The body needs glucose. It is the cells’ primary source of energy. Without it, the tissues and muscles of the body won’t be able to carry out regular functions well.

What causes Diabetes?

The underlying cause of diabetes depends on the type.

Type 1 diabetes is usually linked to dysfunctional immune system. Instead of just attacking harmful bacteria and viruses, some of those with dysfunctional immune system attacks and destroys the insulin-producing hormones and cells.

Insulin is the hormone that carries the glucose into the cells. With little or no insulin, glucose can build up in the bloodstream.

Type 2 diabetes is usually a result of genetic and environmental factors. Having a family history of the condition and being obese puts you at greater risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

As with gestational diabetes, it’s usually a result of hormonal changes during pregnancy (the placenta makes hormones that can lead to buildup of glucose in the bloodstream.

Regardless of the type, diabetes can lead to excess sugar in the blood. And having too much sugar in the blood can lead to serious health implications.

Symptoms

The most common symptoms of diabetes include:

• Increased thirst
• Frequent urination
• Extreme hunger
• Unexplained weight loss
• Fatigue
• Irritability
• Blurred vision
• Slow-healing sores
• Frequent infections

Health Consequences

When left unmanaged, diabetes can lead to a myriad of health problems including cardiovascular disease, nerve damage, eye problems, Alzheimer’s disease, kidney failure, and limb amputation.

Kidney failure develops when kidney damage is left untreated. Dialysis is an option for diabetic patients with kidney failure. By removing excess salt, water, and wastes from the body, dialysis can help in keeping the body in balance.

Vascular access is an important passageway to the bloodstream created by a minor surgery to be used for dialysis. Premier Surgical Vascular Access Center in Knoxville provides exceptional care for Access patients and their families. Our highly trained vascular physicians and staff use state-of-the-art equipment and the latest in minimally invasive vascular access surgery techniques. We offer comprehensive on-site vascular diagnostic expertise and educational services to patients who are living with kidney disease.

For more information about Premier Vascular Access Center, please visit our Access webpage.

The post Diabetes Month first appeared on Premier Surgical.

November is American Diabetes Month. According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), over 29 million people in the United States have diabetes.

About Diabetes

Diabetes is a condition that occurs when your blood glucose (also known as your blood sugar) is too high. The blood glucose is the body’s main source of energy and it is transported into the cells through the hormone insulin. However, there are cases on which the body doesn’t make enough or any insulin at all. In some cases, the body doesn’t use insulin well. As a result, glucose remains in the blood and doesn’t reach the cells.

There are two types of diabetes – type 1 and type 2 diabetes.

In type 1 diabetes, the body doesn’t make insulin. It’s an autoimmune condition in which the immune system attacks the cells in the pancreas that make insulin. Although it can appear at any age, it is usually diagnosed in children and young adults. In order to stay alive, those with type 1 diabetes have to take insulin every day.

In type 2 diabetes, the body doesn’t make use of insulin effectively. It’s the most common type of diabetes, usually diagnosed in middle-aged and older people. It is also common among obese people.

Signs and Symptoms

The most common signs and symptoms of diabetes include unexplained weight loss, fatigue, frequent urination, extreme hunger, increased or excessive thirst, irritability, blurred vision, slow-healing sores, and frequent infections

How Diabetes Can Affect Your Health

When left unmanaged, diabetes can lead to a myriad of health complications. It can take a toll on almost every organ of the body including the eyes, heart and the blood vessels, kidneys, nerves, gastrointestinal tract, and even the gums and the teeth.

Uncontrolled diabetes can lead to vision loss, heart disease, loss of sensation in the lower extremities, gum disease, limb infections which can lead to amputation, and kidney disease.

Diabetes and Kidney Disease

When diabetes is left unmanaged, it may lead to diabetic kidney disease. Also known as diabetic nephropathy, this condition results from damage in the filters in the kidneys. Damage to the kidney’s’ filters can also result to accumulation of more salt, water, and waste material in the blood.

Kidney failure develops when kidney damage is left untreated. Dialysis is an option for patients with kidney failure. By removing excess salt, water, and wastes from the body, dialysis can help in keeping the body in balance.

Vascular access is an important passageway to the bloodstream created by a minor surgery to be used for dialysis. Premier Surgical Vascular Access Center in Knoxville provides exceptional care for Access patients and their families. Our highly trained vascular physicians and staff use state-of-the-art equipment and the latest in minimally invasive vascular access surgery techniques. We offer comprehensive on-site vascular diagnostic expertise and educational services to patients who are living with≠ kidney disease.

For more information about Premier Vascular Access Center, please visit our Access webpage.

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Diabetes mellitus is a lifelong disease that has been growing at an epidemic rate in the United States. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about 30 million Americans have diabetes. There are two basic types of diabetes; classified as type 1 and type 2.

Type 1, or insulin-dependent diabetes often begins in childhood. It is an autoimmune condition as the body attacks its own pancreas, keeping it from producing insulin.

Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes. It accounts for 95 percent of diabetes cases in adults. This type of diabetes is often associated with poor lifestyle choices. People who are overweight and with a family history of diabetes are at higher risk of developing type 2. It can often be controlled with weight management, regular physical activity, and dietary changes.

Diabetes and Kidney Disease

The rise in blood glucose can sometimes result to a rise in chemicals found in the kidneys. These chemicals tend to damage the filters of the kidney, and make the kidneys “leak” abnormal amounts of protein from the blood into the urine. So, when diabetes is left unmanaged, it may lead to this complication, which is called diabetic kidney disease.

Also known as diabetic nephropathy, this condition results from damage in the filters in the kidneys. Damage to the kidney’s’ filters can also result to accumulation of more salt, water, and waste material in the blood.

Renal failure develops when kidney damage is left untreated. Dialysis is an option for patients with kidney failure. By removing excess salt, water, and wastes from the body, dialysis can help in keeping the body in balance.

Premier Access Center

Vascular access is an important passageway to the bloodstream created by a minor surgery to be used for dialysis. Considered as the patient’s lifeline, the vascular access is what makes the dialysis possible. The vascular access should allow the full benefit of dialysis to help the patient feel as well as possible.

Two of the types of vascular access are the arteriovenous (AV) fistula and the AV graft. The AV fistula is a connection done by a vascular surgeon of an artery to a vein. The AV graft is a looped plastic tube that connects an artery to a vein.

Premier Surgical Vascular Access Center in Knoxville provides exceptional care for Access patients and their families. Our highly trained vascular physicians and staff use state-of-the-art diagnostic equipment and the latest in minimally invasive vascular access surgery techniques. We offer comprehensive on-site diagnostic expertise and educational services to patients who are at risk for kidney disease. Our dedicated Access Coordinator RN who  coordinates patients’ care with area dialysis clinics.  Our team will recommend and provide the vascular access best suited for your needs.

For more information about Premier Vascular Access Center, please visit our Access webpage.

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There are two common types of diabetes: Type 1 and Type 2. Unlike Type 1 diabetes, people with Type 2 do not have a problem producing insulin, but their body doesn’t use the cells the way that it should. This is what doctors call “insulin resistance”. In response to this, the pancreas compensates by producing more insulin in order to get the glucose into the cells. Because the cells do no respond to insulin, the sugar begins to build up in the blood. This can cause a person to urinate frequently, feel very thirsty or hungry, and tired.

Diabetes is a huge problem nationwide, but especially in the south. There are several factors that can predispose a person to develop Type 2 diabetes. These include: a family history of the disease, obesity, an unhealthy diet, a sedentary lifestyle, and age.

Diabetes and Kidney Disease

Not properly managing your diabetes can increase your risk of developing kidney disease. Diabetes can  damage the  small blood vessels in the body. When these blood vessels are damaged, the kidneys can’t filter the blood and it causes the body to retain more salt and water. Kidney damage can also cause buildup of waste materials in the blood and eventually lead to kidney failure if not treated.

Renal or kidney failure occurs when your kidneys are no longer to function and keep your body in a reasonably healthy state. Dialysis is an option for patients in  renal failure, performed to keep the body in balance. Dialysis removes wastes, salt, and excess water from the body and keeps levels of potassium, bicarbonate, and sodium within safe level.

Vascular Access for Dialysis

A patient scheduled for kidney or hemodialysis requires a vascular access to allow blood to be drawn or medication delivered to the blood stream. There are two types of vascular access: arterial venous fistula (AVF) and arterial venous graft (AVG). AVF is created by joining an artery to a vein. Very similar to AVF, AVG instead uses an implanted tube with a graft to connect the artery to the vein.

The vascular access is crucial to any patient undergoing dialysis. The vascular surgeons of Premier Surgical Vascular Access Center in Knoxville specialize in the latest minimally invasive access surgical techniques. The Center’ physicians and staff are 100% dedicated to serving patients with kidney disease through comprehensive on-site diagnostic expertise and management of your vascular access. A dedicated Access Coordinator Nurse works directly with patients, their Nephrologist and Dialysis Center to address any concerns.

The dedication of the Center’s physicians and staff results in our patients experiencing fewer infections, a more practical treatment course, increased comfort level, and reduced stress for patient families and caregivers. For more information about Premier Vascular Access and Imaging Center, call 865-306-5755 to speak with the Access Coordinator or visit the Premier Vascular Access Webpage.

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According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 500 Americans lose a limb each day. While trauma or cancer are sometimes the cause of limb loss, most patients at the Premier Surgical Limb Preservation Center in Knoxville are typically at risk of losing a limb due to chronic health issues such as diabetes, peripheral arterial disease (PAD), or critical limb ischemia (CLI), which is a severe complication of PAD that may lead to limb loss if left untreated.

It’s estimated that 65% of amputations are preventable through early detection and treatment. The Vascular Intervention Team at the Premier Surgical Limb Preservation Clinic in Knoxville believes successful limb preservation is best achieved through a combination of early detection, quick restoration of blood flow, and attentive ongoing care.

For early detection, it’s helpful to know the signs and symptoms of PAD or CLI. These include:

• Sores on the toes, feet, or legs that won’t heal
• A change in the color of the legs
• Severe pain in the feet or toes
• Leg numbness or weakness

1 — Early Detection and Referral

If you’re experiencing any of the above symptoms, talk to your physician and request a referral to Premier Surgical Limb Preservation Center. Our vascular experts will work to secure immediate, same-day evaluation to properly diagnose your condition.

2 — Restoration of Blood Flow

The most critical aspect to preserving a limb is to restore blood flow as soon as possible. This may require opening blockages and removing plaque in the vascular system, which can be accomplished through procedures such as balloon angioplasty, stents, atherectomy, and bypasses.

3 — Treatment and Prevention

Once the immediate concern of restoring blood flow is resolved, the goal is to ensure that blood flow doesn’t become restricted again. Your Premier vascular physician will instruct you on the best treatment practices for continuous care, such as how to prevent the development of chronic wounds.

In coordination with you referring physician and other specialists, your Premier vascular surgeon will remain involved in your post-procedure assessments to ensure healing and avoid recurrences.

The physicians and staff of Premier Surgical Limb Preservation Clinic, conveniently located on Papermill Drive in Knoxville, are dedicated to earning your trust through our demonstrated vascular expertise. We are committed to saving limbs and saving lives. Learn more about Premier Surgical on our website.

The post 3 Steps To Prevent Limb Loss first appeared on Premier Surgical.

Dr. Deanna L. Nelson, a vascular surgeon with Premier Surgical Associates in Knoxville, vascular disease is a systemic disease which is not cured, it’s managed.

The arteries, veins, and lymph vessels in your body make up your vascular system, and are designed to move blood, oxygen, and fluids efficiently. Any condition that impedes this system is considered vascular disease, which may range from cardiovascular disease, pulmonary artery disease, or carotid artery disease. Depending on location, blockages in the vascular system could lead to heart attacks, strokes, aneurysms, or blood clots. Dr. Nelson explains.,

A sedentary lifestyle, high blood pressure and cholesterol, smoking, as well as  obesity are the leading risk factors for cardiovascular disease. Evidence from many scientific studies shows that reducing these risk factors decreases the chance of having not only cardiovascular disease, but all other vascular diseases as well.

Exercise

According to the American Heart Association, exercise reduces inflammation in the arteries by pumping blood through the arteries and veins, which helps them stay open and flexible. The veins in the legs are critical in that they pump blood back to the heart. During exercise, the calf muscle contracts and squeezes the veins, which aids in circulating blood to the heart.

Exercise also promotes weight loss and can reduce blood pressure and high cholesterol. Plus, regular activity helps insulin and glucose levels in the blood of patients with diabetes.

Smoking

Cigarette smoking causes an estimated 1 in every 5 deaths each year and is the main preventable cause of death and illness in the United States. Smoking harms nearly every organ in the body including the heart, blood vessels, and veins of the vascular system. People who smoke more commonly have aneurysms, peripheral artery disease, carotid artery disease, and heart attacks. There are support systems in your community or through your physician that offer  help to stop smoking.

Diet

According to the Circulation Foundation Organization, eating a healthy diet can reduce your chances of developing vascular disease. A balanced diet can help keep your weight, cholesterol and blood pressure under control, and also prevents against fatty deposits building up in your arteries. It can also reduce your risk of getting Type 2 diabetes. Adopt a diet rich in fruit, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grain starches, and limit the amount of saturated fat, salt and sugar in your diet.

Monitoring

Dr. Nelson advises, “If you’ve had a blockage in one area, you may be more likely to develop one elsewhere as well, so those with vascular disease should be screened regularly and should adjust their lifestyle.” Patients with vascular diseases should be screened every 6 months to a year by a vascular surgeon, who is well equipped to manage ever changing data, processes, and procedures.

Premier Surgical Associates is the largest general and vascular surgical group in the Knoxville region—providing comprehensive surgical care for vascular disease and other specialties—with referrals from across the entire East Tennessee region. To learn more about surgical treatments for vascular disease, visit the Premier Vascular Surgery webpage.

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