Treatment for diabetes aims to bring blood sugar level as close to normal range as possible. It is important to know what are normal blood sugar levels and if and how normal ranges of blood sugar can be attained by yourself. The information regarding the difference between “glucose” and “sugar” must be given first. Sugar is the general term used for sweet carbohydrates that can dissolve in water. Carbohydrate is characterized by the type of food that is made of oxygen, carbon, and hydrogen only. There are several types of sugars. Living beings use the sugar called “glucose.” Other sugars are fructose from fruit or lactose from milk, which we eat. These get converted in our bodies into glucose. Then the same is used for energy. Human bodies also break down starches into glucose. Starches are sugars fused together. When people ask what are normal blood sugar levels or what is blood glucose, they mean the same. In the US, blood sugar is usually reported in milligrams of glucose per deciliter of blood (mg/dl). Whereas in the UK and Canada, blood sugar is measured in millimoles/liter (mmol/L). What are normal blood sugar levels? Blood sugar levels vary throughout the day. Thus, the normal levels also vary accordingly. For those who do not have diabetes, they must have a fasting blood sugar level below 100 mg/dl, when they wake up in the morning. Normal sugars range from 70–99 mg/dl before meal time. Postprandial sugars, measured after two hours of lunch, should normally be less than 140 mg/dl. If you’re wondering what are normal blood sugar levels, these ranges are for those who do not have diabetes. For people who have diabetes, should keep their blood-sugar levels before meals between 80–130 mg/dl and after meals, the levels should be under 180 mg/dl as per the advice of the American Diabetes Association.

When nasal mucosa produces mucus in excess, it causes PND or post-nasal drip. It is a common problem under such circumstances. All the glands in the lining of your throat, nose, and airways produce mucus continually. These glands work toward cleaning and moistening the nasal membranes, clears and traps inhaled foreign particles, humidifies the air in the airways, and fights with infections. You do not realize its presence, but you swallow it unconsciously all through the day. However, when mucus production happens in abundance, it starts dripping from the back of your nose thereby causing post-nasal drip. The symptoms of post-nasal drip include coughing, sore throat, congestion, feeling weak, and difficulty in swallowing. A lot of things can trigger post-nasal drip. These include flu, common cold, sinus infection, allergies, excessively dry air, cold temperature, medications, spicy food, hormonal changes, perfumes, chemical fumes, smoke, cleaning products, and other similar irritants. You can treat most cases of post-nasal drip with home remedies. You would find all the ingredients in your kitchen to get rid of it. Following are certain ways of treating post-nasal drip: Salt water gargle The best way to relieve the uneasiness caused due to post-nasal drip is gargling with salt water. It thins out the mucus that lets you get rid of the same. It also flushes out the irritants from the nasal passages. Process for this treatment option for post-nasal drip: – Mix ½ teaspoon of salt and 1 cup of warm water together – Keep stirring until the salt dissolves – Gargle a couple of times daily with this solution for 2–3 days Steam inhalation You can use steam post-nasal drip treatment with or without essential oils to prevent the production of mucus in excess which causes post-nasal drip. The process of steam inhalation: – Boil water and transfer it to a bowl – Add a few drops of essential oil if you have any – Cover your head with a towel and hold your face over the bowl of hot water – Inhale the steam deeply for around 10 minutes and then blow your nose – Follow this process a couple of times till you completely recover Taking a warm shower also helps in breaking up the mucus.

The best diets are the ones which are easy to follow, safe, nutritious and effective for weight loss and offer preventive measures for heart disease and diabetes. So, here’s a list of the 12 best diets of 2017 as per the nutrition experts: Vegetarian Diet The vegetarian diet has made its spot in the top 10 list of best diets of 2017 from being number 13 in 2016. This diet is as simple as it can get. There is no meat allowed as the name suggests. The meat will be replaced with a lot more vegetables high in nutrients content to make you feel full. Ornish Diet This diet plan is developed by Dr. Dean Ornish. This diet sees food on a “spectrum” with certain food items being healthier than the others. The less processed, the better as far as eating healthy is concerned. The diet emphasizes on consuming fruits, whole grains, vegetables, and fat as well only if it contains omega 3 fatty acids. It is also among the top ranking diets for heart disease. Jenny Craig Diet This diet plan is promoted by the likes of Mariah Carey and Kirstie Alley. Jenny Craig uses weight-control counseling, and the prepared meal can be picked up from a Jenny Craig location or delivered to your address. Volumetrics Diet Volumetrics diet is developed by Barbara Rolls, a nutrition professor at the Penn State University. This diet plan categorizes food items based on their density. Foods which are less dense like soups, vegetables with high water content, etc. are preferred over cookies, butter, and pizza. Fertility Diet As the name suggests, this diet is meant for those women who are having a problem conceiving. This diet is developed by Dr. Walter Willet and Dr. Jorge Chavarro of the Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health.

Several people are looking for the most effective types of shingles pain treatments available. Shingles can be described as a viral infection that causes a painful skin rash. The virus known as Varicella Zoster is one that causes this skin condition. Chickenpox is caused by the same Varicella Zoster virus. If you ever had chickenpox, this virus remains dormant in the nerve tissues located near your brain or spinal cord, and after many years, it reactivates to cause shingles. They are usually found in a strip, band, or a small area on the face or other body parts. Older adults are more vulnerable to shingles; moreover, if you have a weak immune system due to injury, medicines, or stress, you have higher chances of getting affected by this skin disease. Shingles are not basically infectious Shingles are not a serious problem but the pain can be really severe. You do not need to worry getting this disease from someone else because it is not an infectious disease. Still, there is a small possibility of a virus getting spread from a person suffering from shingles rash to another person who has never got affected with chickenpox or who has not taken the chickenpox vaccine. The symptoms of shingles Only a smart part or one side of your body becomes vulnerable to shingles. You experience pain and burning sensation and a tingling sensation or numbness can also be felt. Another common symptom is the sensitivity to touch and after having started the pain, a red rash starts to appear after some days. Sometimes, fluid-filled blisters are formed and they often break and crust over. Itching is another tendency that many people feel. It has been reported that some other people experience fatigue, light sensitivity, headache, and fever. Of course, pain the first sign and it can become really intense.

Your kidneys play an important role in your excretory system. The kidneys are two bean-shaped organs located just below the liver. They’re the size of a closed fist. Kidneys filter your blood and maintain a healthy mineral and water balance in your body. The filtered waste is then expelled from the body as urine. This maintains the fluid balance in your body. An Insight into Kidney Failure Kidney disease is characterized by improper functioning of the kidneys. If left untreated, this can lead to kidney failure. If you experience kidney failure, you will have to undergo dialysis. A number of factors could be responsible for kidney disease. It can be the result of a decrease in blood flow to the kidneys, because of diabetes and high blood pressure. It can also be caused by sepsis, an extremely severe infection of the kidneys. Some other causes of kidney disease are alcohol abuse, drug abuse, exposure to toxins, and physical injury to your kidneys. Any disruption in the functioning of your kidneys can lead to a mineral imbalance in your body and other, more serious consequences. When this happens, it affects your body’s ability to maintain the right levels of minerals such as sodium, potassium, and phosphorus. It also hinders the production of hormones such as erythropoietin and renin in the body. Renin, which is produced by the kidneys, helps regulate and manage your blood pressure. Erythropoietin, another hormone produced by your kidneys, stimulates the production of red blood cells in the body. When you suffer from kidney failure, your body’s ability to produce both these hormones takes a hit. This can lead to a dangerous buildup of toxins and waste, kidney stones, vomiting, ankle swelling, shortness of breath, and trouble sleeping. If you suffer from kidney disease, keep a close watch on your diet.

People sometimes suffer from allergies for some part in the year. The most common among seasonal allergies are: Spring allergies Fall allergies Winter allergies But there are cases where you end up suffering from allergies all through the year. This seasonal allergy chart can help you prepare for any kind of allergic reaction. Let’s take a look at the range of seasonal allergies which affect people, and the part of the year when you’re most vulnerable. January: Pollen allergies may not be an issue during the cold months of winter. But indoor heating makes your house a dust-allergen hot spot. Some basic preventive measures against house dust allergies are: Maintain home humidity below 55% Vacuum your home often Cover pillows and mattresses with dust mite-proof covers February: Dust could act as a year-round allergen for a large number of people. But if dust allergies are not a trouble for you, trees may still cause your allergies to peak. In some parts of the world, tree pollen appears as early as February. Trees that account for the most allergies are: Catalpa Elm Hickory Olive Symptoms of tree allergies are the same as those caused by spring allergies. These include: Watery eyes Congestion Colds and flu March: Tree pollen stays the most common allergens in March as well. The month could cause spring allergies if grass grows early. Further, the pollen count in the air is also high in March. After this, is when the seasonal allergy chart gets into the real problem areas. April: April represents the onset of spring season. The flowers are in full bloom with pollen count at an all-time high. The flowers and the pollen, unfortunately, increase incidents of spring allergy. In some places, grass pollen acts as a powerful allergen in April. As grass pollen combines with flower pollen, spring allergies peak around April.

Swelling can cause pain in any part of the body. Your feet and ankle support your whole body weight as you stand or move around. If your feet and ankles suffer from inflammation and pain, look for possible causes and consult your doctor on how to treat the condition. Causes of swollen feet and ankles There can be many reasons for your feet and ankle to become swollen and painful. A few of them are listed below: Pregnancy Pregnancy puts pressure on the abdominal region and causes various pains and discomfort. One of these can be fluid retention in the legs. It is a normal occurrence. However, if there is excessive inflammation, consult your doctor. It could indicate a condition called Preeclampsia. Preeclampsia could lead to high blood pressure and buildup of protein in the urine. If your ankle swells and you experience headaches and abdominal pain, you need immediate medical attention. Infected wounds If you have injured your feet resulting in open wounds, these could get infected and cause swelling. In addition to this, if you have a chronic condition like diabetes, it can complicate matters further. Diabetes can cause nerve damage which can affect the sensation of pain. So, wounds may go unnoticed, and then the swelling and infection can advance quickly. Therefore, always inspect your feet for injuries. Chronic diseases A heart, kidney or liver condition could also cause swelling in your feet and ankles. Heart diseases can lead to fluid retention in the body, especially in the extremities. Kidney failure is another cause of fluid retention. The kidneys get rid of wastes and toxins in the body through urine. When they fail, a fluid buildup occurs. The liver produces a special protein called albumin. Albumin prevents fluid from leaking out of blood vessels. When the liver does not produce albumin, fluid leaks outside from blood vessels.

Fibroids are benign growths in the outer uterine walls in women called the myometrium. Fibroids are also called myomas and can cause pain, pressure, and discomfort in the pelvic region. They are non-cancerous, benign tumors that tend to shrink after menopause. While most of the fibroids do not show any symptom, some can cause noticeable symptoms such as excessive menstrual bleeding, pain during menstruation, and pelvic, back and leg pain. Modern science has not found any specific causes of fibroids but there are certain factors and conditions that increase the risk of developing fibroids or increasing their growth. Some of these factors are hormonal imbalance, high blood pressure, and obesity. The treatment of fibroids requires a holistic approach that includes right diet, physical exercise, and medical supplements and medication. Here are some natural ways to shrink fibroids. Make Changes To Your Diet The basic rule to follow while making changes to your diet to reduce fibroids is to avoid foods which cause hormonal imbalance and high blood pressure and including healthy, organic food items that keep your body processes running. Here is a list of food items you should avoid and include in your diet to aid in fibroid reduction. Foods To Avoid: Food products like processed meat, refined carbohydrates, and sugar should be avoided as they lead to obesity and hormonal imbalance in the body. Processed meat often contains chemical additives that disrupt the natural chemicals in the body and hinder their proper function. Alcohol and caffeine should also be avoided as they put excessive pressure on the liver and lead to increased estrogen levels and inflammation. Foods To Include: Green Leafy Vegetables Green leafy vegetables are rich in vitamin K. This helps in blood clotting and reducing excessive blood flow during menstruation. Iron Rich Foods One of the symptoms of fibroids is excessive blood loss during menstruation.

Diabetes is one of the most common health conditions in the world today. Your blood sugar level is abnormally high when you have this condition. It happens due to the lack of insulin in the body. If left unchecked, diabetes can lead to severe conditions like stroke, cancer, and heart diseases. Having diabetes does not mean that you have to eat bland food. However, the diabetic food list has everything you will need to stay healthy and free from the complications caused by the disease. Here are foods that you must include on your diabetes food list. Avocado This rich and creamy vegetable has several benefits. It aids in digestion and keeps the blood sugar under control after a meal. It has the healthy fats that will help with the insulin resistance and stabilize the blood sugar levels in the long term. You can use avocados in sandwiches or salads and keep your insulin levels in control. Olive Oil Olive oil must be in your diabetic food list. It contains anti-inflammatory compounds that are known to help patients with diabetes. It is used in the Mediterranean diet which is the best diet to prevent heart diseases. The healthy fats that are present in olive oil help with the digestion and prevents your glucose count from increasing. You can use olive oil in salads, pasta, or in any dish you prepare at home. Whole Grain Foods White bread or pasta is very harmful and can cause an immediate spike in the glucose levels. Switching to whole grain can help you keep your blood sugar levels in control. Whole grain foods take longer to digest and so they also assist in maintaining the metabolism fast. Refined foods lose all the nutrition in them. Instead, you can go for whole grain foods that are a lot more beneficial to you.

Bed bugs are pesky little insects that infect the soft furniture in a household like beds, sofas, couches, and other such places. They like to hide in dark places like the corners of drawers, seams of the mattresses, the bed box below the mattress and in the space between cushions. Although they do not cause any serious diseases, their presence can certainly be discomforting as they feed on human blood. Bed bugs bite humans, which sometimes causes red rashes and spots. These skin rashes, if scratched too hard, can cause breaks in the skin, causing bacteria to enter and infect it. The presence of bed bugs does not mean that your sanitation techniques should be questioned but they could have come from some other infested place like a hotel or a theatre through luggage, clothes or any other item. Bed bugs are extremely tiny in size and therefore are very hard to spot. But once you find their hiding spots, you can make use of any of some home remedies to get rid of those pesky little creatures hiding in your home. The following are some of the best ways to kill bed bugs, which you can make use of. Vacuum Cleaning Who knew that using your very own vacuum cleaner could be a simple fix making it one of the best ways to kill bed bugs? Just make sure to use your effective vacuum cleaner to reach all the hidden places like the corners of the drawers, behind the cushions, under the mattresses, along its seams, the space between the headboard and the mattress, behind the AC fittings, behind the wallpapers, in the bed box, and other such susceptible places. Make sure to clean all the places effectively and thoroughly so that no egg or larvae remain behind to restart the infestation process.

Endometrial cancer, also called endometrial carcinoma, begins in the endometrium, the inner lining of the uterus. It’s the most common gynecological cancer in the country. Most endometrial cancers are adenocarcinomas, which means they occur in the cells of the glands in the endometrium. Research indicates that eating certain foods helps prevent endometrial cancer while improving overall health. Here, we’ve listed five such foods that may lower the risk of endometrial cancer. Tomatoes The anti-cancer properties of tomatoes are strongly linked to their rich lycopene content. Lycopene is a nutrient that helps stop the growth of cancer cells in the endometrium. It can also lower the risk of cancers of the breasts, lungs, and stomach. Thanks to their versatility, tomatoes go well with several recipes, especially pasta sauce and salads. Spinach Spinach is one of the most nutrient-dense veggies. It’s full of vitamins, minerals, fiber, and phytochemicals that can help ward off a slew of health conditions. Eating healthy spinach-based dishes or other leafy greens, such as kale or broccoli, may also lower the risk of endometrial carcinoma. Soybeans Soybeans are legumes rich in various nutrients, including fiber. A study has linked high soy intake with a 20 percent decreased risk of endometrial cancer. Soybeans are also high in protein, making them a good meat substitute. Blueberries These tiny fruits are packed with compounds that help inhibit the growth of cancer cells across the body, including the endometrium. In addition to blueberries, one can have other antioxidant-rich fruits like strawberries, blackberries, and grapes. Green tea Green tea is popular among those wanting to shed a few pounds, but there’s a lot more to it. A cup of green tea is brimful of powerful antioxidants that can help slow the reproduction and growth of cancer cells while providing other health benefits. Studies have also associated green tea with a lower risk of endometrial carcinoma.

Vitiligo is an autoimmune condition wherein the skin gradually loses color or pigment. White patches, in particular, are a common warning sign of vitiligo. These patches result from skin depigmentation and can occur anywhere on the body, such as the face, hands, neck, arms, elbows, feet, wrists, ankles, and groin. Doctors may recommend several treatment options to manage the symptoms and ensure they do not worsen or lead to health conditions. 1. Topical creams Doctors prescribe topical creams or ointments with special ingredients to vitiligo patients for skin repigmentation. One can ask the doctor which cream would work best for their case and apply it as they recommend. 2. Light therapy With the help of light therapy, vitiligo patients can achieve repigmentation successfully. Here, patients are made to stand in a light box that directs UV rays toward the affected skin. These rays restore pigmentation and help prevent new patches from forming. Phototherapy exposure times can vary for each patient. The treatment is most effective for restoring pigmentation on the face and neck. 3. Oral treatment Some vitiligo treatments are to be taken orally to slow down the development of patches and spots on the skin and stimulate repigmentation. Doctors decide on a possible treatment after discussing viable options with the patient. 4. Surgery Vitiligo patients who do not improve with other treatments may be prescribed surgery. Here, a surgeon might perform a skin graft procedure by covering the patches with healthy skin from another region. Alternatively, a cell transplant surgery can be performed, where cells are extracted from healthy or pigmented skin and administered into the skin patches to stimulate repigmentation. Treatment results can take some time. Additionally, it is best for those with vitiligo to talk to their doctors before using any products. Some products may exacerbate their condition, so a patch test is always recommended.