Diabetes and hypertension are both very common diseases, if you have one or both of these conditions, this clinic is the right place for you. Breakthroughs have been made in the treatment of diabetes and hypertension. The Diabetes and Hypertension Clinic of the Limuru Cottage Hospital was founded to provide patients access to diagnosis, education and prevention, treatment, care management and support among other required services.
Below, we are going to discuss in more detail our diabetes and hypertension clinic.
Table of Contents
- Diabetes Clinic
- Hypertension Clinic
Diabetes Clinic
The Diabetes Clinic at the Limuru Cottage hospital across its branches offers you the opportunity to meet and consult medical experts who check that you are in the best medical state and offer highly specialized advice on how to manage your diabetes depending on the variant you suffer from.
Our Diabetes Clinic has enough Endocrinologists; These are doctors who have special training and experience in treating and managing people with diabetes. Our Endocrinologists are dedicated to ensuring the prevention, management, and treatment of all variants of diabetes.
Our main motive at the Diabetes clinic is to promote self-management of diabetes patients while reducing the risk of developing diabetes-related complications across all our branches.
Other services offered at our Diabetes Clinic are;
- Nutrition and Exercise
- Counselling.
- Diabetes Education Sessions.
- Diabetes Prevention and Management.
- Speciality Consultation and referrals; Endocrinologist/Ophthalmologist (Eye clinic), Podiatrist (foot care), and spirometry.
- Procedures and treatment.
- Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM).
- A support group, facilitated by our endocrinologists.
- A 24-hour dedicated patient hotline triaged by our endocrinologists to help answer patient questions, queries, and concerns.
Diabetes Clinic Overview
Our Diabetes Clinic is well equipped with the latest technologies used in the management of diabetes, like the Insulin pump therapy, continuous glucose monitoring, as well as total body analysis machines that are used in determining the amount of fat and water in the body, giving the percentage of muscles as well as the age of internal organs in comparison to physical age, this helps in carving out individualized lifestyle improvement plans such as diet and exercise routines.
The Diabetes Clinic has foot analysis machines which are able to determine sensations of the feet in order to pick out high-risk patients that need specialized podiatry services to prevent diabetes foot amputation among our patients.
Diabetes Overview
Diabetes occurs when there is too much sugar (glucose) in the bloodstream (Diabetes Mellitus). Glucose is very important as it fuels our bodies and we mostly get it from the foods we eat. Insulin is the hormone produced by the pancreas and it is the one that converts the food we eat to the energy needed by our bodies in order for them to function properly.
When our bodies fail to convert the food into energy, our bodies get deprived of energy and in the process build up sugar in the bloodstream (Hypoglycemia) which is associated with damage and failure of various organs and tissues in our bodies. If not attended to vigorously, diabetes can lead to serious health complications like blindness and kidney failure.
If you have diabetes, your pancreas doesn’t produce any or enough insulin or, your pancreas makes insulin but your body’s cells don’t respond to it and can’t use it as required.
Common Types of Diabetes
There are four common types of diabetes which are;
Type 1 Diabetes
Also called juvenile diabetes, It is a chronic condition where your body fights itself because the pancreas produces little or no insulin. It mainly occurs in children and adolescents but can basically occur at any point. People with this type of diabetes need to take insulin every day prompting it to be referred to as insulin-dependent diabetes.
Symptoms of Type 1 Diabetes
Type 1 Diabetes symptoms include;
- Blurred vision
- Dry mouth
- Fatigue
- Frequent urination
- Frequent infections of the skin, urinary tract, or vagina
- Increased hunger
- Extreme thirst
- Heavy, laboured breathing
Type 1 Diabetes causes
Your body uses insulin as a fuel to help move sugar, or glucose into your body’s tissues. When there is little or no insulin produced by the pancreas, glucose does not move into your cells but builds up in the bloodstream starving the cells and that causes high blood sugar.
Type 1 Diabetes Diagnosis
On suspicion of having type 1 diabetes, your doctor in the Diabetes Clinic will check your blood sugar levels by testing your urine for glucose or chemicals your body produces when you don’t have enough insulin.
Type 1 Diabetes Treatment
People with type 1 diabetes can live a long, healthy life by keeping an eye on their blood sugar levels. Your doctor at the Diabetes Clinic will advise on the range that the numbers should stay within. Adjust your insulin, food, and activities as necessary.
Everyone with Type 1 Diabetes needs to take insulin to control their blood sugar.
Type 2 Diabetes
Also known as insulin-resistant diabetes, it is a chronic condition that affects the way the body processes blood sugar (glucose). Your body either doesn’t make enough insulin or your body’s cells don’t respond normally to the insulin. It occurs in middle-aged and older people.
Symptoms of Type 2 Diabetes
In some cases, there may be no symptoms but the common symptoms of type 2 diabetes are;
- Blurred vision
- Fatigue
- Frequent urination
- Increased thirst
- Extreme hunger
Type 2 Diabetes causes
People with type 2 diabetes make insulin, but their bodies don’t use it as well as they should. Initially, your pancreas makes more insulin to try and get glucose into your cells but eventually, it can’t keep up and the glucose builds up in your blood as well.
Type 2 Diabetes Diagnosis
Your doctor in the Diabetes clinic can test your blood for signs of type 2 diabetes, which is done on two days to confirm the diagnosis. If your blood sugar is too high or you have many symptoms, one test is sufficient.
Type 2 Diabetes treatment
Managing type two diabetes takes both a change of lifestyle and medication.
Lifestyle changes
- Weight loss
- Healthy eating
- Exercise
- Keeping track of your sugar levels
Medication
Some of the common medications for type 2 diabetes are;
- Metformin; This is the first medication used to treat type 2 diabetes. It lowers the amount of glucose made by your liver and helps your body respond better to the insulin it produces.
- Sulfonylureas; This is a group of drugs that helps your body make more insulin.
- Meglitinides; They make your body make more insulin and they work faster than sulfonylureas.
- Insulin; You might take long-lasting shots at night like Levemir or Lantus.
- SGLT2 inhibitors; They help your kidneys filter out more glucose.
- GLP-1 receptor agonists; You take them with a needle to slow digestion and lower blood sugar levels.
- Dpp-4 inhibitors; They help to lower blood sugar levels.
Prediabetes
This is a condition where the blood sugar is high, but not high enough to be type 2 diabetes.
Gestational Diabetes
It is a type of high blood sugar affecting pregnant women.
General Diabetes Symptoms to be wary of
Often, there are no symptoms but when they do occur they include;
- Blurred Vision
- Excessive Hunger
- Excessive Weight Loss
- Increased Fatigue
- The urge to constantly urinate
- Very dry skin
- Numbness or tingly hands and feet
- Sores that heal slowly
Treatment
In the Diabetes Clinic, we advise people with diabetes to educate themselves on the best and latest medical approaches, therapies and lifestyle changes they can embark on in order to curb diabetes. The following are some of the ways you can adopt to help treat and manage diabetes;
- Keep your blood glucose levels as near to normal as possible by following a diet plan, taking prescribed medication, and increasing your activity level at all times.
- Control your blood pressure
- Maintain your blood cholesterol level
- Following a healthy, diet plan
- Exercising regularly
- Maintaining or losing weight if overweight
- Quitting smoking if you smoke
Frequently Asked Questions About Diabetes
What does a Diabetes clinic do?
It offers you the opportunity to meet and consult medical experts who check that you are in the best medical state and offer highly specialized advice on how to manage your diabetes depending on the variant you suffer from.
What is the best doctor to see for Diabetes?
An Endocrinologist is a doctor at the diabetes clinic who has specialized training in treating patients with diabetes and/or Hypertension.
What are the three most common symptoms of undiagnosed diabetes?
The three most common symptoms of undiagnosed diabetes are; Frequent urination, extreme hunger, and increased thirst.
What is the normal level of sugar?
A blood sugar level of less than 140 mg/dL is normal, a reading of more than 200 mg/dL after two hours shows diabetes and a reading between 140 and 199 mg/dL shows prediabetes.v
How do you lower blood sugar?
Blood sugar levels can be lowered by eating a healthy diet, regular exercise, increasing water intake and staying hydrated, monitoring your blood sugar levels, managing your carbs intake, and choosing foods with a low glycemic index.
What happens at the first Diabetes appointment?
Your first diabetes appointment will be with our HCA who will check your weight and blood pressure as well as the health status of your feet.
What is worse, type 1 or type 2 diabetes?
Type 2 diabetes is known to be milder than type 1 diabetes but it can still cause major health complications in your kidneys, nerves, and eyes.
How often should you screen for diabetes?
It is recommended to screen for diabetes every three years at the diabetes clinic.
Can I test myself for diabetes?
Self-testing alone is not sufficient, one has to therefore visit a diabetes clinic for proper testing to be done by professional doctors.
Hypertension Clinic
The Hypertension Clinic at the outpatient services department of Limuru Cottage Hospital offers the latest diagnostic and therapeutic advances for treating and managing patients with high blood pressure.
Hypertension Clinic Overview
Our Hypertension clinic is well staffed with highly qualified Endocrinologists – these are doctors who have specialized training in treating patients with diabetes and or Hypertension and are always on stand by to attend to our patients. The clinics are also equipped with modern state of the art equipment that aid in the treatment of diabetes and hypertension patients across our branches in the region.
We have modern devices in our Hypertension clinic that are used in checking 24 hours ambulatory blood pressure, as well as software for analysis.
Hypertension Overview
Hypertension is very common these days and it occurs when there is a lot of pressure in the blood vessels. It is normal for the blood pressure to fluctuate throughout the day, but if it doesn’t stabilize and remains up then that shows the onset of blood pressure.
Hypertension is known to affect 70% of patients with diabetes and is twice as common in those without therefore increasing their risk of having vascular complications as well as increasing the chances of contracting chronic kidney disorders. Pregnant women with diabetes and hypertension are at a higher risk of contracting pre-eclampsia and it is recommended that both should be diagnosed early and treated aggressively to avert the risk of vascular diseases and even death.
Things that can increase the risk of Hypertension
The following are some of the factors that can put you at a high risk of developing Hypertension;
- Being overweight/obese
- Eating too much salt
- Inadequate exercise
- Too much alcohol or caffeine-based drinks
- Inadequate sleep
- History of a relative (s) with hypertension
- Living in a marginalized area
- Being of black African or black Caribbean descent
- Being over 65 years of age
Known causes of Hypertension
Some health conditions that can cause Hypertension include;
- Kidney disease
- Diabetes
- Narrowing of the arteries supplying the kidneys
- Hormonal problems
- Lupus; a condition where the immune system attacks parts of the body such as the skin, joints, and organs.
- Long-term kidney infections
- Scleroderma; It is a condition that causes thickened skin, and sometimes affects the organs and blood vessels.
- Obstructive sleep apnoea; It is where the walls of the thorax contract and shrink during sleep interrupting normal breathing.
Medicines that can increase your blood pressure are;
- The contraceptive pill
- Steroids
- Some cough and cold remedies from the pharmacy
- Some herbal remedies especially those with liquorice
- Some recreational drugs like cocaine and amphetamines
Your blood pressure may go back to normal when you stop taking the medicine or drug.
Hypertension Diagnosis
Your doctor at the Hypertension clinic will ask questions about your medical history and do a physical examination. The doctor will then place an inflatable arm cuff around your arm and use a pressure-measuring gauge to check your blood pressure. Your blood pressure should be checked in both arms to determine if there’s a difference.
Blood pressure measurements are categorized as follows;
- Normal blood pressure; Your blood pressure is considered to be normal if it falls below 120/80 mm Hg.
- Elevated blood pressure; This may also be referred to as prehypertension. It is a systolic pressure ranging from 120 to 129 mm Hg and a diastolic pressure not above 80 mm Hg.
- Stage 1 Hypertension; This is a systolic pressure ranging from 130 to 139 mm Hg or a diastolic pressure ranging from 80 to 89 mm Hg.
- Stage 2 Hypertension; This is more severe hypertension with a systolic pressure of 140 mm Hg or higher or a diastolic pressure of 90 mm Hg or higher.
- A hypertensive crisis; Is an emergency situation that requires urgent medical care, usually with a blood pressure measurement higher than 180/120 mm Hg.
Hypertension tests
During a visit to the Hypertension Clinic and if you have high blood pressure, your doctor may recommend tests to confirm the diagnosis and check for underlying conditions that can cause hypertension.
The following tests can be done:
- Ambulatory monitoring; This is a 24-hour blood pressure monitoring test done to confirm if you have high blood pressure.
- Lab tests; Your doctor may recommend a urine test (urinalysis), blood test, and cholesterol test.
- Electrocardiogram (ECG/EKG); This is a quick and painless test that measures your heart’s electrical activity.
- Echocardiogram; Depending on your signs and symptoms and test results, your doctor may order an echocardiogram to check for more signs of heart disease. An echocardiogram uses sound waves to produce images of the heart.
Treatment of Hypertension
Hypertension can generally be controlled and managed through a lifestyle change and your doctor at the hypertension clinic may recommend the following;
Lifestyle changes
- Eating a heart-healthy diet with less salt
- Increasing your physical activity
- Maintaining a healthy weight or losing weight if obese
- Cutting down on the amount of alcohol you consume
Sometimes lifestyle changes are not sufficient and the doctor may recommend medication to lower your blood pressure.
Medication
The type of medication your doctor will prescribe at the Hypertension Clinic for blood pressure depends on your blood pressure measurements and overall health. Two or more blood pressure drugs are known to be more effective. Medications used to treat high pressure include:
- Diuretics; Also called water pills, they are the first medications tried to treat high blood pressure. They work by helping your kidneys eliminate sodium and water from the body.
- Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors; These medications help relax blood vessels by blocking the formation of a natural chemical that narrows blood vessels.
- Angiotensin ii receptor blockers (ARBs); These medications relax blood vessels by blocking the action, not the formation of a natural chemical that narrows blood vessels.
- Calcium channel blockers; Calcium channel blockers may work better for older people and those of African heritage than ACE inhibitors alone. They work by helping relax the muscles of your blood vessels, some are known to slow your heart rate.
Frequently Asked Questions About Hypertension (High Blood Pressure)
What does a Hypertension clinic do?
The Hypertension Clinic is a clinic that deals with the diagnosis and management of high blood pressure.
Can Hypertension be cured?
There is no cure for Hypertension, but treatment is known to lower blood pressure that is too high, if it’s mild then your doctor at the hypertension clinic can recommend management through a healthy lifestyle change.
What is the main cause of Hypertension?
Stress-related habits like overeating, smoking, or drinking alcohol are the major causes of high blood pressure.
Can you feel high blood pressure?
Most people with high blood pressure do not show any symptoms, that is why it is also referred to as “the silent killer”. Some people may experience headaches, nosebleeds, or shortness of breath with high blood pressure.
Does anxiety cause blood pressure?
Anxiety doesn’t cause long-term high blood pressure (hypertension) but episodes of it can cause temporary spikes in blood pressure.
Can Hypertension go away with weight loss?
Your doctor at the Hypertension clinic will recommend you to lose weight if you are overweight or obese to help reduce blood pressure.
Does coffee raise blood pressure?
Caffeine in coffee causes a short, dramatic spike in your blood pressure even if you don’t have high blood pressure.