Newspaper Page Text
Diabetes Symptoms: When To Consult Your Doctor
Diabetes symptoms are of
ten subtle. Here’s what to
look for and when to con
sult your doctor.
Early diabetes symptoms
can be subtle or seemingly
harmless if you have them
at all. In fact, you could have
diabetes for months or even
years and not even know it.
In the United States alone,
more than 6 million people
are unaware that they have
diabetes, according to the
American Diabetes Associa
tion. But you don’t need to
become a statistic. Under
standing possible diabetes
symptoms can lead to early
diagnosis and treatment
and a lifetime of better
health.
Excessive thirst and
increased urination
Excessive thirst and in
creased urination are classic
diabetes symptoms.
When you have diabetes,
excess sugar (glucose) builds
up in your blood. Your kid
neys are forced to work over
time to filter and absorb the
excess sugar. If your kidneys
can’t keep up, the excess
sugar is excreted into your
urine along with fluids drawn
from your tissues. This trig
gers more frequent urination,
A Sincere Thank You to all of our Nurses all year through!
Dinakara B. Shetty, M.D.
NEW PATIENTS WELCOME/ SAME DAY APPOINTMENTS
Most
Insurances
Accepted
FREE BLOOD
PRESSURE
& DIABETES
SCREENING
1719 Russell Pkwy * Bldg 700 • McNeal Agency * WR
ieday instead of thinking albeit JHj
DIABETES medication on
■ it might only have to be on
An investigational diabetes medication that is administered once a week, once
every two weeks, or once a month is being evaluated as part of medical research study.
Local doctors are looking for Type
2 Diabetics to participate in a
medical research study evaluating
the safety and effectiveness of an
investigational diabetes medication
that will be administered to
participants once a week, once
every two weeks, or once every four
weeks, depending on which group
they are assigned.
To be eligible for this study, you
must be:
• Between the ages of 18 and 75
years
• Medically-diagnosed with Type
2 Diabetes
• Receiving treatment for your
diabetes either by:
- a metformin-only based
which may leave you dehy
drated. As you drink more
fluids to quench your thirst,
you’ll urinate even more.
Flu-like feeling
Sometimes diabetes symp
toms resemble a flu-like ill
ness. You may notice fatigue,
weakness and loss of appe
tite. That’s because poorly
controlled diabetes hampers
your body’s ability to use
sugar for energy. Instead of
fueling your cells, the sugar
remains in your blood. This
leaves you feeling tired and
run down.
Weight loss or gain
Weight fluctuations also
fall under the umbrella of
possible diabetes symptoms.
When you lose sugar through
frequent urination, you also
lose calories. At the same
time, diabetes may keep the
sugar from your food from
reaching your cells lead
ing to constant hunger. The
combined effect is potentially
rapid weight loss, especially
if you have type 1 diabetes.
Weight gain is a concern,
too. Excess weight can make
your tissues more resistant to
the action of insulin, which
increases your blood sugar
level. And the more fatty tis
Dinakara Shetty
Internal Medicine
328-0806
HR J
medication for at least 3
months prior to screening,
OR
- a diet and exercise
program, with no
antidiabetic medication for
at least 3 months prior to
screening.
Qualified participants will receive
study-related medical evaluations
and study medication at no cost.
Reimbursement for time and travel
will also be provided.
To learn more about this study,
please contact:
Middle GA Drug Study Center, LLC.
478-988-4820
Study Information by PPD, Inc. 0418071730
sue you have, the more re
sistant your cells become.
That’s why being overweight
is a prime risk factor for de
veloping type 2 diabetes.
Blurred vision
Diabetes symptoms some
times settle in the eyes. High
levels of blood sugar pull flu
id from your tissues, includ
ing the lenses of your eyes.
This affects your ability to
focus.
Left untreated, diabetes can
cause new blood vessels to
form in your retina the
back part of your eye as
well as damage old vessels.
For most people this causes
only mild vision problems,
such as dark spots, flashing
lights or rings around lights.
But for others, the effects
can be much more serious. In
some cases, diabetes can lead
to blindness.
Slow-healing sores or
frequent infections
High levels of blood sugar
impair your body’s natural
healing process and your
ability to fight infections. For
women, bladder and vagi
nal infections are especially
common.
SPECIALIZING IN:
• Arthritis,
• Heart Disease,
• Physicals, Obesity,
• Blood Pressure,
• Cholesterol
Management,
• Cancer/ Stroke
Prevention,
• Senior Care
Tingling hands and
feet
Excess sugar in your blood
can lead to nerve damage.
You may notice tingling and
loss of sensation in your
hands and feet, as well as
burning pain in your arms,
hands, legs and feet.
Red, swollen, tender
gums
Diabetes may weaken your
ability to fight germs, which
“the people you trust, the technology you expect, the care you deserve!”
Dr. J. Mathis Dixon • Dr. Paul Smith
FOOT & ANKLE
CENTER
(m
mm
1040 Morningside Dr. • Perry,
478-988-4676
56652
f^eicffr Care...
at Houston M edical Center
xJlkjjf
Amer Al-Kafati, MO, FAAP
Kim T. Blewns, MO, FAAP
Santana Das, MO
Alphonsa J Brmjeri, MO, FAAP
David IV. Harvey, MO, FAAP
Helen-Louite Moore, MO, FAAP
Kevin K. Niebaum, DO, FAAP
Palanisamy Kajasekaran, MO
Mansoor SaUhbhai, MO, FAAP
Belinda Stephens-Hodges, MO, FAAP
Larry D. Stewart, Jr., MO, FAAP
Steve Wade, MO, FAAP
54086
1601 Watson Boulevard • Warner Robins • 975-5507 • www.hhc.org
increases the risk of infec
tion in your gums and in the
bones that hold your teeth in
place. Your gums may pull
away from your teeth, your
teeth may become loose, or
you may develop sores or
pockets of pus in your gums
especially if you have a
gum infection before diabetes
develops.
478-987-2020
1105 Momingside Dr.
Perry, GA 31069
DR.
SARVEPALLI
D. JOKHAI
Podiatric Physician and
Surgeon,
Board Qualified
NOVEMBER 24,2007 • HOUSTON HOME JOURNAL •
NOVEMBER 2007
Advanced
Eyecare
CENTER
hildren arc a gift and at Houston Medical
Center we give them special care when they're sick.
Pediatric Services at Houston Medical Center provides
inpatient care for newborns to young adults. Children
receive care in a child friendly environment surrounded
by pediatric experts. Pediatric Services includes a new
eight-bed pediatric unit and a medical staff of pediatricians
all certified by the American Board of Pediatrics. Pediatric
Services is located on the second floor of the main hospital.
f 3 e <3 i a~f~r
at Houston Medical Center
Take your body’s hints
seriously
If you notice any possible
diabetes symptoms, contact
your doctor. The earlier the
condition is diagnosed, the
sooner treatment can begin.
Diabetes is a serious condi
tion. But with your active
participation and the support
of your health care team, you
can manage diabetes while
enjoying an active, healthy
life.
Specializing in
surgen of ingrow n
toenails, heel spurs,
hammer toes,
bunions, also
diabetic
foot care.
New patients
are welcome
by appointment.
We accept
most private
insurance plans.
GA 31069
11B
156659
|55497