Diabetic Patients

Hemoglobin A1c

Hemoglobin A1c is a lab test that can be used to diagnose or assess the treatment of diabetes. It represents the average blood glucose level over the previous three months. It will be able to tell your physician how well an individual has been controlling their diabetes. This test should be performed every 3-6 months depending on how controlled your diabetes is.

Blood Glucose Monitoring

Blood Glucose Monitoring is recommended for individuals with diabetes to monitor their blood glucose levels at home anywhere from one to four times per day. Talk to your physcian if you are in need of a monitor.

Urine Microalbumin

Microalbuminuria Test should be done once a year for individuals with diabetes. This is a urine screening test that measures the amount of albumin, or protein, in the urine. This screening test can detect a sign of early kidney disease or nephropathy. Diabetic Nephropathy is damage to the kidneys caused by diabetes.

Diabetic Eye Exam

Diabetic Retinopathy: When you visit your eye doctor, be sure to tell them you are a diabetic so a Dilated Eye Exam is performed. The doctor will be looking for signs of diabetic retinopathy. Please ask them to forward a copy of your exam to our office to complete your health record.

Healthy Eating for Pre-Diabetes

Pre-diabetes occurs when your blood sugars are higher than normal, but not high enough to be called diabetes.

Am I at risk for Diabetes?

What signs and symptoms to watch out for and how to lower your risk.

Healthy Eating for Diabetes

Diabetes occurs when your blood sugar levels are higher than normal.

Understanding Cholesterol and What you can do

Your Total Cholesterol level is the overall amount of Cholesterol found in your blood. It consists of :

Low-density lipoproteins (LDL's)
High-density lipoproteins (HDL's)
Triglycerides

LDL is also called "bad" cholesterol because it blocks your blood vessels (plaque buildup) and increases your risk for heart disease and stroke.

HDL is considered "good" cholesterol because it helps protect your from heart disease. The higher your HDL, the better.

Total Cholesterol refers to the total amount of cholesterol in your blood. It includes both HDL and LDL levels.

Triglycerides are another type of fat that can build up in the body and are considered the "building blocks" of cholesterol.

High level of triglycerides and low levels of HDL raise your risk for heart disease.

More about cholesterol and lowering your cholesterol

Thyroid

Thyroid Stimulating Hormone is produced by the pituitary gland. The thyroid can be found in the front of the neck. The pituitary gland stimuates the production of thyroid hormones. TSH is measured as a screening tool to detect low and high levels of TSH in the blood to indicate a thyroid disorder.

Thyroid dosing can be tricky. Your TSH should be checked regularly if you are on thyroid medicine. If your level is low, it means your dose of your medication is too high and will need to be adjusted. If your level is high, it means your dose of your medication is too low.

Tips for a Healthy Lifestyle:

Eat a heart-healthy diet which limits your intake of saturated and trans fats.
Eat more soluble fiber such as fruit, vegetables and beans
Maintain a healthy weight
Get regular physical activity
Quit smoking

Fatty Liver

Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

Weighing too much can cause fat to build up in the liver, resulting in a condition called "fatty liver". This can possibly lead to future problems if the fat builds up in the liver causing inflammation and scarring resulting in a disease called non-alcoholic steatohepatitis or “NASH”. This scarring can eventually lead to cirrhosis.

The liver will release enzymes ALT and AST when there is inflammation. Losing 10 percent of your weight causes liver enzymes to improve which reduces the liver inflammation caused by the extra fat.

Diet recommendations for Fatty Liver:

Eat fresh fruits and vegetables
Whole grains, legumes and nuts
Chicken and fish

What you should avoid:

Red Meat, including deli meats
Avoid junk foods and sugary drinks
Limit bread, rice, potato and corn
Fried foods
Alcohol

This condition can be reversible with the right lifestyle changes including diet and exercise to treat the underlying cause.

Gout

Gout is a common form of inflammatory arthritis which can be associated with eating rich foods and consuming a lot of alcohol.Gout occurs when there is a build up of uric acid in the body. Uric acid is naturally produced in everyone's body. As your cells die, they release a supstance called purines. These purines are also found in some foods we eat. It is important to manage gout and prevent gout attacks by changing your diet and exercise habits. In some instances, a certain medication will be prescribed to lower your uric acid level.

Healthy Diet for patients with Gout

There are no specific food or drinks that "cause" gout, but overindulgence in food rich in purines can cause flare-ups such as:

Red meat and organ meats
Alcohol
Shellfish
Processed Foods

Foods to consider that are low-purine:

Lean proteins like fish and chicken
low-fat and nondairy products
Fresh fruits
Nuts, nut butter, and healthy grains
Vegetables

COVID-19

Symptoms

Fever or chills
Cough
Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
Fatique
Muscle or body aches
Headache
New loss of taste or smell
Sore throat
Congestion or runny nose
Nausea or vomitting
Diarrhea

Calculating Quarantine

The date of your exposure is considered day 0. Day 1 is the first full day after your last contact with a person who has had COVID-19. Stay home and away from other people for at least 5 days.

If YOU were exposed to COVID-19 and are NOT up-to-date on COVID-19 Vaccinations:

Quarantine for at least 5 days by staying home and wearing a mask around others in the home. Get tested at day 5 even if you dont develop symptoms.
After Quarantine, watch for symptoms until 10 days after last contact. If you develop symtoms, isolate immediately and get tested.Stay at home and wear a mask around others.
Take precautions until day 10. Wear a mask for 10 full days anytime you are around others inside your home or in public.
Avoid travel and avoid being around people who are at high risk.

If YOU were exposed to COVID-19 and are up-to-date on COVID-19 vaccinations:

No quarantine -you do not need to stay home unless you develop symptoms.
Get tested at least 5 days after last contact with someone with COVID-19 even if you don't develop symptoms.
Watch for symptoms until 10 days after you had close contact with someone with COVID-19.
If you develop symptoms, isolate immediately and get tested. Continue to say home and wear a mask around others.
Take precautions until day 10 by wearing a mask at home and in public.
Avoid travel and avoid being around people who are at risk.

If YOU were exposed to Covid-19 and had confirmed COVID-19 (positive test) within the past 90 days:

No quarantine - You do not need to stay home unless you develop symptoms
Watch for symptoms until 10 days after you last had close contact with someone with COVID-19.
If you develop symtoms, isolate immediately and get tested. Continue to say home and wear a mask around others.
Take precautions until day 10 by wearing a mask at home and in public.
Avoid travel and avoid being around people who are at risk.

Calculating Isolation

Day 0 is your first day of symptoms or a positive viral test. Day 1 is the first full day after your symptoms developed or your test specimen was collected. If you have COVID-19 or have symptoms isolate for at least 5 days.

If YOU tested positive for COVID-19 or have symtoms regardless of vaccination status:

Stay home for at least 5 days and isolate from others and wear a mask in your home.
End isolation after 5 full days if you are fever-free (without fever reducing meds) for 24 hours and your symptoms are improving.
End isolation if you did NOT have symtoms 5 days after positive test.
If you were severly ill with COVID-19 you should isolate for at least 10 days and consult your physician before ending isolation.
Take precautions until day 10 by wearing a mask at home and in public.
Avoid travel and avoid being around people who are at risk.

Common Vaccines given in our office

Influenza: People 6 months and older should receive a yearly flu vaccine. We begin administering

the vaccine in early fall. More information

Prevnar 13 and Pneumovax 23: A vaccine for people 65 and over to prevent pneumonia More information

Prevnar 20: A vaccine for people 65 and over and ages 19-64 with underlying medical conditions who are at increase risk of pneumococcal pneumonia.

Adacel (Dtap): Active booster immunization against tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis. Approved for use in individuals 10 through 64 years of age. More Information

MenQuadfi: A meningococcal vaccine given to 11-12 yo before entering 7th Grade. The second meningococcal vaccine is now required for students entering Grade 12. More information

Bexsero: A meningococcal B vaccine, typically given to college students if required by the college or people 10 years or older at increased risk for meningococcal disease.More information

Shingrix: Healthy adults 50 years and older should get two doses of Shingrix separated by 2 to 6 months, even if you had shingles, received Zostavax or not sure if you had chickenpox. More information

Set up your Shingrix 2nd dose reminder: https://www.shingrix.com/side-effects.html

Vaccines available upon request

Typhoid: May be recommended for travel to foreign countries.

MMR: Measles, Mumps, and Rubella

Polio: poliomyelitis

Varicella: A vaccine to prevent chickenpox, a very contagious disease. Requires two doses.

Trumenba: A meningicoccal B vaccine

Hepatitis A: A vaccine to prevent a communicable disease of the liver caused by the Hepatitis A virus (HAV).

Hepatitis B: A vaccine to prevent a liver infection caused by the Hepatitis B virus (HBV). A 3 dose series

Gardasil 9: A vaccine to prevent Human papillomavirus (HPV) in women and men.

Vaccines not given in the office

COVID-19 vaccine RSV vaccine

For more detailed information on the COVID-19 vaccines go to Stay Up to Date with Your COVID-19 Vaccines | CDC

Stay Up to Date with Your COVID-19 Vaccines | CDC

It is important to stay up to date with your immunizations and to also keep your doctor informed as to what vaccines your have received outside the office. If you are in need of a certain vaccine, it is also important to check with your insurance company to see if it is covered prior to receiving it.

Guide to Quit Smoking

BMI Calculator

Healthy Eating / Losing Weight

Below are a list of diets that may be helpful to you. Dr. Wasson may ask you to follow a specific diet based on your recent blood work or diagnosis.

What is Cholesterol and How to monitor Cholesterol in your Diet
A brief description of what it is, where it is found and what it does.
Cholesterol.pdf
Adobe Acrobat document [267.3 KB]

How to Improve your Cholesterol
Cholesterol AMA.pdf
Adobe Acrobat document [1.1 MB]

Decrease the Risk of Diabetes
Decrease+the+Risk+of+Diabetes.pdf
Adobe Acrobat document [199.4 KB]

DIabetes and Prediabetes
Diabetes+and+Pre-Diabetes.pdf
Adobe Acrobat document [1.4 MB]

Nutrition for Everyone
nutrition_for_everyon.pdf
Adobe Acrobat document [147.1 KB]