A blood glucose test is required to measure the amount of glucose (sugar) present in the blood. This is an important aspect of diabetes care since the disease essentially hampers the proper absorption of blood sugar by the body. Let’s look at some of the fundamental aspects of a blood sugar test: Blood glucose Glucose is a simple form of sugar that is present in blood in the form of blood sugar. It is a vital source of energy in microorganisms like bacteria, plants and animals as well as in humans, in different forms. In humans, it enables the working of all the major organs like the brain, heart, liver, kidneys, etc. by providing them with the necessary fuel. Glucose is essential for the functioning of the brain and lower than normal glucose level affects the mental and psychological functions. It can also be stored in the body to be used when required. Sources of glucose Energy is released by the conversion of carbohydrates in our food into glucose. However, our food is a combination of proteins, carbohydrates, and fats. All the carbohydrates we consume are immediately released into the bloodstream. Some of the proteins are converted into glucose and is stored in the liver for use later. Only very a very small quantity (less than 10%) of fats are converted into glucose and they are absorbed very slowly into the bloodstream. However, a diet high in fats results in the slower conversion of carbohydrates into glucose. That’s why many people who eat a high-fat diet may find their blood sugar levels spiking after several hours. Why is high blood sugar harmful? While glucose is vital for energy, hyperglycemia (excessive levels of blood glucose) or long-term presence of excess sugar in the blood can cause serious damage throughout the body.

The primary goal of neuropathy treatment is to address the condition that causes neuropathy. With neuropathy medications, you can effectively get relief from the discomforting symptoms associated with neuropathy. Lab tests are conducted to identify the underlying condition. When your lab tests do not suggest an underlying condition, the doctor might advise you to watch the symptoms closely to find out whether your neuropathy improves or not. Your doctor may also suggest some neuropathy medications depending on your condition. Learn about the most popular neuropathy medications When it comes to the neuropathy medications, there are certain ones which are used for treating conditions connected with neuropathy and utilized to bring relief to the signs and symptoms as well. Pain relievers are the most common medications, and you can also find over-the-counter neuropathy medications such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). They are capable of relieving mild symptoms and painkillers are necessary when it comes to treating more severe symptoms. Opioids neuropathy medications Doctors sometimes prescribe Tramadol Opioids such as Conzip and Ultram, or you can also find oxycodone medications such as Oxycontin and Roxicodone for treating the symptoms of neuropathy. One of the disadvantages of these medications is their dependency and addictive nature. Doctors prescribe these options only when other treatment options fail to deliver results. Anti-seizure neuropathy medications Pregabalin and Gabapentin are some of the popular anti-seizure medications developed to address epilepsy, and they can be used to reduce nerve pain associated with neuropathy. The most common side effects are dizziness and drowsiness. Topical treatments for neuropathy If you are suffering from peripheral neuropathy, you can use capsaicin cream that contains an ingredient usually found in hot peppers, and this cream offers good results. When you are dealing with irritation and skin burn, you can apply this product to reduce these symptoms.

Congestive heart failure is a chronic heart problem which affects the pumping ability of the heart muscles. The heart fails to pump efficiently which causes heart failure. Congestive heart failure is high-risk and a life-threatening problem. Treatments for congestive heart failure work wonders to help people struggling with it. What is congestive heart failure? The human heart has four chambers, with the upper chambers known as atria and the lower chambers are known as ventricles. Blood is pumped to different body parts through the ventricles. The atria receive impure blood from the body. Congestive heart failure can be defined as the stage when the fluid accumulates around the heart. The fluid disables the ventricles to pump enough blood to the body. What are the different types of congestive heart failure? The left-sided congestive heart failure occurs when the left ventricle fails to pump blood effectively. Fluid can build up in the lungs and cause difficulty in breathing. Left-sided congestive heart failure is of two types: Systolic heart failure: The contraction of the left ventricle results in the improper pushing of blood for circulation due to the lack of force thus making pumping inefficient. Diastolic failure: The stiffness in the left ventricles doesn’t allow the muscles to relax. In this condition, the heart fails to pump the required level of blood. Right-sided congestive heart failure, however, occurs when the right ventricle pumps blood to the lungs inefficiently. Blood accumulates in the blood vessels and results in fluid retention. The congestive heart failure has four different stages: Class I, Class II, Class III, and Class IV. What are the common symptoms experienced in the different stages of congestive heart failure? Class I: No specific symptoms (although one tends to feel tired quickly). Class II: Shortness of breath and palpitations during physical activities.

Narcolepsy is a neurological disorder in humans. It is a disorder that makes a person lose his or her control over sleep and wakefulness. Many people suffer from excessive sleepiness during the daytime. This is a common symptom of narcolepsy. The sleepiness can be at any time during the day, devoid of any environmental factors such as place, time, or activity. This sudden attack of sleepiness compels the person to drift off to sleep at odd intervals. The actual cause of narcolepsy is not known to health professionals, though studies in the field are still in progress. Difference between normal sleep and narcolepsy sleepiness Sleep is normally associated with night-time, with maybe 1 or 2 short naps during the daytime. The human sleep cycle involves various phases and levels. One does not slumber into a deep sleep the minute he or she closes their eyes. Studies show that a normal person takes approximately 90 minutes after falling asleep to enter a phase of deep sleep. Clinically, this phase of the sleep cycle is termed as Rapid Eye Movement or REM. This is the phase of sleep in which we have dreams. One does not wake up during this time. A patient with narcolepsy enters the REM phase almost immediately after falling asleep. This sleep need not take place during the night but can happen anytime during the day and any number of times. This abnormal and untimely sleep pattern often disrupts the person’s regular sleep cycle resulting in disrupted or sleeplessness during the night. Narcolepsy decreases the overall quality of a person’s sleeping pattern. Causes of narcolepsy The actual cause of narcolepsy is yet to be pinpointed upon by health experts. Researchers and health practitioners are still conducting studies to find out the exact causes of narcolepsy and understand why some people tend to suffer from untimely daytime sleep.

Pain in the pelvic region, which lasts over six months, is considered to be chronic. One of the common causes of chronic pelvic pain in women is endometriosis. Approximately 50% of women experiencing chronic pelvic pain may be suffering from endometriosis. Chronic pain in the pelvic area is a major warning for endometriosis. However, the extent and duration of chronic endometriosis pain are not dependent on the severity of the disorder. You could face severe endometriosis with little to no pain, or even milder endometriosis with agonizing pain. So remember that the severity of chronic endometriosis pain does not indicate the degree or stage of the condition. What is Endometriosis? When the thin layer of tissue in the uterus called the endometrium grows outside its normal location, it’s called endometriosis. This tissue grows inside the uterus and flushes away in the course of a normal menstrual cycle. Endometriosis leads to lesions in the affected areas. Endometriosis lesions appear as spots and can cause pain and discomfort. 13 Common Symptoms of Endometriosis Women who have experienced or are currently experiencing chronic endometriosis pain usually display the following symptoms: Abdominal pain Painful menstruation or primary dysmenorrhea Menstrual cramps in the lower back or secondary dysmenorrhea Discomfort accompanied by irritable bowel movement Infertility Dragging upper leg pain Pain during sexual intercourse Psychological trauma Severe headaches or migraines Fatigue and joint pain Prolonged or heavy menstrual bleeding (menorrhagia) Pain resulting from side effects of medicines and treatment Even with no symptoms, you must get regular medical examinations done. This will allow your gynecologist to monitor any genomic changes, especially if you have more than one symptom of endometriosis. Endometrioma or Chocolate Cysts In the Ovary Women affected with acute endometriosis are likely to have an Endometrioma. These are also described as chocolate cysts. The cyst comprises of a dense brown fluid and a thick wall.

Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is a form of arthritis that can affect your mobility and your lifestyle. This autoimmune disorder begins with little signs that progress rapidly. It is essential to detect the early warning Rheumatoid arthritis signs and consult your doctor as soon as possible. Rheumatoid Arthritis RA is an autoimmune disorder which occurs when the body’s defense mechanism—the immune system starts to malfunction. The immune system, which is supposed to defend the body against foreign organisms, turns against the body itself. It begins to see certain healthy body cells and tissues as invasive substances and begins to destroy them. In Rheumatoid arthritis, the problem begins when the immune system begins to attack the synovium. The synovium is a lining of soft tissue, which protects the joints, bursae, and tendon sheaths. The synovial membrane covers the entire inner surface of the joints, except where the cartridge provides a lining. In RA, the immune system perceives the synovial cells as an enemy and initiates inflammation in these tissues. This results in inflammation of the joints, redness, tenderness, and pain. The synovium thickens and eventually, affects the surrounding bones and cartilage, destroying them too. As the condition progresses, the strain put on the ligaments and tendons weakens them. They stretch and bend, and the joints also become misaligned and deformed. Rheumatoid arthritis affects the patients in bouts. There are periods when the disease is very much obvious with pain, swelling, and stiffness. These active periods are called flares. Then the disease enters a period of quiet inactivity when there is no obvious swelling, and there is less pain, and discomfort. This period is known as remissions. Rheumatoid Arthritis Signs You can detect several early signs of the disease. Though many of these are common to other forms of arthritis, and other diseases, if you detect the Rheumatoid arthritis signs, go for a medical checkup at once.

If the changing seasons make you sneeze your head off, instead of putting a spring in your step, you might have a pollen allergy. Pollen allergies or hay fever is an allergic reaction to the pollen released by plants. Pollen is a fine powder released by plants during their reproductive cycles. Pollen is fine enough to travel through the air, which helps plants to reproduce. However, the protein in the pollen can be easily inhaled or ingested via the nose, mouth, ears, or eyes which can trigger an allergic reaction in some people. Approximately 30% of adults have some level of pollen allergy. Pollen is not only released by flowering plants but also by grass, trees, and weeds. Flower pollen allergies are more common in spring. Grass pollen allergies are more common in summer, and in autumn, pollen allergies from weeds are predominant. This makes pollen allergies a year-round ordeal for some people, that can be quite uncomfortable and impedes their daily lives. Pollen allergy signs and symptoms If you have a pollen sensitivity, every time you breathe in or come in contact with pollen, you might notice pollen allergy signs such as: Sneezing Itching Redness of the eyes A runny nose Coughing Watering eyes Difficulty breathing Pollen allergy signs can also include worsening of asthma and other respiratory conditions in people who are predisposed. Allergens such as pollen, trigger an immune response in the body. The immune system releases a chemical called Histamine, that works to eliminate this allergen, which is perceived as a threat to the body. Histamine causes the blood vessels to dilate which produces pollen allergy signs such as sneezing, runny nose, and redness of the nose and eyes. The nasal blood vessels also expand which can cause nasal congestion and sinus infections. Conversely, the veins of the face constrict in response to histamine, which causes characteristic pollen allergy signs called ‘allergic shiners’ like dark circles under the eyes.

Autism is a complex neurological and developmental disorder that can affect socialization and range in severity from person to person. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), one in 44 children is on the autistic spectrum today. While there is no explained cause for autism yet, experts generally believe that it results from environmental and genetic factors, such as premature birth, low birth weight, delivery complications, geriatric pregnancies, etc. Developmental milestones in children To be able to recognize the early warning signs of autism in children, it is important to know the important developmental milestones they need to achieve by a certain age. According to the CDC, these are the milestones that most children between the age of six months to four years tend to achieve: By 6 months, children generally begin to respond to their own name, respond to people’s emotions, and often seem happy, copy sounds, and enjoy playing with others, especially their parents. By the time children are 12 months old, they are generally able to use simple gestures such as shaking their head “no” or waving at others, saying simple words like “mama” and “dada,” playing games like peek-a-boo, and responding to simple spoken requests. By the age of 18 months, most children can point at objects to show others something interesting, enjoy handing things to others as play, say several single words, and play simple pretend games such as feeding a doll. When a child reaches 2 years of age, most children can say sentences with two to four words, follow simple instructions, get excited around other children, and point to things and pictures when they are named. Three-year-old children generally can show affection for friends and family without prompting, carry on conversations using two to three sentences, copy adults and friends, and play make-believe with dolls, people, and animals (scenarios such as tea parties, doctor’s office, etc.) By the age of four, children generally begin to start telling stories, prefer to play with their friends (instead of playing alone), and learn how to cooperate with other children.

Prostate cancer is a dangerous health condition in which the cells in a person’s prostate grow unnaturally, aggressively, and out of control. Like other malignancies, prostate cancer can assume life-threatening proportions if not diagnosed and addressed in its initial stages. However, healthcare professionals can treat the condition successfully if a person pays attention to the warning signs of the condition. Some of the leading indicators of prostate cancer are discussed below. Urinating difficulties Prostate cancer affects a person’s urination and the organs contributing to the process. So, people with this condition tend to have weakened or slow urine flow. Moreover, individuals with this condition also experience pain in the lower abdomen and urethra while urinating. Other issues, such as an excessive urge to urinate and a lack of control over how the urine flows, are common problems people face in all stages of prostate cancer. If people face pain while urinating or any other difficulty, they must immediately consult a doctor or oncologist for a cancer screening test. Frequent urination Besides pain during urination, prostate cancer patients might also experience irregular urination patterns in all stages of the condition. As the cells grow out of control into tumors, the adjacent cells and tissues soon start feeling the strain. Eventually, the aggressive cell growth grows into a toxin-filled tumor within the prostate of men with this condition. This tumor tends to put extreme pressure on the bladder and urethra of the individuals. Combined with all these factors, one of the earliest signs of prostate cancer is the frequent and urgent need to urinate. The frequency of such urges can get alarming, with a person feeling a urinating sensation multiple times per hour. Muscle loss without trying All kinds of cancer affect the supply of blood and nutrients to different parts of the body.

Chronic fatigue can have many causes. It may also occur without any identifiable underlying cause like a medical condition or illness. Identifying the type of chronic fatigue can help doctors design better treatments. Chronic fatigue Chronic fatigue indicates fatigue that persists for a long time and does not go away quickly even with adequate sleep and rest. Physical fatigue is the inability to initiate or complete any physical activity. Mental fatigue involves cognitive difficulties, inability to focus, and so on. Chronic fatigue can involve both of these. Usually, fatigue or extreme tiredness goes away after a period of rest and good sleep. However, chronic fatigue is not so easy to shake off. Medical conditions that may cause chronic fatigue Many health conditions like diabetes, anemia, and cardiovascular diseases can cause chronic fatigue. Diabetes: When patients have diabetes, they may experience a sharp change in their blood sugar levels, which may cause extreme tiredness. However, diabetic patients may also suffer from fatigue that is not linked to their sugar levels. Cardiovascular diseases: Cardiovascular diseases weaken the heart muscles and impair the heart’s ability to pump blood. Thus, the regular blood circulation and oxygen supply are affected, leading to fatigue. Cancer: Extreme tiredness can be a symptom of cancer. This illness can cause chronic fatigue, especially in the advanced stages. Cancer-related fatigue may also be a side effect of treatments like chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Disorder of the nervous system: Patients who have suffered a stroke, or those who have Parkinson’s disease may also suffer from chronic fatigue. If muscle weakness is a prominent part of your chronic fatigue issues, then the cause might be a neuromuscular disorder like muscular dystrophy, immune neuropathy, or metabolic myopathy. Anemia: Anemia is a principal cause of chronic fatigue. In this condition, a patient has a low red blood cells count.

Leg cramps happen when the muscles in the leg contract, which causes pain. This involuntary contracting of leg muscles causes leg cramps. Leg cramps mainly affect muscles in the thigh or the foot. It mostly occurs when you are asleep or just after you wake up. Reasons For Leg Cramps The sudden pain in the muscle can be due to different reasons: Inadequate supply of blood There are times when you exercise too much or have been sitting in same posture for hours. This prevents adequate supply of blood to your legs, causing contraction of muscles. Compression of nerves The spinal cord nerve directly connects to your leg muscles. Pain in the spinal cord or compression of spinal cord nerve can also cause pain in your legs. Walking with a good posture can help prevent compression of the spinal nerve. Mineral depression There are certain minerals needed for efficient working of leg muscles. Deficiency of minerals such as magnesium or calcium can cause leg cramps. There are certain medications that deplete the content of these minerals in your body. To add to the causes, there are factors that increase the risk of leg cramps: Age As you age, you lose strength and the muscles grow weak, leading to loss of muscle mass. Therefore, when muscles are overstressed, it leads to leg cramps. Dehydration Most of the time, you are always doing an activity that requires leg strength. Lack of water intake leads to inadequate fluids in the body that result in contraction or tightening of your leg muscles. This generally happens to athletes; they feel sudden pain while training on a hot sunny day, due to loss of more fluids than usual, from the body. Pregnancy Pregnancy is one major factor of leg cramps. This is because, during pregnancy, the body requires more minerals such as potassium and calcium for adequate functioning of leg muscles.

There are several effective and easy-to-administer home remedies to prevent asthma. These home remedies can help relieve symptoms of asthma. They can also prevent a full-scale attack and help the sufferer to breathe comfortably. Asthma patients can try them out to prevent symptoms from worsening and leading to a full-blown attack. Some of these home remedies include: Fighting Inflammation There are many home remedies to fight inflammation, that is one of the prime causes of asthma. These remedies include Omega-3 Fatty Acids Omega-3 fatty acids are found in fish like tuna and sardines. They are highly beneficial for asthma patients. They have properties that help in reducing inflammation and can provide relief. Turmeric Turmeric has excellent anti-inflammatory properties. It prevents the release of COX-2, which is a hormone-like substance that causes inflammation. One spoon of turmeric powder mixed with warm milk can be very helpful in reducing inflammation. Onion and Garlic Both onion and garlic have anti-inflammatory properties. They can be eaten raw, or as a spice with food. Ginkgo Ginkgo is a remedy used in ancient Chinese medicine. Up to 250 mg of ginkgo herb extract can be consumed daily. It helps reduce spasms in the airway that causes breathing difficulties. Caffeine Hot coffee can be very helpful in preventing the onset of asthma. The caffeine works similarly to the medicine theophylline. It helps in opening up constricted airways, producing relief from asthma symptoms. Essential Oils There are several essential oils like lavender oil, tea tree oil, and eucalyptus oil that can be added to boiling water. You can inhale the steam generated. When the vapors of this oil are inhaled, it helps to clear congestion in the lungs and provide relief. Honey and Ginger Both honey and ginger are well known for being anti-inflammatory agents. They can be quite helpful in preventing an asthma attack by reducing cough.