Archive for September 2017

GLUCOSE LEVELS MONITORING

It is important to keep your diabetes record and do everything to regulate your blood glucose levels.

However, it is equally important to ensure that you do not end up dealing with two problems – hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia.

Hypoglycemia (low blood glucose) +                         is actually an insulin reaction and can happen when you are on insulin or taking oral medications.

Hyperglycemia refers to high blood glucose (-)       which can affect you when you have diabetes, either non-insulin-dependent or insulin-dependent.

To prevent these issues, you need to know the symptoms of these two conditions.

Symptoms of Hyperglycemia and Hypoglycemia
Both high and low blood sugar levels will cause certain symptoms.

Just by developing a better understanding of those symptoms, you can tell if your blood sugar levels are really low or on the higher side.

1. Symptoms of Hyperglycemia +

It is important to seek medical attention to help treat hyperglycemia or else it may lead to serious complications, including Hyperosmolar Hyperglycemic Nonketotic Syndrome (HHNS) and diabetic ketoacidosis. Both conditions may cause certain symptoms, such as the following:

Early Symptoms;
Excessive thirst
Concentration problem
Severe headaches
Frequent urination
Blurred vision
Weight loss
Chronic fatigue
Blood sugar higher than 180 mg/dL
Vision problems

Advanced Symptoms:                                             Skin and vaginal infections
Slow-healing of wounds and cuts
Nerve damage
Loss of hair on the lower extremities
Damage to your blood vessels, eyes, or kidneys
Stomach problems
Intestinal issues

When to See a Doctor
You should seek immediate medical assistance if:
▪ You feel sick and find it impossible to keep fluids and food down.
▪ Your blood sugar levels stay higher than 240 mg/dL and you experience symptoms of ketoacidosis.

Call your doctor and make an appointment if:

▪ You have vomiting or diarrhea.
▪ Your blood glucose levels are above 240 mg/dL even after taking diabetes medication.
▪ You have a fever that does not go away after 24 hours.

2. Symptoms of Hypoglycemia –
A change in your energy level is among the most common symptoms of hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia. In hypoglycemia, your blood glucose levels are too low, so you are going to experience fatigue and other symptoms too.

When to See a Doctor
You should talk to your doctor if:
▪ You have some symptoms of hypoglycemia when you do not have diabetes.
▪ You have diabetes and your hypoglycemia symptoms do not improve with treatment.

You need emergency help if:
▪ You have diabetes, lose consciousness, or have a history of hypoglycemia symptoms.
Treatments for Hyperglycemia and Hypoglycemia

Knowledge about the basic symptoms of hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia helps you seek treatment in a timely manner.

 

Here are some of the most common

treatment options for both the conditions:

1. Treatments for Hyperglycemia +
You can try some home remedies to keep things under control but severe hyperglycemia requires emergency help.
Home Treatment
▪ Have an active lifestyle and exercise regularly to control blood sugar. Do not exercise in case you have ketones in your urine.
▪ Take all your medications as prescribed by your doctor.
▪ Always follow a strict eating plan to control your diabetes. Avoid sugary beverages and eat less to get good results.
▪ Monitor your blood sugar levels and check frequently to deal with hyperglycemia.
▪ Work with your doctor to adjust your insulin dose to control your symptoms.

Emergency Treatment
You may need emergency treatment in case you experience any symptoms of HHNS or diabetic ketoacidosis.

HHNS
Symptoms
Blood sugar higher than 600 mg/dL
Severe thirst
Dry mouth
Fatigue
Excessive urination
Pain in the abdomen
Vomiting and nausea
Rapid breathing
Fruity breath

Diabetic Ketoacidosis.                                         Blood sugar higher than 250 mg/dL
Thirst that may gradually disappear
Parched mouth
Dry skin
Sleep problems
Hallucinations
Fever higher than 101 Fahrenheit
Confusion
Weakness that affects one side of the body

You treatment may include the following:
▪ You will receive fluids intravenously or orally to help stay hydrated. You need fluid replacement when you have lost it through excessive urination.
▪ You may receive electrolytes to ensure your tissues keep functioning properly. A lack of insulin may require electrolyte replacement through veins.
▪ You may need insulin therapy to help reverse the process that leads to the formation of ketones in your blood.

2. Treatments for Hypoglycemia –

Early Symptoms
Pale skin
Fatigue
Fast heartbeat
Anxiety
Shakiness
Irritability
Hunger
Tingling feeling around the mouth

Advanced Symptoms                                      Seizures
Blurred vision and other visual disturbances
Loss of consciousness
Abnormal behavior or confusion
Now you know the symptoms of hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia, so when symptoms of hypoglycemia occur, be sure to monitor your blood sugar levels properly and use a blood glucose meter for quick results.

If it is too low, drink something that contains carbs or sugar.

Eating certain foods may help push your blood sugar level up quickly.

For instance, you can consume:

▪ Five pieces of hard candy

▪ About 4 oz. of fruit juice or regular soda (not diet)
▪ A tablespoon of jelly, sugar, or honey
▪ A serving of glucose gel
▪ Three glucose tablets

If you have recurring symptoms of hypoglycemia, it is a good idea to always keep one sugar item with you wherever you go. You can eat it to help improve your condition.

Be sure to check your blood sugar about 15 minutes after eating something sugary and sweet.

Eat something else if your blood sugar is still too low.

Treatment for Difficult-to-Manage Hypoglycemia
Even after adjusting medications, many people may still experience frequent and severe hypoglycemia. If that is the case, your doctor may prescribe a hormone called glucagon that helps your blood sugar levels to rise.
You can get glucagon only by prescription.

It is available in an emergency syringe kit which includes one dose that you need to mix before injecting.

Be sure to store it at room temperature only and do not use it if it has expired.

Keep in mind that if someone becomes unconscious and does not respond in 15 minutes of taking the injection, it is important to seek medical help immediately.

LONGEVITY IN JAPAN

Japanese Live Longer Than Any Other People On Earth

It’s no secret that the people of the land of the rising sun tend to outlive pretty much everyone else.

For years, people in the West have been looking at the Japanese and scratching their heads, witnessing as Japan rose from having one of the lowest life expectancies post-WWII, to topping the charts globally.
What gives? Although there are no definite answers, years of scientific research and anecdotal evidence have revealed some answers — and tips for the rest of us.

1. Eat a lot of vegetables.
Traditionally, the Japanese eat lots of rice, veg and fish — generally in that order — and Japan’s infatuation with fermented soy and seaweed means they have no lack of vitamins, minerals, and beneficial phytochemicals.

Unfortunately, from the 19th century onward, there has been an increase in unhealthy Western habits — breaded and battered meats and more recently, white bread, refined sugars, and copious amounts of sweets.

2. Cook food differently.

Tempura, tonkatsu and croquettes notwithstanding, Japanese food involves a lot of steaming, pan-grilling, broiling, stir-frying, slow-cooking, and fermenting.

They also have a habit of making at least one bowl of soup and usually they prepare small dishes.

It helps when they couple their veg and fish intake with lots of fiber from beans, rice, and often beans and rice.

3. Drink a lot of tea.
While coffee isn’t necessarily bad, there’s a huge tea drinking culture in Japan — and good quality Japanese tea contains far more antioxidants than coffee.

This is especially true for Japan’s tea-time specialty: matcha, (green tea) which is a fine (and often expensive) powdered tea made of young leaves grown specifically to increase their chlorophyll and antioxidant content by depriving them of sunlight.

4. The fresh food
It’s seriously, seriously fresh. And seasonal.

Being a relatively small archipelago with a large amount of arable land, there isn’t much need for food to travel very far before it enters people’s mouths, and that can be said for Japan’s veg as much as it can be said for its fish and grain.

In Japanese markets, food isn’t dated by the day — it’s dated by the half-hour.
5. Have got smaller plates.
Portion control is a traditional part of Japanese cuisine. Etiquette is a huge part of Japanese living, and part of that is the careful use of chopsticks, the practice of eating from a small plate or rice bowl, only garnishing food lightly, serving each item on its own little dish, never completely filling a plate or serving large portions.

In Okinawa, the locals attribute part of their longevity to the saying: hara hachi bu, meaning “eat until you are 80% full”.

6. Walk, stand, and squat more. Part of daily Japanese life is the great commute — getting up, heading to the station, waiting for the train, standing in the train, walking from the next station to work, and getting on with life.

Public transport is the norm in Japan.

People jump on bikes and hop on trains — a car is considered a luxury.

Many employees, such as those at Canon, work standing up.

Even going to the bathroom is different in Japan. While there are a lot of Western-style toilets available, old-school Japanese lavatories involve squatting, which is healthier for the bowels.

7. Have got morning exercise — on the radio.
Called rajio taiso, Japan literally has on-the-air exercise routines that are completed in massive groups every morning.

The majority of Japanese partake, and there are several degrees of difficulty for different people.
Originally a (now defunct) MetLife, Inc. product straight out of Massachusetts, visiting Japanese employees of the Ministry of Communications and Transportation brought radio calisthenics to Japan in the 1920s.

The benefits are obvious — an increased level of athleticism, alertness and energy, alongside better flexibility and focus at the workplace and in school.
8. Have got universal healthcare.
Since the 1960s, Japan has had a mandatory healthcare system that gobbles up only 8% of the GDP (less than half of what America pays for its current system) while keeping people very much healthy.

The average Japanese person visits their doctor over a dozen times a year for check-ups, four times as much as in the States.
9. Spend more time outside.
In addition to walking practically everywhere, it’s a Japanese custom to eat out with friends rather than invite them in.

Japanese living spaces are modest, while restaurant prices are relatively cheap — so socializing outside is a regular occurrence.

While the effect of hanging out with people hasn’t been tested on Japanese longevity, social coherence and friendships are important for emotional health.

10.Focus on cleanliness.
The Japanese are obsessed with cleanliness, and it’s for the better.

Their cultural methods are largely based on the centuries-old traditions of Shintoism, a large part of which is the concept of purification.

In Japan, it’s not uncommon to bathe twice a day in the summer.

Communal baths are a regular thing, and the guidelines and rules within them are strict.

IMMUNE BOOSTER – ICED WATER FEET SPA

If you find yourself constantly suffering from the flu or any colds, then that just means one thing: you immune system is weak and needs a serious boosting.
Everyone has had a weakened immune system at some point or another, but some people seem to constantly have a low immunity.

That’s why they need a way to strengthen it in order to prevent any other health-related complications.
A famous Russian doctor by the name of Sergey Bubnovkiy, one can easily boost their immune system by using a very simple trick: soaking your feet in ice-cold water!  It doesn’t have to be for long, merely 10-15 seconds a day will get the job done.
Dr. Bubnovkiy also claims that such a method will also prevent any colds or flu from knocking on your door.

All you need to do is fill a basin you have at home with cold water, and add as much ice as you can gather from your freezer. The more ice you add in the basin, the better.
Your next step should be clear – just place your feet in the basin and keep them there for a total of 10 to 15 seconds.
For best results, you should do this every night before going to bed.  But if you feel your immune system is super weak, you can repeat this every four hours.

The University of Virginia had conducted a recent study in which they discovered that icy water can stimulate the production of norepinephrine.

This is a natural hormone, and it plays a very important role in strengthening the immune system.

And That’s Not All
There are other health benefits this water offers, such as:
• Eases sore muscles – soaking your feet in a basin full of icy water reduces any pain in your muscles.
• Can fight depression – this is due to the cold receptors affecting your skin, which means submerging your feet in icy water will improve your mood and lower any depression symptoms.
• Helps improve skin health – this ice water therapy can prevent blood clotting, tighten the cuticles and pores and even energize the skin.
• Shinier Hair – icy water can close the hair follicles and thus give your hair more smoothness and shininess.

There you have it.

In order to enjoy the multiple benefits, you should definitely make this an everyday routine! Stay Healthy.
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Coronary Heart Disease (CHD)

Saturated fat does not clog the arteries: coronary heart disease is a chronic inflammatory condition, the risk of which can be effectively reduced from healthy lifestyle interventions.
Coronary artery disease pathogenesis and treatment urgently requires a paradigm shift.
Despite popular belief among doctors and the public, the conceptual model of dietary saturated fat clogging a pipe is just plain wrong.
A landmark systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies showed no association between saturated fat consumption and all-cause mortality, coronary heart disease (CHD),
CHD mortality, ischaemic stroke or type 2 diabetes in healthy adults.

Similarly in the secondary prevention of CHD there is no benefit from reduced fat, including saturated fat, on myocardial infarction, cardiovascular or all-cause mortality.
It is instructive to note that in an angiographic study of postmenopausal women with CHD, greater intake of saturated fat was associated with less progression of atherosclerosis whereas carbohydrate and polyunsaturated fat intake were associated with greater progression.
Preventing the development of atherosclerosis is important but it is atherothrombosis that is the real killer.
The inflammatory processes that contribute to cholesterol deposition within the artery wall and subsequent plaque formation (atherosclerosis), more closely resembles a ‘pimple’ (figure 1).

 

Most cardiac events occur at sites with <70% coronary artery obstruction and these do not generate ischaemia on stress testing.

When plaques rupture (analogous to a pimple bursting), coronary thrombosis and myocardial infarction can occur within minutes.
The limitation of the current plumbing approach (‘unclogging a pipe’) to the management of coronary disease is revealed by a series of randomised controlled trials (RCTs) which prove that stenting significantly obstructive stable lesions fail to prevent myocardial infarction or to reduce mortality.

 

  Dietary RCTs with outcome benefit in primary and secondary prevention.

 

In comparison with advice to follow a ‘low fat’ diet (37% fat), an energy-unrestricted Mediterranean diet (41% fat) supplemented with at least four tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil or a handful of nuts (PREDIMED) achieved a significant 30% (number needed to treat (NNT)=61) reduction in cardiovascular events in over 7500 high-risk patients.
Furthermore, the Lyon Heart study showed that adopting a Mediterranean diet in secondary prevention improved hard outcomes for both recurrent myocardial infarction (NNT=18) and all-cause mortality (NNT=30), despite there being no significant difference in plasma low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol between the two groups.
Thank It is the alpha linoleic acid, polyphenols and omega-3 fatty acids present in nuts, extra virgin olive oil, vegetables and oily fish that rapidly attenuate inflammation and coronary thrombosis.
Both control diets in these studies were relatively healthy, which make it highly likely that even larger benefits would be observed if the Mediterranean diets discussed above were compared with a typical western diet.
LDL cholesterol risk has been exaggerated
Decades of emphasis on the primacy of lowering plasma cholesterol, as if this was an end in itself and driving a market of ‘proven to lower cholesterol’ and ‘low-fat’ foods and medications, has been misguided. Selective reporting may partly explain this misconception.
Reanalysis of unpublished data from the Sydney Diet Heart Study and the Minnesota coronary experiment reveal replacing saturated fat with linoleic acid containing vegetable oils increased mortality risk despite significant reductions in LDL and total cholesterol (TC).
A high TC to high-density lipoprotein (HDL) ratio is the best predictor of cardiovascular risk (hence this calculation, not LDL, is used in recognised cardiovascular risk calculators such as that from Framingham).
A high TC to HDL ratio is also a surrogate marker for insulin resistance (ie, chronically elevated serum insulin at the root of heart disease, type 2 diabetes and obesity). And in those over 60 years, a recent systematic review concluded that LDL cholesterol is not associated with cardiovascular disease and is inversely associated with all-cause mortality.
A high TC to HDL ratio drops rapidly with dietary changes such as replacing refined carbohydrates with healthy high fat foods.
A simple way to combat insulin resistance (chronically high levels of serum insulin) and inflammation.
Compared with physically inactive individuals, those who walk briskly at or above 150 min/week can increase life expectancy by 3.4–4.5 years independent of body weight.
Regular brisk walking may also be more effective than running in preventing coronary disease. And just 30 min of moderate activity a day more than three times/week significantly improves insulin sensitivity and helps reverse insulin resistance (ie, lowers the chronically elevated levels of insulin that are associated with obesity) within months in sedentary middle-aged adults.
This occurs independent of weight loss and suggests even a little activity goes a long way.
Another risk factor for CHD is environmental stress. Childhood trauma can lead to an average decrease in life expectancy of 20 years.
Chronic stress increases glucocorticoid receptor resistance, which results in failure to down regulate the inflammatory response.
Combining a complete lifestyle approach of a healthful diet, regular movement and stress reduction will improve quality of life, reduce cardiovascular and all-cause mortality.
It is time to shift the public health message in the prevention and treatment of coronary artery disease away from measuring serum lipids and reducing dietary saturated fat. Coronary artery disease is a chronic inflammatory disease and it can be reduced effectively by walking 22 min a day and eating real food.

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