Updated on Jun 30, 2022 | Cardiology, Diabetes, Exercise, Health Tips, Heart Disease, Holistic Health, Integrative Medicine, The Center for Health & Healing, Vascular Health
Can exercise replace drugs? A study recently published in BMJ (formerly the British Medical Journal) asked this question for four chronic conditions: coronary artery disease, pre-diabetes, stroke and heart failure. The study, which included more than 330,000 patients, was a “meta-analyses.” In other words, it compiled data from previously published controlled trials that looked at the effects of exercise or drug therapy on survival for the illnesses in question. (more…)
Updated on Jun 30, 2022 | Diabetes, Diet and Nutrition, Health Tips
By Jeffrey M. Levine MD, and Michael Cioroiu, MD
Nutrition is an important component of a plan for wound healing. At the Beth Israel Center for Advanced Wound Care, we see all types of wounds, including pressure ulcers, arterial and venous wounds, non-healing surgical wounds and others. Although we have many surgical options and topical treatments, wounds will not heal if the patient is not well nourished. Incorporating a nutritional plan helps achieve the goal of wound healing in the shortest time possible, with minimal pain, discomfort and scarring.
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Updated on Jun 30, 2022 | Cardiology, Diabetes, Health Tips, Heart Disease, Primary Care, Vascular Health
Recent media reports have caused some alarm and confusion about newly published guidelines for statin drugs. Statin drugs reduce cholesterol levels and also decrease cardiac and vascular disease, independent of their cholesterol-lowering effect. Statins provide multiple benefits, but the mechanisms of their actions are not yet fully understood. Like any medication, there is a risk of side effects, which can occur in up to 18 percent of patients and most often consist of muscle pain or temporary derangement of liver function. Rare serious side effects have been described. (more…)
Nov 20, 2013 | Diabetes, Diet and Nutrition, Health Tips
This post was written by nutritionist Lynn Polmanteer, MD, RD, CDN, CDE, of the Friedman Diabetes Institute.
People with diabetes can enjoy eating at most restaurants while still successfully managing their condition. It’s all about making smart choices when dining out. Here are some tips to help you choose wisely: (more…)
Nov 6, 2013 | Common Illness, Diabetes, Endocrinology, LGBT Health, Women's Health
Polycystic ovary syndrome, commonly known as PCOS, is one of the most common female endocrine disorders.
A syndrome is a group of signs and symptoms that occur together to characterize a particular condition. The definition of PCOS includes irregular periods, signs of excess androgenic hormones (masculine hormones) such as acne and excess hair growth, and an exclusion of other causes of an elevation of androgens. Although the name indicates the presence of cysts on the ovaries, not all women with PCOS have cysts (and not all women with ovarian cysts have PCOS). (more…)
Oct 10, 2013 | Diabetes, Endocrinology, Popular
This post was written by Gerald Bernstein, MD, Director of the Friedman Diabetes Institute at Beth Israel Medical Center.
The wonderful actor Tom Hanks said a mouthful when he told late-night talk show host David Letterman that he was recently diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, a condition in which the body does not produce or properly use insulin. Tom Hanks to me is everyman, best characterized in his movie “Saving Private Ryan.” He looks like a regular guy and, from what I can tell from the general media, he is—not too heavy, not too thin (except for during movie roles he played as an AIDS patient and a castaway), and apparently realistic about life and work in general.
What Hanks said that is so important is that his blood sugar was somewhat elevated when he was in his 30s, meaning he had prediabetes. He was also wise enough to know that the eventual progression to clinical diabetes was inevitable. As with everything else about Hanks, this news was a piece of life and he is dealing with it. (more…)
Can exercise replace drugs? A study recently published in BMJ (formerly the British Medical Journal) asked this question for four chronic conditions: coronary artery disease, pre-diabetes, stroke and heart failure. The study, which included more than 330,000 patients, was a “meta-analyses.” In other words, it compiled data from previously published controlled trials that looked at the effects of exercise or drug therapy on survival for the illnesses in question. (more…)
