Archives for January 2017

Diabetic and Sleep Deprivation Go Hand in Hand

Sleep. We talk about it a lot; not getting enough and needing more are usually at the top of the list. For people with diabetes or those with pre-diabetes, the relationship between sleep and blood glucose level is antagonistic, as they both can negatively impact the other.

To start, not sleeping enough or sleeping too much can increase your risk for type 2 diabetes.  Additionally, diabetes complications like increased thirst and urination can make it harder for you to sleep; yet diabetes can also make you more tired and fatigued.

If you are diabetic, you know how difficult it can be to sleep if your blood glucose levels are not in check. Eating healthily and exercising are crucial to keeping blood glucose levels where they should be and in turn increasing your chances for a good night’s sleep. Test your blood sugar before bed, so that you can head off any problems that may interrupt your sleep later.

For those of you who are at risk of developing diabetes, your sleep habits can negatively impact your risk. It is not uncommon to reach for sugary and caffeinated drinks to help wake you up in the morning.  If you did not sleep well, these drinks may be your go-to, all the while adding to your weight and further increasing your risk for diabetes.

With that said, it’s also been noted that taking naps and sleeping extremely long stretches of time can also increase your risk. Disrupting your circadian rhythms and internal clock can lead to issues with your metabolism, cardiovascular system, and immune system.

So what does all this contradictory information mean when it comes to getting a good night’s sleep?  Ultimately, it means that your diet and exercise play a key role in the value of the sleep you get. If you are pre-diabetic, getting regular exercise and eating healthy can prevent diabetes as a whole and make it easier for you to sleep at night. You will also not be as fatigued during the day and can avoid the unhelpful and unnecessary naps.

For diabetics, regular exercise and diet can help keep your glucose levels within a normal range and may also help prevent the typical culprits that wake you up at night: frequent urination, restless legs, nervousness and overheating.

Diabetes Management in Wellington

If you are concerned about how your sleep is affecting your diabetes or your risk for diabetes, board-certified internal medicine specialist Dr. Ishan can help. He will assess your situation and offer lifestyle and dietary recommendations to help control your diabetes or reduce your risk. To make an appointment with our diabetes specialist in Wellington or Royal Palm Beach, request an appointment online or call (561) 434-1935 today.

Chronic Pain Effects on Your Quality of Life

Are you one of the millions of people affected by chronic pain, or do you know someone who is? If so, you know how it can limit everyday activities while also causing strain on your professional and personal relationships. The significant impact it has on your quality of life not only affects your physical health, but your mental and emotional health as well. This is not surprising, because when you know something is wrong with your body, especially when in pain, it can wreak havoc on your thought process.

Dealing with chronic pain can be just as emotionally draining as it is physically. It is not uncommon for you to avoid social activities due to pain or even just fear of pain. If you think you may have to engage in any activity that could lead to a flare up, you may start to fear activities and social events that you once enjoyed. This fear can sometimes be debilitating and often become more worrisome than the pain itself.

Chronic pain can have a significant effect on your interpersonal relationships. In addition to foregoing social outings and activities, it can also strain relationships with family, friends and even co-workers.  Oftentimes, others need to do more than their fair share of the workload because of your physical limitations. Or perhaps the burden of financially carrying the household once your pain becomes disabling puts a strain on your marriage. These circumstances can lead to feelings of guilt and stress, which in turn can worsen your pain.

Consequently, the fear, isolation, and constant dependence on others can lead to depression, which is very common for people dealing with chronic pain. Because chronic pain can cause depression and depression can make pain worse, it can quickly become a vicious cycle before you even know what hit you.

It is extremely important that if you think you are depressed, you seek professional help right away.  Signs of depression can include feelings of sadness, anger and hopelessness, lack of energy, difficulty concentrating, decreased appetite, and thoughts of harming yourself. Seeking professional help can break the cycle of pain and depression.

If you or someone you know is dealing with chronic pain, Dr. Ishan Gunawardene and board-certified family nurse practitioner Shariffa Gunawardene at Wellington Advanced Medical Clinic can help get to the root cause of your pain. For an appointment to discuss chronic pain treatments in Wellington, call (561) 434-1935 or request an appointment online.

Specializing in primary care and internal medicine, we will work with you to get your quality of life back. We don’t just want you to survive – we want you to thrive, physically and emotionally to enjoy life again.