Heather Dawson

Diabetes Type 1 requires insulin because the pancreas cannot make insulin. Diabetes Type 2 is a condition that develops over time due to a deficiency in insulin secretion and action. When diagnosed in the pre-diabetic state, individuals can treat their condition with diet, exercise, and lifestyle changes. Once an individual with Diabetes Type 2 needs medication to control their blood sugar, they must continue their medication. However, individuals with Diabetes Type 2 on medication should make lifestyle changes including diet and exercise under the direction of their provider. Once lifestyle changes have occurred, some people with Diabetes Type 2 may be able to reduce their medications. Diabetes is a serious disease and any changes should be made under the direction of your primary care provider.

The most important difference is an internal medicine physician specializes in patients with complex medical conditions. If a patient has multiple health conditions, they should seek an internal medicine physician. Healthy people can choose a general practice or family practice provider. Also, internal medicine physicians see adult patients, not pediatrics. I advocate for all childern 12 and under or with those with health conditions have a pediatrician or pediatric nurse practitioner as their primary care provider, although family practice providers can provide care for children and adults. A PCP is your primary care provider, that manages your health care.

Medications, supplements, medical conditions, and food intolerances can cause diarrhea. A common culprit is dairy, in which case taking a digestive enzyme with lactase or preferably avoiding dairy could reduce your symptoms. However, you should see your primary care provider for an evaluation.

His primary care provider should have recommended a frequency of blood glucose checks at the time of his diagnosis. The answer depends on his type of diabetes, severity and medication prescribed for his diabetes. I''m guessing your husband is not on insulin since he would have been given detailed patient education if this were the case. Newly diagnosed Type 2 diabetics are typically given a plan that recommends blood glucose monitoring or the PCP is planning on checking your husband's HA1C at regular intervals. HA1C is a blood test that gives us an average blood glucose level for the past three months. Without knowing the severity of your husband's diabetes or the medication he is supposed to take for it, makes it hard to give you an answer. I would contact your PCP and ask.

Cervical cancer screening should begin at age 21.

You should be evaluated by your physician. We prescribe according to the severity and frequency of your symptoms. If your symptoms are not well controlled, you will need to step up from your current therapy and control your triggers. If you were previously only on a rescue inhaler, it may be time to incorporate inhaled corticosteroids. Please see your physician for a proper evaluation.

The Crohns and colitis foundation publish a nutritional publication. I encourage you to read this information and listen to your father's GI physician. Individuals will also have unique triggers and these should be determined and avoided. During a flare-up, your father should avoid high fiber and anything difficult to digest. Integrative Therapeutics makes a physician's elemental diet powder. This product is formulated for GI dysfunction and can be used to supplement when needed.

Pink eye is an infection, that typically begins in one eye and purulent (thick) drainage is present. Allergic conjunctivitis is present in both eyes and typically presents with a watery drainage. Allergic conjunctivitis may have transient thick drainage, especially in the morning, but once cleaned, the drainage will be clear and watery.