Recent Posts in Blog Category

Where Do I Dispose of My Home Medical Waste?

While seeing patients, someone asked me this and I was a little taken aback. I realize we don’t really spend time talking to patients about how to manage the needles and lancets injection pens, infusion supplies etc., when in fact Endocrinology is such a subspecialty, where we use injectables so often and for so many diseases, such as dyslipidemia and osteoporosis, not just diabetes. Sharps is a ...

November is Diabetes Awareness Month

November is diabetes awareness month, which makes it a great time to review some healthy living habits and remember the importance of preventative screening related to diabetes. Cardiovascular disease is the number one cause of death in diabetics, and diabetics are twice as likely to suffer a stroke or heart disease compared to non-diabetics. We also see an increased risk of kidney disease, poor ...

Easy Workout Routines To Do At Home

As a mother of 2 and a full time doctor I find it challenging to fit a good work out into my day. Here is a quick and easy 10-20 mins work out routine one can do a few days a week at home. 20 jumping jacks 10 knee highs 15 squats 15 side leg raises 10 side lunges 20 second planks with 5 repetitions 20 gluteal raises. Working out for even 20 mins a day is beneficial for our overall health as well ...

November is Diabetes Awareness month

Did you know November is Diabetes Awareness Month? November 14 th is ‘World Diabetes Day' celebrated in honor of Dr. Frederick Banting, credited to have discovered insulin. The American Diabetic Association has been celebrating Diabetes Awareness month since 1975 in the United States. Millions of Americans are suffering from type 1 or type 2 diabetes. A lot of them are dealing with insulin ...

Understanding Fatigue

Fatigue is one of the most common reasons for patients to seek evaluation by an endocrinologist. Appropriate evaluation for endocrine and metabolic causes could include tests for hypothyroidism or adrenal insufficiency or low testosterone or vitamin B12 deficiency or iron deficiency. But frequently these tests are negative and that we need to consider other possible causes. I Infectious diseases ...

Diabetes and Microvascular Complications

It is common knowledge that patients with type 1 or type 2 DM can develop changes to their small vessels and develop complications of retina, kidneys, and nerves, named as diabetic retinopathy, nephropathy, and neuropathy. It is interesting to note, that microvascular complications are certainly associated with elevated blood glucose, poorly controlled blood pressure, and poorly controlled ...

Another Consequence of Covid: Rise in Tinnitus

A few weeks ago, I saw a patient that came to see me for evaluation of testosterone replacement. He had been told by another provider that his fatigue was likely due to low testosterone even though his levels were in range and he denied low libido (sexual drive) per se. Upon asking questions, it turns out that the fatigue was likely due to his lack of sleep which in turn he attributed to a buzzing ...

Insulin Pump Study

Insulin Pump Study Over the past 2 decades, there have been significant advances not only in the types of insulins that are available to those who require insulin to manage their diabetes (all patients with Type 1 diabetes and many of those with Type 2 diabetes), but how the insulin is delivered. Whereas in the past, insulin was stored in vials and delivered by syringes, these days patients most ...

COVID-19 and the Thyroid

COVID-19 and Autoimmune Thyroid Disease Because nearly every conversation these days seems to revolve around the topic of COVID-19, I thought I would continue the trend and try to answer some questions that I have frequently heard regarding COVID as it relates to a common endocrine condition. As both a thyroid patient and a thyroid doctor, I was interested in the topic of autoimmune thyroid ...

Taking Control of Your Diabetes Diagnosis

Receiving a diagnosis of diabetes can be difficult. Learning that you have to change several things about your day-to-day life can be daunting. Let’s talk about understanding and copping with a diabetes diagnosis and how embracing this challenge can lead to longevity and increased happiness. It’s important to understand that diabetes is not uncommon and you are not alone. More than 30 million ...

Exercise for Health

As we approach the new year with a sense of renewal we are designing new diet and exercise programs for. The following are recommendations as expressed by Rachel Grumman Bender in Yahoo. We have new guidelines from the WHO about best practices for exercise. 27.5% of adults and more than 80% of teens do not meet recommendations for aerobic exercise according to an article in the British Journal of ...

Telehealth….What is it???

Covid-19 has considerably changed the way people live their day to day lives. Many are concerned about going into a doctor’s office or leaving their homes at all. People still need access to medical care and need an effective and appropriate way to speak with their healthcare provider during a pandemic. In many instances, telehealth visits can bridge that gap. Although telemedicine was first ...

Weight Loss Program Testimonial

Stephanie Devaney, ARNP, and Jessica Cook, MS, RD, LD/N, CDE, deliver a Weight Loss Program that works! Of course, it only works if you do! Fat and fed up in July 2020, I saw the notice on Kathryn Reynolds, M.D., (my endocrinologist’s) wall. I asked her if the program worked. She said, “It works if you do. Stephanie and Jessica are really good at this and it will work for you if you cooperate.” ...

Obesity and Body Image

Towards the end of July I gave birth to my sweet baby boy Viraj. This was the first time I made it to full term having had my twins very prematurely. Inactivity, binge eating and weight gain, I relished the experience of carrying this child to term. At the time of delivery I weighed more than my husband! And the baby was born. Post partum, I looked at myself in the mirror and I was intensely upset ...

Let Us Talk About Narcissist Personality Disorder

As I have written before, I strongly believe in the mind-body connection. As such, I want to take this opportunity to discuss Narcissistic Personality disorder (NPD) given the tremendous impact that it can have in the health and finances of those people who get in the path of individuals with this personality disorder. NPD affects about 6% of the general population and it is more common in men. ...

Thanksgiving is Almost Here!

Thanksgiving is only a few weeks away and this is the time of year that many diabetics start to “fall off the wagon” in terms of their dietary management. Some find that during the holiday season, they tend to spiral out of control. It is important to enjoy the holidays, but not to sacrifice your own health in the process. There are numerous tasty low carb substitutions that can be found easily in ...

What is BAQSIMI???

Many patients who suffer with SEVERE hypoglycemia (having a low blood sugar emergency) often look to injectable glucagon to raise their blood sugars quickly. We now have a new FDA approved emergency treatment that can be administered easily without an injection. Baqsimi is a powder administered directly into the nose via a single dose dispenser. This product can easily be given to a patient ...

Starting Insulin Injections

If you have type 2 diabetes you have probably started treatment with oral medications. Over the years the ability of your pancreas to make insulin declines by average 4% per year. You may have added 2 or 3 or 4 different medicines to keep the blood sugars under control. At some point, your doctor may suggest that you start insulin. One good thing about insulin is that it is natural to your body ...

Carbohydrate Counting!

Today was particularly stressful and chaotic. Today was first day of school! I woke up made my breakfast, packed lunches for school for kids, packed lunch for my husband, and as the rest of the house was waking up to the excitement of the first day of school, I kissed everyone goodbye and dashed out the door. That got me thinking about my patients. Imagine, adding to this morning madness, need to ...

Hyperglycemia

Glucose is kept within a range we called "normal" in the blood. Fasting (for 8 hours) normal values of blood glucose are 90 - 130 mg/dl. Hyperglycemia is defined as fasting blood glucose (for 8h) above 90 - 130 mg/dl. Postprandial blood glucose is defined: above 180 mg/dl. A history and physical examination should be performed with a focus on trying to identify a precipitating cause of the ...

Impact of Stress on Blood Glucose Levels

I still get surprised when patients get surprised when I tell them that stress and emotions can affect their blood sugars. In most cases it will raise the blood sugars, but occasionally it may drop them. Remember the stress hormone is cortisol. By now most of you know that glucocorticoids -a type of steroids (prednisone and cortisone) similar to cortisol causes resistance to the actions of insulin ...

Diabetic Neuropathy

Diabetic neuropathy is a type of nerve abnormality that can develop in individuals with diabetes . It is a common yet serious complication of diabetes. It can be prevented or ameliorated by tight control of blood sugars. Diabetic neuropathy most commonly damages nerves in the lower extremities but can damage nerves throughout the body. In some individuals the symptoms are mild, but for others, the ...

Glucose Sensors

Patients always ask me if there is a way to check their blood sugars without pricking their fingers. I am so glad after saying no for over 20 years I can finally offer the use of glucose sensors to my patients! There are 3 different types of sensors. The most commonly used sensors are G6 by Dexcom, Freestyle Libre, and Eversense. G6 and Libre are placed on the skin, however, Eversense is ...

Nurse Practitioner Stephanie Devaney Earns Endocrinology Specialist Certification from Duke University

Palm Beach Diabetes and Endocrine Specialists Congratulates Nurse for Recent Certification in Endocrinology Nurse Practitioner Specializing in Endocrinology People who know Nurse Practitioner Stephanie Devaney of Palm Beach Diabetes and Endocrine Specialists call her a compassionate healthcare provider with a desire to excel. Peers and patients alike appreciate her dedication to providing the very ...

It's Hurricane Season!!

If you are a diabetic living in Florida, it is important to be PREPARED ! Make sure you create an emergency kit that you can use in your own home or take with you if you must evacuate. It is important for your family members/friends to know where you store this kit as a storm approaches. You don’t want to wait until the last minute to obtain supplies or medications as they may not be readily ...