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Bright Star Health & Wellness, 163 N Main Street, North Brookfield, MA (2025)

11/05/2025

November is a new month and a new month brings new awareness to bring. First up in November is Diabetes Awareness Month. There are several different types of diabetes including type 1, type 2, gestational diabetes, and even prediabetes. In the previous post this week we talked about the different types of diabetes, today we will be discussing the symptoms and treatment of each type.

Type 1 Diabetes:
Symptoms of diabetes may include:
- feeling very hungry, even if eating
- feeling very thirsty
- weight loss, even with increased eating
- extreme fatigue
- blurry vision
- slow healing cuts and bruises
- urinating often
Early development of type 1 may not produce symptoms.
In children with type 1 often have the above symptoms but may also experience bed wetting if potty trained fully. It is important to remember even infant can develop type 1. Unfortunately diabetic children are not diagnosed sometimes until they are in diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), when there is such a lack of insulin in the body that high level acids (ketones) build up. DKA is an emergency and requires hospitalization.
Type 2 Diabetes:
Symptoms for type 2 are very similar to type 1 but may be more mild and therefor go unnoticed. Tingling, numbness, and/or pain in the hands and feet is another symptom of type 2. Treatments may include oral or injectable medications (including insulin), eating plans, and physical activity.
Gestational Diabetes:
The main goal is to keep the mothers blood glucose at a normal level, which may involve regular physical activity, daily blood glucose testing, insulin injections, and special meal plans. Early treatment helps prevent health issues for mom and baby. While it is treatable, untreated it can pose health risks to mom and baby.

Prediabetes:
Often has no symptoms and many do not know they even have it, however it is possible to have some symptoms and some complications. Small changes such as food choices and exercise can make a huge impact on delaying or preventing diabetes at all. Your health care team should make a personalized plan for you.

https://diabetes.org/about-diabetes/type-1
https://diabetes.org/about-diabetes/type-2
https://diabetes.org/living-with-diabetes/pregnancy/gestational-diabetes
https://diabetes.org/about-diabetes/prediabetes

11/03/2025

November is a new month and a new month brings new awareness to bring. First up in November is Diabetes Awareness Month. There are several different types of diabetes including type 1, type 2, gestational diabetes, and even prediabetes.

Type 1 Diabetes:
Is an autoimmune disease in which your immune system treats beta cells in the pancreas, which produce insulin (a hormone that helps blood glucose or blood sugar enter the body to eventually be used as energy), as an invader and destroys them by mistake. When enough of those beta cells are destroyed, the pancreas cannot produce insulin or makes too little to live. When glucose cannot enter the cells it builds in the blood stream causing high blood glucose (hyperglycemia). High blood glucose causes harm to the body overtime and can lead to other complications. Typically it is diagnosed in young people, however it can develop at any age. Researchers have no idea what triggers or can prevent type 1 diabetes.

Type 2 Diabetes:
The body does not properly use insulin, insulin resistance. It starts with beta cells making extra insulin to compensate, however overtime the pancreas cannot make enough insulin to keep a normal blood glucose level. It most often develops in middle-aged and older adults, however is rising in young people.

Gestational Diabetes:
Also known as GDM, occurs during pregnancy and affects up to 9% of pregnancies each year in the U.S. It does not mean you had diabetes before or will have it after pregnancy. The cause of DM is not clear however the hormones from a placenta, which supports baby's growth, sometimes can block the mother's insulin and cause insulin resistance making it harder to use insulin in the body and require more from the mother. When the body cannot produce enough insulin during pregnancy during pregnancy, glucose remains in the blood which leads to high blood sugar.

Prediabetes:
Before type 2 diabetes most people have prediabetes, where the blood sugar is above normal but not high enough to be considered diabetes. Prediabetes does not mean you will develop type 2.

https://diabetes.org/about-diabetes/type-1
https://diabetes.org/about-diabetes/type-2
https://diabetes.org/living-with-diabetes/pregnancy/gestational-diabetes
https://diabetes.org/about-diabetes/prediabetes

10/31/2025

Continuing to fishing October with Spina Bifida Awareness Month, our hope is to educate and bring awareness to this condition.

There is no certain way of preventing Spina Bifida or other neural tube defects, however you can greatly reduce your risk. It is advised to start taking folic acid supplements at least 1 month before becoming pregnant and continue through the first trimester of pregnancy.

Folic acid is essential in the early weeks of pregnancy to prevent neural tube defects. It is recommended people of child bearing age should take-in 400 mcg of folic acid a day. Foods high in folate or fortified folic acid are enriched bread, rice, some breakfast cereals, or pasta.

Adults planning to conceive should increase their daily intake of folic acid to up to 800mcg. Folate is not absorbed as easily as folic acid, therefor most people do not get enough folate from their diet alone. Folic acid vitamins are vital to lower the risk of Spina Bifida as well other conditions such as certain heart conditions, cleft lip, and cleft palate. Foods rich in folate or fortified with folic acid is present naturally in cow's milk, dark green veggies (broccoli & spinach), beans, peas, egg yolks, avocados, and citrus fruits & juices.

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/spina-bifida/symptoms-causes/syc-20377860

10/29/2025

Continuing to fishing October with Spina Bifida Awareness Month, our hope is to educate and bring awareness to this condition.
There is no known cause of Spina Bifida, however many think a combination of environment, nutrition, and genetic risk factors play a role in the cause. It is more common among Hispanic and white people, than other races. Female babies are also affected more than male babies.

Increased risk factors for Spina Bifida may include:
- A family history of neural tube defects; having one child with a neural tube defect slightly increases the risk of having another child with the same condition, and the risk increases every pregnancy. Also being born with a neural tube defect will increase the risk of giving birth to a child with a neural tube condition, however most are born to parents with no family history.
- Too little folate, Vitamin B9, can create a folate deficiency which increases the risk of Spina Bifida and other neural tube conditions. Folate is important to the babies development to be healthy; folic acid is the synthetic form often found in foods and supplements such as prenatal vitamins.
- Diabetes that is not well controlled before becoming pregnant
- Certain medications, such as anti-seizure medications, during pregnancy
- Obesity at the time of pregnancy
- Increased internal temperatures in early weeks of pregnancy, possibly from a fever, hot tub, or sauna

https://www.mayoclinic.org/.../symptoms-causes/syc-2037786

10/27/2025

To finish out October, we are bringing awareness to Spina Bifida.

Spina Bifida is a condition that is the result of an improperly formed spine and spinal cord. It is known as a neural tube defect, the neural tube being a structure in a developing embryo which later becomes the baby's brain, spinal cord, and tissues that enclose them. A typical neural tube is formed and closed by the 28th day after conception (that is barely 6 weeks pregnant), however babies with spina bifida have a portion of the neural tube that does not close entirely affecting the spinal cord and bones that make up the spine.

Spina Bifida occurs in several types and ranges from mild to resulting in serious disability.
- Spina Bifida Occulta is the most common and mild type resulting from a small separation or gap in one or more bones in the spine. Many who have this type do not even know they have it (occulta means hidden) and may be found during imaging for other reasons.
-Meningocele is a rare type of Spina Bifida which results in a sac of spinal fluid bulges through a spinal opening. It affects no nerves and there is no parts of the spinal cord in the sac. babies may have minor troubles with functioning, such as the bowels and bladder.
-Myelomeningocele is the most serious type, often known as open Spina Bifida, as the spinal canal is open along several vertebrae (bones of the spine) in the middle or lower back with parts of the spinal cord, including the spinal cord's protective covering and spinal nerves, push through this opening at birth, which form a sac on the baby's back. the spinal tissues and nerves usually are exposed making the baby prone to dangerous infections and bacteria. This type also may cause loss of movement in the legs and dysfunction of the bladder and bowel.

Complications of Spina Bifida are affected by the location and size of the spinal opening, exposed spinal nerves from the affected area, and if the skin covers the affected area. Many complications can be treated. Complications of Spina Bifida may include:
- improperly functioning nerves affecting walking and mobility
- orthopedic issues such as scoliosis, hip dislocation, joint and bone conditions, clubfoot, or muscle contractures
- uncontrollable bladder or bowels
- hydrocephalus (fluid build-up in the brain)
- shunt malformation from treatment of hydrocephalus
- Chiari malformation type 2, the brainstem becomes longer and is lower than usual in the spinal canal or area of the neck resulting in arm weakness and trouble with breathing and swallowing
- Meningitis
- tethered spinal cord
- sleep apnea in adults or children
- skin issues
- latex allergy
- UTIs
- GI conditions
- depression

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/spina-bifida/symptoms-causes/syc-20377860

10/24/2025

Doctor Bock spent the first half of the week in Las Vegas, Nevada at the HLTH Conference.
What is HLTH? HLTH is a major health-care innovation conference to discuss and create the future of healthcare by bringing together thousands of leaders across the health ecosystem.

Dr. Bock continues to advocate for other Nurse Practitioners.

10/19/2025

Since we went into expansive detail last year about Breast Cancer, this year we are encouraging mammograms and giving the quick facts to know in this post.

Can you guess what this weeks topic will be?

10/11/2025

The first accurate published description of a person with Down Syndrome was in 1866 by John Langdon Down, an English physician, and he was recognized as the "father" of the syndrome. It was identified as a chromosomal condition by French physician Jerome Lejeune when he observed 47 cells in an individual with Down Syndrome. Later it was discovered that an extra partial or entire copy of chromosome 21 resulted in the characteristics associated with Down syndrome. In 2000, an international team of scientists successfully identified and catalogued each of the approximately 329 genes on chromosome 21.

Every individual with Down Syndrome is unique and may or may-not posses characteristics that are typically associated with Down Syndrome such as:
- small stature
- low muscle tone
- upward slant of the eyes
- a single deep crease across the palm
- eye problems
- ear problems
- hip dysplasia
- small hands and feet

Though characteristics can differ, the increased risk of certain other medical conditions is the same for all individuals with Down Syndrome including:
- respiratory problems
- Alzheimer's disease
- childhood leukemia
- hearing problems
- thyroid conditions
- congenital heart defects

https://ndss.org/myths-truths
https://www.cdc.gov/birth-defects/about/down-syndrome.html
https://ndss.org/about

10/10/2025

Did you know there are actually 3 types of Down Syndrome?

1. Trisomy 21, or nondisjunction, is the most common type accounting for 95% of Down Syndrome Cases and occurs when an extra copy of the 21st chromosome is present in all cells of the body. It is typically caused by an error in cell division, or nondisjunction, resulting in 3 copies of chromosome 21, at or prior to conception.
2. Translocation, accounts for about 4% of Down Syndrome cases and occurs when part or all of chromosome 21 breaks off and attaches to another chromosome, most commonly chromosome 14.
3. Mosaicism, or Mosaic Down Syndrome, is the rarest kind of Down Syndrome accounting for 1% of cases and occurs when only some of the bodies cells have an extra copy of chromosome 21. It can happen when there is an error in cell division during early development in the womb. Research indicates those with Mosaicism may have fewer characteristics of Down Syndrome than those with the other types.

https://cmdss.org/parent-guide/about-down-syndrome/types-syndrome/ #:~:text=Are%20There%20Different%20Types%20of,other%20types%20of%20Down%20syndrome.
https://ndss.org/myths-truths

10/09/2025

Down Syndrome Awareness Month aims to promote the acceptance and inclusion of people with Down syndrome.

Down Syndrome is the result of a full or partial extra set of chromosome 21, which alters the course of development and causes the characteristics typically associated with Down Syndrome. It is the most common chromosomal condition affecting 1-in-775 or 5,000 babies per year in the US. Incidences of Down Syndrome increases with the age of the mother, however 51% of children with Down Syndrome are born to women under 35 due to higher fertility rates. It occurs in all economical levels and races. In 1983 the life expectancy for those with Down Syndrome was 25, today it is 60. Those with Down Syndrome can attend school, work, participate in making life choices that affect them, vote, contribute to society, and develop meaningful relationships. To lead a fulfilling and productive life with Down Syndrome it is important to provide a stimulating home environment, keep them in good health, receive positive support from those around them, and get a quality education through programs designed for those with Down Syndrome.

https://ndss.org/myths-truths

10/03/2025

When is it time to make a visit to the ER? Call 911 or a local ER if you experience any of the following:
- fever higher than 103
- confusion
- seizures
- little to no urine output
- severe muscle pain/weakness
- trouble breathing
- chest/stomach pain that doesn't go away
- bluish color to skin or lips
- dizziness that does not go away
- fever or cough that seems to improve then worsens
- stroke symptoms
- severe bleeding
- major trauma (broken bones, head injury, neck or spine injury)
- mental health crisis
- severe burns
- loss of consciousness
- allergic reactions
- symptoms of a heart attack

https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/symptoms/flu-like-symptoms
https://medlineplus.gov/ency/patientinstructions/000593.htm

10/02/2025

Sometimes it is hard to know the difference between a cold and the flu.

The flu, or influenza, is a viral respiratory infection that will present with symptoms abruptly such as:
- fever
- chills
- body aches
- cough
- headache
- sore throat
- stuffy/runny nose
- feeling very run down
-diarrhea
- vomiting
It is possible to experience "flu-like symptoms" without actually having the flu. Flu-like symptoms are also common with viruses such as RSV and COVID-19. The flue typically lasts 7-10 days but can linger longer. Is caused by influenza A or B viruses.

A cold, common respiratory viral infection, will gradually present with symptoms including:
- stuffy/runny nose
- sore throat
- sneezing
- cough
- mild fever
- body aches
- hoarseness
These symptoms can also be signs of other infections or viruses and may require further tests. A cold will typically last 7-10 days. It is caused by various viruses including coronaviruses and rhinoviruses.

It is important to see a primary health provider if you are experiencing (especially if pregnant, chronically ill, elderly, or a very young child):
- dehydration
- a high fever
- worsening cough
- trouble breathing
- symptoms that have no improved in 10 days
- bluish skin
- severe pain
- confusion
- trouble swallowing
- inability to keep fluids or food down

https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/symptoms/flu-like-symptoms
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/12342-common-cold
https://www.brownhealth.org/be-well/cold-and-flu-season-when-should-i-see-doctor #:~:text=Colds%20often%20come%20with%20a,and%20treated%20by%20a%20doctor.

Bright Star Health & Wellness

11/05/2025

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