The
risk of heart attacks is even greater amongst women with diabetes.
Diabetes is often associated with other risk factors for heart disease,
such as high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, not being physically
active and being overweight. The risk of heart attack escalates
when any of these conditions are present with diabetes. Diabetes
speeds up any thickening and narrowing inside the blood vessels
(atherosclerosis) that might occur because of the risk factors mentioned
above, and also as a part of ageing. Diabetes also allows blood
clots to form more easily within the blood vessels. Blockages in
the coronary arteries cause a heart attack and blockages in the
arteries to the brain cause a stroke. Blockages in the arteries
to the legs cause poor circulation, pain on walking and they can
lead to amputation.
How do I know if I have heart disease?
You may start having chest pain (angina) when you exercise or exert
yourself, or you may get short of breath when doing everyday activities.
However, more often than not, heart disease sneaks up on you and
you don't know you have it until it is already quite advanced. If
you have diabetes, it is therefore very important that you should
have blood pressure controlled, that your diabetes is well controlled
at all times as well as your lipid profile to lessen damaging your
arteries and heart, and that you adopt heart-healthy habits.
Can there be other complications from diabetes?
Peoples with diabetes can develop high blood pressure (hypertension).
In younger people this usually results from kidney damage. There
can be rapid development of hardening of the arteries (arteriosclerosis)
and this can lead to heart disease and impaired blood supply to
the legs. The eyes can be affected (this is called retinopathy)
with some people becoming blind.
All people with diabetes are at risk of the condition which is largely
related to the duration of the diabetes. In younger insulin dependent
people with diabetes, the onset of the condition is rapid, whereas,
in older people with diabetes, it comes on more slowly and the exact
onset is therefore more difficult to pinpoint. After ten years of
the disease all people with diabetes will have some degree of retinopathy
and about 40% to 50% will develop complications which can cause
an effect on vision.
Can it be prevented ?
Good control of the blood glucose will reduce the incidence of retinopathy
and control of hypertension is also important. Smoking is associated
with greater risk of the condition. The most important preventive
measure with regard to visual loss from diabetes is regular examinations
by an eye specialist to detect the early changes of retinopathy.
Special care needs to be taken in pregnant diabetic patients.
Our Expertise
At Kasemrad Hospital Prachachuen Diabetes Centre, we are committed
to providing individualised, personal care to each person we see.
Our patients are an important part of our team. All working together,
we can identify, delay or prevent complications from diabetes.
Our Philosophy
Diabetes is a disease in which the person with diabetes has 99%
of the responsibility for their care and 100% of the consequences
of how well they do.
Diabetes is not a subject to be mastered or a set of skills to be
learned. Diabetes is a lived experience inseparable from life, family,
work, worries, hopes and dreams.
Kasemrad Diabetes Centre at Prachachuen strives to teach people
to live with their disease successfully as they define success.
We try to accept people where they are, respect their efforts and
the reality of their experience. We ask questions and listen to
responses. We offer choices and honour the choices that our patients
make. We strive to maintain a loving and empowering relationship
with our patients.
We ask our patients:
- What their questions are
- What their fears are
- What they want to accomplish
We provide:
- A problem-solving approach to living with diabetes
- Skills education focused on daily care and patient specific
needs
- The latest information in diabetes care and management
We
employ the latest:
- Technological advances
- Pharmaceutical products
- Educational resources
We
believe that the person with diabetes has the ability to control
his/her blood glucose as well as he or she wants to. Our job is
coach, resource, and cheerleader.
Our
medical director, Ketnapa Teganjanavanich MD ,
is board certified in Endocrinology and Metabolism. Her interests
are in the clinical care and the research of diabetes, lipids, osteoporosis
and other metabolic disorders.
Our
nurse is a highly motivated and caring Registered Nurse and Certified
Diabetes Educator who has demonstrated a high level of clinical
expertise.
We
have a Nutrition Educator who is a Registered Dietitian. She is
a key team member supplying the knowledge and philosophy of the
Diabetes Centre to patients when confronted with possible life style
changes.
Under
these key individuals' direction, we provide:
- comprehensive diabetes management services
- diagnosis, treatment and support for diabetes and related disorders
- clinical trials in the newest areas of diabetes treatment
Thyroid
Patients with thyroid disorders often have problem with energy levels, as well as muscle strength, emotions, weight control and hot/cold tolerance. Endocrinologists treat patients with too much or too little of the thyroid hormones by helping patients reach a hormonal balance.
Osteoporosis
and Bone Disorders
Osteomalacia (which causes bones to soften) and osteoporosis (which causes bones to weaken) are often caused by a drop of the level of the hormones that protect bone tissue. Menopause, loss of testicle function and aging may create a risk for bone fractures.
Reproduction and Infertility
Endocrinologists diagnose and treat the precise hormone imbalance that causes infertility, and also assess and treat patients with reproductive problems based in glands. They treat patients who need hormone replacement, including those with menopause symptoms, irregular periods, endometriosis, polycystic ovary syndrome, premenstrual syndrome and impotence.
Obesity and Overweight
Endocrinologists treat patients who are overweight or obese, often because of metabolic and hormonal problems. Thyroid, adrenal, ovarian and pituitary disorders can cause obesity. Endocrinologists also identify factors linked with obesity such as insulin resistance and genetic problems.
Pituitary
Gland Disorders
The pituitary is often called the master gland of the body because it controls other glands, and the pituitary makes several vital hormones. Over or under production of pituitary hormones can lead to infertility, menstrual disorders, growth disorders and overproduction of cortisol (Cushing's syndrome). Endocrinologists control these conditions with medications and refer patients who need surgery.
Growth Disorders
Adults with growth hormone deficiency can experience emotional and psychological distress as well as fatigue. Safe and effective growth hormone replacement therapy is available for people with abnormal growth.
Hypertension
About 11 percent of people with hypertension have too much aldosterone, a hormone produced in the adrenal glands. Approximately half of these cases are caused by growths that can be removed by surgery.
Lipid (cholesterol)
Disorders
Patients with lipid disorders have trouble maintaining normal levels of fat in their blood. Hypertension is common in people with lipid disorders, which can put patients at higher risk for coronary heart disease. Endocrinologists are trained to detect factors that may be related to lipid disorders, such as hypothyroidism, steroid use, or genetic or metabolic conditions. Lipid disorders can be found in several conditions that require special management, including metabolic syndrome, polycystic ovary syndrome and obesity. Special diets, exercise and medications may be prescribed to manage lipid disorders.
Consultant Physicians:
Anothai Prukwattanasuk, M.D.
Suchitra Sukhavachana, M.D.
Supavadee Treesolrat, M.D.
Call Us (662) 910-1600 Ext.1080
E-Mail:
diabetes@kasemrad.com
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