Diabetes
Diabetes results from an inability to produce enough insulin or an inability to respond appropriately to the insulin that already exists in the body. In many cases, but not all, diabetes develops when one is overweight.
When untreated, diabetes dramatically increases the risk of heart disease, strokes, kidney disease, blindness, and circulation problems. Well-controlled diabetes, however, has a much more limited impact on long-term health.
Dr. Solomon works with diabetic specialists in nutrition, ophthalmology, podiatry, and kidney diseases. If a patient develops diabetes, Dr. Solomon and these specialists work with them to limit complications.
High Blood Pressure
Many people develop high blood pressure, or hypertension, as they get older. The cause of high blood pressure is unknown in most cases, though it tends to run in families. Hypertension has no symptoms, but over many years it damages blood vessels and leads to an increased risk of stroke, heart disease, kidney disease, dementia, and circulation problems.
Healthy weight, regular exercise, and limited salt in one’s diet can help control blood pressure. When these lifestyle changes do not adequately control blood pressure, various medications are available.
High Cholesterol
Like blood pressure, cholesterol may rise as one gets older, and high cholesterol may be genetic. A high-fat, high-cholesterol diet also contributes to this condition and increases the risk of heart disease, strokes, and circulation problems.
A healthy weight, regular exercise, and a balanced diet will help control cholesterol levels. When these lifestyle changes do not adequately control cholesterol, a variety of medicines can be prescribed.
Allergies and Asthma
Allergies to environmental elements such as pollen, dust, and pet dander are very common, and treatment begins by limiting exposure to the offending agent whenever possible. Medications, including antihistamines, corticosteroids, and cromolyn in the form of pills, nose sprays, and eye drops can dramatically limit allergy symptoms, and immunotherapy (“allergy shots”) can also help control allergy symptoms. Untreated or persistent, severe allergy symptoms can increase the risk of developing asthma.
For someone who has asthma, allergies often make the condition worse. Other common asthma precipitants include viral respiratory infections, exercise, changes in weather, and emotional stress.
Anyone with asthma should have a bronchodilator inhaler, and many people with asthma benefit from inhaled corticosteroids, inhaled cromolyn, or leukotriene inhibitors. Severe episodes of asthma may also require corticosteroid pills, such as prednisone.
Anxiety and Depression
Everyone has bad days, and such times come and go as a natural part of life.
Sometimes, however, the stress of life seems too much to bear. Depression or anxiety may develop during family troubles, a recent death, relationship problems, a job loss, financial difficulties, or any other overwhelming situation. Sometimes one may feel emotionally paralyzed by a problem they cannot even identify or explain.
Treatment of anxiety and depression can have a dramatic impact on one’s ability to enjoy life and work.
There are a number of treatment options, including medications and psychotherapy, to help control anxiety and depression, allowing a person to feel better.
Weight Management
Weight management is a major problem for people with and without other medical problems such as diabetes, high cholesterol, and high blood pressure.
The initial approach to weight management requires attention to one’s diet and regular exercise, and studies show that low-carbohydrate diets are most effective for weight loss.
Dr. Solomon coordinates care with an exceptional nutritionist who helps patients think about how they eat, what they eat, when they eat, and why they eat.
In addition to diet and exercise, a number of prescription medications safely promote and maintain weight loss.
Dr. Solomon will discuss combining lifestyle changes with medications to develop the best plan for a patient.