Diabetes Mellitus Center - Lowell, MA
Lowell Endocrinologist Doctors for Diabetes MellitusType of Physician: Endocrinologist What is a Endocrinologist? A subspecialty certification by the Board of Internal Medicine; practitioners treat disorders of the internal (endocrine) glands such as the thyroid and adrenal glands. Endocrinology also deals with disorders such as diabetes, metabolic and nutritional disorders, pituitary diseases, and menstrual and sexual problems. Specialty: Endocrinology Common Name: Endocrinologist Doctors in Lowell * Hayward K Zwerling MD  Merrimack Valley Pediatrics  Burlington Medical Associates Inc  Joseph J Herskovits MD  Greater Lawrence Family Health Center  Lahey Burlington Endocrinology  Lahey Burlington Endocrinology  New England Allergy & Immunology  Winchester Family Physicians  Boston IVF Inc  Theodora Christopher MD  Edward Busick MD  Mystic Medical Group  Main Street Family Practice  Newton-Wellesley Hospital Endocrinology Diabetes  Newton-Wellesley Hospital Endocrinology Diabetes  Kenneth R Blanchard MD  Theodore Spielberg MD  Caritas Endocrinology Group  Caritas Endocrinology Group  Women's Health Associates  Cambridge Hospital Medical Specialists  Women's Health Associates  George P Kozak MD  Beverly Hospital Hunt Center  Beverly Hospital Hunt Center  Linda R Margiloff MD  Charles River Medical Assoc  Harvard Vanguard Medical Associated Endocrinology  Harvard Vanguard Medical Associated Endocrinology  Harvard Vanguard Medical Associated Endocrinology  Harvard Vanguard Medical Associated Endocrinology  Harvard Vanguard Medical Associated Endocrinology  Harvard Vanguard Medical Associated Endocrinology  Harvard Vanguard Medical Associated Endocrinology  Joslin Diabetes Center Adult Diabetes  Joslin Diabetes Center Adult Diabetes  Joslin Diabetes Center Adult Diabetes  Joslin Diabetes Center Adult Diabetes  Joslin Diabetes Center Adult Diabetes  Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center Endocrinology  Joslin Diabetes Center Adult Diabetes  Joslin Diabetes Center Adult Diabetes  Joslin Diabetes Center Adult Diabetes  Joslin Diabetes Center Adult Diabetes  Joslin Diabetes Center Adult Diabetes  BIDMC Division of Endocrinology  Joslin Diabetes Center Adult Diabetes  The North Shore Medical Group  BIDMC Division of Endocrinology  Joslin Diabetes Center Adult Diabetes  Joslin Diabetes Center Adult Diabetes  Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center Endocrinology  BIDMC Division of Endocrinology  Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center Endocrinology  Joslin Diabetes Center Adult Diabetes  Joslin Diabetes Center Adult Diabetes  Joslin Diabetes Center Adult Diabetes  Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center Endocrinology  Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center Endocrinology  Joslin Diabetes Center Adult Diabetes  Joslin Diabetes Center Adult Diabetes  BIDMC Division of Endocrinology  BIDMC Division of Endocrinology  Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center Endocrinology  Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center Endocrinology  Joslin Diabetes Center Adult Diabetes  Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center Endocrinology  Joslin Diabetes Center Adult Diabetes  Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center Endocrinology  Beth Israel Deaconess Bone & Mineral Metabolism  Joslin Diabetes Center Adult Diabetes  BIDMC Division of Endocrinology  Joslin Diabetes Center Adult Diabetes  Joslin Diabetes Center Adult Diabetes  BIDMC Division of Endocrinology  Beth Israel Deaconess Bone & Mineral Metabolism  Joslin Diabetes Center Adult Diabetes  Joslin Diabetes Center Adult Diabetes  Joslin Diabetes Center Adult Diabetes  Joslin Diabetes Center Adult Diabetes  Charles River Medical Assoc  Boston IVF Inc  Arturo Rolla MD  Brigham Circle Medical Associates Internal Medicine  MGH Neuroendocrine Clinical Center  MGH Neuroendocrine Clinical Center  Internal Medicine Physicians of the North Shore  MGH Neuroendocrine Clinical Center  MGH Neuroendocrine Clinical Center  MGH Neuroendocrine Clinical Center  MGH Neuroendocrine Clinical Center  MGH Neuroendocrine Clinical Center  MGH Neuroendocrine Clinical Center  Medical Assosciates of Greater Boston  MGH Neuroendocrine Clinical Center  MGH Neuroendocrine Clinical Center  MGH Pediatric Endocrinology Associates  MGH Lipid Metabolism Unit  MGH Pediatric Endocrinology Associates Lowell, MassachusettsUpcoming Local Events2010-12-06
2010-12-06
DiabetesWhat is diabetes?Diabetes mellitus is a group of metabolic diseases characterized by high blood sugar (glucose) levels, that result from defects in insulin secretion, or action, or both. Diabetes mellitus, commonly referred to as diabetes (as it will be in this article) was first identified as a disease associated with "sweet urine," and excessive muscle loss in the ancient world. Elevated levels of blood glucose (hyperglycemia) lead to spillage of glucose into the urine, hence the term sweet urine. Normally, blood glucose levels are tightly controlled by insulin, a hormone produced by the pancreas. Insulin lowers the blood glucose level. When the blood glucose elevates (for example, after eating food), insulin is released from the pancreas to normalize the glucose level. In patients with diabetes, the absence or insufficient production of insulin causes hyperglycemia. Diabetes is a chronic medical condition, meaning that although it can be controlled, it lasts a lifetime.
What is the impact of diabetes?Over time, diabetes can lead to blindness, kidney failure, and nerve damage. These types of damage are the result of damage to small vessels, referred to as microvascular disease. Diabetes is also an important factor in accelerating the hardening and narrowing of the arteries (atherosclerosis), leading to strokes, coronary heart disease, and other large blood vessel diseases. This is referred to as macrovascular disease. Diabetes affects approximately 17 million people (about 8% of the population) in the United States. In addition, an estimated additional 12 million people in the United States have diabetes and don't even know it. From an economic perspective, the total annual cost of diabetes in 1997 was estimated to be 98 billion dollars in the United States. The per capita cost resulting from diabetes in 1997 amounted to ... Recommended Reading Related to Diabetes (Type 1 and Type 2)IntroductionHome blood sugar (glucose) testing is an important part of controlling blood sugar for people with diabetes. One important goal of diabetes treatment is to keep the blood glucose levels near the normal range of 70 to 120 mg/dl before meals and under 140 mg/dl at 2 hours after eating.
Other Related Diabetes Mellitus ArticlesEmergency Contact for Lowell
Nearby Lowell Hospitals *Saints Medical Center Lowell General Hospital HC Solomon Mental Health Center Tewksbury Hospital Isham Health Center Caritas Holy Family Hospital and Medical Center Lawrence General Hospital Edith Nourse Rogers Memorial Veterans Hospital Northeast Rehabilitation Health Network Southern New Hampshire Medical Center St Joseph Hospital Lahey Clinic Medical Center Emerson Hospital Nashoba Valley Medical Center HEALTHSOUTH New England Rehabilitation Hospital Whittier Rehabilitation Hospital Haverhill Merrimack Valley Hospital Winchester Hospital Baldpate Hospital Parkland Medical Center Hampstead Hospital Melrose Wakefield Hospital McLean Hospital Lawrence Memorial Hospital North Shore Medical Center Somerville Hospital Kindred Hospital Boston North Shore Mount Auburn Hospital Whidden Memorial Hospital Youville Hospital and Rehabilitation Center Cambridge Hospital Newton Wellesley Hospital Caritas St Elizabeth's Medical Center Franciscan Hospital for Children Lawrence F Quigley Memorial Hospital Kindred Hospital Boston Arbour HRI Hospital North Shore Children's Hospital Salem Hospital & the Birthplace Beverly Hospital M I T Medical Shaughnessy-Kaplan Rehabilitation Hospital Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital Massachusetts General Hospital Massachusetts Eye & Ear Infirmary Shriners Hospitals for Children Boston Burn Hospital UMass Memorial Marlborough Hospital Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center Children's Hospital Boston Dana Farber Cancer Institute Brigham & Women's Hospital HealthAlliance Hospital Leominster Campus Tufts New England Medical Center Elliot Hospital New England Baptist Hospital VA Boston Healthcare System Jamaica Plain Campus Anna Jaques Hospital UMass Memorial Clinton Hospital Boston Medical Center Arbour Hospital Health Alliance Burbank Hospital Kindred Specialty Hospital Natick MetroWest Medical Center Leonard Morse Hospital Radius Specialty Hospital Boston Bournewood Hospital Catholic Medical Center MetroWest Medical Center Framingham Union Hospital Faulkner Hospital Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital Needham Hebrew Rehabilitation Center for the Aged Lemuel Shattuck Hospital Manchester VA Medical Center Massachusetts Mental Health Center VA Boston Healthcare System West Roxbury Campus Westborough State Hospital Featured Articles*Provider Directory Terms of Use: The WebMD 'Provider Directory' is provided by WebMD for use by the general public as a quick reference of information about Providers. The Provider Directory is not intended as a tool for verifying the credentials, qualifications, or abilities of any Provider contained therein. Inclusion in the Provider Directory does not imply recommendation or endorsement nor does omission in the Provider Directory imply WebMD disapproval. |
Suggested Reading on Diabetes (Type 1 and Type 2) by Our Doctors
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Related Diseases & Conditions
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Kidney Stones
- One in every 20 people develop a kidney stone at some point in their life. A kidney stone is a hard mineral and crystalline material formed within the kidney or urinary tract. Kidney stones symptoms and signs are, blood in the urine and pain in the abdomen, flank (lower back), or groin. A number of different conditions can lead to kidney stones including: gout, hypercalciuria, people with inflammatory bowel disease, kidney disease, and hypoparathyroidism. Some medications also increase the risk of kidney stones.
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Sty (Stye)
- A sty (sometimes spelled stye) is a tender, painful red bump located at the base of an eyelash or on, inside, or under the eyelid, which is the result of an acute infection of the oil glands of the eyelid. Complications of a sty can be blepharitis and chalazion.
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Blood Clots
- Blood clots can occur in the venous and arterial vascular system. Blood clots can form in the heart, legs, arteries, veins, bladder, urinary tract and uterus. Risk factors for blood clots include high blood pressure and cholesterol, diabetes, smoking, and family history. Symptoms of a blood clot depend on the location of the clot. Some blood clots are a medical emergency. Blood clots are treated depending upon the cause of the clot. Blood clots can be prevented by lowering the risk factors for developing blood clots.
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Cellulitis
- Cellulitis is an acute spreading bacterial infection below the surface of the skin characterized by redness, warmth, inflammation, and pain. The most common cause of cellulitis is the bacteria Staph (Staphylococcus aureus).
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Athlete's Foot
- Athlete's foot (tinea pedis) is a skin infection caused by the ringworm fungus. Symptoms include itching, burning, cracking, peeling, and bleeding feet. Treatment involves keeping the feet dry and clean, wearing shoes that can breathe, and using medicated powders to keep your feet dry.
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Liver Cancer
- Liver cancer is the fifth most common cancer in the world and the majority of patients with liver cancer will die within one year as a result. Patients with associated cirrhosis caused by chronic hepatitis B or C infections, alcohol, and hemochromatosis are at the greatest risk of developing liver cancer. Many patients with liver cancer do not develop symptoms until the advanced stages of the tumor which usually makes prognosis poor. The combination of an imaging study (ultrasound, CT, or MRI scans) and an elevated blood level of alpha-fetoprotein will most effectively diagnose liver cancer, while a liver biopsy can make a definitive diagnosis. Medical treatments, including chemotherapy, chemoembolization, ablation, and proton beam therapy, are not very effective. Surgical removal of the tumor or a liver transplant may be most effective in certain cases.
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Stroke
- A stroke results from impaired oxygen delivery to brain cells via the bloodstream. A stroke is also referred to as a CVA, or cerebrovascular incident. Symptoms of stroke include: sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg. Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding. Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes, sudden trouble walking, dizziness, or loss of balance, and/or sudden severe headache with no known cause. A TIA, or transient ischemic attack is a short-lived temporary impairment of the brain caused by loss of blood supply. Stroke is a medical emergency.
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Thrush
- Thrush is an infection of the mouth caused by the candida fungus. Symptoms of Thrush include pain or difficulty swallowing, a feeling that food gets stuck in the throat, and fever.
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Itching
- Itching can be a common problem. Itches can be localized or generalized. There are many causes of itching to include: infection (jock itch, vaginal itch), disease (hyperthyroidism, liver or kidney), reactions to drugs, and skin infestations (pubic or body lice). Treatment for itching varies depending on the cause of the itch.
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Hypoglycemia
- Hypoglycemia is a syndrome caused by low blood sugar. Symptoms of hypoglycemia include palpitations, trembling, intense hunger, sweating, nervousness, and weakness. Consuming lifesavers, table sugar, soda, and juice are good treatment options for hypoglycemia.
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Retinal Detachment
- Retinal detachment is the separation of the retina from its attachments to the underlying eye tissue. Symptoms of retinal detachment include flashing lights and floaters. Highly nearsighted young adults and those who've had cataract surgery are at higher risk for retinal detachment.
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Cholesterol
- Cholesterol is naturally produced by the body, and is a building block for cell membranes and hormones. Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol is the "bad" cholesterol, conversely, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol is the "good" cholesterol. High cholesterol treatment includes lifestyle changes (diet and exercise), and medications such as statins, bile acid resins, and fibric acid derivatives.
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Heart Attack
- Heart attack happens when a blood clot completely obstructs a coronary artery supplying blood to the heart muscle. A heart attack can cause chest pain, heart failure, and electrical instability of the heart.
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Restless Leg Syndrome
- Restless leg syndrome (RLS or restless legs syndrome) is a common cause for painful legs that typically eases with motion, and becomes worse and more noticeable at rest. This characteristic nighttime worsening can frequently lead to insomnia. Treatment of the symptoms of restless leg syndrome is generally with medication as well as treating any underlying condition causing restless leg syndrome.
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Miscarriage
- A miscarriage is any pregnancy that ends spontaneously before the fetus can survive. Miscarriage usually occurs before the 13th week of pregnancy. The cause of a miscarriage cannot always be determined. The most common causes of a miscarriage in the first trimester are collagen vascular disease (lupus), hormonal problems, diabetes, chromosomal abnormalities, and congenital abnormalities of the uterus.
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Peripheral Neuropathy
- Peripheral neuropathy is a problem with the functioning of the nerves outside of the spinal cord. Symptoms may include numbness, weakness, burning pain (especially at night), and loss of reflexes. Possible causes may include carpel tunnel syndrome, meralgia paresthetica, vitamin or nutritional deficiencies, and illnesses like diabetes, syphilis, AIDS, and kidney failure. Most causes of peripheral neuropathy can be successfully treated or prevented.
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Floaters
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Carpal Tunnel Syndrome And Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome
- Carpal tunnel syndrome is a condition in which irritation of the wrist's median nerve causes tingling and numbness of the thumb, index, and the middle fingers. This condition is known as tarsal tunnel syndrome in the ankles and feet. Treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome depends on the severity of the symptoms and the nature of any disease that might be causing the symptoms.
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Dry Eyes
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Erectile Dysfunction (Impotence)
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Insulin Resistance
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Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococci (VRE)
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Obesity
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Dysphagia
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Hyperglycemia
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Overactive Bladder
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Encephalopathy
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Heart Disease
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