Sexual Dysfunction in Men and Women – Part 1

In my research for this topic, the sources on the first ten pages were between 7 to 1 and 9 to 1 about the problem happening for men. In addition, many of the listings were about men that did not have diabetes. I don't believe for a minute that women don't have problems and I base that on TV advertising recently for products for women in menopause and post menopause to make sex less painful (diabetes not mentioned).

Out-of-control blood sugar levels can lead to blood vessel and nerve damage that hamper sexual performance and enjoyment. This can cause diabetes-related sexual dysfunction in men as well as in women. Men and women with diabetes also should be aware of sexual function issues that affect both sexes.

Other factors can cause or exacerbate sexual dysfunction, including psychological issues, self-consciousness, and fear of failure. If you are experiencing impotence or sexual dysfunction, it's important to see your doctor for an accurate diagnosis of your condition.

Sexual problems (sexual dysfunction) are common among people with diabetes, particularly in older men who have had diabetes for years. In addition, many medical experts believe that women with diabetes experience sexual difficulties as a result of complications from the disease. People who experience sexual difficulties can lead more enjoyable, fulfilling sexual lives by learning about common causes and symptoms of sexual difficulties, treatment options, and how to talk it over with a sex partner.

At any given time an estimated 30 million American men experience impotence (erectile dysfunction), defined as the inability to achieve or maintain an erection sufficient for intercourse more frequent than one out of four times. Sexual difficulties in people with diabetes are not always related to their disease.

Impotence can occur in men of any age, but it most often affects older men. A recent study of 1,300 males found some degree of erection difficulty in 52 percent of participants ages 40 to 70. Over 50 percent of the estimated 10 million men with diagnosed type 2 diabetes experience impotence. In men whose diabetes is well controlled, the rate of impotence is about 30 percent. Approximately 35 percent of women with diabetes may experience some form of sexual dysfunction related to their disease. Of people with complications from diabetes, 50 to 70 percent of men and 40 to 50 percent of women may have sexual difficulties because of nerve damage.

Sexual dysfunction in men:

• Diabetes can cause nerve and artery damage in the genital area, disrupting the blood flow necessary for an erection. This is more common in older men who have had diabetes for a long time. High cholesterol, high blood pressure and obesity - all common among men with diabetes - as well as smoking, can contribute to the problem.
• Some men with diabetes experience retrograde ejaculation, which means that the ejaculate goes backward into the bladder instead of being discharged during climax. This condition does not affect orgasm, but it can make it difficult to father a child.

Sexual dysfunction in women:

• Diabetes-related nerve damage can cause vaginal dryness that makes intercourse uncomfortable.
• Nerve damage also can lead to loss of sensation in the genital area, making orgasm difficult or impossible to achieve.

Continued in the next blog.

Our April Support Group Meeting

Our April meeting on April 11 turned out to be more relaxed than I thought it would be. Jason had received the materials from Brenda and was ready to have the presentation. First, Tim had Brenda's daughter give us an update on Brenda's progress and recovery. Brenda has returned home, but has a full-time nurse and other people coming in during the weekdays for physical therapy and speech therapy. Then Tim introduced the new person, Joyce and asked for a vote for membership. The voice vote was unanimous and Jason was given the floor.

Learning how to interpret blood glucose readings is the topic and Jason felt with what he and Brenda had prepared before the heart problem, we should understand more about our food intake or reducing foods or eliminating some foods from our menu. Jason continued that by using the health logs to adjust medications if the doctor allowed or recommended this for certain illnesses, it should be possible if we understand our blood glucose readings.

Tim brought up the first slide which explained the necessity of testing before a meal and testing at various times after the meal. The before meal test (preprandial test) should be determined by the type of medication being taken. Oral medications can vary on how quickly the medication takes effect and the same applies to insulin.

The after meal test is more variable and depends on the medication, the individual, and the food consumed. Only testing will help you decide the best time to test postprandial. Jason said his best time is about 2 hours after last bite and I know that several of you test about 90 minutes after first bite and a few test at 90 minutes after last bite. Others test a one hour after first or last bite. All times are fine and only you can determine this from tests. The one warning Jason stated is being consistent with first or last bite.

Jason then said that he tested every 15 minutes after last bite to determine when he had the highest blood glucose reading and stopped when he had the reading start down. Jason said to do this with several different meals and many different food combinations. Most were all near 2 hours when his blood glucose levels peaked.

Jason said that without the twin tests, preprandial and postprandial, one reading is worthless as it does not tell you what the increase in blood glucose levels are and you will not know what foods or food combinations may be causing the spike in blood glucose levels.

Then Jason asked if we wanted him to cover hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia since Bob has written about both? Only one person said he would still want it talked about. Tim asked if the resources I had used were part of what Brenda and Jason had prepared. Jason answered that I have been part of the discussion and much of what I had written was from the same sources.

Jason said several of what they had came from my blogs and they had borrowed the book that I used. Gale asked to speak and said she would like to work with the person that wanted Jason to cover the topics as she felt that if she could get their notes and use my blogs, she could explain it to her. The person said she would accept that, as she was the only one that felt there was something she missed and at the same time did not want to hold the group back.

Tim asked Jason and me if we would supply information and answer questions Gale had that would help. Both of us said we were available by email or telephone to assist if needed. Our newest member, Joyce, who had joined that evening, asked if she could participate since she was not aware of what had been covered in my blogs. She admitted that she did not understand the terms other that she was guessing that one was about having lows and the other about having highs from something the doctor had talked about when she was still in shock from her diagnosis.

Gale agreed and thanked her for speaking up. Tim asked if anyone else would want to do this. No one spoke up and Tim asked Stan, who had joined the previous meeting, if he was having any problems. Stan said that my blogs were what he needed and had read many of them. He continued that the blogs on the complications were what he needed and he was asking me questions that he had, and I was helping him gain confidence in researching different topics.

With that, Tim ended the meeting. Several people gathered around Gale and Tim decided to let that happen. I was ready to leave and several of us headed home.

Fatty Liver Disease – Part 4

The topic for this blog is management of liver disease in people with diabetes. The following are factors and tests your doctor will be looking for:

Abnormal liver function tests

Given the fact that at least 50% of people with type 2 diabetes have NAFLD, all people with type 2 diabetes should have an ALT and AST test done as part of their initial evaluation. At least 95% of patients with a confirmed minor elevation of ALT or AST have chronic liver disease independent of the degree of elevation. Thus, it is always necessary to obtain a specific diagnosis. The most likely etiologies of minor elevations of ALT/AST are NAFLD, hepatitis C, hepatitis B, and alcohol. Moderate social drinking, i.e., less than 20 g/day, does not cause an elevation of liver enzymes. The initial workup should include testing for hepatitis C (anti-HCV or HCV PCR), hepatitis B (HBV surface antigen), hemochromatosis (iron and iron saturation), and an abdominal ultrasound. Patients with hepatitis C, hepatitis B, and increased iron saturation need referral for further workup and treatment. Ultrasound has a positive predictive value of 96% for detecting NAFLD in the absence of other liver diseases. Unfortunately the negative predictive value is only 19%; thus, patients with a negative ultrasound will also need referral. The impact of this approach on cost of care and manpower is not known, and the cost-effectiveness of screening ALT has not been established, although the American Association for the Study of Liver Disease is now recommending yearly ALT screening for everyone.

Fatty liver disease

The diagnosis of NAFLD or NASH should be suspected in any patient with type 2 diabetes, especially if there are abnormal liver function tests. It should be specifically looked for in all obese patients with type 2 diabetes. ALT is typically elevated two- to threefold above ULN but is often normal. Mild elevations of serum alkaline phosphatase and glutamyl transferase may be present. Serum ferritin levels are frequently elevated, while iron and iron-binding capacity are normal. Ultrasound studies may reveal a diffuse increase in echogenicity, so-called “bright” liver. The sensitivity of ultrasound in patients with elevated ALT is 89% with a specificity of 93% for detecting steatosis. If the ultrasound reveals fatty liver, it is appropriate to look for etiologies other than diabetes such as dyslipidemia. There are shortcomings to this approach. The sensitivity of ultrasound decreases greatly as hepatic steatosis decreases to 30% or less. Most patients with NAFLD found incidentally or by screening ultrasound have a normal ALT. These observations suggest that the sensitivity of ultrasound overall is really not very high. In patients with abnormal ALTs and other diseases ruled out, the positive predictive value of ultrasound is 96% but the negative predictive value only 19%. Magnetic resonance spectroscopy is capable of quantitative assessment of steatosis, but is not indicated for routine clinical practice. Thus, the gold standard for diagnosis of NAFLD remains the liver biopsy. In addition, the diagnosis of progressive liver disease (i.e., NASH), the precursor of cirrhosis, can only be made by liver biopsy. However, certain patients including those with reversed ALT-to-AST ratio, hypertriglyceridemia, and thrombocytopenia are at high risk for progressive disease.

Treatment of NAFLD

Most patients do not need to be treated. Only patients with biopsy-proved NASH or the risk factors listed above should be treated. Whether or not all patients need a liver biopsy is controversial in that the sensitivity of the risk factors for progressive disease is not known. It is also not known whether treatment, other than bariatric surgery, affects the ultimate prognosis. The treatment consists of measures to lose weight as well as pharmacologic intervention. There are no FDA-approved treatments and, in fact, no FDA guidelines for approving drugs for NAFLD.

Exercise and weight reduction.

The initial treatment of NASH consists of weight loss and exercise, which enhance insulin sensitivity and result in reduction of steatosis. Rapid weight reduction, however, may increase necrosis, inflammation, and fibrosis. This paradoxical effect is thought to be due to an increase in circulating free fatty acids due to increased lipolysis seen with fasting. The ideal rate of weight loss is not known, but l.5 kg/week has been recommended. The ideal content of the diet is not known. Recent studies have demonstrated that bariatric surgery either improves or completely reverses steatosis in patients with obesity with or without diabetes.

Pharmacologic therapy.

Pharmacologic therapy of NAFLD is evolving. While many studies have shown improvement in steatosis, there are neither long-term studies to determine whether they alter the natural history of the disease nor studies to indicate whether relapse occurs after treatment withdrawal. Gemfibrozil, vitamin E, metformin, betaine, pioglitazone, rosiglitazone, atorvastatin, losartan, orlistat, and pentoxifylline have all been tried and have all been shown in small trials to improve liver enzymes. Modest histologic improvement over 6–12 months is seen with some of the agents. Long-term outcome trials with the various treatment modalities are yet to be completed.

Given that insulin resistance is central to the pathogenesis of NAFLD, insulin-sensitizing agents should have utility (even in the absence of diabetes), and there is increasing evidence that they do.

Metformin has shown mixed results in human trials with some improvement in ALT but not in histology. Two long-term trials initiated by the National Institutes of Health are underway. At this time, treatment with metformin is not recommended outside of clinical trials. In the meantime, it seems reasonable to treat patients with NASH and type 2 diabetes with TZDs, recognizing that the patients may gain weight. In the absence of a histologic diagnosis of NASH, only those with risk factors for progressive disease as mentioned above should be treated. TZDs, despite shortcomings, are emerging as the treatment of choice even in the absence of diabetes. Statins may reduce hepatic fat content in patients with hyperlipidemia and NASH.

In summary, the ideal therapy for NAFLD is yet to be identified, and no evidence-based recommendations can be made. Outside of clinical trials, therapy should be directed toward the underlying etiology.

Hepatitis C.

The most effective treatment of HCV is a combination of pegylated α-interferon and ribavirin. Interferon, however, affects insulin sensitivity and glucose tolerance. Studies in non-diabetic patients report that interferon impairs glucose tolerance. Given the unpredictable effect of interferon in diabetes, it is reasonable to monitor diabetes carefully when using interferon.

SUMMARY—

Type 2 diabetes is associated with a large number of liver disorders including elevated liver enzymes, fatty liver disease, cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma, and acute liver failure. In addition, there is an unexplained association with HCV. The SMR for cirrhosis is higher than that for CVD in type 2 diabetes. Many consider NAFLD to be part of the insulin resistance syndrome. However, the presence of liver disease (unless decompensated) has little implication for the specific treatment of diabetes, and the presence of diabetes has little implication for the specific treatment of liver disease. Patients with decompensated liver disease are more susceptible to hypoglycemia and require careful monitoring. There continues to be a need for long-term placebo-controlled trials for the treatment of NAFLD and for the treatment of diabetes in patients with liver disease.

Fatty Liver Disease – Part 3

The following is a discussion of diabetes management in patients with liver disease. There are points everyone should be aware of and include in their management.

Lifestyle modification

Treatment of type 2 diabetes in patients with liver disease may be compromised by poor nutritional status and general health. More than 50% of patients with severe liver disease are malnourished. A number of uncontrolled studies indicate that weight loss decreases hepatic steatosis. The durability of weight loss on hepatic steatosis remains to be determined. Low-glycemic, low-calorie diets with a weight loss of 1–2 kg/week seem reasonable. Low-fat diets should be avoided. Exercise improves peripheral insulin sensitivity, albeit not specific to patients with diabetic liver disease. Alcohol should be avoided not only because of its toxic effects on the liver, but also because of its high caloric content and potential interaction with sulfonylureas.

Pharmacologic therapy

Drug therapy of type 2 diabetes in patients with liver diseases is, for the most part, the same as for those without liver disease. While there are theoretical concerns about altered drug metabolism and hepatotoxicity, only patients with evidence of liver failure such as ascites, coagulopathy, or encephalopathy have altered drug metabolism. Furthermore, there is no evidence that patients with liver disease are predisposed to hepatotoxicity. Underlying liver disease, however, may compromise the diagnosis and increase the severity of drug-induced liver disease.

First-line therapy with metformin is appropriate in most patients but not recommended in patients with advanced hepatic disease because of a perceived increased risk of lactic acidosis. Given that insulin resistance is the core defect in fatty liver disease, the case can be made for thiazolidinediones (TZDs) as front line therapy in these patients. Recent trials with pioglitazone and rosiglitazone have shown improvement in ALT and liver histology. Weight gain is a concern with TZDs, and cost is prohibitive for many patients. If metformin or TZDs are contraindicated, drug therapy can begin with a secretagogue such as a sulfonylurea with rapid advancement to insulin if glycemic control is not achieved.

Insulin promoters.

Sulfonylureas are generally safe in patients with liver disease but may not overcome the insulin resistance and defects in insulin secretion seen in patients with coexistent alcoholic liver disease and pancreatic damage. Sulfonylureas with a short half-life such as glipizide or glyburide are preferred in these patients. Patients with decompensated cirrhosis, i.e., encephalopathy, ascites, or coagulopathy, may have a reduced ability to counteract hypoglycemia, and thus, the response to therapy should be monitored closely. Historically, chlorpropamide was associated with hepatitis and jaundice.

Biguanides.

Metformin may be particularly useful in obese patients in whom it may cause mild weight loss. It is relatively contraindicated in patients with advanced liver disease or in binge drinkers because it may predispose to lactic acidosis. It is unclear whether the liver disease or alcohol is the predisposing factor. Metformin has not been reported to cause hepatotoxicity and has shown some benefit in patients with NAFLD.

α-Glucosidase inhibitors.

The α-glucosidase inhibitors may be particularly useful in patients with liver disease because they act directly on the gastrointestinal tract to decrease carbohydrate digestion and thus glucose absorption, thereby decreasing postprandial hyperglycemia

Acarbose frequently causes mild transient elevations of ALT and, on rare occasions, severe liver disease. While the labeling of acarbose has a warning for patients with liver disease, it appears to be safe and effective in patients with hepatic encephalopathy and type 2 diabetes. Miglitol, another α-glucosidase inhibitor, has not been associated with hepatotoxicity.

TZDs.

TZDs may be especially useful because they enhance insulin sensitivity, the underlying defect in NAFLD. In pre-approval clinical trials of rosiglitazone and pioglitazone, threefold elevations of ALT were seen with the same frequency for rosiglitazone (0.26%), pioglitazone (0.2%), and placebo (0.2 and 0.25%)

It is currently recommended that serum ALT levels be evaluated before the initiation of rosiglitzone and pioglitazone therapy and that therapy not be initiated if there is evidence of active liver disease or if the serum ALT level exceeds 2.5 times ULN (product labeling, 2005). Monitoring is recommended periodically thereafter as clinically indicated rather than every 2 months as previously recommended. Paradoxically, TZDs are emerging as the treatment of choice for NASH (nonalcoholic steatohepatitis).

Insulin.

Insulin treatment is frequently required in patients with diabetes and liver disease. Insulin requirements, however, may vary. For example, in patients with decompensated liver disease, the requirement may be decreased due to reduced capacity for gluconeogenesis and reduced hepatic breakdown of insulin. However, patients with impaired hepatic function may have an increased need for insulin due to insulin resistance. Thus, careful glucose monitoring and frequent dose adjustments of insulin may be necessary. In patients with hepatic encephalopathy who require high-carbohydrate diets, resulting in postprandial hyperglycemia, rapid-acting insulin analogs such as insulin lispro, aspart, or glulisine may be particularly useful.

Other drugs used in the management of disorders associated with type 2 diabetes

Statins are frequently used in patients with type 2 diabetes to treat hyperlipidemia and prevent cardiovascular events. Statin therapy, like all cholesterol-lowering therapy including bariatric surgery, causes minor but transient elevations in liver enzymes. However, the liver adapts with continuing therapy, and there are no long-term consequences of these abnormalities. Severe liver damage and liver failure are very rare. Paradoxically, statins are currently used to treat NAFLD, and recent studies suggest that statins are hepatoprotective in patients with HCV (hepatitis C virus).

All of the ACE inhibitors have been implicated in hepatic injury including fulminant hepatic failure. The reactions are mostly hepatocellular, but cholestatic reactions have also been reported. Although losartan has been associated with hepatotoxicity, it has also been used to treat fatty liver disease. There are no current recommendations for hepatic monitoring of these idiosyncratic events.

Even aspirin is potentially hepatotoxic although at very high doses. Hepatotoxicity has not been described at doses used for cardioprotection.

Fatty Liver Disease – Part 2

The liver diseases seen in type 2 diabetes patients cover virtually the entire spectrum of liver disease.

Abnormal liver enzymes

Elevation of serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), while uncommon (0.5%) in apparently normal subjects, is common in patients with type 2 diabetes.

NAFLD

 

The most common chronic liver disease in the U.S. is NAFLD. It is defined as fatty liver disease in the absence of less than 20 g alcohol/day. NAFLD, which resembles alcoholic liver disease, consists of a spectrum of liver disease from steatosis (fatty infiltration of the liver) to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), which consists of steatosis plus inflammation, necrosis, and fibrosis. The prevalence of NAFLD in diabetes is estimated at 34–74% and, in diabetes with obesity, at virtually 100%. While once considered a benign process, NASH has been found to lead to cirrhosis and, in some cases, to hepatocellular carcinoma. Of patients with NAFLD, 50% have NASH and 19% have cirrhosis at the time of diagnosis. While these studies are subject to selection bias, the prevalence is undoubtedly very high.

NAFLD does not universally progress to NASH, and the precise pathogenesis of steatohepatitis is yet to be determined. However, dysregulation of peripheral lipid metabolism seems to be important. The natural history of NAFLD is similar to that of alcoholic liver disease.

Cirrhosis in diabetes

Cirrhosis is an important cause of death in diabetes. An autopsy study in the U.S. has shown that patients with diabetes have an increased incidence of severe fibrosis. The association of cirrhosis and diabetes is complicated by the fact that cirrhosis itself is associated with insulin resistance. Impaired glucose tolerance is seen in 60% and overt diabetes in 20% of patients with cirrhosis. Insulin-mediated glucose disposal has been shown to be reduced by ∼50% in cirrhotic patients. However, the onset of type 2 diabetes in cirrhotic patients is associated with decreased rather than increased insulin secretion. This interplay of associations has made it difficult to sort out the pathogenesis of cirrhosis in diabetes. Nevertheless, the association is incontrovertible and has implications for the treatment of diabetes in patients with cirrhosis.

Hepatocellular carcinoma in diabetes

Numerous studies have confirmed a fourfold increased prevalence of hepatocellular carcinoma in patients with diabetes as well as an increased prevalence of diabetes in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma. It is not known whether the increased prevalence of hepatocellular carcinoma is unique to diabetes or the increased prevalence of cirrhosis, the precursor lesion of hepatocellular carcinoma. The pathogenic sequence of events leading to hepatocellular carcinoma appears to be insulin resistance, increased lipolysis, lipid accumulation in the hepatocytes, oxidative stress, and cell damage followed by fibrosis and cell proliferation, which are procarcinogenic.

Acute liver failure

The incidence of acute liver failure appears to be increased in patients with diabetes: 2.31 per 10,000 person-years compared with 1.44 in the background population (53,54). It remains unclear whether it is diabetes, medications, or some other factor that accounts for the increased risk of acute liver failure.

Hepatitis C in diabetes

The prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) is higher in patients with diabetes than in the general population. Specifically, the prevalence of HCV antibodies is 4.2% in the diabetic population compared with 1.6% in the comparator group. The relative odds of HCV-infected patients developing diabetes is 2.1 (95% CI 1.12–3.90). Patients with HCV are more likely to develop diabetes (21%) than patients with hepatitis B (10%), suggesting that HCV, rather than liver disease per se, predisposes patients to diabetes.

Finally, there is an association of diabetes with α-interferon treatment of HCV infection. Type 1 diabetes occurs more frequently in patients treated with interferon for HCV versus other conditions. The latency of diabetes ranges from 10 days to 4 years after starting treatment.

The interaction between HCV infection, diabetes, and interferon is the subject of intensive investigation. In the meantime, given the strong epidemiologic evidence for the increased prevalence of HCV in diabetes, it seems reasonable that all patients with type 2 diabetes and persistently elevated serum ALT should be screened for HCV.

Fatty Liver Disease – Part 1

This topic is not what I thought and research has given me cause for concern. Fatty liver disease is not to be taken lightly or even dismissed. Diabetes and liver disease is by far worse than alcohol and liver cirrhosis. Whether you believe it or not, diabetes is now the most common cause of liver disease in the United States. Cryptogenic cirrhosis which is cirrhosis of unknown etiology, with no history of alcoholism or previous acute hepatitis has made diabetes the third leading indicator for liver transplantation.

Diabetes raises your risk of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), a condition in which excess fat builds up in your liver even if you drink little or no alcohol. This condition occurs in at least half of those with type 2 diabetes and close to half of those with type 1 diabetes. Other medical conditions, such as obesity, high cholesterol, and high blood pressure, also raise your risk of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Fatty liver disease itself often causes no symptoms. But it raises your risk of developing liver inflammation or scarring (cirrhosis). It's also linked to an increased risk of liver cancer and heart disease.

Fatty liver disease may have played a role in the development of your type 2 diabetes initially. Once you have both conditions, poorly managed type 2 diabetes can make fatty liver disease worse.

Your best defense against fatty liver disease includes these strategies:

• Work with your health care team to achieve good control of your blood sugar.
• Lose weight if you need to, and try to maintain a healthy weight.
• Take steps to reduce high blood pressure.
• Keep your low-density lipoprotein (LDL, or "bad") cholesterol and triglycerides — a type of blood fat — within recommended limits.
• Don't drink too much alcohol.

If you have diabetes, your doctor may recommend an ultrasound examination of your liver when you're first diagnosed and regular follow-up blood tests to monitor your liver function.

Make sure that your non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is treated rather than letting it progress to non-alcoholic steatosis, a potential lethal condition. About seven out of 10 people with type 2 diabetes have a fatty liver. Learn how to treat or prevent this complication.

Who gets non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and why? Although researchers have tried to pin this on different ethnicities, this has not been successful. The only common denominator is obesity and this holds true regardless of ethnic background.

The severity of type 2 diabetes and the type and severity of liver disease influence the therapy. There are few clinical trials that specifically target patients with coexistent diabetes and liver disease, and all are limited by small numbers of patients.

Heart disease is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in both Type 2 diabetes and NAFLD. Individuals with diabetes demonstrate a 74% greater risk of hospitalization due to heart failure. NAFLD, characterized by elevated serum γ-glutamyltransferase (GGT), is independently associated with heart failure. The increased incidence of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality associated with Type 2 diabetes and NAFLD, has been linked to preclinical changes in cardiac structure, function, and metabolism.

Using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) we have previously shown pre-clinical changes in cardiac structure and function in NAFLD. To extent this work and in light of the importance of understanding early cardiac changes and reducing cardiovascular risk in people with metabolic disease, the study was designed to compare the impact of Type 2 diabetes and NAFLD upon cardiac structure, function, and metabolism and to identify potential metabolic mediators.

Changes in cardiac structure are evident in adults with Type 2 diabetes and NAFLD without overt cardiac disease and without changes in cardiac energy metabolism. The growing prevalence of metabolic disorders puts large numbers at risk of these underlying cardiac changes. Only the Type 2 diabetes group display diastolic and subendocardial dysfunction and glycemic control may be a key mediator of these cardiac changes. Managing blood glucose should therefore be a priority for clinical care teams to prevent cardiac complications in adults with Type 2 diabetes and NAFLD.

Continued in the following blogs.

Foot Care and Prevent Amputations – Part 3

I admit I do not appreciate people with diabetes that do not take care of their feet. Those that have been reading regularly, know that we have had problems with several of our new members that have had foot ulcers and heel cracks. Thankfully, we have taken care of those hurdles and our members are now more aware of problems that can happen to our feet.

Yes, foot problems are a common complication in people that have diabetes. This happens because too many people take their feet for granted and do not think they can have foot problems. When foot complications do occur, daily attention to your feet will ensure that the problems are detected before they become serious. It may take time and effort to build good daily foot care habits, but self-care is essential. In fact, when it comes to foot care, the patient is a vital member of the medical team.

Diabetes can lead to many different types of foot complications, including athlete's foot (a fungal infection), calluses, bunions and other foot deformities, or ulcers that can range from a surface wound to a deep infection.

Poor circulation can be caused by longstanding high blood glucose. This can damage blood vessels, decreasing blood flow to the foot. This poor circulation can weaken the skin, contribute to the formation of ulcers, and impair wound healing. Some bacteria and fungi thrive on high levels of glucose in the bloodstream, and bacterial and fungal infections can break down the skin and complicate ulcers.

More serious complications include deep skin and bone infections. Gangrene (death and decay of tissue) is a very serious complication that may include infection; widespread gangrene may require foot amputation. Approximately 5 percent of men and women with diabetes eventually require amputation of a toe or foot. This tragic consequence can be prevented in most patients by managing blood glucose levels and daily foot care.

People who have had a previous foot ulcer are more likely to have future foot complications. Nerve damage, poor circulation, and chronically high blood glucose levels also increase the likelihood of foot complications.

It is important to wear shoes that fit well. Shoes that are too tight can cause pressure ulcers. Going barefoot, even in the home, should be avoided as this increases the risk of injury to the foot.

People with type 2 diabetes should have their feet examined once per year. During a foot exam, a podiatrist checks for poor circulation, nerve damage, skin changes, and deformities. Patients should mention any problems they have noticed in their feet. An exam may reveal decreased or absent reflexes or decreased ability to sense pressure, vibration, pin pricks, and changes in temperature.

Special devices, including a monofilament or tuning fork, can help determine the extent of nerve damage. A monofilament is a very thin, flexible thread that is used to determine if a patient can sense pressure in various areas of the foot. A tuning fork is used to determine if a patient can sense vibration in various areas, especially the foot and toe joints.

Possible foot problems:

• Poor circulation
• Nerve damage
• Skin changes
• Deformities

Controlling blood sugar levels can reduce the blood vessel and nerve damage that often lead to diabetic foot complications. If a foot wound or ulcer does occur, blood sugar control reduces the risk of requiring amputation. Foot care is important, although patients should also continue to follow other general guidelines for managing diabetes.

Finally, good foot care will help prevent the majority of amputations.

Foot Care and Prevent Amputations – Part 2

Onychomycosis is very difficult and sometimes impossible to treat, and therapy is often long-term. Therapy consists of topical treatments that are applied directly to the nails, as well as two systemic drugs, griseofulvin and ketoconazole. Topical therapy is reserved for only the mildest cases. The use of griseofulvin and ketoconazole is problematic, and there are typically high relapse rates of 50-85%. In addition, treatment must be continued for a long duration (10-18 months for toenails), with monthly laboratory monitoring for several side effects, including liver toxicity. Individuals taking these medications must also abstain from alcohol consumption.

In the last five years, newer oral antifungal agents have been developed, and include itraconazole (Sporanox), terbinafine (Lamisil), and fluconazole (Diflucan). These agents, when taken orally for as little as 12 weeks, bring about better cure rates and fewer side effects than either griseofulvin or ketoconazole. The most common side effect is stomach upset. Patients taking oral antifungal therapy must have a complete blood count and liver enzyme workup every four to six weeks. Terbinafine in particular has markedly less toxicity to the liver, one of the more severe side effects of the older agents, griseofulvin and ketoconazole.

Treatment should be continued until microscopic exam or culture shows no more fungal infection. Nails may, however, continue to look damaged even after a clinical cure is achieved. Nails may take up to a full year to return to normal. If the nail growth slows or stops, additional doses of antifungal therapy should be taken.

Nail debridement is another treatment option, but it is considered by many to be primitive compared with topical or systemic treatment. Clinicians perform nail debridement in their offices. The nail is cut and then thinned using surgical tools or chemicals, and then the loose debris under the nail is removed. The procedure is painless, and often improves the appearance of the nails immediately. In addition, it helps whatever medication being used to penetrate the newly thinned nail. Patients with very thickened nails will sometimes undergo chemical removal of a nail. A combination of oral, topical, and surgical removal can increase the chances of curing the infection.

In general, nutrition may also play a role in promoting good nail health and thus preventing nail disease. Adequate protein and minerals, in the form of nuts, seeds, whole grains, legumes, fresh vegetables, and fish, should be consumed. Sugars, alcohol, and caffeine should be avoided.

Onychomycosis is typically quite difficult to cure completely. Even if a clinical cure is achieved after long therapy with either topical or oral drugs, normal regrowth takes four to six months in the fingernails, and eight to 12 months in the toenails, which grow more slowly. Relapse is common, and often, the nail or nail bed is permanently damaged.

Keeping the feet clean and dry, and washing with soap and water and drying thoroughly are important preventive steps to take to prevent onychomycosis. Other preventive measures include keeping the nails cut short and wearing shower shoes whenever walking or showering in public places. Daily changes of shoes, socks, or hosiery are also helpful.

Excessively tight hose or shoes promote moisture, which in turn, provides a wonderful environment for onychomycotic infections. To prevent this, individuals should wear only socks made of synthetic fibers, which can absorb moisture more quickly than those made of cotton or wools. Manicure and pedicure tools should be disinfected after each use. Finally, nail polish should not be applied to nails that are infected, as this causes the water or moisture that collects under the surface of the nail to not evaporate and be trapped.