You At Your Best

12 | YOU AT YOUR BEST | NWADG.COM/YOUATYOURBEST OCTOBER - DIABETES | SATURDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2017 SPECIAL TO NWA DEMOCRAT-GAZETTE Prior to co-founding Wolfpack Hearing Clinic with my husband and audiologist, Dr. Dustin Richards, I worked in private practice as a Registered Dietitian and still am licensed to do so. I primarily worked one-on-one with clients helping them to develop positive change through healthy lifestyle. Like treatment of hearing loss, every one of my clients were individuals with unique needs and thus required unique strategies for weight loss. Diabetics are certainly no exception and remain among my favorites as a dietitian. So, I was very excited when approached with the idea to discuss the often-overlooked link between diabetes and hearing loss. We know that diabetes can cause blurry vision, hunger, thirst and fatigue; a lesser known associated condition is hearing loss. In fact, the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD) found hearing loss to be about twice as common in adults with diabetes compared to those without the disease. This study is alarming to audiologists because there is currently no recommendation for hearing loss screenings in a diabetes care regimen. Awareness is critical in increasing screening and discovering diabetes patients who suffer from hearing loss. We strongly feel that a hearing test should be a focal point at the annual checkup of diabetes patients. It's important for those with diabetes to take an active role in their health care and seek treatment for any associated conditions they may be at risk for. Hearing loss is no exception, given the significant risk of cognitive decline associated with untreated hearing loss. As diabetes becomes more common, the disease will continue to become a more significant contributor to hearing loss. Studies find a strong and consistent link between hearing impairment and diabetes. The reason for this connection is not definitive, but evidence is more than suggestive. Pound for pound, we think of the cochlea, more easily understood as the "hearing organ", to be one of the most blood rich organs in the body. Given the effect diabetes has on blood flow, it makes sense that the disease may lead to hearing loss by damaging the nerves and blood vessels of the inner ear. Afflicting nearly 21 million people in the United States, diabetes is a major cause of heart disease and stroke and the most common cause of blindness, kidney failure and lower limb amputations in adults. Pre-diabetes, which yields few symptoms or none at all, affects roughly 54 million adults in the United States. This high incidence of pre-diabetes and the connection between dangerous associated conditions are encouraging many to evaluate their risk of developing diabetes. For my nutrition clients, I frequently discuss the importance of monitoring sodium consumption, balancing protein and complex carbohydrates closely, consistent exercise, and overall calorie intake closely. As a dietitian, my job involves positive lifestyle change and permanent quality of life improvement. Diagnosis and treatment of hearing loss is very much the same. We take a thorough and long-term approach to ensure that your hearing loss is properly diagnosed, properly treated, and no longer a detriment to your quality of life. The first step is a hearing loss. If you are one of millions who live with diabetes, pre-diabetes, and/or hypertension, it is important to establish a baseline hearing evaluation with a licensed audiologist. We are happy to provide this service to you at Wolfpack Hearing Clinic. And since I'm still a dietitian, I'm always happy to discuss nutrition with those who share interest! For more information, visiti Wolfpack Hearing Clinic at 2630 E. Citizens Drive, #7 in Fayetteville; located at the intersection of Crossover and Mission in Kantz Center. They can also be contacted by phone at (479) 957-9300 or by visiting wolfpackhearing.com. Marla Richards, MS, RD, LD, is a registered dietitian and Director of Operations at Wolfpack Hearing. Diabetes diagnosis connected to hearing loss How to lower blood-sugar levels without medication METRO CREATIVE SERVICES Diabetes is a disorder in which the body cannot properly store and use the energy found in food. To be more specific, diabetes compromises the body's ability to use glucose. According to MediLexicon International, type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease in which the body wrongly identifies and then attacks pancreatic cells, which causes little to no insulin production. Those with type 1 diabetes usually must rely on insulin shots to remain healthy. Type 2 diabetes involves insulin resistance or insufficient insulin production and is the more common form of diabetes. The pancreas may still produce insulin, but not enough to meet the demands of the body. Insulin resistance occurs in some cases because a consistent high blood-glucose level causes cells to be overexposed to insulin and then makes cells less responsive or immune to its effects. Diabetes treatment can include a combination of strategies, including the following nondrug remedies. • Diet: Diabetics can work with their doctors and nutritionists to come up with a diet that will be most effective. Some advocate for eating foods that are low in carbohydrates or ones with a low glycemic index. Others say that it is more important to restrict caloric intake rather than sugar intake. Work with a professional to create a healthy diet and follow it as closely as possible. Eat meals at the same time each day so you can better regulate blood-sugar spikes and lulls. Skipping meals may cause you to overeat later in the day, which can throw glucose levels off-kilter. • Exercise: Many people with type 2 diabetes are carrying around extra weight. Exercise can help them shed pounds and maintain healthier weights. But exercise does more than just help you lose weight. The Joslin Diabetes Center says strength training exercises are an important component of workouts. By maintaining lean muscle mass, you can get rid of a larger amount of glucose in the bloodstream, thus helping manage diabetes in the process. Get at least 20 to 30 minutes of moderate activity several days per week. • Supplementation: Some people find that certain natural ingredients can help regulate blood-sugar levels. For example, pure, organic apple cider vinegar taken over time can help people with diabetes manage their blood- sugar levels more effectively. A small amount of cinnamon per day may be able to reduce fasting glucose levels by anywhere from 18 to 29 percent, according to a study in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry. Always speak with a doctor before trying any home remedies to treat diabetes or exploring any alternatives to traditional diabetes treatments.

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