Mind & Body | Diabetes Awareness Month, contined from p55 treatment is used to treat these blood vessels and prevent further damage and vision loss. Glaucoma. People with diabetes are 40 percent more likely to have glaucoma than people without diabetes; and the longer someone has diabetes, the greater the chances of complications like glaucoma. Symptoms, such as tunnel vision, are usually a late finding. During an eye exam, the pressure in the eye is checked. If the pressure is thought to be too high for that patient, then it can be treated with eye drops, laser or more invasive types of surgery.
Cataracts. Diabetics are 60 percent more likely to develop cataracts, a clouding or fogging of the focusing lens in the eye. People with diabetes tend to get cataracts at an earlier age and they progress more rapidly than in people without diabetes. Blurred vision and problems with glare are the most reported symptoms. Surgery can usually restore clear vision; most patients report an improvement after surgery. Dr. Lacoste says the impact of diabetes on eye health can be postponed by keeping blood sugar levels within the recommended guidelines. This involves a healthy eating plan, regular exercise and routine check ups with health providers, including
eye exams. However, the number of years a patient has the disease remains one of the biggest reasons for complications. “Many of the vision problems have little to no symptoms at first, which means they can go unnoticed for years until it’s too late to reverse the damage. For patients who regularly have eye exams, we can notice small changes from year to year and take steps to hold onto the best vision possible.” said Dr. Lacoste. For more information about diabetes and your eyes, call (337) 478-3810 or visit www.theeyeclinic.net.
Advanced Cardiovascular Care:
We know it by heart.
Meet the Cardiologists of Imperial Health and CHRISTUS St. Patrick Regional Heart Center Jake LeBeau, MD
Miguel DePuy, MD
Richard Gilmore, MD
Michael Turner, MD
Carl Fastabend, MD
Thomas Mulhearn, MD
Corey Foster, MD
Your life, your family, your heart are here in Southwest Louisiana. Ours are too. We have deep roots in this region and understand its people and culture. We are committed to improving the long-term heart health of our community, from early detection and prevention to advanced high tech treatment -- we have it all! Our areas of specialization include:
· Interventional Cardiology · Coronary Angiography · Coronary Angioplasty and Stents
· · · ·
Peripheral Vascular Disease Cardiac Electrophysiology Nuclear Cardiology Echocardiography
· Carotid Artery Disease · Cardiac CT · Vein Disease
Our physicians have have been the first to bring many innovative cardiac care advances to patients in Southwest Louisiana and are committed to continuing to be pioneers in heart care so that our patients can keep their hearts close to home.
World-Class Heart Care Here at
Home. www.christusstpatrick.com
LAKE CHARLES • SULPHUR • DERIDDER • JENNINGS • KINDER • LAFAYETTE 56 www.thriveswla.com
Thrive Magazine for Better Living
www.csswla.com
(337) 436-3813 • (337) 312-8247 November 2014