SIKESTON - Chronic diabetes is the No. 1 cause of blindness and the No. 1 factor leading to a patient being placed on dialysis. It is also the leading reason for non-traumatic leg amputations due to nerve and vascular damage.
Committed to meeting the increased demand in the community for diabetes services, Missouri Delta Medical Center will open the Missouri Delta Endocrine and Diabetes Clinic on Feb. 1 at 1118 North Main.
The clinic, which begins taking appointments Monday, will be staffed by Dr. Muhannad Al-Kilani - one of only two endocrinologists located between St. Louis and Memphis.
Al-Kilani, a board-certified endocrinologist trained at the University of Missouri at Columbia, was recently recognized by the American Diabetes Association and National Committee for providing quality diabetes care, according to Charles Ancell, MDMC's CEO.
"I think we're fortunate to have somebody of this speciality available in Sikeston," said Ancell. "Especially given this region's higher prevalence of diabetes than elsewhere around the state."
Endocrinology is the science of the body's glands and the body-regulating hormones they secrete, according to Al-Kilani.
"The most common diseases of the endocrine systems are related to the pancreas," said Al-Kilani. The pancreas makes insulin which control the body's blood sugar levels. "Diabetes is the most common disorder that I deal with."
Al-Kilani estimated most endocrinologists spend at least half of their time dealing with diabetes. "Some it's even up to 80 percent of their practice," said Al-Kilani.
"It's the second most common chronic disease after hypertension," Al-Kilani said. "And it's growing exponentially - especially in the minority population."
Al-Kilani said diabetes creeps up on people - someone may have it for years before it causes complications.
Effectively treating diabetes often requires a "team effort" with the patient, their spouse and family, their primary care physician, an endocrinologist, a diabetes educator and a nutritionist all working together. "It's such a complex disease," said Al-Kilani.
Accordingly, Al-Kilani will continue to work closely with the Delta Diabetes Center at MDMC, which provides education and dietary guidelines for those suffering from diabetes, as he has for the last two years.
Al-Kilani said advancements continuously being made in medical research have resulted in a higher standard of care and better treatment. "Now we have tools to diagnose it and medicines to treat and even reverse partially some of the effects," he said. "That really impacts the quality of care for these patients."
The second most troublesome gland is the thyroid which secretes the hormone regulating metabolism, according to Al-Kilani. "The thyroid gland is like your thermostat at home. It needs to be set so you stay within an energy comfort zone."
Not enough thyroxin from the thyroid gland lowers metabolism to where the body's energy level is too low. Symptoms include feeling overly tired and fatigued, weight gain and higher cholesterol levels.
Although having too much energy may sound like it wouldn't be so bad, "it does happen," said Al-Kilani. "The body's machinery is overworked."
In addition to problems with weight loss and a feeling of restlessness, patients suffering from this condition - known as Graves Disease - can experience problems with their heart and weakened bones, among other complications.
Some people also experience an enlarged thyroid, known as a goiter, due to inflammation or rarely thyroid cancer.
Osteoporosis is another disease Al-Kilani sees a lot of as an endocrinologist. "Bone is an active organ," he said. "People think it's like a stone, but it's not."
Al-Kilani estimated the body replaces 20 to 30 percent of old bone tissue with new bone every year.
"Bone is under the influence of lots of hormones," said Al-Kilani - primarily the sex hormones, estrogen and testosterone, but also several others.
Especially at risk for osteoporosis are women after menopause. "One-fifth to one-third will experience bone fractures of some kind," said Al-Kilani.
Other less common gland disorders include problems with the pituitary and adrenal glands.