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Understanding Pre-Diabetes:
A Chance to Change Your Future
Type 2 diabetes is a serious health problem in the U.S. Previously referred to as "adult-onset" diabetes, this condition is being diagnosed more and more in children. Unfortunately, the rise in diabetes relates directly to the rise in obesity rates. Long-term complications associated with diabetes can include heart and blood vessel disease, kidney problems, and vision impairment or loss, among others.
The good news is that doctors are working closely with patients to diagnose early signs of the disease, when it is still considered "Pre-Diabetes."
"We want patients to understand that there are risk factors for developing diabetes that are in our control, such as weight and physical activity. If we can intervene before someone develops full-fledged diabetes, we’ve saved them a life-long struggle with a complicated disease," says Dr. Loraine Dailey, of MPCP Pasadena.
What is Pre-Diabetes?
Diabetes is a disorder of the endocrine system in which blood sugar levels in the body consistently stay above a normal range. Click to read more.
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To Our Patients:
Welcome to the spring edition of HealthWise, our quarterly e-newsletter with tips to help keep you and your family well. In this issue, we tackle the topic of Pre-Diabetes, a growing health concern in the U.S. Please read and share this article as there is good news about preventing diabetes by working with your doctor to identify and control key risk factors.
Two of our MPCP physicians also give tips on dealing with allergy symptoms and some insight into today’s changing health care environment.
Check out our updated website, for easier access to MPCP’s 10 office locations or to find a doctor near you. And “Like” our Facebook page for weekly health tips, recipes and more.
Happy spring!
— Physicians & Staff of MPCP
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10 Tips for Spring Allergy Symptoms
--By Tamara Welch, M.D.
Has the sneezing started at your house? If so you, or your family members, are likely among the thousands of allergy sufferers who have to deal with the high pollen count in Maryland each spring. In fact, experts are predicting a record high pollen count this year due to a mild winter. Trees are the first culprit, releasing pollen as they bud in early spring. Then grasses and weeds take over in late spring and early summer. Individuals who are allergic to pollen and mold spores will have symptoms ranging from headaches to watery, itchy eyes, to sneezing, to a sore throat.
However, there are several effective treatments for dealing with allergies. Avoiding triggers- or exposure to allergens- whenever possible is the first step. But we also have effective over the counter and prescription medications. Some people respond well to allergy shots. Here are my top 10 tips to help you deal with spring allergy symptoms:
- Limit outdoor time when pollen counts are high- usually in the morning and on windy days. You can find the pollen counts for your area on WebMD.com.
- Spring cleaning — Make sure to clean windows, screens, air conditioning vents and other surfaces that collect dust and pollen.
- Take over the counter or prescription medications as directed by your doctor. You usually want to take medications at least 30 minutes prior to outdoor activities. Understand the difference between anti-histamines and decongestants and when to take each.
Click to read more.
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The Changing Healthcare Environment:
A Q&A with our Medical Director
Q: What are your impressions of the current healthcare environment, and its impact on you as a primary care physician?
Today’s healthcare environment requires doctors not only to provide good care, but also measure and document good outcomes using electronic record keeping. The challenge is to do this while maintaining the one on one individual patient focus that has always been fundamental to our care.
At MPCP, we are continuing to develop effective practices to deal with these changes, as we remain focused on our patients’ well- being. The role of primary care providers is now more important than ever. Family practitioners and internal medicine specialists are on the forefront in the areas of disease prevention and wellness.
We want to be partners in keeping our patients healthy, and as the population ages, this partnership will be even more critical.
Q: How do you think MPCP is positioned to deal with these changes, while continuing to provide quality care?
We are well prepared in many ways:
- Almost 10 years ago, we began with EMR (electronic medical records) to document patient care and outcomes;
- We recognize and have responded to patients’ need for more convenient . . .
Click to read more.
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