All You Need to Know about Diabetes

All You Need to Know about Diabetes

Diabetes is a disease that is caused by a set of metabolic dysfunctions in your body. Medically, this ailment is referred to as Diabetes mellitus. Blood glucose is the main source of energy in the body that comes from the food we eat. Insulin, a hormone secreted by the pancreas, helps generate energy from the glucose. This energy is then used by the body cells. Diabetes occurs when there is inadequate insulin production, or the body cells stop responding properly to insulin. This discrepancy causes the glucose to remain in the blood, hindering the formation of energy. High levels of glucose that remain in the bloodstream as blood sugar leads to several associated health problems over time, one of them being diabetes. An individual also can refer to blood sugar charts to maintain their blood sugar levels when suffering from diabetes. Types of Diabetes Diabetes has been categorized into 3 types. Type I DM In this type of diabetes, the pancreas does not produce any insulin at all. The immune system attacks the insulin-producing beta cells in your pancreas, destroying their capability to produce the hormones. As Type I diabetes is usually diagnosed in children and young adults, it is also known as juvenile diabetes or early-onset diabetes. Approximately 10% of all diabetic cases are Type I. People suffering from Type I diabetes are required to inject insulin into their bodies, in the subcutaneous layer of the abdomen, every day, throughout their lives. They need to regularly monitor their blood sugar levels and keep them balanced by a special diet. Type II DM Type II diabetes develops when the body becomes resistant to insulin, that means the cells don’t use the insulin properly. This leads to an increase in blood sugar levels that harm the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas, and this cause and effect lead to inadequate production of insulin in the body.
Psoriasis and Available Treatment Options

Psoriasis and Available Treatment Options

What is psoriasis? It is a completely irritating and unpredictable disease. You can also describe it as one of the most persistent skin disorders, and the main characteristics of this disease is that skin cells multiply up to 10 times faster than normal. Since the underlying cells that get onto the surface of the skin die, you experience an extreme hike in their volume and the red plaques get covered with white scales. The most vulnerable areas for psoriasis are the scalp, elbows, and knees. You can also find them in the sole, palms, and torso. A large number of people are always on the quest for authentic information about psoriasis. Leading psoriasis symptoms Psoriasis patients often have to deal with red skin plaques, and they are covered with silver-colored, loose scales. The lesions become excessively itchy, and you have to deal with a lot of pain. Cracking and bleeding sometimes occur in the lesions, with chronic conditions, the plaques grow fast and even merge into one another. It may get spread into large areas as well. Toe and fingernail disorders such as nail pitting and discoloration are also symptoms of psoriasis; moreover, with the passage of time, the nails may crumble or detach from the nail bed. People who suffer from this condition often have plaques of scales on their scalp. Psoriasis can be linked to psoriatic arthritis, which results in swelling and pain in the joints. Various research studies show that 10% to 30% of people suffering from psoriasis also face psoriatic arthritis-related problems. Psoriasis can be described into different categories. Pustular psoriasis The most prominent characteristics of this skin condition are scaly and red skin on the hands or palms. They may even appear on the feet with small pustules. Guttate psoriasis This form of psoriasis often begins in young adulthood or even in childhood.
Everything You Needed to Know about Leg Cramps

Everything You Needed to Know about Leg Cramps

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.
Get Instant Relief with Home Remedies for IBS-D

Get Instant Relief with Home Remedies for IBS-D

Irritable Bowel Syndrome or IBS is a disorder that causes a change in the pattern of bowel movements. IBS with diarrhea is known as IBS-D and it causes acute abdominal pain. It can also be termed as a chronic gastrointestinal disorder that inflicts pain and discomfort. There are four types of IBS based on the combination of diarrhea and constipation, both or none. They are IBS-D, IBS-C, IBS-M, and IBS-U. Depression, anxiety, and chronic fatigue are the other common disorders associated with IBS. This disorder is diagnosed with the study of its symptoms. Symptoms Of IBS-D The symptoms of IBS-D are painful and embarrassing. Most common symptoms that occur in the case of IBS are: Abdominal pain Diarrhea Constipation Frequent and loose stools Nausea Bloating Gassiness Headache Fatigue Causes Of IBS-D The exact causes of IBS-D are still unknown. However, irregularities in the gastrointestinal movements trigger IBS. Intestinal infection, pain, food sensitivity, and genetics are some factors responsible for IBS-D. Excessive consumption of alcohol and substances that cause inflammation are also known to increase the chances of IBS. Home Treatment For IBS-D Add Fiber To Your Diet Including fiber in your diet brings drastic relief with IBS-D. Soluble fibers found in certain food items and vegetables soak up the extra liquid content in your intestines. Hence, it prevents diarrhea. Oatmeal, beans, and certain fruits like apples, strawberries, and grapefruit are excellent sources of soluble fiber. Insoluble fibers help in resolving constipation. Insoluble fibers are mainly found in wheat, bran, and salad greens. Keep yourself well hydrated to help the fiber move swiftly through your body systems. Fiber helps in smooth functioning of the digestive system. Intake of Yogurt Yogurt contains a high amount of active bacteria that help in slowly decreasing diarrhea. Daily intake of yogurt helps in preventing the growth of harmful bacteria which cause IBS-D.
Causes and Tips to Prevent Restless Leg Syndrome

Causes and Tips to Prevent Restless Leg Syndrome

A lot of us have heard about people constantly moving their leg while sleeping. Restless leg syndrome is a disorder connected to the nervous system of the human body. It’s often referred as RLS. In this syndrome, a person feels a tremendous urge to move their leg. The urge can be very uncontrollable at times. If someone is suffering from this issue, he/she is unable to sleep well and can often develop sleep disorder as well. The urges person experiences can be unpleasant and cause discomfort. Restless leg syndrome is neurological sensorimotor disorder often studied in the fields of mental health. The RLS can cause very unpleasant sensations as well. Restless leg syndrome can sometimes spread to the arms, torso, genitals and even face, but this happens in very rare cases. The restless leg syndrome gets activated especially when the person is not moving or is placed in a fixed position. The most prevalent symptoms are restless legs at night time. People with RLS, experience very uncomfortable sensations and high urges to move their legs, the feeling can also be compared to an itchy or a creepy crawly sensation in legs. The sensations get worse when a person is sleeping, lying or resting. The severity of restless leg syndrome goes on from mild to moderate to severe or intolerable. Symptoms come and go, and so does the sensations, and it’s different from person to person. Any person suffering from restless leg syndrome may experience urges to get up if they are sitting, this also hinders with a person’s concentration levels and can have emotional effects as well as it can become embarrassing. The main reason for restless leg syndrome is unknown in most cases. There is no one specific reason for this to happen to someone. However, some causes that are associated with the syndrome are as follows:
8 Natural Remedies to Cure Sciatic Pain

8 Natural Remedies to Cure Sciatic Pain

The immune system of a human body is deteriorating due to a fast-paced lifestyle, redundant workload, and acute stress levels, thereby affecting the overall health by causing severe ailments. Recent medical research has stated that people within the age group of 25 to 45 suffer from severe ailments one of them being a sciatic pain. Sciatic pain is a form of acute nerve pain caused near the sciatic nerve around the lower back down to the calves to the heel. Sudden strokes of pain or constant burning sensations are a few symptoms of sciatica nerve pain. Such form of pain is caused due to excessive stress on the hips and legs. Work-related stress compels individuals into being stuck to the chair thereby restricting any form of physical movement. Sciatic pain can be caused due to many reasons; however, the most prominent reasons are slipped or damaged discs, inflammation of the muscle tissues surrounding a nerve, or nerve compression due to muscle stress. Following are a few natural remedies which act as options for sciatic pain cure. Hot and cold therapy Compression of nerves due to sciatica causes unendurable pain, at times aggravating inflammation. To help suffice this, individuals suffering from this ailment can be treated with the hot and cold therapy. In this form of therapy, two forms of heating pads are used on the affected area. A hot bag and an ice pack can be placed on the affected area in turns. This is one of the best sciatic pain cure which will help in bringing down the inflammation caused due to nerve compression as well as reduce the pain. Yoga Yoga is one of the best natural remedies for sciatic pain cure. Yoga helps in releasing muscle rigidity caused due to excessive stress on hips and legs and in turn releases the nerve from compression.
Measures to Get Relief from Sciatic Nerve Pain

Measures to Get Relief from Sciatic Nerve Pain

The sciatic nerve is the biggest single nerve in our body. It is made up of several nerve roots that come out at each section of the spinal cord. All these nerve roots combine at the base of the spinal cord in the lower back to form one big sciatic nerve. The sciatic nerve branches out into several individual nerves which go down to the buttocks and the legs. Sciatic nerve pain is caused due to compression of the sciatic nerve over time. It is rarely caused by an injury or by accident. It is a severe pain that starts at the base of the lower back and shoots down the buttock and one leg. The degree, intensity, and frequency of the pain differ in different people. Some people experience inflammation and mild pain which makes it difficult for them to sit. While others experience an excruciating pain that makes them unable to stand, shift or even move a toe. The sciatic nerve pain commonly occurs in middle-aged people. Read on to find out some easy and effective sciatic nerve pain relief measure: Visit a Chiropractor A chiropractor specializes in diagnosing and treating neuromuscular disorders. They manipulate the spine and the nervous system effectively. Research has shown that it is possible to treat sciatic nerve pain by getting regular chiropractic care. The procedure runs for a few weeks, and you don’t have to resort to surgical methods. A chiropractor will help soothe the pain and relieve any inflammation or soreness in the leg and lower back muscles. It is done by manual manipulation of the nerves around the spinal cord. It will remove any barriers from the nerves and ease out the pain. Exercise daily While there are a lot of alternative treatments other than surgeries and drugs, exercising daily is also a good way to keep sciatic nerve pain at bay.
Popular Treatment Options for Frozen Shoulder

Popular Treatment Options for Frozen Shoulder

The frozen shoulder, also known as adhesive capsulitis refers to pain, stiffness and restricted range of movement in the shoulder. Overuse of the shoulder is a major contributor and an injury can also result in frozen shoulder. Diseases like stroke or diabetes also make you vulnerable to this condition. When you develop frozen shoulder, the tissues that surround the joint feel stiffened and the formation of the scar tissue also takes place. In such a situation, shoulder movements become highly painful and difficult. You develop this condition gradually over a period of time and it goes away in a slow manner after a year or so. Major causes frozen shoulder Sometimes, you are compelled to stop using the shoulder joint normally and it can be because of injury, pain or severe health conditions like stroke or diabetes. This situation makes you vulnerable to frozen shoulder. Any type of shoulder problem can result in this condition if you do not make efforts to maintain a full range of motion. People suffering from chronic diseases are prone to frozen shoulder and it has been found out that this problem occurs mostly between 40 and 70 years of age. Women are more susceptible compared to men, particularly during the postmenopausal stage. Frozen shoulder treatment options The frozen shoulder treatment involves managing shoulder pain and maintaining an optimal range of motion in the shoulder. Popular painkillers and anti-inflammatory medications In order to eliminate or reduce the pain, there are over-the-counter painkillers available. The most popular ones are aspirin and ibuprofen and these medications also reduce inflammation linked with frozen shoulder. If the pain is severe, you can opt for stronger anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving drugs but they should be taken under the supervision of your doctor. Diagnosis of frozen shoulder When the physical exam reveals restricted shoulder movement, doctors suspect frozen shoulder.
Ten Popular Drinks for Diabetes

Ten Popular Drinks for Diabetes

Diabetes is a condition that causes a hike or a dip in your blood sugar or blood glucose levels. This is one of the most common diseases, what with 29 million people in the US suffering from it. If you take care of your body and lead a healthy lifestyle while following a good diet, you can keep a tab on your blood sugar levels, and lead a healthy and normal life. Here is a list of a few drinks for diabetes that you simply must incorporate to your diet. Water When in doubt, always drink water. Water is something you cannot go wrong with, so make sure you drink water through the day. Water keeps you hydrated, and this, in turn, helps maintain your blood sugar levels. High blood sugar levels can cause dehydration. Also, drinking water regularly can help your body eliminate any excess glucose. Make sure you drink about 8 to 20 glasses of water a day. If water is too plain for you, add slices of lemon, orange, or flavored herbs like basil, mint, or lemon balm. This is one of the best drinks for diabetes one can consider having. Chamomile tea Chamomile tea is known for its medicinal properties and makes for a great drink if you’re diabetic as well. With no calories, great flavor, and a good amount of antioxidants, chamomile tea is one of the perfect health drinks for diabetes. Research suggests that when you regularly drink chamomile tea, your blood sugar levels come down as well. Chamomile tea also helps prevent and treat a list of complications like kidney disease, blindness, circulatory disorders, and much more. Coffee Black coffee is a great drink if you’re suffering from diabetes. It has less than 20 calories and only about 5 grams of carbohydrates in every cup.
Popular Treatment Options for Sciatica

Popular Treatment Options for Sciatica

Various studies show that around 25% of the people have to deal with the discomforts associated with sciatica at some point in their life. The sciatic nerve originates from either side of the lower spine and it goes through the buttocks and pelvis. It proceeds towards the back of each upper leg and at the knee; this nerve is branched out before going to the feet. Learn about sciatica When something puts pressure or irritates the sciatic nerve, you experience pain. The pain spreads to the back of the thighs or buttocks. The pain sensation can vary from person to person. Sometimes, it may feel like a moderate ache and it can become a burning sensation involving serious discomforts as well. The sensation of tingling, weakness, and numbness can also be associated with sciatica. When you sit or stand up for an extended period of time, pay can get aggravated. Prolonged straining, lifting, twisting, sneezing or coughing can worsen the pain as well. What is the best treatment for sciatica? There are different options available and they include using hot or cold packs, medications, exercises and natural remedies. Here are some of the best treatments for sciatica. Physical therapy and stretching Most patients find relief within a few weeks with some painkillers or natural remedies. If the pain is mild in nature and does not interfere too much with your daily activities, your doctor may advocate some basic solutions. Physical therapy is one such option and the therapist designs a stretching and exercise routine that meets your needs. This approach helps you improve the posture so that unwanted pressure on the sciatic nerve is reduced or eliminated. Lower back stretches are also a good option and it helps you relieve the pain in a natural way. Exercises like short walks can bring relief When you are constantly moving, inflammation can get better.
Best Liquid Diet Plans to Help Your Body Recover

Best Liquid Diet Plans to Help Your Body Recover

The best liquid diet plans are based on the idea that solid foods are eliminated from your diet and all your calorie intake comes from liquids. You can replace all your meals with fruit or vegetable juices, or you can choose to replace one or two meals of a day along with a few healthy snacks. The best liquid diet plans can be used for a variety of purposes from weight loss to being diets after certain surgeries. Liquid diet for weight loss There are many kinds of liquid diets that will help with weight loss. Consulting with a physician and educating yourself about these diets will go a long way in ensuring that you get the right plan for yourself. At its simplest, weight loss occurs when more calories are burnt than consumed. An average person requires 2000 calories a day. Most liquid diets provide a calorie count that is much lesser than that. Hence, once you put yourself on a liquid diet, you are bound to lose weight. Most liquid diets for weight loss will recommend consuming fruit juices. You can opt for juices that you make at home, or you can even buy juices outside. If you choose the latter, remember to choose juices that are low in sugar, or else it will be counterproductive to your weight loss objective. Other liquids you can choose to take are smoothies, soups, and vegetable juices. Remember to consult with your physician before embarking on the best liquid diet plans for weight loss. Cut up some pineapple, beets, cabbage, carrots, spinach, and orange. Dump it in a blender and blend until smooth. Keep any pulp in for its high fibrous content. This recipe is not just healthy; it is tasty too. Liquid diet for detoxification Everyone you know and their grandmothers are talking about going on a detox diet.
Effective and East Treatments for Postherpetic Neuralgia

Effective and East Treatments for Postherpetic Neuralgia

Postherpetic neuralgia is a painful skin condition caused by the herpes zoster (chickenpox) virus. Once the shingles start to crust and heal, neuralgia sets in, damaging the nerve endings in the skin. This causes a pain that burns and makes the skin sensitive to even the lightest touch. This condition can last from a few months to a year. People older than the age of 60 years are at a higher risk of developing this complication. Postherpetic Neuralgia Treatment Options Postherpetic neuralgia has no proper medication or treatment. A combination treatment for Postherpetic neuralgia is required in most cases to ease the pain. Medication Although medicines cannot eliminate the pain entirely, still they can work towards reducing it and making it more manageable for you. Initially, your health practitioner may recommend using an over-the-counter painkiller such as paracetamol or combine it with codeine to see its effect. However, these standard pills have been known to be ineffective against treating the condition, and most of the time it is required to explore alternative options for p ostherpetic neuralgia. These postherpetic neuralgia treatment options have been discussed below: Anti-depressants: Medicines such as duloxetine(Cymbalta) and amitriptyline are used to treat depression. As they target chemical reactions in the brain that form the core of pain impulses, they can also be used for treating the shingles pain. These are started off in small doses to work slowly on your nervous system, dulling the senses and providing relief from the pain. Side effects include drowsiness, feeling light-headed, dry mouth, and weight gain. Anti-convulsants: Anti-seizure medicines help stabilize abnormal spikes in brain activity that are caused by damage to nerve ends. Originally intended to treat epilepsy, this type of medication lessens the pain by causing a dampening effect on your nervous system. Pregabalin and gabapentin (Gralise, Neurontin) are effective medications that are known to curb the pain sensitivity.