EXPERT
Dr. Nicholas H. E. Mezitis, M.D.
Endocrinology, Diabetes
Dr. Nicholas Mezitis practices endocrinology in Athens, OH. Dr. Mezitis specializes in preventing, diagnosing, and treating diseases related to hormone imbalance, and the body's glands in the endocrine system. Endocrinologists are trained and certified to treat a variety of conditions, including menopause, diabetes, infertility, and thyroid disorders, among many others. Dr. Mezitis examines patients, determines the means of testing, diagnoses, and decides the best treatment methods.
48 years
Experience
Dr. Nicholas Henry Elias Mezitis, M.D.
- Athens, OH
- Heidelberg University GERMANY
- Accepting new patients
Diabetes Mellitus Explained
What Is Diabetes Mellitus? Diabetes mellitus is a fundamental disturbance in the body’s fuel processing frequently leading to weakness, weight loss, and mood swings among other...
Can my thyroid be the reason behind my high cholesterol?
Low thyroid hormone levels relate to high cholesterol results. It is important to restore balance in thyroid function before trying to treat increased lipids.
How can I lose weight if I havediabetes?
For overweight patients losing extra pounds is the key to successful diabetes management. Certain medications prescribed for diabetes, such as insulin, may promote weight gain READ MORE
For overweight patients losing extra pounds is the key to successful diabetes management. Certain medications prescribed for diabetes, such as insulin, may promote weight gain and paradoxically frustrate our efforts to optimize glucose control efficiently. The key to weight loss and glucose control in diabetes is the proper timing of meals. Breakfast and lunch should be generous with dinner being served early with few calories. The benefits of this meal plan become evident when checking the morning (fasting) blood glucose, which drops to normal (or near normal) levels. Weight drops as well.
Can lack of sleep cause diabetes?
Restful sleep in sync with the daily light-darkness cycle has been identified as a very important factor in preventing diabetes. Night shift work challenges the body's restorative READ MORE
Restful sleep in sync with the daily light-darkness cycle has been identified as a very important factor in preventing diabetes. Night shift work challenges the body's restorative mechanisms that operate in the evening and overnight. Problems are compounded by eating overnight when the digestive system is in rest mode. Preventing diabetes and 'reversing' diabetes depend on synchronizing our lifestyle with the day/night rhythm: generous breakfast, good lunch, light supper and early bedtime.
What should be the emergency first steps to deal with hypoglycemia in diabetic patients?
The company should have simple sugary snacks and drinks (e.g. orange juice) readily available for dealing with hypoglycemia symptoms. A glucagon kit should be stored in the refrigerator READ MORE
The company should have simple sugary snacks and drinks (e.g. orange juice) readily available for dealing with hypoglycemia symptoms. A glucagon kit should be stored in the refrigerator to be injected into muscle in emergencies where the employee or customer are poorly responsive and forcing liquids or foods into their mouth would be unsafe.
Can type 2 diabetes ever be reversed?
Yes. Lifestyle changes with physical exercise, balanced meals and mealtimes early in the day will promote weight loss and improve blood glucose results. Patients with diabetes READ MORE
Yes.
Lifestyle changes with physical exercise, balanced meals and mealtimes early in the day will promote weight loss and improve blood glucose results. Patients with diabetes mellitus type 2 are able to reduce or even stop their diabetes medication while maintaining good control. Patients with diabetes mellitus type 1 require much less insulin to control their blood glucose.
See my book: Blueprint for a Healthy Diet: Your Diet Guide for the New Millennium at www.mer-llc.com
Lifestyle changes with physical exercise, balanced meals and mealtimes early in the day will promote weight loss and improve blood glucose results. Patients with diabetes mellitus type 2 are able to reduce or even stop their diabetes medication while maintaining good control. Patients with diabetes mellitus type 1 require much less insulin to control their blood glucose.
See my book: Blueprint for a Healthy Diet: Your Diet Guide for the New Millennium at www.mer-llc.com
Pescatarian lifestyle for type 2 diabetes?
Fish can be a healthy source of protein when consumed in good measure. We need to be aware that large fish can store significant amounts of toxic heavy metals in their flesh. Refer READ MORE
Fish can be a healthy source of protein when consumed in good measure. We need to be aware that large fish can store significant amounts of toxic heavy metals in their flesh. Refer to EPA advisory https://www.epa.gov/fish-tech/2017-epa-fda-advice-about-eating-fish-and-shellfish
The important feature of the diet is balance with protein (fish) in proportion to other foods.
See my website : www.mer-llc.com
The important feature of the diet is balance with protein (fish) in proportion to other foods.
See my website : www.mer-llc.com
How can I prevent diabetes?
Type 2 diabetes is the form of diabetes that is usually seen in families. Prevention (or delaying its appearance) is possible if individuals remain physically active with regular READ MORE
Type 2 diabetes is the form of diabetes that is usually seen in families. Prevention (or delaying its appearance) is possible if individuals remain physically active with regular exercise and avoid becoming overweight. The American Diabetes Association suggests 150 minutes of exercise a week should be a goal. I recommend that breakfast be your largest meal with lunch midday a close second. Dinner (formerly known as supper) should be very light (salad, soup with crackers) . This will make it much easier to lose weight and shrink girth , which is a major risk factor for diabetes. See my article on CHRONONUTRITION in the November 2018 issue of Diabetes Spectrum.
What is used to test for diabetes?
Testing for diabetes can be easily done on a drop of blood from a fingerprick test. We measure blood glucose , which should never be more than 200 mg/dL. We can also get a blood READ MORE
Testing for diabetes can be easily done on a drop of blood from a fingerprick test. We measure blood glucose , which should never be more than 200 mg/dL. We can also get a blood glucose average estimate from a hemoglobin A1c test performed on a drop of blood. This test reflects the glucose profile representing 2-3 months and should be less than 6.5 %.
Can weight loss help me get rid of my diabetes?
Good nutrition and weight control is the first and most important step in diabetes prevention and management. Losing weight on a balanced diet with appropriate mealtimes frequently READ MORE
Good nutrition and weight control is the first and most important step in diabetes prevention and management. Losing weight on a balanced diet with appropriate mealtimes frequently permits people to control their diabetes without medication. Appetite suppressants, used under medical supervision, may assist in lifestyle change..
Can a person get diabetes at any age?
Unfortunately young people are less active these days with computer games and television competing for their time and attention. Fast food is readily available and relatively READ MORE
Unfortunately young people are less active these days with computer games and television competing for their time and attention. Fast food is readily available and relatively inexpensive. This combination of risk factors, sedentary lifestyle and weight gain, increases the body's resistance to insulin and results in a steady rise in blood glucose levels resulting in diabetes.
Can I take Insulin to control blood sugar?
First you should know what your blood glucose level is before lunch. A balanced meal will increase your blood glucose by not more than 50 mg/dL. A meal rich in simple carbohydrates READ MORE
First you should know what your blood glucose level is before lunch. A balanced meal will increase your blood glucose by not more than 50 mg/dL. A meal rich in simple carbohydrates may increase the blood glucose by more than 100 mg/dL measured 2 hours after the meal. I would focus on achieving blood glucose levels between 80 and 120 mg/dL before your meals (fasting). A good diet with proper meal timing may help you achieve this without insulin. See my book A BLUEPRINT FOR HEALTHY EATING: YOUR DIET GUIDE FOR THE NEW MILLENNIUM.
diabetes mellitus
I would first focus on avoiding major meals after 4 PM. Breakfast and lunch are your two most important meals. You will see the effects on your weight and morning blood glucose. READ MORE
I would first focus on avoiding major meals after 4 PM. Breakfast and lunch are your two most important meals. You will see the effects on your weight and morning blood glucose.
Why does my mother have fluctuating diabetes levels?
Wide fluctuations in blood glucose suggest that she is experiencing low blood glucose (hypoglycemia) on a frequent basis causing a "bounce" in her blood glucose to high levels. READ MORE
Wide fluctuations in blood glucose suggest that she is experiencing low blood glucose (hypoglycemia) on a frequent basis causing a "bounce" in her blood glucose to high levels. Her medications should be adjusted to first eradicate hypoglycemia, and then to deal with the high blood glucose values.
My son is 8 years old. He is always thirsty. Could he be diabetic?
Thirst, hunger and frequent urination are signs of diabetes. Of course, thirst may be due to other causes as well. Testing the (fingerstick ) blood glucose is a convenient way READ MORE
Thirst, hunger and frequent urination are signs of diabetes. Of course, thirst may be due to other causes as well. Testing the (fingerstick ) blood glucose is a convenient way to screen for diabetes. A glucose tolerance test can be arranged if results are between 100 and 200 mg/dL. Family history is a marker for risk of developing diabetes mellitus.
If I have diabetes, do I have to take insulin shots?
No. There are many steps in diabetes management for individuals who produce insulin, but do not achieve full benefit from its action, before insulin is even considered (lifestyle, READ MORE
No. There are many steps in diabetes management for individuals who produce insulin, but do not achieve full benefit from its action, before insulin is even considered (lifestyle, diet, pills, injectables, etc.).
Type 2 diabetes in children. Is it because my child is considered obese?
Weight interferes with insulin action and a sedentary lifestyle compounds the problem. Children who favor fast food, soft drinks and computer games rather than physical activity READ MORE
Weight interferes with insulin action and a sedentary lifestyle compounds the problem. Children who favor fast food, soft drinks and computer games rather than physical activity gain weight and lose control of their blood glucose. This is becoming a very big issue in our population.
When are insulin injections recommended for patients?
Insulin is required in patients with Type 1 diabetes mellitus. If you have been classified as Type 2, insulin is an option which may be considered after lifestyle change and oral READ MORE
Insulin is required in patients with Type 1 diabetes mellitus. If you have been classified as Type 2, insulin is an option which may be considered after lifestyle change and oral medication have been shown to be insufficient in adequately improving your glucose profile. Insulin can be very helpful if used appropriately. Modern technologies have made its use very simple and discrete.
Is vitamin D deficiency normal in diabetes patients?
Vitamin D deficiency is very frequently encountered in patients with diabetes, particularly if they are overweight and have not been taking vitamin D supplements. Vitamin D has READ MORE
Vitamin D deficiency is very frequently encountered in patients with diabetes, particularly if they are overweight and have not been taking vitamin D supplements. Vitamin D has important antiinflammatory properties that may help prevent diabetes complications. I supplement my patients with at least 4000 IU daily and I monitor their blood levels of vitamin D to ensure adequacy and safety.
What is the difference between Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes?
Type 1 diabetes describes a condition where the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas have been heavily damaged and the patient requires insulin injections to sustain life. Family READ MORE
Type 1 diabetes describes a condition where the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas have been heavily damaged and the patient requires insulin injections to sustain life. Family history does not seem to play a major role.
Type 2 diabetes is heavily influenced by heritage and lifestyle. Patients produce insulin but their weight and other factors interfere with its action causing their blood glucose to drift into high ranges. Diet and oral medications usually control their diabetes, but insulin may be needed as well. In their case, treatment with insulin is an option not a necessity.
Type 2 diabetes is heavily influenced by heritage and lifestyle. Patients produce insulin but their weight and other factors interfere with its action causing their blood glucose to drift into high ranges. Diet and oral medications usually control their diabetes, but insulin may be needed as well. In their case, treatment with insulin is an option not a necessity.
My HbA1C reports have reduced from 7 to 4.2. Does it mean I'm no longer at risk for diabetes?
These results suggest that you are doing a good job in managing your diabetes. Obviously, your pancreas produces insulin and being on the proper diet with a consistent program READ MORE
These results suggest that you are doing a good job in managing your diabetes. Obviously, your pancreas produces insulin and being on the proper diet with a consistent program of exercise ensures that you remain sensitive to insulin's action without resorting to medications. Diabetes has now receded into the background, but may again become an issue if your lifestyle changes drastically with weight gain and inactivity.
