increase the risk of kidney damage and worsen existing conditions like high blood pressure and diabetes. Avoiding these habits is a crucial step in kidney disease prevention.

7. Regular Health Checkups

Early detection through regular checkups allows timely intervention. For patients with diabetes, consulting a trusted centre for Diabetes Treatment in Coimbatore can also help manage blood sugar levels effectively, lowering the risk of kidney complications. 

Regular Checkup

The Role of Diacare Diabetes Specialities Centre and Dr. Arun Karthik

In Coimbatore, Dr. Arun Karthik has over 15+ years of experience as a diabetologist, specializing in managing diabetes and preventing associated complications like kidney disease. At the Diacare Diabetes Specialities Centre, patients receive comprehensive care that includes:

  • Personalized diabetes management plans
  • Kidney function monitoring and early intervention
  • Lifestyle and diet counseling tailored to individual needs
  • Regular follow-up and preventive care

The center’s approach emphasizes proactive management, helping patients maintain kidney health while effectively controlling diabetes and blood pressure. Early detection, combined with lifestyle and medical interventions, significantly reduces the risk of chronic kidney disease and improves quality of life.

Also check out our blog “How to Choose the Right Diabetes Treatment Plan for You” for more details

Conclusion

Kidney disease can silently progress, especially in individuals with diabetes or hypertension. Early recognition of symptoms such as puffy eyes, swollen feet, foamy urine, fatigue, and changes in urination patterns can make a significant difference in preventing serious complications. Diagnostic tests like urine protein analysis, blood tests, eGFR, and micro-protein to creatinine ratio are essential for monitoring kidney health and must be done annualy.

Prevention involves a holistic approach: managing blood sugar and blood pressure, maintaining a balanced diet, exercising regularly, staying hydrated, and avoiding harmful habits. If you notice early warning signs or are at risk of kidney disease, scheduling a consultation with Dr. Arun Karthik is a crucial step toward protecting your kidney health. Remember, early action can save your kidneys—and your quality of life.

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How to Recognize Early Warning Signs of Heart Problems in Diabetics

dia-heart

How to Recognize Early Warning Signs of Heart Problems in Diabetics

Living with diabetes is not just about checking blood sugar levels or taking medicines on time. It is also about being aware of how diabetes can affect other parts of your body, especially your heart. Research has shown that people with diabetes are at a higher risk of developing heart-related issues compared to those without diabetes. This makes it very important to understand the warning signs early and get the right medical help before things become serious. If you are in Tamil Nadu, you can consult experienced Diabetic Heart Care Doctors in Coimbatore who specialize in identifying these problems and guiding patients with the right treatment.

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Why Diabetes Increases Heart Risks

When you have diabetes, your body finds it difficult to manage blood sugar properly. Over time, high sugar levels damage blood vessels and nerves. This makes it harder for blood to flow freely, which in turn puts pressure on the heart. Diabetes also causes cholesterol imbalance, high blood pressure, and increases the chances of fatty deposits in arteries. All these conditions slowly build up the risk of heart attacks, strokes, and other cardiovascular diseases.

Even though this sounds scary, the good news is that with the right lifestyle changes, medical check-ups, and timely treatment, these risks can be controlled. But the first step is to recognize the early warning signs.

Common Early Symptoms of Heart Problems in Diabetics

The problem with heart issues in diabetic patients is that the symptoms are often mild or easily mistaken for something else. This is because nerve damage caused by diabetes can reduce pain sensitivity, meaning a person might not feel chest pain the same way as others. But if you stay alert, there are clear signals your body may give:

  • Unusual tiredness: Feeling tired after small activities like climbing stairs or walking short distances could mean your heart is not pumping blood effectively.
  • Shortness of breath: If you often find it difficult to breathe, especially when lying down or doing light tasks, it could be an early warning sign.
  • Swelling in feet and ankles: Fluid build-up happens when the heart is struggling to circulate blood properly.
  • Chest discomfort: It may not always feel like sharp pain. Sometimes, it is pressure, heaviness, or a squeezing feeling in the chest.
  • Sudden sweating, nausea, or dizziness: These can sometimes happen during a silent heart attack, especially in diabetic patients.
  • Irregular heartbeat: If your heart feels like it’s racing or skipping beats often, this could be a signal that it needs medical attention.

Remember, these symptoms do not always mean you have a heart problem but ignoring them can be dangerous.

The Connection Between Silent Heart Attacks and Diabetes

One of the most worrying facts about diabetes is the risk of “silent heart attacks.” Unlike regular heart attacks that come with strong chest pain, a silent heart attack may only feel like mild discomfort, tiredness, or a little breathlessness. Many diabetic patients do not even realize they had a heart attack until a doctor diagnoses it later.

This is why regular heart check-ups are very important if you have diabetes. Doctors use ECGs, echocardiograms, and blood tests to find early damage that you may not notice in daily life.

Lifestyle Habits That Increase Risk

If you have diabetes and also follow certain habits, your risk of developing heart problems becomes even higher. Some of these habits include:

  • Eating too much fried, sugary, or processed food.
  • Sitting for long hours with little or no physical activity.
  • Smoking or drinking alcohol regularly.
  • Not managing stress properly.
  • Skipping regular health check-ups.

Changing these habits can make a big difference. Even small improvements, like walking daily or eating more vegetables, can protect your heart in the long run.

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Also read How to Choose the Right Diabetes Treatment Plan for You

Simple Everyday Steps to Protect Your Heart

Protecting your heart does not mean you have to make big changes overnight. Start with simple steps that are easy to follow:

  • Healthy Eating: Choose home-cooked meals over packaged food. Include more vegetables, whole grains, nuts, and lean proteins. Reduce sugar and salt intake.
  • Stay Active: Aim for at least 30 minutes of walking, yoga, or light exercise most days of the week.
  • Monitor Your Health: Check your blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol regularly. Keep a record and share it with your doctor.
  • Manage Stress: Try meditation, breathing exercises, or hobbies that calm your mind.
  • Regular Doctor Visits: Even if you feel fine, schedule routine heart and diabetes check-ups. Prevention is always better than treatment after a problem develops.

When to See a Doctor Immediately

Never ignore these symptoms if you have diabetes: sudden chest pressure, unexplained shortness of breath, or fainting. If these happen, rush to a hospital right away. The earlier you get treatment, the better your chances of recovery.

For regular monitoring and guidance, it is always best to consult experts who understand the link between diabetes and heart problems. Having a trusted specialist by your side can give you confidence and peace of mind.

Emotional Side of Diabetes and Heart Health

Living with diabetes can sometimes feel overwhelming. The constant monitoring, the lifestyle restrictions, and the worry about complications often cause stress. Stress itself is harmful to the heart, as it raises blood pressure and triggers unhealthy eating habits.

Talking openly with your doctor, joining diabetes support groups, or practicing relaxation techniques can help. Remember, good health is not only about the body but also about the mind. A calm and positive attitude helps you manage diabetes better and lowers heart risks.

Why Early Action Matters

The biggest mistake many diabetic patients make is waiting too long before seeing a doctor. Because symptoms of heart disease are often mild or silent, people think it is “nothing serious.” But by the time major symptoms appear, the condition may already be advanced.

This is why early action is key. Don’t wait for big warning signs. Regular screenings, small lifestyle changes, and professional guidance can prevent major heart issues later.

The Role of a Trusted Diabetes Specialist

While cardiologists focus on heart health, diabetics also need a doctor who can look at the full picture—sugar levels, blood pressure, cholesterol, lifestyle, and medication side effects. Getting advice from the Best Diabetes Doctor in Coimbatore ensures you receive complete care. Such specialists understand how diabetes affects different organs, including the heart, and create a treatment plan that keeps everything balanced.

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Conclusion

Heart health and diabetes are closely connected. By knowing the early signs—like tiredness, swelling, breathlessness, or irregular heartbeat—you can act quickly and avoid serious complications. Simple lifestyle changes like healthy eating, exercise, stress control, and regular check-ups make a huge difference.

And most importantly, always stay connected with experienced doctors who can guide you with the right steps. With awareness, prevention, and professional support, living a healthy life with diabetes is absolutely possible.

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How to Choose the Right Diabetes Treatment Plan for You

Diabetes Treatment Plan

How to Choose the Right Diabetes Treatment Plan for You?

Living with diabetes can feel overwhelming at first – there are so many things to consider: medications, diet, exercise, and regular check-ups. But here’s the good news – with the right treatment plan, you can manage diabetes effectively and still live a full, happy life. The key is finding a treatment approach that fits YOU: your lifestyle, your health goals, and your body’s unique needs.

In this blog, we’ll walk you through how to choose the right diabetes treatment plan step by step and how we at Diacare approach diabetes treatment, and how Dr. Arun Karthik, the best diabetes doctor in Coimbatore ensures every patient receives the most personalized care possible.

Step 1: Understand Your Type of Diabetes

Type of Diabetes

Before creating a treatment plan, you need to know exactly what you’re dealing with. There are different types of diabetes:

  • Type 1 Diabetes: Your body doesn’t produce even a little bit of insulin, so you’ll need lifelong insulin therapy.
  • Type 2 Diabetes: Your body either doesn’t produce sufficient insulin or doesn’t use it effectively. Treatment often includes lifestyle changes, oral medication, and sometimes insulin.
  • Gestational Diabetes: Occurs during pregnancy and usually resolves after delivery, but it still needs careful management.

At Diacare, one of the first steps is a thorough assessment to determine your diabetes type, current blood sugar levels, and overall health profile. This helps in crafting a treatment plan that’s right for you.

Step 2: Get a Comprehensive Health Assessment

Diabetes management isn’t just about blood sugar – it’s about your whole body. Your doctor will look at:

  • HbA1c levels (your average blood sugar over 3 months)
  • Blood pressure
  • Cholesterol levels
  • Kidney function
  • Weight and BMI
  • Family history of heart disease or other conditions

This complete picture helps in tailoring treatment. Dr. Arun Karthik at Diacare is known for taking the time to understand each patient’s full health profile before making recommendations. (Don’t take our word for it.Check out our reviews in google )

Step 3: Explore Your Treatment Options

The right diabetes treatment in Coimbatore usually includes a mix of the following:

1. Medication or Insulin

Your doctor will decide whether you need oral medication, insulin injections, or a meal plan alone would suffice.. They’ll also explain when and how to take the medicines in detail..

2. Nutrition and Diet Plan

Diet Plan for Diabetes

Food plays a huge role in blood sugar management. A good plan doesn’t mean giving up everything you love – it’s about balance. At Diacare, you get a personalized diet plan that fits your preferences, work schedule, and cultural food habits.

3. Exercise and Lifestyle Changes

Even small changes like daily walking, yoga, or strength training can improve insulin sensitivity. Dr. Arun Karthik and his team often recommend realistic fitness routines that patients can stick to long-term.

4. Education and Counseling

The more you understand about diabetes, the easier it becomes to manage. A good treatment plan should include education on monitoring blood sugar, recognizing hypo/hyperglycemia symptoms, and preventing complications.

Step 4: Consider Your Lifestyle

Here’s where personalization really matters. Your plan has to fit YOU. Ask yourself:

  • Do you have a busy work schedule?
  • Do you travel frequently?
  • Are you vegetarian, vegan, or following a specific cuisine?
  • Do you have other health conditions?

At Diacare, the team understands that no two patients are alike. We work with you to ensure your treatment plan is realistic and easy to follow, no matter what your day looks like.

Step 5: Set Clear, Achievable Goals

Good diabetes care isn’t just about lowering blood sugar; it’s about improving quality of life. With the help of your doctor, set goals like:

  • Target HbA1c range
  • Healthy weight goal
  • Blood pressure target
  • Cholesterol management

Dr. Arun Karthik believes in goal-setting with patients, making them an active part of their own health journey.

Step 6: Choose the Right Care Team

Diabetes is a lifelong condition, so you want a healthcare team you trust. Here’s why Diacare is the most recommended diabetic center in Coimbatore:

  • Expertise: Led by Dr. Arun Karthik, one of the top diabetologists in Coimbatore.
  • Comprehensive Care: Everything under one roof – diagnostics, diet counseling, foot care, and education.
  • Personalized Plans: No one-size-fits-all approach. Your plan is designed specifically for your health needs.
  • Patient-Friendly Approach: They focus on making treatment sustainable and easy to follow.

Step 7: Monitor and Adjust Regularly

Diabetes Monitoring

Diabetes management is not a “set it and forget it” process. Your needs may change over time, so regular monitoring is crucial:

  • Keep track of your blood sugar at home.
  • Schedule regular check-ups with your doctor.
  • Adjust medications, diet, or exercise routines as needed.

Diacare provides ongoing follow-up support, ensuring your treatment plan evolves with you.

Step 8: Stay Motivated and Consistent

The best treatment plan in the world won’t work if it’s not followed. Find ways to stay motivated:

  • Join a diabetes support group.
  • Involve family members so they can support your lifestyle changes.
  • Celebrate small wins, like improved HbA1c or weight loss.

Dr. Arun Karthik often emphasizes that diabetes management is a partnership between patient and doctor – consistency and open communication are key.

Conclusion

Choosing the right diabetes treatment plan is about more than just medication – it’s about taking charge of your health, finding the right support, and creating a lifestyle that works for you. Whether you’re newly diagnosed or looking to improve your current routine, our team at Diacare can guide you every step of the way.

With the expert care of Dr. Arun Karthik and a personalized approach, you can achieve stable blood sugar, prevent complications, and live life to the fullest.

Ready to take the first step?

Visit Diacare in Coimbatore and consult Dr. Arun Karthik to get a customized diabetes treatment plan that truly works for you.

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GESTATIONAL DIABETES MELLITUS :

GESTATIONAL DIABETES MELLITUS :

Gestational diabetes mellitus or GDM is a term used to describe diabetes which occurs during pregnancy. GDM can be detrimental to the health of both the mother and the child if not addressed early on.

When a pregnant woman develops diabetes, the sugar levels in her blood goes up. Now, this is the same blood which circulates in the womb and therefore the baby. Depending on the timing of pregnancy,eg, first trimester,second or third , the fetus may develop several complications ranging from neural tube defects ( nerve damages) ,spontaneous abortions,still birth to big baby syndrome and neonatal hypoglycemia( low blood sugar at birth). In order to prevent such complications ,all care must be ensured to maintain strict diabetes control,and at the same time ensuring adequate nutrition to the mother and the baby, to achieve healthy growth of the foetus .

1) Who are at risk of getting GDM?

  • All women above the age of 30
  • Family history of diabetes
  • PCOD
  • Obesity
  • Hypothyroidism( low functioning thyroid gland)
  • Insulin resistance syndromes

2)When does it occur?

Typically GDM occurs in 7 th month .Almost 80-90%of the cases are diagnosed by the end of 28 weeks. But in some cases the mother may develop diabetes as early as 1st trimester.

3)How is gestational diabetes diagnosed?

The diagnosis of GDM is done by a Glucose Tolerance Test or the GTT. There are 2 methods being followed . One is by giving 75 gms of glucose to the and measuring blood sugar in 2 hours .A value above 140 mg/dl is indicative of GDM

The second method is a little extensive , by giving 100gm glucose and measuring every half an hour for 2 hours.

4) What is the treatment?

Just like other types of diabetes, the treatment includes diet,exercise and medications. Diet is an integral part of management of GDM. Gestational diabetes diet plan includes avoiding all junk and refined foods..We encourage mothers to eat right,not eat less.3 major meals including complex carbohydrates ,protein and healthy fats,and 2-3 minor low carb high protein snack, a lot of fruits and vegetables and lean meat ensuring a balanced calorie intake of 2000-2500 kcal/day.

5) Do we have to take insulin ?

We recommend frequent monitoring of blood sugar levels at home using a glucometer and maintaining a log. This is used to decide on the medications. According to gestational diabetes guidelines, a lot of oral medicines are not approved for use in pregnancy, Insulin is the mainstay of treatment, when it comes to GDM

6) Will the diabetes continue after delivery?

Depends on the time of onset.Most cases of GDM, become normal after delivery.However a majority of the mothers develop over diabetes in middle age.And no, the child will not contract diabetes after delivery,although the chances of childhood obesity and future diabetes are higher for children born to GDM mothers .

7) How to prevent developing GDM?

The same methods recommended to prevent any diabetes apply here too.

  • Maintain an ideal pre pregnancy weight,especially if you have a family history
  • Exercise regularly. It will improve insulin resistance
  • If possible, complete your family before 30 yrs. Chances of GDM increases after 30 yrs
  • Reduce stress levels.

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DIABETIC HEART DISEASE:

heart

DIABETIC HEART DISEASE:

Heart is one of the four major organs affected by diabetes , apart from nerves ,eye,and the kidneys. Conversely,diabetes is one of the seven major risk factors that have been attributed to heart disease. Therefore, both diabetes and heart disease share a common origin ,which is poor lifestyle choices,( diet and lack of exercise ) and therefore obesity .

Although one might get a heart attack out of the blue ,the changes that lead to this event do not happen overnight.Research shows that damages to the heart tissues start to develop much earlier to the onset of diabetes itself ! Microscopic changes occur in the blood vessels of the heart ,called endothelium ,due to a process called inflammation. This inflammation is caused due to high blood sugar, high BP, high cholesterol levels,smoking or stress, among others.In our centre, we do certain blood tests to measure the levels of these inflammatory markers like CRP,Apo A ,ApoB,Lp a and lipid profile to identify the risk early and suggest methods to mitigate it.This is the first line of defence.

However , since the actual symptoms of heart disease,such as chest pain,shortness of breath, pain in the arm or jaw and swelling of the feet, present very late ,the only way to prevent the heart problems is by regular ECG screening and blood testing. To complicate matters, diabetics have a peculiar problem of silent ischemia. Due to the damage to the nerves by diabetes, the sensation of chest pain might not reach the brain during the attack , leading to late presentation to the hospital,until it is too late.Therefore we strongly recommend all diabetic patients to undergo cardiac testing at least once a year.

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DIABETIC RETINOPATHY

DIABETIC RETINOPATHY

Diabetic retinopathy is a condition where suboptimal control of diabetes leads to damages in the retina. Basically, the eye is like a camera. The images which pass through the eye,land on the retina or the screen at the back of the eye. These images are sent to the brain to be processed. In diabetic retinopathy, this screen starts to get damaged,gradually. Initially small points of blood vessels start to appear on the ritina,called microaneurysms.These aneurysms are however weak blood vessels,which over passage of time start to rupture and bleed into the retina. Also, fluid starts to accumulate on the retina ,known as diabetic macular edema.However ,although all these changes keep occurring in your eyes, diabetic retinopathy symptoms occur very late.You would not notice any changes in your vision until about 70-80% of the retina is damaged. All of a sudden one fine day you might experience blurred vision or black spots in the eye, or more commonly,small speck or insect-like spots floating in front of you ,called floaters.In severe cases, you might wake up with part of your vision in one of the eyes lost. What would have probably happened is that there would have been significant bleeding inside the eye. In short, once there is a loss of visiondue to diabetes ,it might be difficult to recover the vision.In advanced cases , the retina or the screen gets detached or pulled off from the wall, with a considerable vision loss.This is called retinal detachment.

So how do we prevent this from happening?

  • First and foremost, good diabetes control.
  • Secondly, we check your eyes yearly once ,to make sure that your retina is ok. We use a special digital device , called a fundus camera, which captures the image of your retina through your eyes. This is called digital retinal photography. With this we grade the eye into categories like,non proliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR) or proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR). Depending on the severity, patients are sent to an eye doctor for laser treatment, which involves caurterising the leaking blood vessels using a laser light.In some cases injections are given in the retina
  • This is extremely helpful in identifying the extent of damage due to diabetes, not only inside the eyes,but also these results can be extrapolated to other organs, like the kidneys. For example,if your retina is damaged, so will be your kidneys,since essentially ,it is in the same body.

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LOW BLOOD SUGAR OR HYPOGLYCEMIA

LOW BLOOD SUGAR OR HYPOGLYCEMIA

Low blood sugar or hypoglycemia is the most important side effect of diabetes treatment. Any blood sugar value of less than 70 mg /dl is called low sugar.For any doctor, the biggest challenge is in getting the sugar levels under good control ,that is between 90 to 160 mg/dl at any given time of the day ,without letting it go below 70. This becomes more tricky in elderly people, because any giddiness and subsequent fall might land them in the hospital.

What are the symptoms of low sugar ?

Giddiness,palpitations,sweating,tremors or shivering of the hands ,and extreme hunger are the common symptoms of low sugar. In elderly people confusion, incoherent and unrelated talking (blabbering), passing urine in their paint without their knowledge,are some symptoms that can occcur. In rare cases p,the patient can go into a hypogycemic coma.

How do we minimise the chances of hypoglycemia in our patients ?

  • Educating about low sugar. This is the single most important step in managing or avoiding low sugar.We educate patients regarding low sugar symptoms and several tips to avoid low sugar.Low sugar snacks for correcting , in case of hypoglycemia.
  • Discussing with patients about the nature of their job (night shifts ,for instance), and suggesting the most comfortable and right time to plan their meals
  • Choosing the right foods. Foods that are digested slowly so that glucose is released slowly into the blood.This way we can avoid sudden spikes and sudden drops in blood sugar.
  • Choosing the right medicines. Some medicines are very mild and have a lower tendency of causing low sugar, even if food is delayed. Such medicines work well for older people. But some medicines can be a little more potent,and have to be chosen for patients with very high blood sugar, atleast for a short period .The key is in choosing the right mix, like adding salt in a delicious dish. Not too little, not too much.

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DIABETIC FOOT DISEASE & DIABETES FOOT CARE IMPORTANCE

DIABETIC FOOT DISEASE & DIABETES FOOT CARE IMPORTANCE

One of the major complications of diabetes is that it affects the feet , leading to non healing wounds ,called TROPHIC ULCERS in the bottom of the feet. In severe cases, this can even lead to amputation at the knee level !.

Let’s understand the diabetic foot symptoms . Now this process happens in 4 stages.

1. DIABETIC NEUROPATHY/ (DIABETIC NERVE DISEASE):

Firstly, the nerves of the feet get damaged due to uncontrolled sugar levels. At this stage, patients may have symptoms like burning sensation in the feet , numbness or cramps in the feet,especially at night . At times, this can be unbearable. At this stage proper control of sugar levels ,and certain medicines to alleviate the pain can remarkably reverse the damage due to diabetic neuropathy.

2. CALLOUS :

But more often than not,people ignore these symptoms ,leading to the second stage, called callous formation . Callous are thickening of the skin in the bottom of the feet,especially below the great toe,due to abnormal pressure points, caused due to diabetic neuropathy. At this stage , you may develop pain in the area where the callous is present,while walking. In time,small punched out ring-like holes form in the location of callouses.These are called TROPHIC ULCERS, ,the third stage .In our centre, our podiatric (diabetic foot care) department , prevent formation of such ulcers,by a process called chiropody. What we do is,carefully remove the hard callous with special blades, so that the pressure is relieved. This process, called chiropody, is like nail cutting , and is virtually painless.

3. DIABETIC FOOT ULCER :

Once a diabetic foot ulcer develops, it is extremely difficult to get rid of it. The 2 important treatment aspects are ,sugar control and foot pressure relief.No amount of antibiotics or dressings can heal the wound.Many of you who are reading this article, may have experienced this, with your family members. The wound keeps coming back and forth,despite several dressings. Using specialised instruments ,called BIOTHESIOMETER ,DOPPLER & PODISCANNER, we scan the extent of nerve damage, blood vessel blocks and abnormal pressure points in the feet ,and ,advise specific diabetic footwear for pressure relief.Only with proper pressure relief,will the diabetic foot ulcers heal.

4. AMPUTATION :

If these ulcers are ignored, one fine day the toes (most commonly great toe ) gcan get infected, leading to amputation of the toe.This is the advanced stage, where the patient is referred for surgery. If the blood flow to the feet has been compromised due to diabetes, then people may often lose their limb as well. This is what we try to prevent at all costs.If you do not want to land in this situation , we have a simple mantra – CONTROL YOUR DIABETES FROM EARLY ON.

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DIABETES TREATMENT:

DIABETES TREATMENT:

Diabetes treatment essentially consists of 3 pillars-Diet,Exercise & medications .Unless these 3 areas are properly addressed ,it is near to impossible to control diabetes,especially in the long term. However, these three areas have to be tailor made for each individual and can never be one size fits all . For example, the dietary needs of a door to door salesman can be much higher than that of a software engineer or a banker. Similarly, exercise regimen for each of these individuals may vary. Many a times, we come across neglected diabetics,whose legs have been amputated, where the scope for exercise might be limited . To make the long story short every individual who walks into our centre gets a customised treatment plan as per his or her requirement, lifestyle and other demographics.

DIET:

Diet plan forms the crux of diabetes treatment. More disciplined your meal plan, the lower your medications. And, just like you, we don’t like medicines either, and we try to keep it to a minimum.In fact lowest possible is one of our key result areas.

Coming back to diet, every time you come to our centre, our dietitians enquire about how your diet plan was and were you successful in implementing and what are your pitfalls. Let’s face it,not many can stick to diet discipline 100%. And we know that as well. However, the fact is, you can certainly have some cheat days and still control your diabetes. How to do it, we will teach you some great hacks. Our You tube channel has some fantastic diet plans which are ready for your use. After thoroughly understanding your daily chores , we help you alter your diet with healthier options ,thus helping youget the best of both worlds.You can choose from a range of patterns like a 2 meal pattern, 3 meal pattern & a 5 meal pattern. Also,you have a choice of south indian, north indian ,vegetarian,non vegetarian and jain diet as well.

EXERCISE:

Exercise is an integral part of diabetes treatment. People who exercise regularly not only have lower chances of getting diabetes, but exercise also reduces the number of medicines which you might be taking.. A brisk walk for about 45 minutes a day is all that is required to reduce your HbA1c by about 1% roughly. For people who have arthritis we conduct physiotherapy sessions to reduce pain and increase mobility..

MEDICINES:

We know that you hate medicines,…right ? So do we. But we gotta do what we gotta do. We try our best to give you the least number of medicines required , to get your sugar under control.The game plan is to delay , or possibly defer potent medicines or insulin as much as possible .

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DIABETES PREVENTION:

DIABETES PREVENTION:

PREVENTION IS BETTER THAN CURE- THIS ADAGE CANNOT BE MORE APT FOR ANYTHING ELSE THAN DIABETES. IT IS EASIER, AND CERTAINLY POSSIBLE TO PREVENT DEVELOPING DIABETES, THAN TREATING IT. THIS IS ATTEMPTED IN EVERY STAGE OF NATURAL HISTORY OF DIABETES , IN OUR CENTRE.

PRIMODIAL PREVENTION:

PRIMORDIAL PREVENTION IS TREATING BEFORE ONSET. IT INVOVES IDENTIFYING PEOPLE AT RISK. FOR EXAMPLE , PEOPLE WITH STRONG FAMILY HISTORY OF DIABETES,OBESE &OVERWEIGHT INDUVIDUALS,SEDENTARY JOB PROFILE, ARE ENCOURAGED TO UNDERGO SCREENING & RISK ASSESMENT. THIS IS GENERALLY DONE TO ATTENDANTS OR FAMILY MEMBERS WHEN THEY ACCOMPANY THE PATIENTS TO OUR CENTRE (FREE OF CHARGES TOO). AND MANY A TIMES, BODERLINE CASES HAVE BEEN IDENTIFIED AND RISK FACTORS MITIGATED WITH LIFESTYLE CORRECTIONS &DIET MODIFICATIONS IN THE EARLIER STAGES ITSELF.

PRIMARY PREVENTION:

PRIMAY PREVENTION IS ,SIMPLY PUT,PREVENTING BODERLINE CASES FROM BECOMING DIABETICS. THIS IS NOT DONE WITH USING MEDICINES. BUT MEASURED, CUSTOMISED CHANGES ARE DONE TO THE DIET AND EXERCISE REGIMEN OF PREDIABETIC INDUVIDUALS , ATTEMPTING TO REVERSE THEM TO NORMAL STAGE, OR ATLEAST KEEPING THEM IN PRE DIABETES ITSELF.

SECODARY PREVENTION:

THIS IS THE MOST COMMON CATEGORY. NOW THAT YOU HAVE DEVELOPED DIABETES ,WE WORK ALONG WITH YOU,EDUCATING,MOTIVATING , AND GUIDING YOU TO MAINTAIN GOOD CONTROL OF DIABETES,THROUGHOUT YOUR LIFE , IN ORDER TO PREVENT DEVELOPING COMPLICATIONS & DAMAGING YOUR ORGANS.AND BE INFORMED, IT IS CERTAINLY DOABLE.

TERTIARY PREVENTION:

WELL,THIS IS THE STAGE WERE WE DON’T WANT YOU TO LAND IN. USUALLY SEEN IN NEGLECTED CASES OF DIABETES WHO COME TO US A BIT TOO LATE,THE ORGAN DAMAGES HAVE ALREADY BEGUN . UNFORTUNATELY, NOT ALL DAMAGES CAN BE REVERSED. WE TRY OUR BEST TO PREVENT END STAGE DAMAGE SUCH AS RENAL FAILIURE, HEART ATTACK,,BLINDNESS OR LIMB AMPUTATIONS.

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