Amyloidosis is a rare disease in which abnormal proteins, called amyloid proteins, build up in your organs - affecting your kidneys, heart, spleen, liver, gastrointestinal tract or nervous system. Researchers have not yet determined the exact cause of amyloidosis, but those at greater risk include people over 40, those with chronic infectious or inflammatory diseases (such as tuberculosis or rheumatoid arthritis), those with a family history of the disease and those undergoing kidney dialysis.
In most of Wisconsin, we experienced a very cloudy, rainy spring - so most of us are ill-prepared to adapt to the intense rays of the sun this June. It is always important to protect yourself from the sun in summer - sunscreen, hats, sunglasses and avoiding peak sun exposure (10 am to 2 pm) are key. But this year I’m seeing even more cases of severe sunburn and skin reactions caused by exposure to the sun.
What determines whether or not you get sunburned? Your skin type, how long you are in the sun, when you are in the sun and where you are - including your altitude. The type of sunscreen you use and medications you are taking can also determine how your skin reacts to the sun. Medications such as antibiotics, diuretics, heart drugs, birth control, antidepressants, antifungals, antibacterials and acne medications can make your skin more sensitive to the sun.
Waking up with a “Charlie Horse” in the middle of the night can certainly be unpleasant. And it’s something that is often more frequently seen in the warmer months. Why? Because for some people leg cramps are a result of dehydration that can be caused by hot days, sun, exercise and a lack of liquids. When your body’s electrolytes are depleted, the result can be cramps - more commonly in the legs and feet.
Other causes of muscles cramping include:
- Diuretic drugs that can result in dehydration or a depletion of sodium or potassium.
- Overusing muscles that you haven’t exercised in a while.
- Prolonged sitting.
- Imbalance in calcium levels caused by parathyroid disease. This usually causes cramping in the hands or arms.
- Medications taken to reduce cholesterol or stomach acid. Birth control pills, antipsychotics and steroids can lead to cramping as well.
- Flat feet.
If you experience muscle cramping regularly, it’s a good idea to visit your physician. In most cases, your health care provider will examine your medication history and run blood tests to check your potassium, sodium, calcium and magnesium levels. A thyroid function test may be run as well.
To prevent cramping stay well-hydrated, exercise often, and stretch your muscles often. Also avoid drinks with caffeine, as well as alcoholic beverages that tend to dehyrdrate your body. It’s a good idea to eat foods rich in potassium, calcium and magnesium as well. Some people find that milk (for the calcium) or a daily vitamin B complex can help prevent cramping.
Today over 26 million Americans (8 percent of the population) have diabetes. Estimates indicate that another 7 million Americans may be unaware they have the disease. In 2007, the Center for Disease Control characterized the rise in Type 2 diabetes an epidemic - it is still characterized as such.
Diabetes is currently the seventh leading cause of death in the U.S. and new global research indicates that diabetes can shorten a person’s life expectancy by six years. In comparison, smoking is estimated to shorten a person’s life by 10 years.
For some time, researchers have been aware of the toll diabetes takes on one’s heart - high blood sugar can damage blood vessels and nerves leading to heart disease and a higher risk of heart attack or stroke. But according to the research published in the New England Journal of Medicine in March 2011, new studies that examined medical information from over 820,000 people in Europe and North America indicate that diabetes can cause a wide range of other medical conditions. Over the 13 ½ years the participants were followed, more than 123,000 participants died; most of the participants had Type 2 diabetes.
According to the study, the participants with diabetes were two times as likely to die from a heart attack or stroke than those without diabetes. They also had increased death rates from infections, pneumonia, lung and kidney disease and falls. They were 25 percent more likely to die from breast cancer and their risk was doubled for liver cancer. It was also noted that diabetics had a greater tendency to suffer from depression and commit suicide.
Researchers have not yet determined why diabetes has the above effects, but researchers do recommend cancer screenings for those with diabetes and emphasize the need to treat and prevent diabetes.
The symptoms of diabetes may be rather nonspecific and diagnosis may take a while. With Type 1 diabetics, the initial presentation of the disease may be rather rapid with significant illness. Many new onset diabetics present to the emergency department after a few days of a flu-like illness, including nausea, vomiting, and severe dehydration. Their blood sugar may be up over 1000 mg/dl, with normal being 100 mg/dl. This is an emergency situation that requires rehydration, control of sugars, and infusion of electrolytes while hospitalized. Left untreated, this patient can die.
Type 2 diabetics usually have a presentation that is slow and may be monitored over a few years. The usual Type 2 diabetic symptoms may include increased thirst, increased urination, weight loss, fatigue, poor healing wounds, and visual changes. Fasting blood glucose levels are usually over 110 mg/dl. Many times, weight loss will cure the problem. With more severe cases, a variety of oral medications can be taken to address the problem. There are a few cases that require both oral medications and shots of insulin.
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