Page 5 - PeaceHealth-Southwest

CANCER DIABETIC HEART DIABETES

Q My mother’s doctor

told her that she has diabetic heart disease. I’ve never heard of it. Is that a real condition?

The term “diabetic heart disease” does not refer to a specific disease, but rather the link between diabetes and heart disease. It also refers to some of the more difficult challenges doctors and diabetic patients face when diagnosing and treating their heart and vascular disease.

Patients already diagnosed with diabetes are far more likely to develop coronary artery disease (CAD), heart failure (HF) and peripheral vascular disease (PVD) than non-diabetic individuals. Diabetic patients often have more diffuse CAD, making revascular-ization with balloons and stents (angioplasty) and bypass surgery more difficult. Diabetic patients are particularly at risk for complications from PVD, such as stroke and poor circulation to the legs.

A comprehensive treatment plan can dramatically reduce the risk of developing heart and vascular disease. A treatment team that may include a primary care provider, a diabetic educator, a cardiologist and a vascular surgeon will work to prevent,

diagnose, and treat diabetic patients across the spec-trum of heart and vascular disease.

Q I’ve heard of leukemia

and lymphoma, but what is multiple myeloma? Is it a blood cancer?

Multiple myeloma, also known as myeloma, is a blood cancer that begins in plasma cells, a type of white blood cell. These cells are part of your immune system, which helps protect the body from germs and other harmful substances. In myeloma, a group of plasma cells becomes cancerous and multiplies, raising the number of plasma cells to a higher-than-normal level. Since these cells normally make proteins (antibodies), the level of abnormal proteins in your blood may go up. Health problems caused by multiple myeloma can affect your bones, immune system, kidneys and red blood cell count.

No one knows the exact causes of myeloma, but it is most common in men over 65 and African Americans. Early symptoms may include:

Bone pain, often in the spine, pelvic bones, ribs, shoulders and hips

Repeated infections

Myeloma is not curable, but early diagnosis and treatment may help control symptoms and complications.

Aruna Reddy, MD Southwest Medical Group Oncology Associates 505 NE 87th Ave., Suite 320 Vancouver, WA 98664 360.514.2550

Q Why is foot care

important if I have diabetes?

Diabetes is a disease that can affect you from head to toe— literally. Over time, high blood sugar levels can damage nerves in your feet, causing you to lose sensation in them, often leading to a diabetic ulcer. To avoid an ulcer, follow these tips:

Be active, and don’t smoke.

Check your feet daily for problems, such as red spots, blisters, cuts, swelling and ingrown toenails. Report anything suspicious to your doctor right away.

Although it is important that shoes are comfortable and worn with socks, a visual inspection of your feet is necessary to ensure the shoes fit correctly. Avoid flip-flops and sandals. Replace socks that are worn. The first few times after wearing a new pair of shoes, after using them for no more than 1 to 2 hours, the shoes need to be removed and the feet inspected for any areas of redness or blisters. During long periods of walking or hiking, it is important to periodically inspect your feet and, if necessary, put on a dry pair of socks.

Trim toenails straight across, and file the edges. Treat corns and calluses.

Shield your feet from heat and cold sources.

Wash, don’t soak, your feet daily and dry them carefully. Apply lotion,

but not between your toes—extra moisture may lead to infection.

Michael J. Barsotti, MD

PeaceHealth Southwest Diabetes, Endocrine and Nutrition 8716 E Mill Plain Blvd. Vancouver, WA 98664 360.514.3148, option 2

Shaun Harper, MD, FACC PeaceHealth Southwest Heart & Vascular Center 200 NE Mother Joseph Place, Suite 400, Vancouver, WA 98664 360.256.2640

There’s a big link

between diabetes, heart disease and stroke. In fact, two out of three people with diabetes die from heart disease or stroke.

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