Waking Up to Pee?.....Early Signs of Diabetes

This one, again goes in the category of significant discussions that occur fairly frequently in our clinics and it’s entirely based on a simple question; “How’s your sleep?”. 

Most commonly, I see it more in the male population. So for the guys out there (or the people who care for them), please take note. So addressing the, How’s your sleep? Question, the response is often quite innocent. The usual reply is, “not so good lately.”. 

From there, I inquire further and ask the patient to explain. The response is telling. The patient explains they’ve noticed the need to wake up from their sleep to pee. Often more than once a night, when before, the patient was able to sleep through without issues. Upon further questioning, the patient also often admits that they’ve been feeling lethargic, thirsty, hungry, irritable, moody or similar odd symptoms. 

So if this is happening to you or someone you love, please take note that these may be early warning signs of Diabetes. Diabetes is a chronic metabolic condition related to irregular usage or production of insulin. In other words, your body is not likely not interacting with insulin like it should. Now, as many of you are aware the prevalence of Diabetes has only been steadily increasing with time but it can be effectively managed with the appropriate lifestyle changes and guidance. From our offices, we then advise the patient to refer back to their family doctor for some simple blood tests to confirm. The moral of the story with Diabetes or a list of other issues is always early detection. 

Here’s some other early symptoms of Diabetes;

1. Frequent Urination

One of the earliest and most common signs of diabetes is frequent urination, medically known as polyuria. High blood sugar levels force the kidneys to work overtime to filter the excess glucose from the blood, which leads to an increase in urine production. If you notice that you’re visiting the bathroom much more frequently than usual, it could be a sign of diabetes, especially if it’s accompanied by other symptoms like increased thirst.

2. Increased Thirst

If you find yourself feeling unusually thirsty all the time, it might be a sign of high blood sugar. This condition, called polydipsia, occurs because excessive urination causes dehydration. Your body compensates for the lost fluids by triggering the sensation of extreme thirst. It’s important to recognize that while thirst is common in hot weather, constant and unrelenting thirst should not be ignored, particularly if it’s coupled with frequent urination.

3. Unexplained Weight Loss

While it may seem counterintuitive, significant weight loss is another early sign of diabetes, particularly in Type 1 diabetes. When the body doesn’t have enough insulin or cannot use it effectively, it starts breaking down fat and muscle tissue for energy. This leads to weight loss, even if you haven’t changed your diet or exercise routine. If you notice unexplained weight loss, it could be an early warning sign of diabetes, and it’s worth seeking medical advice.

4. Fatigue

Feeling tired or fatigued is a common symptom of diabetes. When the body is unable to properly use or store glucose for energy, you may experience persistent tiredness, even after a full night’s sleep. Fatigue may also occur due to dehydration caused by frequent urination or as a result of the body’s struggle to convert glucose into energy. If you’re finding that you’re consistently exhausted, it’s important to assess other symptoms and consult a healthcare professional.

5. Blurred Vision

High blood sugar levels can cause changes in the fluid levels in your eyes, which affects your vision. This may result in blurred vision or difficulty focusing. If blood sugar levels remain high for a prolonged period, it could lead to more severe eye problems such as diabetic retinopathy, which can result in permanent vision loss. If you notice blurred vision, it’s a good idea to have your eyes checked and, more importantly, have your blood sugar levels tested.

6. Slow-Healing Cuts and Infections

People with diabetes often experience poor circulation, which can slow the body’s ability to heal wounds and fight infections. If you find that cuts, scrapes, or infections are taking longer than usual to heal, this could be a sign of diabetes. Additionally, high blood sugar can impair your immune system’s function, making it more difficult to fight off infections.

7. Tingling or Numbness in Hands or Feet

Neuropathy, or nerve damage, is a common complication of long-term diabetes. Early on, you might notice tingling, numbness, or a "pins and needles" sensation in your hands or feet. This symptom occurs because high blood sugar levels can damage the blood vessels that nourish your nerves, leading to poor circulation and nerve issues. This sensation, also known as diabetic neuropathy, is often worse in the feet and hands but can occur anywhere in the body.

8. Increased Hunger

When blood sugar levels are high, the body’s cells are unable to absorb glucose for energy. This results in a feeling of constant hunger, known as polyphagia. Your body signals hunger in an attempt to get more glucose, but because it cannot utilize the glucose properly, the feeling persists. If you find that you’re always hungry, even after eating a full meal, it might be worth checking your blood sugar levels.

Please don’t ignore these early warning signs. But also, it goes to show how a clinic like Peakform and our practitioners can make a huge impact on your quality of life. 

If you have questions or need to visit us, we’re ready to help!

Yours in health. 

The Peakform Team.

Is Menopause Just Around the Corner? Things to consider

So this topic may seem, on the surface, a little odd coming from a Chiropractor and a wellness clinic. However, it actually speaks to the wholistic care we offer at Peakform. Let me explain.

During every patient visit, we get to 'catch up' with our patients and see how things have been for them. Invariably, we also explore the topic of sleep and rest. Here is the gem for people to consider, your sleep can signal issues with your overall health. Especially if a patient notices they have been having poor sleep for an unusual amount of time.

Often times, a female patient might complain of;

1) Difficulties getting to sleep.

2) Difficulties Staying asleep

3) Discomfort while sleeping. Not pain mind you but feeling warm, hot. General unease.

4) Changes in sleep and energy not noticed before.

What we've also noticed is that even with female patients still in their 30's, after the common issues and causes have been explored, the discussion can often gradually includes hormonal health. Sometimes we even bring up the possibility of Peri-menopause for our patients still in their 30's.

Here are some other things to consider when discussing peri-menopause.

Perimenopause, often referred to as the menopausal transition, is the time when a woman’s body gradually shifts towards menopause. This period is characterized by fluctuating hormone levels—primarily estrogen and progesterone—which can lead to a variety of physical and emotional symptoms. Menopause is confirmed when a woman has gone 12 consecutive months without a menstrual period, but the symptoms of perimenopause can begin years before that point.

Understanding the early signs of perimenopause allows women to manage symptoms more effectively and make informed decisions about their health. It can also help differentiate these symptoms from other medical conditions that might require attention.

1. Irregular Periods: The Most Common Early Sign

One of the earliest and most common signs of perimenopause is a change in menstrual cycles. This could mean shorter or longer cycles, heavier or lighter flow, or even skipped periods. These irregularities occur due to fluctuations in estrogen and progesterone levels as the ovaries gradually decrease hormone production.

2. Hot Flashes and Night Sweats: Unmistakable Warning Signs

Hot flashes and night sweats are hallmark symptoms of perimenopause, affecting up to 75% of women during this transition. These sudden feelings of heat, often accompanied by sweating and flushed skin, are triggered by hormonal fluctuations that affect the body’s temperature regulation system.

3. Mood Swings and Emotional Changes: The Overlooked Sign

Perimenopause can significantly impact mood due to fluctuating estrogen levels, which influence serotonin—a key neurotransmitter for mood regulation. Women may experience increased irritability, anxiety, depression, or mood swings similar to those of premenstrual syndrome (PMS).

Good news is there are some helpful and effective strategies that can help a woman manage the symptoms and navigate this transition.

Often is starts with a referral to their family doctor for more blood work. From there co managing with other health care providers becomes very possible.

Speak to us if you have more questions!

Yours in health!

The Peakform Team.

So Age is Robbing Your Strength? What to do next….

It’s a common refrain that as you get older, things just don’t work the same. 

Many just take it as a fact of life. Inevitable even. But have you ever wondered what is really going on as you get older? Well let’s just look at your muscles for starters. 

It has been studied that after the age of 30, you will lose between 3-8% of your muscle mass each decade after. That’s not even the worst part, it has also been observed that the decline will accelerate for a person after the age of 60. That means as you get older, if you do not actively try to improve your strength, you will naturally get weaker. 

The scientific term is called Sarcopenia. This is the bodily process that occurs in everybody. 

This is where muscle fibers in our bodies start to shrink, decrease in number and regenerate more slowly when injured. Studies also show that the very nature of our muscle fibers change. They become more fibrous and evolve to become more like connective tissue and less like the vibrant, red muscle fibers we commonly associate with healthy tissue. 

So you may be asking yourself, why does this matter? Well here’s just a small sample of reasons how this might affect your health:

1. Difficulty Performing Daily Tasks

   This can show up as having difficulties going up and down stairs or walking as long/far as you used to. Perhaps, you may have more difficulties lifting things, like pets or children like you used to.

2. You Look Smaller

   As sarcopenia progresses with time, you may physically appear smaller. 

This is often why people look skinnier as they age. They are physically getting smaller as the accumulated loss of muscle mass occurs over time.

3. Loss of Vitality/ Energy

   Your muscles are important warehouses of energy and metabolism for your entire body. For example in men, muscles are integral to the production and regulation of the hormon, Testosterone. Testosterone levels are very much related to a man’s energy levels and overall sense of vitality

4. Balance and Fall Prevention

      - As everyone ages, balance can decline and falls become more of a 

        concern. What’s important to note here is that loss of muscles may not be 

        the direct cause of poor balance and falls but indirect. Meaning that the very 

        things you would do to maintain or improve muscle mass as you age are 

        the very things that can help your balance and protect you during a fall. 

This is the exact reason that we commonly discuss diet and exercise with our patients in the clinic. Almost everyone is interested in knowing how to age healthily. Maybe they have experienced it themselves or seen the affects of aging in their loved ones. 

The moral of the story is this process is natural and will occur in everyone. But it doesn’t mean it has to affect everyone the same. Just understanding the issue and making small steps like exercising more can go a long way to improving your health. No matter how old you are. 

Just a thought. 

Yours in health. 

Peakform Team

PS - If you need help with an issue or perhaps you feel like it’s time for a ‘tune up’. Our team is ready to help. Give us a call!