Things to keep in mind...

Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disorders

• Hypertension (High Blood Pressure): This is when the pressure exerted by blood on the walls of blood vessels is above normal levels (120/80 mmHg). It usually causes no symptoms; however, it may manifest with symptoms such as a headache radiating from the back of the head upward, ringing in the ears, and nosebleeds. If left uncontrolled, high blood pressure can lead to heart failure by causing the left ventricle of the heart to enlarge due to high pressure inside the blood vessels, as well as to the failure of the kidney’s filtering units (nephrons) and brain hemorrhages.

• Diabetes (Type 2 Diabetes): This condition occurs when cells become resistant to the insulin hormone secreted by the pancreas (insulin resistance), preventing glucose (sugar) in the blood from entering the cells and causing it to accumulate in the bloodstream. The most typical symptoms include excessive thirst, frequent urination, slow-healing wounds, and sudden weight loss. Sugar is a corrosive substance that directly damages the structure of blood vessels. Therefore, uncontrolled blood sugar can lead to blindness (retinopathy) by blocking the blood vessels at the back of the eye, diabetic foot by blocking leg blood vessels, and kidney failure requiring dialysis due to damage to the capillaries.

• Cholesterol and Lipid Disorders (Dyslipidemia): This condition is characterized by high levels of total cholesterol, LDL (“bad” cholesterol), and triglycerides in the blood, along with low levels of HDL (“good” cholesterol). High LDL levels adhere to the walls of blood vessels, forming atherosclerotic plaques (hardening of the arteries). Over time, these plaques can rupture and completely block a blood vessel, leading to a heart attack (myocardial infarction) or a stroke caused by a blood clot traveling to the brain.

Organ Systems and Hormonal Disorders

• Thyroid Disorders (Hypothyroidism / Hyperthyroidism): An underactive thyroid gland (hypothyroidism) can slow down metabolism, leading to symptoms such as fatigue, weight gain, constipation, and intolerance to cold. An overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism), on the other hand, excessively speeds up metabolism, leading to palpitations, tremors, weight loss, and irritability. Since thyroid hormones regulate the rate at which all cells consume oxygen, these imbalances—if left untreated—can lead to permanent heart rhythm disorders (atrial fibrillation).

• Chronic Kidney Disease: This is typically a secondary condition resulting from poorly managed hypertension and diabetes. When the kidneys’ ability to filter blood decreases, toxic substances such as urea accumulate in the body. While it may be detected in the early stages only by protein leakage in the urine (microalbuminuria), in later stages, leg swelling, hypertensive crises, and severe anemia (due to the kidneys’ inability to produce the hormone erythropoietin) may occur.

• Fatty Liver (Hepatic Steatosis): This is the accumulation of triglycerides in liver cells resulting from poor diet, obesity, and physical inactivity. Although it may seem harmless in the early stages, this fat accumulation can eventually develop into chronic inflammation of the liver (NASH). If left untreated and without lifestyle changes, the condition can progress to cirrhosis—which leads to irreversible loss of liver tissue—and even liver cancer.

Critical Medication Alert: Taking a neighbor’s blood pressure or diabetes medication based on hearsay can lead to life-threatening arrhythmias or coma (hypoglycemia). Additionally, people with chronic illnesses who take strong pain relievers (NSAIDs) without consulting an internist may suddenly trigger kidney failure or cause stomach bleeding.

When Should You See a Doctor?

If you have a chronic internal medical condition or are in a high-risk group, you should see an internal medicine specialist or go to the emergency room without delay in the following situations:

• Chest tightness, pressure, or pain radiating to the left arm or jaw that does not subside with rest (suspected heart attack)

• Sudden speech impairment, loss of facial symmetry, or weakness in an arm or leg (Suspected stroke)

• A sudden rise in blood pressure to 180/120 mmHg or higher when measured at home (Hypertensive crisis)

• In people with diabetes, sudden confusion, cold sweats, and trembling (severe low blood sugar—hypoglycemia) or deep breathing accompanied by a fruity odor on the breath (diabetic ketoacidosis coma)

• Sudden decrease in urine output, widespread swelling of the body, and shortness of breath

Important Note: The most effective way to protect your health is to take action before diseases damage your organs. It is vitally important to have routine complete blood counts, kidney and liver function tests, HbA1c (3-month blood sugar), and lipid panel tests at least once a year. Please do not hesitate to contact our clinic if you have any concerns.