Southwest Florida's Health and Wellness Magazine Health and Wellness Articles
Dr. Estuardo Aroca | Millennium Physician Group
About Diabetes
Over 30 million people in the U.S. have diabetes, and 84 million are considered prediabetic. That’s one-third of the US population affected by this metabolic disease!
There are two primary forms of the disease, known as type I and II; while both are equally dangerous, type II is, the most common and is often called adult-onset diabetes because it develops later in life.
How It Happens
Glucose is the byproduct of the breakdown of the sugar and carbohydrates that we eat. Glucose is an essential nutrient that powers the cells in your body. However, a hormone in the blood called insulin is also critical to our body’s cells, as insulin is needed to absorb the glucose and use it for energy. With diabetes, the body doesn’t make enough insulin, or the body can’t use the produced insulin (insulin resistance), and in some cases, both happen simultaneously.
Type II Diabetes Complications
• Heart Disease
• Vascular disease
• Neuropathy
• Kidney disease
• Skin Conditions
• Stroke
• Vision loss and disorders
• Amputations
• Non-Healing ulcers
• Alzheimer’s and Dementia
Diabetes and Comorbidities
As mentioned, individuals with diabetes often have comorbidities such as low vision, kidney disease, hyperlipidemia, and a very life-threatening condition—cardiovascular disease also ranks high on the list. This is why numerous people with diabetes have heart attacks and strokes.
The Diabetes and Cardiovascular Link
High blood sugar and cardiovascular disease have more in common than most people are aware of. In our country, nearly 30 million people have diabetes, and a vast majority of our population unknowingly has what’s known as prediabetes, which quickly escalates into the disease within a short amount of time.
High blood glucose and cardiovascular disease are very closely associated because of many risk factors contributing to what’s known as metabolic syndrome.
Metabolic syndrome is a condition in which the high insulin and leptin levels are resistant, causing high blood pressure, high cholesterol, high triglycerides, and visceral fat to become significant risk factors for heart disease and coronary disorders.
Insulin is a hormone that helps move sugar into the blood for energy; in the case of an insulin-resistant person, they have too much sugar, and the body cannot adequately utilize the source. This leads to weight gain, obesity, and, subsequently, a more sedentary lifestyle. Leptin is a hormone that helps regulate body weight by sending signals to the hypothalamus in the brain. When the signals are damaged, the body becomes leptin resistant, and a person may often feel extremely hungry and irritable, which contributes to a vicious cycle of overeating foods that are high in sugar and unhealthy fats.
Inflammation
In recent years, metabolic syndrome has become a commonly identified risk factor for cardiovascular disease because a vast number of Americans are overweight, and their bodies become inflamed; this inflammatory response affects their vascular structures. When the vessels are circulating high-glucose blood, atherosclerosis occurs at a greater intensity. Atherosclerosis is a build-up of plaque and causes a hardening of the arteries.
Unfortunately, Sugar has become a major staple in the American diet. The normal fasting blood sugar levels should be around 70-99 mg/dl. The normal A1C, which measures the blood glucose level, should be below 5.7%. With diabetes and even prediabetes, these levels are at an unhealthy height and can be very hard to lower without major intervention with medication, exercise, dietary changes, and a lifestyle overhaul.
Metabolic Syndrome is caused by high lipid counts, high blood sugar, being overweight, eating a poor diet (sugar cravings), abdominal fat, high blood pressure (greater than 130/85 mmHg), and a lack of exercise. The risks associated are heart disease, diabetes, and stroke. Once you have metabolic syndrome, you must lose weight, lower your lipid levels, and reduce hypertension, and combat stress. At this point, merely lowering your blood glucose is not enough. This is precisely the reason why so many people with diabetes that reduce their blood sugar still are at high risk for cardiac episodes.
It’s critical to maintain your blood sugar and insulin levels and to visit your doctor for check-ups and diagnostics regularly.
Estuardo Aroca, D.O.
Family Medicine
Estuardo Aroca, D.O., completed his Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine studies at the New York College of Osteopathic Medicine. He then completed his residency in Family Medicine at the Wyckoff Heights Medical Center in Brooklyn, New York.
With over 20 years of experience as a physician, in settings ranging from home health to inpatient and outpatient care, Dr. Aroca has developed treatment plans unique to a wide array of patient needs.
Dr. Aroca is a member of the American Osteopathic Association, American College of Osteopathic Physicians, and the American Academy of Family Medicine, and is also fluent in Spanish.
Millennium Physician Group is one of the largest comprehensive independent physician groups with more than 500 healthcare providers located throughout Florida.
We are here to connect you to a healthier life, contact Millennium Physician Group today.
Millennium Physician Group
Family Practice – Punta Gorda
25098 E Olympia Ave., Suite 400, Punta Gorda, FL 33950
(941) 621-6771
