Blood sugar is the amount of glucose (sugar) that is present in the blood. For metabolic homeostasis, the body naturally regulates blood glucose levels. The primary source of energy in blood cells and blood lipids is glucose. Blood sugar level is usually low in the morning and rises after one consumed food. It is when the blood sugar levels are not in the normal range, medical attention is required. A blood sugar level chart shows the fluctuation of blood sugar and insulin (sugar lowering hormone) in people through the day. The chart shows at what time of the day were the glucose, insulin, starch, and sucrose levels are high and low. From blood sugar levels chart you can find the blood glucose levels before and after meals. Blood sugar levels chart is great monitoring your glucose intake and manage it. Here are some of the reasons why this testing through chart is important: Testing blood sugar level through blood sugar levels chart is important for diabetes care. If you have been trying to curb your diabetes, then this chart helps you to gauge how well you are doing in trying to achieve your overall goal. The measure you are taking such as diet and exercising, how that has been affecting your diabetes can be known and monitored well with the help of these blood sugar levels chart. The chart helps you understand how other factors such as illness or stress can contribute to affect your diabetes. If you are on medications, then a blood sugar levels chart will help you understand how well those medicines are working for you. And it also states the high and low blood sugar levels. The right time to check the blood sugar levels chart: Doctors usually tell you when you should check your blood sugar level.

The liver is also an important part of the digestion process as it helps break down the nutrients in the food, stores them as useful substances, and provides it to your body when required. Not just that, the liver also flushes out the toxins in your body. This makes your liver a vital body organ, which you cannot afford to lose. Hepatitis C (Hep C) is a virus which causes inflammation of the liver, and if left unattended for some time, it causes permanent damage to the liver. Many times, liver damage and Hep C go hand in hand. So, it is important that you start your treatments for Hep C as soon as you find out that you have caught the virus. Hep C is of two types: Acute hepatitis C and chronic hepatitis C. While acute hepatitis is less severe and a short-term viral infection, chronic hepatitis C can cause serious ailments like cirrhosis and liver cancer. The worst thing about Hep C is that most of the times, people don’t find out about their condition until they are nearing the last stage of the disease. This is because the symptoms of this disease in most cases are very generic and not easily distinguishable. Some of the popular medicines prescribed by doctors for hepatitis C include interferon, ribavirin, and many such similar drugs antiviral drugs. Talk to you doctor before taking them as these drugs come with potential side-effects if taken without considering the guidelines. Treatments for Hep C are expensive and there are various factors you need to consider before opting for it. What should you consider before opting for treatments for Hep C? The severity of your disease The type of hepatitis you suffer from Other health conditions you suffer from Your liver health condition Natural treatments for Hep C and lifestyle changes Milk thistle:

Probiotics or “friendly bacteria” are known to have health benefits if taken in the right proportion. These live microorganisms or probiotics are naturally present in the body. However, they can also be taken in the form of food or probiotic supplements. Fermented food is usually rich in probiotics. For good digestive health, it is important to maintain a balance of bacteria. One of the primary probiotics benefits of a balanced presence of probiotics is good digestion. This also positively impacts your overall health and well being. Probiotics balance the bacteria present in your gut and have a positive impact on your health. Probiotics benefits include good digestive health, loss of excess weight, a healthy immune system, and much more! Maintain Healthy Digestion with Probiotics Probiotics include and foster the growth of good bacteria in your digestive system. You should consume food that contains a fair amount of probiotics. It will help keep your gut healthy by restoring the natural balance of bacteria. These friendly live microorganisms come with the benefit of putting a check on the growth of bad bacteria. Probiotics do not let the harmful bacteria overpower the good bacteria. These bacteria help reverse the effects of illnesses and certain medicines. Probiotics benefits also include treating obesity and allergies. Probiotics are not known to have any side effects. Ensure A Balance of Probiotics To Treat Diarrhea The friendly bacteria present in your digestive system are widely known for treating diarrhea. One of the primary probiotics benefits is its ability to cure and reduce the severity of diarrhea. Diarrhea is often a side effect of taking antibiotics. Antibiotics may adversely affect the balance of bacteria in the digestive system. Ensuring the right proportion of probiotics in the gut reduces the risk of diarrhea induced by antibiotics. Moreover, probiotics are known for treating other kinds of diarrhea as well.

Arthritis is a painful condition that causes inflammation of the joints. The term arthritis covers a broad spectrum of rheumatic diseases and conditions, that affect the joints. There are over 200 types of arthritis, classified into seven main groups. The main groups under which the various types of arthritis are classified are: Mechanical or degenerative arthritis Inflammatory arthritis Soft tissue musculoskeletal pain Back pain Infectious arthritis Connective tissue arthritis Metabolic arthritis Causes of arthritis While it is not possible to pinpoint any single cause, a combination of any of the following can lead to arthritis. Family history can lead to osteoarthritis Immune dysfunction can lead to Rheumatoid Arthritis and Lupus Abnormal metabolism can lead to gout and pseudogout Any injury to the musculoskeletal system can lead to degenerative arthritis Any infections can lead to arthritis as in Lyme’s disease Arthritis pain symptoms There are symptoms that precede, before a completely developed arthritis. Arthritis is a progressive condition, and the severity of symptoms increase over a period of time. In some cases, the pain is persistent, while in others, the pain is on and off. Also, the symptoms vary depending on the type of arthritis. There are certain arthritis pain symptoms that are experienced by a majority of patients. There are four key warning signs of arthritis. Joint pain The earliest symptom of arthritis is joint pain. Arthritis can affect the joints in the neck, shoulders, elbows, knees, wrist, hips and ankles. The pain can be continuous or intermittent. It can be isolated to one place or the pain can be felt in all parts of the body. Joint stiffness Some types of arthritis display a typical symptom—joint stiffness. Joints get stiff after waking up in the morning, after sitting for a long time at the work desk, or in the car.

Diabetes is a chronic medical condition which can lead to very serious consequences if not kept under control. Unchecked diabetes may result in cardiovascular problems, blindness, kidney diseases, and various other complications. Aside from medication, there are certain lifestyle and dietary changes which can help an individual manage diabetes. Eating a well-balanced diet helps patients diagnosed with this condition maintain their health more easily. Given below are foods that you should avoid when you have diabetes. Sugary drinks Sugary drinks should be completely avoided when you have diabetes. Not only are these very high in carbohydrate content, but they are also rich in fructose, which causes insulin resistance. Studies show that when you drink sweetened beverages, risks of a diabetes-associated condition such as fatty liver become very high. High fructose content triggers metabolic changes and leads to belly fat, high triglyceride, and blood cholesterol levels. Trans fats Trans fats are very unhealthy and are found in peanut butter, margarine, creamers, spreads, and frozen meals. Food manufacturers often add this to muffins, crackers, and baked products so that they last longer. Trans fats do not spike blood sugar levels directly, but they can cause inflammation, belly fat, and insulin resistance. They also lower good cholesterol levels and impair the function of arteries. White bread, rice, and pasta None of these foods are good for people affected by diabetes because they are processed and high in carbohydrates. It is advisable to stay away from bagels, white bread, and other foods made of refined flour. These raise blood sugar levels in those with type 1 or type 2 diabetes. Flavored yogurt You must avoid fruit-flavored yogurts as these contain a lot of sugar. Instead, you can consume whole-milk yogurt which is a healthier alternative and beneficial for gut health and weight control. Fried foods Deep-fried foods like french fries and packaged foods must not be part of your diet, as these can produce toxic compounds like aldehydes, which heighten risks of diseases.

When the body loses bone mass faster than it can restore its bone health, this bone disease is known as osteoporosis. Osteoporosis causes bone loss and affects the mineral density that makes the bones weak and more susceptible to fractures. An estimated 10 million people in the country suffer from osteoporosis and 80% of the cases reported are women. Identifying the symptoms Osteoporosis is a “silent” disease as one may suffer from the symptoms and be completely unaware of the condition. There are a few ways to watch out for these osteoporosis symptoms that cause pain and can affect a person’s mobility. Some can be identified in the early stages while severe symptoms are only evident in the advanced stages. Symptoms in the early stages A developing condition of osteoporosis can be identified when even the slightest of impact from a fall or injury causes the bones to break. One can watch out for these osteoporosis symptoms in the early stages. Weak gums A receding gum line suggests the jaw is losing bone mass. The gums become weak and can no longer anchor the teeth. Low grip strength If one experiences trouble holding onto an object or maintaining a strong grip, it can be a result of a developing osteoporosis condition. Studies have associated low bone mineral density to reduced hand grip. Brittle fingernails Physical changes in one’s fingernails as a result of compromised bone health is another possible indicator in the early stages. Symptoms in later stages One can watch out for these osteoporosis symptoms in the advanced stages as the bone deterioration increases in intensity. Height loss Loss of height is the most noticeable symptom caused due to the compression of the spine as a result of bone loss. Fractures Fragile bones are more susceptible to fractures and some of the most harmless actions including a sneeze or cough can trigger a mild fracture.

One of the most widespread health conditions, diabetes is an autoimmune disease that affects the body’s ability to produce enough insulin which is responsible for breaking down the sugar in the blood. As a consequence, the sugar starts to accumulate in the blood, which can cause severe complications. Therefore it critical to identify the early diabetes symptoms, so that it can be treated effectively. However, the initial diabetes symptoms can be quite subtle, so there is a possibility that they might go unnoticed or be considered as trivial. Here are some of the important early signs of diabetes that one shouldn’t miss: Fatigue and hunger The food a person eats is converted into glucose by the cells and is used for producing energy. The cells, however, need insulin to allow this process to happen. If the body is unable to make enough insulin or if cells resist insulin which the body generates, a person will feel tired and famished unusually. Frequent urge to urinate A person often urinates four to seven times on an average in a day. However, if a person has diabetes the need to urinate arises more frequently. This happens because in normal circumstances the body reabsorbs glucose for generating energy but for a person with diabetes, the body doesn’t convert the glucose into energy, and it ends up accumulating in the blood. So the only way left for the body to get rid of the excess sugar is via urine. Urinating often even makes the person thirstier than usual. Consequently, the intake of water increases too. Dryness of mouth and itchy skin In diabetes, most of the fluids in the body is used to make urine so that the unused glucose can be eliminated. Naturally, the amount of water required for other activities decreases substantially in the body.

Heartburn is the burning sensation that you experience in your chest after you eat. This feeling can be intense at times, and in these extreme cases, the person might even experience a chest pain. Heartburn is a fairly common condition that occurs when there is indigestion, and the food doesn’t sit well with your system. This happens when you eat spicy food or overeat. It is also known as acid reflux as the acid in your stomach comes back up into the esophagus causing a burning sensation in your chest. You might also feel nauseous and uncomfortable for a long time. If heartburn occurs more than two times a week, you may have gastroesophageal reflux disease. It can lead to further complications if left untreated. How To Differentiate Heartburn Chest Pain And Heart Attack One of the main symptoms of heartburn is chest pain. This is the reason most people confuse heartburn with cardiac attacks. The burning in the chest causes alarm and has people assuming that they are experiencing a heart attack. This is how you can distinguish between the two: Signs Of A Heart Attack The chest pain you experience when you have a heart attack will slowly spread to your neck, arms, and shoulders. You will have shortness of breath and feel light-headed. There will also be a lot of sweating. There will be a tightness in the chest, unlike the pain you feel in heartburn. Signs Of A Heartburn Patients experiencing a heartburn feel the pain in the chest spreading to the throat. A vomiting sensation and an acrid taste in the tongue are other signs. You’ll feel like the food is coming back into your mouth. Lying down will only intensify the discomfort and pain. Other signs that tell you that you have a heartburn and not a heart attack is, you will not be sweating, and the pain will occur after you have a meal.

Bipolar disorder is a mental condition wherein a person experiences extreme mood swings. A person’s feelings may go from extremely good to really low in life. Due to the extreme range of symptoms, it often gets tough to diagnose bipolar disorder. There is no cure for it, but the symptoms can be controlled with medications, therapies, and lifestyle changes. Diet is a major contributing factor to this deadly mental disorder. Certain foods can affect your mood majorly while others can have calming effects. Here are some foods to avoid if you have bipolar disorder. One should remember that it is vital to take a holistic approach and focus on diet as well as other forms of medication and treatment. Some foods to avoid if you have bipolar disorder include: Grapefruit – It has been seen in many cases that some bipolar medicines, particularly anticonvulsants, do not interact appropriately with grapefruit and grapefruit juice. Thus, it is one of the foods to avoid if you have bipolar disorder. Caffeine – Caffeine in any form is known to irritate people and make them restless. It could also cause sleeplessness and nervousness. It is also known to suppress hunger. Thus, caffeine intake should be minimized, and the person should be slowly weaned off it. If you suddenly eliminate it from the diet, it could alleviate symptoms, so do it gradually. Any kind of addiction or dependency is damaging in this condition. Thus, it is most certainly one of the foods to avoid if you have bipolar disorder. High-fat foods – Any food with a lot of fat content in it will take time to digest and can add to the lethargy levels already prevalent in bipolar patients. Also, fatty foods make it tough for bipolar medications to get absorbed in the body, thereby inhibiting their benefit.

Schizophrenia is a chronic mental disorder characterized by hallucinations, paranoia, fuzzy thinking, delusions, social withdrawal, and cognitive issues. Though treated with a mix of therapy and medicines, diet can help relieve some symptoms and worsen some of them if not considered carefully. People afflicted with schizophrenia generally have unhealthy eating habits leading to other health issues. On consuming foods high in saturated fats and low in fiber can increase the risk of diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. Here is a low down on the best and worst foods for schizophrenia. Fruits and vegetables Consume all kinds of fruits ranging from raspberries and apples to pears. Fiber-rich fruits help in lowering the incidence of risks associated with schizophrenia such as diabetes, obesity, and heart problems. One gets an additional benefit of vitamins and minerals from fruits. Veggies are not only low in fats and calories but are also a wholesome source of fiber, vitamins, and nutrients such as potassium. Go for lima beans, sweet potatoes, and kidney beans. Aim to have fresh fruits and vegetables rather than having frozen or pre-cut and dried. Include foods of a variety of colors. Eat five healthy portions during the day. Fish The human body needs essential omega-3 fatty acids but it cannot be made by the body. A growing body of research is pointing towards omega 3 as helping in slowing down the disease progression. The best source for omega 3 fatty acids is mackerel, herring, sardines, salmon, and trout. One can also go for over the counter supplements. Try to eat at least three portions of oily fish to gain benefits of the same. Chicken marinara The symptoms of schizophrenia can be eased by consuming chicken and marinara sauce. Both are rich sources of niacin. Niacin should be taken less than 1 gram per day as higher doses are toxic for the liver.

There are various ways to resolve neuropathy foot pain including medication and several therapies, but it is important to identify the underlying cause first. It occurs when there is damage to any of the peripheral nerves. Symptoms of Neuropathy foot pain Neuropathy foot pain is a result of some affected nerve of the peripheral system. The type of nerves that are involved include: Sensory nerves Sensations such as pain, temperature, touch, vibration through the skin are picked up by the sensory nerves. Motor Nerves The movement of the muscles is regulated by these nerves. Autonomic Nerves The heart rate, blood pressure, bladder, and digestion are controlled by the autonomic nerves. The signs and symptoms of peripheral neuropathy are as follows: Numbness or tingling A feeling of numbness or tingling that starts at your hands/feet and radiates to your arms and legs. Pain A feeling of sharp, burning, throbbing or freezing pain. Sensitivity You become extremely sensitive to light touch. Coordination Problems with balance occur as a result of poor coordination and sometimes you could fall. Muscle weakness If there is an impact on the motor nerves, there could be a resultant weakness of muscles or paralysis. Heat intolerance This occurs if there is an effect on the autonomic nerves. The sweating pattern is altered. Digestive problems Another side effect of the autonomic nerves that are affected is digestion problems. Bowel and bladder problems also arise. Dizziness Affected autonomic nerves are also responsible for dizziness along with changes in blood pressure. When only one nerve is affected due to peripheral neuropathy, it is referred to as mononeuropathy. When there are multiple nerves involved, it is known as polyneuropathy. Causes of Neuropathy in feet Neuropathy in feet can occur due to the presence of multiple diseases. The reasons for neuropathies are: Alcoholism There are vitamin deficiencies due to poor choice of diet in the cases of people suffering from alcoholism.

Abdominal pain could happen at any time in one’s life. This leads to immense discomfort. Usually, the pain could be mild and also could lead to nausea, dizziness, etc. Normally people avoid food and water during this time. There are chances that people experience a kind of heaviness in their abdomen this time. Abdominal pain could happen due to a lot of reasons. When the tissues and organs in the body, which are small intestine, stomach, gallbladder, spleen, liver, pancreas, and colon do not function effectively, there are high chances of abdominal pain. However, it is important to know that at times even with simple medication the pain will be eliminated or it will resolve by itself. Firstly, when you come across mild abdominal pain, the cause should be identified. In case you overeat the gas-inducing food, there are chances that it will result in distended stomach, heartburn and abdominal pain. When this is the case, the best thing that can be done is to follow some dietary changes. The digestive tract should be healthy in such a case, and hence, it is essential to consume such food substances that are light on the stomach. Consumption of fiber-rich food and increasing the water intake will definitely help for this purpose. Usually, women experience cramps and pain during the monthly period. During this time it is important to stay relaxed as stress could lead to increase in the stomach acid. Doing some breathing exercises will definitely help a lot during the monthly periods. When you come across abdominal pain due to any reason, the first thing you can do is to change your behavior and lifestyle. If this does not work in your favor, the next thing you can consider is the laxatives, pain relievers or antacids. It is important to keep in mind that certain anti-inflammatory medications like ibuprofen, naproxen and aspirin should not be consumed as this could lead to stomach upset and lead to complications in the gastrointestinal tract.