WHAT IS DIABETES?

 WHAT IS DIABETES? 

Diabetes is a lifelong condition in which there is a rise in blood sugar level or it becomes too high.

It is the condition in which food is not properly processed by the  body for use as energy. Our body uses energy from the food we eat when it converted into glucose or sugar. In our body there lies an organ near the stomach called Pancreas, makes a hormone called insulin to help glucose get into the cells of our bodies. If your body does not make enough  insulin or can't use its own insulin as well as it should. This causes a rise in sugar level by building up sugar in your blood and this refers to diabetes or a layman called as sugar.                                                                                                                                                           

Diabetes can cause serious health complications like heart diseases, kidney failure, blindness, lower extremity amputations, weight loss, loss of muscle bulk.

                    Diabetes is the seventh leading cause of death in the united states. 

Pre-diabetes 

Many more people have blood sugar levels above the normal range, but not high enough to be diagnosed as having diabetes. This is called as pre-diabetes. 

If someone has high blood sugar level means pre-diabetes, then the risk of developing full blown diabetes increases.

It's very important for diabetes to be diagnosed as early as possible, it will be life threatening it left untreated.

When to see a Doctor? 

 Following are the main symptoms of diabetes, if someone feels these then visit to your doctor.

• feeling very thirsty
• weight loss and loss of muscle bulk
• cuts or wound that heals slowly
• feeling very tired
• frequent urination, particularly at night 
• itching around the penis and vagina, or frequent episodes of thrush
• blurred vision
• excessive hunger 

Types of diabetes 

The most common types of diabetes are:

• Type 1 diabetes, also called as insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) 
• Type 2 diabetes, also called as non insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM)
• Gestational diabetes 

TYPE 1 DIABETES 

About 10% of all people with diabetes have type 1 diabetes.

 

Diabetes that can develop at any age, but most frequently  occurs in children and adolescents. In this insulin producing cells are destroyed and there is no production of insulin, thus is required from outside of the body in the form of insulin injections to maintain blood glucose level. People with diabetes mellitus type 1, if don't have access to insulin, they will die. 

The exact causes of this disease are yet unknown, but are linked to a combination of genetic and environmental conditions.

Symptoms of diabetes 1

• Abnormal thirst and dry mouth
• Sudden weight loss
• Frequent urination 
• Lack of energy and tiredness
• Constant hunger
• Blurred vision 
• Bedwetting

It is difficult to diagnose type 1 diabetes so additional test may be required to confirm.

Management of type 1 diabetes

People with diabetes type 1 require daily insulin treatment.

INSULIN 

All people with type 1 diabetes need insulin daily to maintain blood glucose level. There are different types of insulin depending on how they quickly work and how long they last. 

Types of Insulin 

• Rapid Acting

                                    It is usually taken just before or with a meal. These types of insulin act very fast and limit the rise in blood sugar, which follows eating. It is also necessary to avoid overdose to minimize Hypoglycemia. Rapid acting insulin include Asparat, Lispro, Glulisine.

• Short Acting

                                    It is usually taken before meal. These are also called regular or neutral insulin. These do not act as quickly as rapid acting insulins. Short acting insulin include Actrapid, Humulin R, Insuman rapid. 

• Intermediate Acting

                                   These are the insulins which are usually taken with short-acting insulin. It starts to act within the first hour of injecting, followed by a period of peak activity lasting up to 7 hours. These include Humulin NPH, Protaphane, Insulatrad. 

• Long Acting 

These are the insulins that are steadily released and can last in the body for about 24 hours. They are commonly taken in the morning or in the evening. These include Detemir, Glargine. 

Type 2 diabetes

It is the most common type of diabetes which accounts almost 90% of all diabetes cases.

It is insulin independent or insulin resistance, where the body does not fully respond to insulin. Because insulin does not work properly as blood sugar level keep rising and releasing more insulin. For some people with type 2 diabetes this can  eventually exhaust the pancreas, resulting in the body producing of less and less insulin causing even higher blood sugar level condition called hyperglycemia. 

It is most commonly diagnosed in older adults. But due to some factors like rising obesity, physical inactivity and poor diet, it is increasingly seen in children, adolescents and younger adults.

Risk factors 

There are several factors associated with type 2 diabetes and includes: 

• Family history of diabetes
• Unhealthy diet
• Physical inactivity
• Overweight or obesity 
• Increasing age 
• High blood pressure 
• Ethnicity
• Impaired glucose tolerance 
• Poor nutrition during pregnancy 
• History of gestational diabetes

Symptoms of type 2 diabetes 

Symptoms of type 1 and type 2 diabetes are similar: 

• Frequent urination 
• Polydypsia
• Polyfagia 
• Tiredness and lack of energy 
• Blurred vision
• Numbness or tingling in hands and feet
• Slow healing wounds

These symptoms may be mild or absent so people with type 2 diabetes can survive several years with the condition diagnosed.

Management of diabetes type 2 

Type 2 diabetes can be controlled by healthy lifestyle and healthy diet, daily physical activities  and exercise, avoid smoking, maintaining a healthy body weight.

WHY SALT CALLED AS SILENT KILLER?

                 WHY SALT CALLED AS SILENT KILLER?

The word silent killer means "a disease that has no obvious symptoms or indications".

The question arises " Is salt a silent killer?"

               Around the world, people consume too much salt. A study estimates that 1.65 million deaths a year are attributed to sodium intake.

New study finds that too much salt is a Global Killer.

People consume too much salt and that all salt can increase the risk of High Blood Pressure, Heart diseases and stroke.

Worldwide people can consume an average of 3950 milligrams of sodium a day, according to a new study published in the NEW ENGLAND JOURNAL OF MEDICINE. Daily there are regional differences in sodium intake which ranging from 2000 to 5500 milligrams a day. The global average intake of sodium is nearly double what the World Health Organization recommends.

The study concludes that 1.65 million deaths from cardiovascular diseases each year can be attributed to sodium consumption.

Yes, excessive salt intake cause high blood pressure, which leads to many other diseases like, heart disease, stroke, dementia, hypertension.

Heart disease which is the second leading cause of death in Canada,  in 2012, about 48000 lives were claimed by heart diseases and high blood pressure.

Due to high blood pressure there is pressure on the walls of vessels, high blood pressure due to increase sodium intake, which is the basic risk factor for heart diseases.

A certain amount  of salt or sodium is essential to health but consuming double or triple  the adequate amount increases risk factors for diseases. In fact, more than 85 percent of men and between 60 to 80 percent of women had sodium intake exceeding 2300 mg per day.

One study shows that excessive amount of salt intake cause the kidneys to retain water in the blood vessels and increase blood amount in the vessels which put pressure on the walls of arteries, increasing the risk of heart diseases.

Salt is Silent killer, it slowly kills you, so an adequate amount is the need to take daily not to exceed.

Knowledge is power, we like taste, but we need to put our health first. Try to avoid things which kill you slowly and gradually. 

              

                        Live Happy, stay healthy.

                         

WHAT IS STRESS MANAGEMENT?

How you can manage your stress 

Stress is one of the serious conditions that damage your health. These days it is hard not to get overwhelmed once in a while. Between juggling work you can become too stressed and you need to set time aside to unwind or your mental and physical health can suffer.

1-Acknowledge the stress

You know the saying that the first step to solving a problem is to recognize that you have one? Start dealing with stress by acknowledging that you are experiencing it. This may seem over simplified but it is an important first step.

Here are 10 ways to make it easier.

2-Relax your Muscles 

 When you are stressed, your muscles get tense and you need to loosen them to lower the stress and you can do this on your own and refresh your body by 

• Taking a hot bath or shower
• Good night's sleep 
• Stretching 
• Enjoying a massage 

3-Exercise 

One of the best ways to manage the most stressful life events to exercise. Exercise will improve your mood. But you have to do it often for being to pay off.

Set your goal of exercise for every week, so how much should you exercise every week? 

Do moderately intense exercise like brisk walk for an hour or 30 minutes or 75 minutes of a more vigorous exercise i.e., swimming or jogging or other sports.

 

Set your goals and don't give up soon you will feel relaxed.

 

4-Deep Breathing

Stooping and taking a few breaths can take the pressure off you right away. You will be surprised how much better you feel once you get good at it. Follow the following steps.

• Sit in a comfortable position with your hands in your lap and your feet on the floor.
• Then close your eyes.
• Imagine yourself in a relaxing place. It can be everywhere that gives you a peaceful feeling either on grass or on the floor.
• Slowly take breath in and out.
• Do it for 5 to 10 minutes at a time.

5-Eat a Healthy Diet 

 Eating a healthy and well balanced diet will help you feel better. It can also control your mood. Your meal should contain all types of energy sources like vegetables, fruits, whole grains and protein and don't miss anything that can affect your mood which in actually increase your stress.

 A healthy person is always happy.

 

6-Make Time for Hobbies

You need to set a timetable for you. You need to set aside time thing you enjoy. Always try to do things which make you happy and help relieve your stress. Relaxing hobbies include

• Playing a game such as golf
• Watching a movie 
• Doing puzzles
• Reading
• Gardening
• Music 
• Social network

7-Get Support

Chronic pain can be lonely, isolating condition. Too often even our loved ones don't understand  what we are going through. Support groups and online forums can make dealing with chronic pain easier, especially if stressful life events occur in addition to your daily pain.

 

8-Share Your Problems 

 You can talk about your problems with your family, brother, sister, doctor, therapist or a trusted person. And you can also talk to yourself. It is called self talk and we all do it. Sharing your problems will reduce your stress. It will also train you to take a right decision at a right time.

 

9-Slow Down And sleep

 Today the life is so busy and sometimes we need to slow down and check out. Have a look in your life and organize the things in a better way. Take appropriate sleep about6 to 8 hours and refresh your mind.

 

10-Eliminate Your Triggers 

Figure out what are the biggest causes of your stress in your life. Is it your job, your commute, your schoolwork, your study or anything else. If you are able to figure out, then you can reduce your stress and live a happy life.

WHAT IS STRESS?

 WHAT IS STRESS?

 Stress can be defined as any type of change that causes physical, emotional, or psychological strain. Stress is your body's response to anything that requires attention or action.

Stress can be of any type either acute stressor chronic stress. These describe the difference between the little stresses that we experience on daily basis and the more severe stress builds hen you exposed to stressful situation  for longer period.  

Everyone experience stress to some degree the way you respond to stress however, make a big difference to over wellbeing.

The lower brain structure secretes a stress hormone. The stress hormone signals the adrenal glands to secrete adrenaline.  This causes the muscles to tense, the heart to beat faster and the liver to send out sugar to be used in the muscles.

 Signs of stress

STRESS can be short term or long term. Both can lead to variety of signs and symptoms. Some common signs include.

• Change in mood 
• Clammy and sweaty palms 
• Decreased sex derive 
• Diarrhea
• Difficulty sleeping 
• Digestive problems
• Dizziness
• Feeling anxious 
• Frequent sickness
• Grinding teeth 
• Headaches
• Low energy
• Muscle lesion, especially in the neck and shoulders
• Physical aches and pain
• Racing heart beat 
• Trembling 

It is not easy to recognize stress. There are few thing you can watch for.

 

Physiological signs

• difficulty in concentrating 
• worrying 
• anxiety 

Emotional signs 

• angry
• irritated 
• moody or frustrated 

Physical signs 

• high blood pressure
• changes in weight 
• infections 
• changes in menstrual cycle and libido   

Behavioral  signs 

• poor self care
• no time for enjoy 
• relaying on drug
• alcohol cope

                                                

Factors Moderating the Impact of Stress

• Social support 

- Increased immune functioning 

• Optimism 

- More adaptive coping 

- Pessimistic explanatory style 

• Conscientiousness

- Fostering better health habbits

• Autonomic reactivity

- Cardiovascular reactivity to stress

TYPES OF EVENTS CAUSED BY MOST STRESSFULL CONDITIONS 

• Chronic pain, such as lower back pain and neck pain 
• OBESITY it is also the leading cause of many other diseases. Excess level of cortisol, that floods our body during stress, causes fatty deposition around the mid section when the stress becomes chronic.
• DIABETES stress raises the glucose levels of those with type 2 diabetes directly.
• Stress increases the chances of developing anxiety and depression by as much as 80%.
• Stress leads to gastrointestinal disorders like stomach pain. GERD and IBS.
• STRESS  accelerating the aging.

Stress is an illness which cause disasters in your body. In conclusion stress is one of the major cause of health destructions and unhappy life. So try to live happy and make such events in life which reduce your stress.

 

KEEP PEOPLE HEALTHY RATHER THAN WAIT TO TREAT THEM WHEN THEY BECOME ILL.

 

 

                                        LIVE HAPPY STAY HEALTHY.