Baylor Health Care System

Diabetes: A Balancing Act

Diabetes is a condition that occurs when the body doesn’t use insulin properly or when it doesn’t produce any insulin. Insulin is the hormone which allows glucose – a vital source of energy - to enter your blood cells. Whether you are recently diagnosed with diabetes or just want to learn how to better manage your condition, Baylor can help.

There are three major types of diabetes, which affect more than 20 million Americans.

• Type 1 diabetes occurs when the body does not produce insulin – and is usually diagnosed in children and adolescents. 
• Type 2 diabetes is a condition in which the body fails to properly use insulin combined with relative insulin deficiency. Most Americans who are diagnosed with diabetes have type 2 diabetes. 
• Gestational diabetes occurs in pregnant women who have never had diabetes before but who have high blood sugar levels during pregnancy.

No matter which type you have been diagnosed with, Baylor offers support groups and classes at several facilities for diabetics and their loved ones. We also offer the TEAM Diabetes Self-Management Training Program. To learn more about dietary guidelines for diabetics, search our online Health Encyclopedia.

Hear from a real patient and learn more about diabetes in this month’s My Story feature from BaylorHealth Magazine.

Conquer Your Pain

Nearly everyone has suffered from a back or neck ache at one point, but serious pain can interfere with work, recreation or day-to-day activities. Luckily, there are steps you can take to fight stiffness or pain.

• Keep your abdominal and back muscles strong. Pilates is a great way to strengthen your abs and back. Aerobic activity can include walking, swimming, or riding a stationary bicycle. Ask your physician before beginning a new exercise regimen.
• Get up from your desk and stretch. Also remember to sit up straight with your shoulders back.
• Lift, pull and push properly. Use your legs, not your back muscles, to power the lift.
• Make your work space work for you. Make sure your desk and chair fit your height and body type. Adjust the chair so your feet are flat on the floor and make sure your arms and shoulders are relaxed when you are typing.

Pain that lasts for more than three months is considered chronic. If your pain isn’t going away you should talk to your doctor about treatment or therapy options. Baylor offers personalized pain management treatment plans and services to get you moving again. To find a physician on the medical staff at Baylor, call 1.800.4BAYLOR or search online.

Heart Matters

No matter how young you feel, it’s important to keep tabs on your heart health and take the right steps to reduce your risk for developing heart disease. If you are uncertain of your risks, Baylor offers free online risk assessments.

If you have a moderate to high risk for developing heart disease, these lifestyle changes you can make to help to reduce it.

• Change Your Diet. Eat a low-fat diet rich in fruits and vegetables and low in animal fat. Replace processed white breads and starches with whole grains. Eat baked or grilled fish twice a week. Frying can destroy some of the health benefits.
• Exercise daily or several times a week. Walking or light jogging is a good form of exercise. Talk to your doctor before starting an exercise routine.
• Reduce Stress. Relaxation techniques are helpful tools for coping with stress and promoting long-term health by slowing down the body and quieting the mind. Try signing up for a relaxing Tai Chi or yoga class.
• Quit Smoking. Think about all of the conditions smoking contributes to. Not only does it contain cancer-causing carcinogens, but it also constricts your blood vessels. Here are some tips to help you quit.

Talk to your physician about incorporating these changes into your daily routine. To find a physician on the medical staff at Baylor, call 1.800.4BAYLOR or search online.

What to Know About Prostate Cancer

Second only to lung cancer, prostate cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer death in men. In the early stages, prostate cancer rarely produces symptoms, so prostate screening exams are extremely vital in the early detection of this form of cancer.

Physicians recommend that men should get screened beginning at age 50, or at age 45 if they have a high risk for developing cancer. Men who have a family history of prostate cancer or African American men have the highest risk. The risk for developing prostate cancer also increases in men over 65.

Even though symptoms can be rare in the beginning stages, it’s important to know what symptoms may occur.  Frequent urination, difficulty stopping the flow of urine, impotence, blood in urine or semen or frequent pain in the lower back, hips or upper thighs may be warning signs. Talk to your physician if you are experiencing any of these symptoms. To find a physician on the medical staff at Baylor, call 1.800.4BAYLOR or search online.

Worth 1,000 Words: Diagnostic Imaging

When there aren’t many clues on the surface, diagnostic imaging can provide answers by taking a look inside the body. Diagnostic imaging plays an important role in a more accurate diagnosis or in the early detection of certain conditions. Baylor imaging centers are conveniently located throughout the Metroplex.

There are a variety of different imaging tests physicians may use depending on the symptoms you are experiencing.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) uses magnets and radio waves, rather than radiation, to take pictures inside the body. MRIs are non-invasive and are used to help diagnose a multitude of conditions.

A mammogram is an x-ray used to detect tumors in the breast tissue and is also helpful in determining if a tumor is benign or malignant. Mammograms have greatly improved early detection and rates of successful treatment of breast cancer. Doctors recommend yearly mammograms for women over 40-years-old. If you have risk factors, you may need to start at a younger age.

A computerized tomography (CT) scan is used to get a detailed image of the brain, spine or stomach. Doctors may use a CT scan to help them find the right area for a biopsy, identify tumors or study blood vessels.

These and other tests are useful for detecting several types of cancer, heart disease, abnormalities in the brain and many other conditions. To learn more about imaging and radiology, search the Tests section in our Health Encyclopedia. To find a physician, call 1.800.4BAYLOR or search online.