Wednesday, July 24, 2013

What are the symptoms of diabetes?

Many of my patients are truly surprised by their diagnosis of type 2 diabetes.  Unless your blood glucose levels are very high you will not have symptoms, which is why about one-third of individuals with diabetes are undiagnosed.
The most common symptoms of diabetes are: frequent urination, extreme thirst, and blurred vision. But before those symptoms occur individuals may notice that they don't have much energy, they are tired all of the time, especially after a heavy meal.  Are you falling asleep in the chair immediately after eating lunch or dinner?  Have you noticed that cuts or sores take a long time to heal?  These are other symptoms of diabetes than many individuals totally ignore, they think because they are getting older they don't have much energy and cuts do take longer to heal.
Diabetes is a subtle disease, our bodies try very hard to keep our blood glucose levels at normal levels but eventually the demand for more and more insulin is overwhelms our pancreases  and suddenly blood glucose levels begin to rise.
Today we actually are actively trying to identify individuals who have pre-diabetes, with the hope that if we can have these individuals make a few simple lifestyle changes we can actually prevent them from developing diabetes.  Diabetes is diagnosed by a either a fasting blood glucose level or a hemoglobin A1C test that determines an average blood glucose over the past three months.  A fasting blood glucose level should be less than 100 mg/dl, pre-diabetes diagnosis is 100-125 mg/dl, and a diabetes diagnosis is 126 mg/dl and above.  If your doctor does an A1C test (this test measures the sugar-coating on your red blood cells, these cells live for 3 months so it provides a 3 month average).  A normal A1C level is below 5.7 the diagnosis of pre-diabetes  is made at 5.7-6.4 % and diabetes at 6.5%.
If you are overweight, have a family history of diabetes, have high blood pressure or elevated cholesterol, are of American Indian, African-American, Hispanic, or Pacific Islander descent you should be screened yearly.
We can prevent diabetes by losing 5-7% of our body weight, we don't have to lose a lot to make a difference and to walk for 30 minutes 5 days a week.
So I encourage you to begin a physical activity program today. You do not have to become an athlete, just start moving - march in place, sit in the chair and march while watching tv commercials, dance, garden, do water aerobics.  Find something you enjoy.  Physical activity will not only prevent diabetes, it will  reduce your risk of heart disease, it will prevent depression, it will improve your energy levels, and it will make you feel better.
Keep Healthy,
Kathy Gold

Wednesday, July 17, 2013

Great Site Available for Hearing Aid Purchase information

A comment came in not too long ago for the post we did on http://restonlions.blogspot.com/2013/07/hearing-aids-may-become-more-affordable.html that we did not provide very much information about conventional hearing aids.  There are way more things to consider about listening assistance devices than you can possibly guess, and more than can be covered by this blog.  Thankfully, there are entire sites devoted to the study and accurate portrayal of Hearing Aides and how to make the best decision when getting one. 

Monday, July 15, 2013

Lions Come Through For Parking at Brewfest in Ashburn

On Saturday, July 13 8 intrepid Reston Lions braved the intense Virginia summer heat to raise money parking cars at a Brewfest in Ashburn. We raised $500 for our charity fund by filling in last minute for some folks who pooped out....Carpe Diem Reston Lions!
Lion Mike is showing us how it's done, with a smile!

Wednesday, July 3, 2013

Hearing Aids may become More Affordable Thanks to New Devices

According to NPR Morning Edition, the Company Sound World Solutions has developed an off-the-shelf Hearing Aid solution that is easy-to-use and program, and vastly less expensive that traditional Hearing Aids.  Using standard Bluetooth technology, the new hearing aids can be easily programmed using any paired Smart Phone device.  Programming allows you to optimize the volume and clarity of the device for your use.
This is great news for the more than 300 million people worldwide that suffer from some form of hearing loss.  At $300 versus up to $4000, estimates are that this new CS10 device is quickly going to be a cost-sensitive solution for patients that have minimal health care coverage for hearing aids and for anyone that has an aversion to multiple visits to the doctors to have a costly traditional hearing aid adjusted and programmed correctly.  Learn more about this wonderful device at http://www.npr.org/blogs/health/2013/07/02/197639536/to-make-hearing-aids-affordable-firm-turns-on-bluetooth

Monday, July 1, 2013

Installation Dinner Promises a Dedication to Service


Vice District Governor of District 24 A, installed the new officers of the Reston Lions club at its installation banquet on June 26 at the Hidden Creek Country Club in Reston.
The Reston Lions Past President, Sue Beffel gave a heart-felt speech to round out the year.  Some highlights were some new activities and fund-raisers, a great new place to meet, as well as a great new place to hold our Citrus Sale in the winter thanks to supportive members and an especially great board!
It will be a very interesting year.  We celebrate Andy's 37 years as Secretary before stepping down and handing the mantel off to Anne Ryan.  In addition, Lion Jim Ryan, has been elected 1st Vice District Governor and will be working very closely with district and state leadership to encourage and foster Lionism throughout Virginia in the next 2 years as he transitions from Vice Governor to Governor.  Don Leas has been elected President of our Reston Lions Club for this upcoming year.  He promises to bring about an increase in the number of service events that we are holding as a club and to "keep the club busy."  We say, "Bring it on!!!!" and hope to continue to fulfill the true Lions Motto of "We Serve" this year as well.
With the changing of the gaurd we also plan to conduct our official club meeting days one night a month, allowing us much more flexibility to perform some service activities and meet as a board for planning purposes without the distractions of a full meeting.  Rest assured, we will still be getting together to chat as a club and spend time together.  
As we head into this year, we look forward.  We still have opening for the elected office of Membership Chairman and Vice President.  These are very important roles and we are actively seeking members that would be willing to fill them as productive contributors.  Email Don Leas if you are interested.




Front row above from left is Sue Beffel, Past President: Don Leas, President: Jack Gazlay, Treasurer: and Anne Ryan, Secretary. Back row from left is Gerry Washburn, Director: Jim Ryan, District Vice President: Ed Geiger, Director: Joe Hart, Tail Twister: Mike Moseley, Lion Tamer and Steve Reber, Director.(Photo Credit: Elvira Washburn)

The Reston Lions Club supports sight and hearing programs and more in the Reston and Herndon areas.