Diabetes: It's a Family Affair

A current article at Web MD discusses the increased risk of heart disease among kids with diabetes; 1 in 5 of children with any form of the disease was found to have 2 or more additional risk factors for early heart disease.

Diabetes itself is a risk factor for heart disease, and type 2 diabetes is strongly linked with obesity. For children with type 2 diabetes the heart disease numbers were higher; nearly 9 out of 10 children with this form of the disease had two or more additional risk factors for heart disease. These children are also more likely to have serious kidney disease and be at risk for early death, compared to those who are diagnosed with diabetes as adults.

Recent studies present some of the strongest evidence yet that being young does not protect one from the chronic diseases commonly seen in people with diabetes, according to American Diabetes Association (ADA) president Robert Rizza, MD, talking with WebMD; "clearly this is not a more benign disease in children." He also notes, "we are getting a better picture of the great tragedy of diabetes in children and adolescents. They are exposed to the full spectrum of diabetes complications, but [these complications] are occurring in their 20s, 30s, and 40s, instead of later in life."

If you are an adult with type 2 diabetes, consider the impact that your disease, and lifestyle choices, may be making on the children in your life. What kind of example are you setting by continuing to eat too much food? By not losing weight? Not exercising? Today IS the first day of the rest of your life. Find help to set a better example, before your children, and your grandchildren are following you down the path of diabetes and heart disease. It's a family affair.

Laurie

As I see it, every day you do one of two things: build health or produce disease in yourself.
Adelle Davis

Related Topics: WebMD Video: Diabetes Discipline, Dieting Tips for Diabetics

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In The War Zone: Nurse Practitioners Providing Primary Care

An article in Advance For Nurse Practitioners features nurse practitioner and Army National Guard officer Tobin Hill discussing his work at the Ivory Combat Clinic near Kirkuk, Iraq.

Hill discusses the importance of primary care, even in a war zone.

Individuals of all ages require health education and disease management and prevention, and soldiers in the field are no exception. Hill points out that practicing good medicine requires taking a family history and advising people about their potential for developing diseases, as well as explaining the need for controlling issues such as high blood pressure and cholesterol levels to prevent future health problems.

This article comes on the heels a conversation I had recently with an individual who had just learned that I am a nurse practitioner. He said, "I LOVE my nurse practitioner!" He then went on to express that he is allowed all the time he needs to discuss his concerns, that he feels "listened to" during his appointments, and that the nurse practitioner does a great job of helping him to understand his health concern and potential implications for his future health.

Research has supported his experience suggesting that many individuals prefer nurse practitioner care because they appreciate the feeling that they are listened to, and the sense they get that health care decisions are made in collaboration with their nurse practitioner provider.

Some weeks are like this; it all falls together and you feel great about what you do as a professional. So I salute Officer Hill who thinks preventive medicine is still important in the battlefield, and nurse practitioners everywhere for all that you are, and do, for those you care for.

Laurie

Related Links: Family History of Heart Disease: A Definition, Stroke Risk Often Runs in the Family, Many Patients Prefer Nurses to Doctors

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The Death of Ken Lay...Catastrophe Awaits?

Cardiologists are speculating that the death of Kenneth Lay was related to stress-induced sudden cardiac death. Lay, the 64 year old founder of Enron Corporation, was convicted of fraud and conspiracy earlier this year and was awaiting Federal sentencing that could have imprisoned him for the rest of his life. Lay died on July 5th of an apparent heart attack, although an autopsy is pending.

Douglas Zipes, M.D., director of the division of cardiology at the Krannert Institute of Cardiology of the Indiana University School of Medicine and the former president of the American College of Cardiology (ACC), noted that recent events in Lay's life suggest a nearly classic set of circumstances that resulted in sudden cardiac death.

Dr. Zipes commented that extremely stressful situations are a set up for heart-related chest pain, rapid heart rate, and sudden cardiac death.

He defines such stressful situations as those over which one feels that they have no control, such as the death of a spouse, financial losses, or the loss of a job; in Lay's case it was his felony conviction. Such stressors can also result in a lethal heart rhythm called ventricular fibrillation, a rapid heart rate that causes sudden death.

The heart's response to stress is mediated by a combination of stress hormone release and nervous system response. One of the results of these responses is spasm of an artery, which can cause blood vessel plaque to rupture.

Marc Penn, M.D., director of the heart-brain institute at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation, said that such stress not only increases risk of sudden cardiac death but "it also increases the risk of plaque rupture and artery closure."

When a plaque ruptures it releases liquid fats into the blood vessel, causing a sudden and complete blockage that results in a stoppage of blood flow past the blockage. This is a heart attack.

Dr. Penn also points out that certain medications are more appropriate for those under neuro-hormonal stress. For example, the beta-blocker medications block the nervous system response better and are frequently a good choice for stressed or anxious individuals.

We all have stress in our lives; it's unavoidable. Studies have shown however that the effects of stress on the nervous system can be modified by learning to control our response to stressful situations. By learning relaxation breathing exercises, yoga, or practicing relaxation with audio programs, we can teach our the hormonal and nervous systems not to over react. The result may well be a reversal in lifestyle that can save your life.

For more information I suggest books by Herbert Benson M.D., including "The Relaxation Response," "Beyond The Relaxation Response," and "Mind Your Heart:A Mind/Body Approach to Stress Management, Exercise, and Nutrition for Heart Health."

Just for today...Relax :>)

Laurie

There is no need to go to India or anywhere else to find peace. You will find that deep place of silence right in your room, your garden or even your bathtub.
Elisabeth Kubler-Ross

Related Topics: Heart Attack Tests for All?, Workplace Stress and Your Health

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