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November 2016

Baylor Scott & White

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Diane Atkinsonattributes her success to quality surgery and dedication to rehabilitation PAGE 6

‘‘I was very impressed with the attentive care after my knee replacement.

‘‘

sw.org | Austin/Round Rock Region

DETECTING DIABETESKnow the subtle, early signs to avoid complications PAGE 8

FdBL111617_RoundRock.indd 1 10/7/16 1:59 PM

Get the Facts on Diabetes

QUICK HITS

diagnosed when blood glucose levels are higher than normal but not high enough to warrant a diabetes diagnosis.)

Risk of complications. Individuals with diabetes are at increased risk for developing a host of other health con-ditions and problems, especially if it isn’t well-managed. � ese include heart attack, stroke, kidney disease, eye prob-lems and amputations, among others.

If you haven’t been tested for diabetes yet, talk to your doctor to � nd out whether you should be—and to learn what you can do to prevent it.

Every November, we observe National Diabetes Awareness Month to increase knowledge about diabetes, a serious and often preventable health condition that a� ects millions of Americans. Educate yourself and others with these facts from the American Diabetes Association:

A growing problem. In 2012, 29.1 million Americans were living with diabetes, up from 25.8 million in 2010. (� is number includes both type 1 and type 2; only 1.25 million had type 1.) An additional 1.4 million Americans are diagnosed each year.

� e importance of diagnosis. Of those 29.1 million Americans, an estimated 8.1 million were undiagnosed. Diagnosis is critical for individuals with diabetes since proper medical treatment can help prevent serious complications.

A looming threat. In 2012, 86 million Americans ages 20 and older had prediabetes, a condition that often leads to diabetes. (Prediabetes is

We’re Growing: Baylor Scott & White – Lakeway On Sept. 1, the hospital formerly known as Lakeway Regional Medical Center, located at 100 Medical Parkway in Lakeway, became the newest member of Baylor Scott & White’s growing, statewide network.

Moving forward, the 106-bed hospital will be known as Baylor Scott & White Medical Center – Lakeway, and will operate as part of Baylor Scott & White Medical Center – Round Rock, and as a member of Baylor Scott & White’s Austin/Round Rock region of hospitals and clinics.

This new addition to our network means improved health for the communities we serve in Central Texas and better, more affordable care even closer to home.

And don’t worry: Patients in Travis and surrounding counties can continue getting the same services from Lakeway, only now with the added benefi t of Baylor Scott & White’s quality and innovation.

Get the Latest on Lakeway Regional Get updates and learn more about the newest medical center in the Baylor Scott & White family by visiting lakeway.sw.org today.

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FREE HEALTH EVENTS NEAR YOU To learn more about our new clinic locations as well as upcoming community health events in your area, visit clinics.sw.org today.

Baylor Scott & White Health – Austin/Round Rock, 300 University Blvd., Round Rock, TX 78665. President: Jay Fox; Chief Medical Officer: Rob Watson, MD; Hospital Marketing Manager: Karen Matthews. Visit sw.org or call 1.800.792.3710 for information about Baylor Scott & White’s services, providers, career opportunities and more. Find a physician at doctors.sw.org or a location at clinics.sw.org.

Baylor Scott & White Health mission: Baylor Scott & White Health exists to serve all people by providing personalized health and wellness through exemplary care, education and research as a Christian ministry of healing.

The material in Baylor Scott & White Health is not intended for diagnosing or prescribing. Consult your physician before undertaking any form of medical treatment or adopting any exercise program or dietary guidelines. Physicians provide clinical services as members of the medical staff at one of Baylor Scott & White Health’s subsidiary, community or affiliated medical centers and do not provide clinical services as employees or agents of those medical centers, Baylor Health Care System, Scott & White Healthcare or Baylor Scott & White Health. Photographs may include models or actors and may not represent actual patients. Baylor Scott & White Health is published by MANIFEST LLC six times a year for friends and supporters of Baylor Scott & White Health. © 2016 Baylor Scott & White Health. If you are receiving multiple copies, need to change your mailing address or do not wish to receive this publication, please send your mailing label(s) and the updated information to Robin Vogel, Baylor Scott & White Health, 2001 Bryan St., Suite 750, Dallas, TX 75201, or email the information to [email protected].

Manage Your Health AnywhereAs a Baylor Scott & White patient, you can now manage your health more conveniently than ever, thanks to MyBSWHealth, a one-stop digital destination. Through the new MyBSWHealth website (MyBSWHealth.com) and its accompanying mobile app,

you can quickly and easily:Review your MyChart® health summary.

Access your personal health records, review summaries of visits, get your test results and more. (If you’re already a MyChart user with

Baylor Scott & White, you can use your current login information to access your account.)Manage your appointments. Schedule,

confi rm or cancel your appointments, complete preappointment questionnaires, pay your bills and more.View your health plan details.

If you’re a Scott & White Health Plan member, you can access your insurance card information, review the details of your plan and check the status of recent claims. You can even keep track of how close you are to reaching your annual deductible.

This many American men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime. Men, starting at age 40, talk to your doctor about your personal risk for prostate cancer and when you should begin screening.

SIGN UP TODAYIf you’re already a MyChart® user, you’re all set! Simply use your current login information to access MyBSWHealth. To create a new account on MyBSWHealth, ask your Baylor Scott & White provider for an activation code and then visit MyBSWHealth.com to register.

Could You Have Unhealthy Cholesterol?Discover why high cholesterol is a problem and whether you might be at risk. Visit cholesterolrisk.sw.org today.

CHOLESTEROL:

TAKING THE ‘GOOD’ WITH THE ‘BAD’You’ve heard the word “cholesterol,” but do you know what it means? Cholesterol is a soft, waxy substance that’s found in each of your cells. Your body uses cholesterol to manufacture vitamin D, cell membranes, hormones, and acids that help with digestion. Your body makes all the cholesterol you need, but you also consume cholesterol in foods like eggs, butter, red meat and cheese.

There are two types of cholesterol:3 LDL, or “bad,” cholesterol

can cause plaque to build up in your arteries and contribute to the development of heart disease.

3 HDL, or “good,” cholesterol helps carry bad cholesterol to your liver so it can be removed, and by keeping blood vessels healthy, good cholesterol may help protect against heart disease and stroke.

Having the right amount of each type of cholesterol is important for your heart health. Talk to your doctor to learn more.

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1in7MyChart® is a registered trademark of Epic Systems Corp.

©Thinkstock©Thinkstock

Get the Facts

QUICK HITS

2 sw.org | Round Rock Region


Manage Your Health AnywhereAs a Baylor Scott & White patient, you can now manage your health more conveniently than ever, thanks to MyBSWHealth, a one-stop digital destination. Through the new MyBSWHealth website (MyBSWHealth.com) and its accompanying mobile app,

you can quickly and easily:Review your MyChart® health summary.


Baylor Scott & White, you can use your current login information to access your account.)Manage your appointments. Schedule,

confi rm or cancel your appointments, complete preappointment questionnaires, pay your bills and more.View your health plan details.


This many American men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime. Men, starting at age 40, talk to your doctor about your personal risk for prostate cancer and when you should begin screening.

SIGN UP TODAYIf you’re already a MyChart® user, you’re all set! Simply use your current login information to access MyBSWHealth. To create a new account on MyBSWHealth, ask your Baylor Scott & White provider for an activation code and then visit MyBSWHealth.com to register.

Could You Have Unhealthy Cholesterol?Discover why high cholesterol is a problem and whether you might be at risk. Visit cholesterolrisk.sw.org today.

CHOLESTEROL:

TAKING THE ‘GOOD’ WITH THE ‘BAD’You’ve heard the word “cholesterol,” but do you know what it means? Cholesterol is a soft, waxy substance that’s found in each of your cells. Your body uses cholesterol to manufacture vitamin D, cell membranes, hormones, and acids that help with digestion. Your body makes all the cholesterol you need, but you also consume cholesterol in foods like eggs, butter, red meat and cheese.

There are two types of cholesterol:3 LDL, or “bad,” cholesterol

can cause plaque to build up in your arteries and contribute to the development of heart disease.

3 HDL, or “good,” cholesterol helps carry bad cholesterol to your liver so it can be removed, and by keeping blood vessels healthy, good cholesterol may help protect against heart disease and stroke.

Having the right amount of each type of cholesterol is important for your heart health. Talk to your doctor to learn more.

MORE

a one-stop digital destination. Through the new MyBSWHealth website (MyBSWHealth.com

you can quickly and easily:Review your MyChart


Baylor Scott & White, you can use your current login information to access your account.)Manage your appointments.

confi rm or cancel your appointments, complete


1in7MyChart® is a registered trademark of Epic Systems Corp.

©Thinkstock sw.org | Round Rock Region 3


As a parent, you’re compelled to protect your little one

from every little thing. You wipe down shopping cart handles and restaurant tables and sanitize whatever has hit the � oor. But are you doing your child a disservice by driving away all germs?

Marjorie Milici, MD, a pediatrician on the medical sta� at Baylor Pediatric Center in Dallas, examines our obsession with sanitization.

Q: We’ve been taught that germs are bad. Shouldn’t I do everything in my power to keep my child from them?A: Germs are inevitable. You can’t shield your child from them all the time. And that’s OK.

“Being exposed to germs when you’re little is not such a bad thing,” Dr. Milici says. “� ey’re going to be exposed to them sooner or later. � e sooner they’re exposed, the sooner they can start to build up immunity.”

And building the body’s natural defenses isn’t just for cold and � u viruses.

“A strong immune system will help your child � ght o� infections, allergies and asthma, and maybe even cancer one day,” Dr. Milici says.

Are You Oversanitizing?Clearing up the uncertainty around children and germs

Q: Does that mean I should be pro-germ?A: Well, not so fast. As with many things in life, moderation is key when it comes to germs. Hand washing and general hygiene are still highly recommended. You don’t want to get your child sick deliberately.

“But keeping everything superclean is not a good idea, either,” Dr. Milici says. “Always using hand sanitizer and washing the paci� er every time it falls may leave them vulnerable later on.”

Q: When my child does get sick, can I request medication from my doctor?A: It’s best to let your child’s immune system go to work whenever it can.

“In general, antibiotics should be reserved for bacterial infections,” Dr. Milici says. “Not only are they largely ine� ective against viral infections, but also if they are used too frequently, they won’t work as needed.”

General hygiene is still highly

recommended.

©Thinkstock

Because breathing is essential to everything you do, it’s

understandable that a lung condition like asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) may limit your interests and activities.

After all, “when you can’t breathe, nothing else matters,” says Mark Millard, MD, medical director of the Baylor Martha Foster Lung Care Center in Dallas. “But the vast majority of people are going to be able to maintain a good quality of life as long as they follow some simple advice.”

FOR ASTHMAIdentify the instigators. “Knowing what triggers your asthma is important,” Dr. Millard says. “For some, it’s pollen; for others, it’s dust. Or maybe it’s a cleaning product you use on your � oors.” Seek out the source of your � are-ups, and do your best to avoid them.

Learn the Rules of Two®. Talk to your doctor if you use a rescue inhaler more than two times a week, if asthma symptoms wake you up at night more

than two times a month, or if you re� ll your quick-relief inhaler more than two times a year. In these cases, a provider can work with you to control your symptoms.

FOR COPDStop smoking. “Ninety percent of COPD management is not smoking,” Dr. Millard says. “It’s by far the best thing you can do to keep the condition under control.” Talk to your doctor if you need help quitting.

Request rehab. Pulmonary rehabilitation is a mix of education, functional training and support to help you develop techniques to breathe better. Ask your doctor for a referral to a pulmonary rehabilitation program.

FOR BOTHManage your meds. Quality medication is available for both asthma and COPD. “Medication can often reverse the symptoms of asthma,” Dr. Millard says. “And with COPD, medication combined with

rehabilitation reduces symptoms and not only improves quality of life but probably also quantity of life.”

Stay active. “� e most important thing you can do for your health besides stopping smoking is being active,” Dr. Millard says. “It allows you to recapture lost lung function.” If it has been awhile since you’ve exercised, start slow and work your way up. And be sure to carry your rescue inhaler at all times.

Breathe New LifeBy managing your lung disorder, you open up possibilities

©Thinkstock4 sw.org | Round Rock Region

ANSWERS A CLICK AWAYFind a wealth of valuable children’s health information in the Baylor Scott & White McLane Children’s Medical Center Health Library online. Visit swchildrens.org and click the “Health and Safety” tab and then “Health Library.”


As a parent, you’re compelled to protect your little one

from every little thing. You wipe down shopping cart handles and restaurant tables and sanitize whatever has hit the � oor. But are you doing your child a disservice by driving away all germs?

Marjorie Milici, MD, a pediatrician on the medical sta� at Baylor Pediatric Center in Dallas, examines our obsession with sanitization.

Q: We’ve been taught that germs are bad. Shouldn’t I do everything in my power to keep my child from them?A: Germs are inevitable. You can’t shield your child from them all the time. And that’s OK.

“Being exposed to germs when you’re little is not such a bad thing,” Dr. Milici says. “� ey’re going to be exposed to them sooner or later. � e sooner they’re exposed, the sooner they can start to build up immunity.”

And building the body’s natural defenses isn’t just for cold and � u viruses.

“A strong immune system will help your child � ght o� infections, allergies and asthma, and maybe even cancer one day,” Dr. Milici says.

Are You Oversanitizing?Clearing up the uncertainty around children and germs

Q: Does that mean I should be pro-germ?A: Well, not so fast. As with many things in life, moderation is key when it comes to germs. Hand washing and general hygiene are still highly recommended. You don’t want to get your child sick deliberately.

“But keeping everything superclean is not a good idea, either,” Dr. Milici says. “Always using hand sanitizer and washing the paci� er every time it falls may leave them vulnerable later on.”

Q: When my child does get sick, can I request medication from my doctor?A: It’s best to let your child’s immune system go to work whenever it can.

“In general, antibiotics should be reserved for bacterial infections,” Dr. Milici says. “Not only are they largely ine� ective against viral infections, but also if they are used too frequently, they won’t work as needed.”

General hygiene is still highly

recommended.

©Thinkstock

Because breathing is essential to everything you do, it’s

understandable that a lung condition like asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) may limit your interests and activities.

After all, “when you can’t breathe, nothing else matters,” says Mark Millard, MD, medical director of the Baylor Martha Foster Lung Care Center in Dallas. “But the vast majority of people are going to be able to maintain a good quality of life as long as they follow some simple advice.”

FOR ASTHMAIdentify the instigators. “Knowing what triggers your asthma is important,” Dr. Millard says. “For some, it’s pollen; for others, it’s dust. Or maybe it’s a cleaning product you use on your � oors.” Seek out the source of your � are-ups, and do your best to avoid them.

Learn the Rules of Two®. Talk to your doctor if you use a rescue inhaler more than two times a week, if asthma symptoms wake you up at night more

than two times a month, or if you re� ll your quick-relief inhaler more than two times a year. In these cases, a provider can work with you to control your symptoms.

FOR COPDStop smoking. “Ninety percent of COPD management is not smoking,” Dr. Millard says. “It’s by far the best thing you can do to keep the condition under control.” Talk to your doctor if you need help quitting.

Request rehab. Pulmonary rehabilitation is a mix of education, functional training and support to help you develop techniques to breathe better. Ask your doctor for a referral to a pulmonary rehabilitation program.

FOR BOTHManage your meds. Quality medication is available for both asthma and COPD. “Medication can often reverse the symptoms of asthma,” Dr. Millard says. “And with COPD, medication combined with

rehabilitation reduces symptoms and not only improves quality of life but probably also quantity of life.”

Stay active. “� e most important thing you can do for your health besides stopping smoking is being active,” Dr. Millard says. “It allows you to recapture lost lung function.” If it has been awhile since you’ve exercised, start slow and work your way up. And be sure to carry your rescue inhaler at all times.

Breathe New LifeBy managing your lung disorder, you open up possibilities

©Thinkstock sw.org | Round Rock Region 5

Better BreathingIf you suspect that you may have a breathing disorder, the pulmonologists at Baylor Scott & White – Round Rock can help. Pulmonologists specialize in treating diseases of the lungs, airways and chest. To learn more about what we do, visit pulmonary.sw.org today.

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A new hip or knee can keep you moving for years to come. Here’s how to get the most out of your joint replacement

WHEN DIANE ATKINSON � rst met with her orthopedic surgeon about her knee pain—the result of past injuries and osteoarthritis—he told her she’d need a knee replacement

in the not-so-distant future. � at day came about four years later, when she could no longer do many of the things she enjoyed, such as taking daily walks, going to yoga classes and dancing with her husband, Dennis.

Before her surgery at a Baylor Scott & White medical center in May 2016, her surgeon encouraged her to do whatever exercises she could to strengthen her knee. Her care team also prepared her for what to expect after surgery, including her role in a successful recovery.

Make It Last

REAL PATIENTS. REAL STORIES.

“One of my goals after knee

replacement was to dance with my husband again—

and we did.”—Diane Atkinson

Diane Atkinson with her husband, Dennis

SURGERY AND REHABAtkinson’s groundwork paid o� quickly. � e day of her surgery, she was up and walking, and that week she began daily physical rehabilitation at home.

“My surgeon told me he’d done his job and replaced the knee, but now it was up to me to do the rehab,” the 73-year-old Atkinson says.

Seven weeks after surgery, she achieved one of her personal goals: She and Dennis slow danced together during an evening out.

“Everyone was applauding,” she says. “We’ve always loved to dance, and it’s something we hadn’t been able to do.”

PROTECTING THE NEW JOINTFollowing through on rehabilitation is an essential part of recovering after joint replacement, says Craig Goodhart, MD, an orthopedic surgeon on the medical sta� at Baylor Scott & White Medical Center – Carrollton. So is what he calls “prehabilitation”—exercises to make sure you have good � exibility and strength in the joint and surrounding muscles before the operation.

“� at will add to the longevity of the new joint,” he says.

For a long-lasting joint, Dr. Goodhart advises people to stay active but stick to low-impact exercises such as walking, swimming, biking and golf while avoiding repetitive pounding movements like running and jogging. Yoga is also good because it helps improve � exibility, balance and strength, all of which are essential to protecting your joints, especially as you age. Maintaining a healthy weight is important, too.

A physical therapist can o� er guidance on exercises and activities that will be helpful and how to do them correctly to avoid injury.

ENJOYING LIFE AGAINSince her � rst night back on the dance � oor, Atkinson has resumed her daily walks and routine activities such as grocery shopping on her own. A retired nurse, she understands the importance of following doctor’s orders.

“I think one reason I’ve done so well is that I really did the rehab,” she says. “I worked hard at it.”




Revising a ReplacementMost modern joint replacements will last 15 years or longer, says Craig Goodhart, MD, an orthopedic surgeon on the medical staff at Baylor Scott & White Medical Center – Carrollton. If, however, there is an infection or instability or misalignment in a new knee or hip—from years of rigorous activity, for example—joint revision surgery is an option. With a revision, doctors will evaluate the cause of the concern and address it in a second joint replacement.



A new hip or knee can keep you moving for years to come. Here’s how to get the most out of your joint replacement

WHEN DIANE ATKINSON � rst met with her orthopedic surgeon about her knee pain—the result of past injuries and osteoarthritis—he told her she’d need a knee replacement

in the not-so-distant future. � at day came about four years later, when she could no longer do many of the things she enjoyed, such as taking daily walks, going to yoga classes and dancing with her husband, Dennis.

Before her surgery at a Baylor Scott & White medical center in May 2016, her surgeon encouraged her to do whatever exercises she could to strengthen her knee. Her care team also prepared her for what to expect after surgery, including her role in a successful recovery.

Make It Last

REAL PATIENTS. REAL STORIES.




Diane Atkinson with her husband, Dennis

SURGERY AND REHABAtkinson’s groundwork paid o� quickly. � e day of her surgery, she was up and walking, and that week she began daily physical rehabilitation at home.

“My surgeon told me he’d done his job and replaced the knee, but now it was up to me to do the rehab,” the 73-year-old Atkinson says.

Seven weeks after surgery, she achieved one of her personal goals: She and Dennis slow danced together during an evening out.

“Everyone was applauding,” she says. “We’ve always loved to dance, and it’s something we hadn’t been able to do.”

PROTECTING THE NEW JOINTFollowing through on rehabilitation is an essential part of recovering after joint replacement, says Craig Goodhart, MD, an orthopedic surgeon on the medical sta� at Baylor Scott & White Medical Center – Carrollton. So is what he calls “prehabilitation”—exercises to make sure you have good � exibility and strength in the joint and surrounding muscles before the operation.

“� at will add to the longevity of the new joint,” he says.

For a long-lasting joint, Dr. Goodhart advises people to stay active but stick to low-impact exercises such as walking, swimming, biking and golf while avoiding repetitive pounding movements like running and jogging. Yoga is also good because it helps improve � exibility, balance and strength, all of which are essential to protecting your joints, especially as you age. Maintaining a healthy weight is important, too.

A physical therapist can o� er guidance on exercises and activities that will be helpful and how to do them correctly to avoid injury.

ENJOYING LIFE AGAINSince her � rst night back on the dance � oor, Atkinson has resumed her daily walks and routine activities such as grocery shopping on her own. A retired nurse, she understands the importance of following doctor’s orders.

“I think one reason I’ve done so well is that I really did the rehab,” she says. “I worked hard at it.”




Revising a ReplacementMost modern joint replacements will last 15 years or longer, says Craig Goodhart, MD, an orthopedic surgeon on the medical staff at Baylor Scott & White Medical Center – Carrollton. If, however, there is an infection or instability or misalignment in a new knee or hip—from years of rigorous activity, for example—joint revision surgery is an option. With a revision, doctors will evaluate the cause of the concern and address it in a second joint replacement.

sw.org | Round Rock Region 7

SAME-DAY HIP REPLACEMENT REQUIRES JOINT EFFORT Each year, more than 332,000 Americans undergo hip replacement to reduce pain, increase mobility and improve function. And now, an innovative surgical method is helping make recovery from the procedure easier than ever before.

“By accessing the hip through natural muscle openings in the front of the leg, known as an anterior total hip replacement, we avoid cutting through muscle tissue,” explains Rick Schultz, MD, an orthopedic surgeon on the medical staff at Baylor Scott & White Medical Center – Round Rock. “This results in less post-surgical pain and a quicker recovery, with less physical therapy and pain medication required.”

Patients are frequently discharged on the same day or within 24 hours of surgery, thanks to a collaborative team effort among hospital staff. “We have fine-tuned every step of the pre- and post-operative process to ensure everything is completed expertly and efficiently,” Dr. Schultz says. “By working together, we provide a seamless, expedited process that allows our patients to go home as soon as they are confident, comfortable and safe doing so.”

Baylor Scott & White – Round Rock has completed more than 1,200 anterior total hip replacements to date.

A Speedier Discharge To watch a short video about same-day anterior hip replacement and learn how it can help you go home sooner and recover faster, visit samedayhip.sw.org today.

MORE


Listen closely. Is your body trying to tell you there’s trouble?

THE SYMPTOMS OF TYPE 2 DIABETES are often subtle, which might explain why so many people in the U.S. don’t know they have the

disease. A whopping 8.1 million Americans have undiagnosed diabetes, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. � eir bodies don’t use insulin properly, leading to too much glucose (sugar) in the blood, putting them at risk for potentially devastating complications, including high blood pressure, stroke, kidney disease and loss of limbs.

Psst … You Could Have Diabetes

©Thinkstock

“Diabetes can cause a lot of issues throughout the body,” says Donald Wesson, MD, MBA, senior vice president of Baylor Scott & White Health Weight Management Services and named president of Diabetes Health & Wellness Institute at Juanita J. Craft Recreation Center, an a� liate of Baylor Scott & White Health. “We can certainly prevent or delay the issues, but it’s imperative we identify them early. � e interventions we have available o� er the best chances of success when used early on.”

Ideally, diabetes is diagnosed by detecting high blood sugar before symptoms begin to appear. � is is done with a simple fasting blood sugar test. Everyone should be screened for diabetes starting at age 45, but you should talk to your doctor about starting

sooner if you are overweight, have a close relative with diabetes, have high blood pressure or abnormal cholesterol levels, had gestational diabetes (during pregnancy) or are inactive.

Also, pay attention to your body and alert your physician if you have any of the following � ve common diabetes symptoms.

1 INCREASED URINATION. � e blood can only accommodate so much excess sugar before it

expels it through the urine. “Increased urination is typically the � rst symptom people have,” Dr. Wesson says. “As diabetes gets more advanced, the body is trying to get rid of the increased

sugar, and so it’s making a whole lot of urine.” And because you’re urinating more frequently, you also may notice increased thirst.

2FATIGUE. Extreme tiredness often is a byproduct of increased urination, Dr. Wesson says. “For

one thing, you’re losing a lot of � uid, and that can make you feel tired,” he says. “But you also have to remember that one of the problems with diabetes is that your body is not able to adequately use sugar. So if you’re losing that energy in the urine, you have less of it to support your daily activities and will become tired more easily.”

3BLURRY VISION. Diabetes a� ects every part of the body, including the eyes. High blood

sugar causes the lenses of the eyes to swell, which can blur vision. With medication to stabilize blood sugar levels, however, blurry vision usually self-corrects, Dr. Wesson says.

4SLOW-TO-HEAL CUTS AND BRUISES. If you notice even minor cuts and bruises are taking

longer than usual to heal, get to your doctor promptly. Delayed healing can be a sign of advanced diabetes. “Prolonged high blood sugar—we’re talking over many months or even years—can injure blood vessels both small and large,” Dr. Wesson says. “� at compromises the amount of blood � ow to the tissue that’s required for healing.”

5NUMBNESS, PAIN OR TINGLING IN HANDS OR FEET. � ese too are symptoms

of advanced diabetes and should be checked out by your doctor. “High blood sugar for a prolonged period of time can also hurt nerves,” Dr. Wesson says. “Called diabetic neuropathy, it’s when the nerves activate on their own, causing pain and tingling for reasons we don’t understand.”

“Diabetes can cause a lot of issues throughout the body. We can certainly prevent or delay the issues, but it’s imperative we identify them early.”

—Donald Wesson, MD, MBA



Listen closely. Is your body trying to tell you there’s trouble?

THE SYMPTOMS OF TYPE 2 DIABETES are often subtle, which might explain why so many people in the U.S. don’t know they have the

disease. A whopping 8.1 million Americans have undiagnosed diabetes, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. � eir bodies don’t use insulin properly, leading to too much glucose (sugar) in the blood, putting them at risk for potentially devastating complications, including high blood pressure, stroke, kidney disease and loss of limbs.

Psst … You Could Have Diabetes

©Thinkstock

“Diabetes can cause a lot of issues throughout the body,” says Donald Wesson, MD, MBA, senior vice president of Baylor Scott & White Health Weight Management Services and named president of Diabetes Health & Wellness Institute at Juanita J. Craft Recreation Center, an a� liate of Baylor Scott & White Health. “We can certainly prevent or delay the issues, but it’s imperative we identify them early. � e interventions we have available o� er the best chances of success when used early on.”

Ideally, diabetes is diagnosed by detecting high blood sugar before symptoms begin to appear. � is is done with a simple fasting blood sugar test. Everyone should be screened for diabetes starting at age 45, but you should talk to your doctor about starting

sooner if you are overweight, have a close relative with diabetes, have high blood pressure or abnormal cholesterol levels, had gestational diabetes (during pregnancy) or are inactive.

Also, pay attention to your body and alert your physician if you have any of the following � ve common diabetes symptoms.

1 INCREASED URINATION. � e blood can only accommodate so much excess sugar before it

expels it through the urine. “Increased urination is typically the � rst symptom people have,” Dr. Wesson says. “As diabetes gets more advanced, the body is trying to get rid of the increased

sugar, and so it’s making a whole lot of urine.” And because you’re urinating more frequently, you also may notice increased thirst.

2FATIGUE. Extreme tiredness often is a byproduct of increased urination, Dr. Wesson says. “For

one thing, you’re losing a lot of � uid, and that can make you feel tired,” he says. “But you also have to remember that one of the problems with diabetes is that your body is not able to adequately use sugar. So if you’re losing that energy in the urine, you have less of it to support your daily activities and will become tired more easily.”

3BLURRY VISION. Diabetes a� ects every part of the body, including the eyes. High blood

sugar causes the lenses of the eyes to swell, which can blur vision. With medication to stabilize blood sugar levels, however, blurry vision usually self-corrects, Dr. Wesson says.

4SLOW-TO-HEAL CUTS AND BRUISES. If you notice even minor cuts and bruises are taking

longer than usual to heal, get to your doctor promptly. Delayed healing can be a sign of advanced diabetes. “Prolonged high blood sugar—we’re talking over many months or even years—can injure blood vessels both small and large,” Dr. Wesson says. “� at compromises the amount of blood � ow to the tissue that’s required for healing.”

5NUMBNESS, PAIN OR TINGLING IN HANDS OR FEET. � ese too are symptoms

of advanced diabetes and should be checked out by your doctor. “High blood sugar for a prolonged period of time can also hurt nerves,” Dr. Wesson says. “Called diabetic neuropathy, it’s when the nerves activate on their own, causing pain and tingling for reasons we don’t understand.”

“Diabetes can cause a lot of issues throughout the body. We can certainly prevent or delay the issues, but it’s imperative we identify them early.”

—Donald Wesson, MD, MBA


LIFESTYLE CHANGES THAT MAKE A DIFFERENCE If you’ve recently been diagnosed with diabetes, the choices you make today can impact your future health. Here, Julie Paff, RD, a certified diabetes educator at Baylor Scott & White Medical Center – Round Rock, shares her recommendations:

Improve your plate. A healthy diet that includes plenty of vegetables as well as reasonable portions of whole grains, lean proteins and healthy fats—while limiting sugars and saturated fat—can help keep blood sugar stable and reduce your risk for heart disease, Paff says.

Get moving. “Just 10 to 15 minutes of physical activity each day can help lower your blood sugar and improve your cholesterol and blood pressure.”

Take medications as prescribed. Your future health depends on good blood glucose control, and the medications prescribed by your doctor can help you get to those targets, Paff says.

Monitor your blood sugar. “Achieving blood glucose control is at the core of living well with diabetes,” she says. “The only way to know that your efforts are working is to watch your blood glucose.”

Be flexible. Managing diabetes is a lifelong journey that may change over time, Paff adds. “Stay positive and work with your doctor to make the necessary adjustments.”

Helping You Live WellThe Scott & White Diabetes Education Center offers support and services to help individuals learn to live well with diabetes. For more about what we offer, visit sw.org/diabetes/diabetes today.

MORE


TIP

YOUR FAMILY HEALTH TREEBy knowing what diseases run in your family, you can develop a plan with your doctor to watch out for the conditions in your own life.

� Go to tips.sw.org to learn more about how to get started.

TOOL

HOW DO YOU HANDLE STRESS?Recognizing the symptoms of stress in your life—and how you react to them—is an important step toward managing it.

� Take an assessment at stressresponse.sw.org to identify your particular stress profile.

VIDEO

‘COLITIS KEPT ME HOME. SURGERY LETS ME TRAVEL AGAIN.’As Irene Cubstead’s ulcerative colitis progressed, her world became smaller. Then a friend recommended Baylor Scott & White Health.

� Visit mystory.sw.org to watch Irene’s story.

RECIPE

ROAST TURKEY WITH CRANBERRY ORANGE GLAZEThis delicious, citrusy baste is sure to make a tasty statement at Thanksgiving—or anytime.

� Head to recipe.sw.org for the ingredients and instructions.

©Thinkstock

WELLNESS

Protect Yourself from the FluFlu season typically runs November through March, so if you haven’t been vaccinated yet, it’s not too late!

� Go to flu.sw.org for a list of clinics in your area offering flu vaccine, including appointments and walk-in hours.

WHAT’S ONLINE

sw.org

Living with a chronic disease—or caring for a loved one who is—can be physically and emotionally exhausting. And it’s a reality for many of us. Nearly half of American adults have at least one chronic health problem, and many have spouses or children who care for them.

So how does being a caregiver a� ect an otherwise healthy person? What

e� ect does a caregiver’s well-being have on an

ailing loved one? And can anything be done to make things easier? � ese are questions that could begin to have answers within the year, thanks to a preliminary study by Baylor Scott & White Health and Baylor University.

EXAMINING RELATIONSHIPSFunded by a $50,000 grant from the Collaborative Faculty

Research Investment Program, the study involves a newly developed survey that will be completed by at least 150 individuals (75 patient-caregiver pairs) over � ve months.

� rough these surveys, study authors Kristen Tecson, PhD, a biostatistician at the Baylor Heart and Vascular Institute, and Lindsay Wilkinson, PhD, an assistant professor of sociology at Baylor University, hope to gain further insight into the welfare of patients and their caregivers. � is includes how factors like spirituality, age, gender, race and disease diagnosis a� ect quality of life and how well patient-caregiver pairs cope.

IDENTIFYING WAYS TO HELPAlthough data collection will be completed in May 2017 by the Center for Community Research and Development at Baylor University, the researchers’ work will have just begun. “We hope to analyze the results to build a series of recommendations for patient-caregiver pairs that could help

improve well-being for both parties,” Dr. Tecson says. � e recommendations may include expressive journaling, support groups or individual counseling sessions.

“� e struggle of watching a loved one decline, coupled with the time and � nancial burdens associated with being a caregiver, pose a cyclical threat to the well-being of the caregiver and the patient,” Dr. Tecson and Dr. Wilkinson note in their proposal. “It’s our hope that through this research we can � nd ways to alleviate some of the physical and emotional hardships of caregiving to help stop that cycle.”

ADVANCING MEDICINE

ABOUT THE STUDYLooking for Links in Patient-Caregiver Well-BeingSurveys are used to explore how chronically ill patients and their family caregivers infl uence one another’s welfare.

Key ContributorsBaylor Scott & White Health

Baylor University

Get the LatestVisit BaylorHealth.com/AdvancingMedicine and research.sw.org to learn about more discoveries like this at Baylor Scott & White.

MORE

Lifting a Heavy BurdenResearchers seek to understand the connection between patients and their family caregivers—and fi nd new ways to support them both



TIP

YOUR FAMILY HEALTH TREEBy knowing what diseases run in your family, you can develop a plan with your doctor to watch out for the conditions in your own life.

� Go to tips.sw.org to learn more about how to get started.

TOOL

HOW DO YOU HANDLE STRESS?Recognizing the symptoms of stress in your life—and how you react to them—is an important step toward managing it.

� Take an assessment at stressresponse.sw.org to identify your particular stress profile.

VIDEO

‘COLITIS KEPT ME HOME. SURGERY LETS ME TRAVEL AGAIN.’As Irene Cubstead’s ulcerative colitis progressed, her world became smaller. Then a friend recommended Baylor Scott & White Health.

� Visit mystory.sw.org to watch Irene’s story.

RECIPE

ROAST TURKEY WITH CRANBERRY ORANGE GLAZEThis delicious, citrusy baste is sure to make a tasty statement at Thanksgiving—or anytime.

� Head to recipe.sw.org for the ingredients and instructions.

Recognizing the symptoms of stress in your life—

react to them—is an important

©Thinkstock

WELLNESS

Protect Yourself from the FluFlu season typically runs November through March, so if you haven’t been vaccinated yet, it’s not too late!

� Go to flu.sw.org for a list of clinics in your area offering flu vaccine, including appointments and walk-in hours.

WHAT’S ONLINE

sw.org

Living with a chronic disease—or caring for a loved one who is—can be physically and emotionally exhausting. And it’s a reality for many of us. Nearly half of American adults have at least one chronic health problem, and many have spouses or children who care for them.

So how does being a caregiver a� ect an otherwise healthy person? What

e� ect does a caregiver’s well-being have on an

ailing loved one? And can anything be done to make things easier? � ese are questions that could begin to have answers within the year, thanks to a preliminary study by Baylor Scott & White Health and Baylor University.

EXAMINING RELATIONSHIPSFunded by a $50,000 grant from the Collaborative Faculty

Research Investment Program, the study involves a newly developed survey that will be completed by at least 150 individuals (75 patient-caregiver pairs) over � ve months.

� rough these surveys, study authors Kristen Tecson, PhD, a biostatistician at the Baylor Heart and Vascular Institute, and Lindsay Wilkinson, PhD, an assistant professor of sociology at Baylor University, hope to gain further insight into the welfare of patients and their caregivers. � is includes how factors like spirituality, age, gender, race and disease diagnosis a� ect quality of life and how well patient-caregiver pairs cope.

IDENTIFYING WAYS TO HELPAlthough data collection will be completed in May 2017 by the Center for Community Research and Development at Baylor University, the researchers’ work will have just begun. “We hope to analyze the results to build a series of recommendations for patient-caregiver pairs that could help

improve well-being for both parties,” Dr. Tecson says. � e recommendations may include expressive journaling, support groups or individual counseling sessions.

“� e struggle of watching a loved one decline, coupled with the time and � nancial burdens associated with being a caregiver, pose a cyclical threat to the well-being of the caregiver and the patient,” Dr. Tecson and Dr. Wilkinson note in their proposal. “It’s our hope that through this research we can � nd ways to alleviate some of the physical and emotional hardships of caregiving to help stop that cycle.”

ADVANCING MEDICINE

ABOUT THE STUDYLooking for Links in Patient-Caregiver Well-BeingSurveys are used to explore how chronically ill patients and their family caregivers infl uence one another’s welfare.

Key ContributorsBaylor Scott & White Health

Baylor University

Get the LatestVisit BaylorHealth.com/AdvancingMedicine and research.sw.org to learn about more discoveries like this at Baylor Scott & White.

MORE

Lifting a Heavy BurdenResearchers seek to understand the connection between patients and their family caregivers—and fi nd new ways to support them both



Flu FluFlu

Flu

FluFlu

FluFluFluFlu

Flu

FluFlu

Flu

All Baylor Scott & White Health primary care locations offer the flu vaccine.

Talk to your primary care provider’s office today to schedule your flu vaccine.

Learn more at flu.sw.org

Flu

Physicians are employees of Scott & White Clinics, an affiliate of Baylor Scott & White Health. ©2016 Baylor Scott & White Health. BSWTEMPLE_267_2016 SOM

Flu Vaccines Now AvailableThe U.S. Centers for Disease Control recommends everyone over six months of age get the

seasonal influenza vaccine. This is the most important step you can take in preparing for

flu season and protecting you and your family.

NON-PROFIT ORG.US POSTAGE

PAIDBAYLOR SCOTT &

WHITE HEALTH

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