Arthritis
Pay attention to early symptoms of arthritis
Symptoms
- Joint
- Pain
- Stiffness
- Swelling
- Redness
- Decreased range of motion
Causes:
- Osteoarthritis
- Wear and tear damage of joint cartilage
- Rheumatoid Arthritis
- Body’s immune system attacks the lining of the joints capsule
Diagnosis:
- Doctor will check your joints for swelling, redness, and warmth
- Laboratory Tests: Blood, Urine, and Joint Fluid Analysis
- Imaging: X-rays, CT, MRI, Ultrasound
Treatment:
- Common Medications
- Analgesics: Acetaminophen, Tramadol, Oxycodone
- Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs: ibuprofen, naproxen sodium, prescription NSAIDs
- Counterirritants: Creams and Ointments that contain menthol or capsaicin
- Corticosteroids: Drugs including prednisone and cortisone
- Therapy-physical therapy, exercise
- Surgery: Joint Repair, Joint Replacement, Join Fusion
Consult a doctor for long term relief
Type I Diabetes
Definition: Pancreas produces little or no insulin needed for glucose transport to cells to produce energy
Symptoms:
- Symptoms
- Increased thirst
- Frequent Urination
- Extreme Hunger
- Unintended Weight Loss
- Irritability
- Fatigue and Weakness
- Blurred Vision
Diagnosis:
- Blood Tests
- Glycated Hemoglobin (A1C) of 6.5% or higher
- Random Blood Sugar Test of 200 mg/dL or higher
- Fasting Blood Sugar Test from 100-125 mg/dL is prediabetic and 126 or higher is diabetic
Treatment:
- Taking Insulin
- Carbohydrate, fat, and protein counting
- Frequent Blood Sugar Monitoring
- Eating Healthy Foods
- Exercising Regularly
Type II Diabetes
Definition: Body resists the effects of insulin which is a required hormone for movement of sugar into cells
Symptoms:
- Increased thirst
- Frequent urination
- Increased hunger
- Unintended weight loss
- Fatigue
- Blurred Vision
- Slow-healing sores
- Frequent infections
- Areas of darkened skin (armpits and neck)
Diagnosis:
- Blood Tests
- Glycated Hemoglobin (A1C) of 6.5% or higher
- Random Blood Sugar Test of 200 mg/dL or higher
- Fasting Blood Sugar Test from 100-125 mg/dL is prediabetic and 126 or higher is diabetic
- Oral Glucose Tolerance Test-reading of 200 mg/dL or higher after 2 hours suggests diabetes
Treatment:
- Weight loss
- Healthy eating
- Regular exercise
- Diabetes medication or insulin therapy
- Blood sugar monitoring
Heart disease
Symptoms:
Seek immediate medical attention if you have the following symptoms:
- Chest pain or discomfort-squeezing pain in your chest. You may also feel pain in your shoulders, arms, neck, jaw, or back
- Shortness of breath
- Cold Sweat
- Nausea
- Lightheadedness
- Upper body discomfort
Diagnosis:
Talk to your doctor about key heart tests:
- Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG)-records abnormal heartbeats, inadequate blood flow and heart enlargement
- Blood Tests-quantification of markers that reveal damage to the heart
- Nuclear Scan-reveals the damaged areas of the heart that lac blood flow
- Coronary Angiography-shows blood flow through coronary arteries
Treatment:
Ask your doctor if these medications may be right for you:
- Antiplatelet Drugs (aspirin)-keep arteries open and reduce blood clots
- Anticoagulants (blood thinners)-prevent clotting of the blood
- Digitalis-makes the heart contract harder
- ACE (angiotensin converting enzyme)-inhibitors that stop production of a chemical that narrows blood vessels
- Beta Blockers-slow the heart and make it beat with less force
- Nitrates (nitroglycerine)-relaxes blood vessels and stops chest pain
- Diuretics-decrease fluid in the body
- Blood Cholesterol Lowering Agents-decreases LDL cholesterol
- Thrombolytic Agents-breaks blood clots in coronary arteries
Obesity
Check if you are classified as obese or are at risk on being obese:
Visit this website to calculate your BMI: https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/educational/lose_wt/BMI/bmicalc.htm
Diagnosis:
- Visit health professionals such as a dietitian, behavior counselor, or obesity specialist to help you make changes in your eating and activity habits
- Ask your doctor about reviewing your health history, weight loss efforts, exercise habits, eating patterns, stress levels, and family history.
- Get a general physical exam and ask your doctor to check for other health problems such as high blood pressure and diabetes
- Obtain blood tests which includes cholesterol, liver function, fasting glucose, thyroid
- Obtain heart tests such as electrocardiogram
Treatment:
Dietary Changes
- Cutting Calories
- Review how many calories you normally consume and consult with a healthcare provider on how much you should cut back on
- Normal Caloric Intake for Women: 1200-1500
- Normal Caloric Intake for Men: 1500-1800
- Eat large portions of foods that have less calories
- Eat fruits, vegetables, whole-grain carbohydrates
- Eat lean proteins (beans, lentils, soy) and lean meats
- Limit salt and added sugar
Exercise and Activity:
- Obtain at least 150 minutes of moderate exercise per week
- To achieve significant weight loss, try 300 minutes of exercise per week
Behavior Changes:
- Consult your doctor about counseling and support groups to help combat with emotional and behavioral issues related to eating
Prescription Weight Loss Medication:
- Your doctor may recommend weight-loss medication if other methods of weight loss haven’t worked for you
- Common prescribed medications that you can talk with your doctor about:
- orlistat (Xenical) lorcaserin (Belviq), phentermine and topiramate (Qsymia), buproprion and naltrexone (Contrave), and liraglutide (Saxenda).