What Are the Normal Blood Sugar Levels

What Are the Normal Blood Sugar Levels

Who does not enjoy some sugary treats from time to time? A lot of people talk about having a sweet tooth. It is not always related to a preference for chocolates or sweets. Some people are habituated to eating something sweet after a filling meal, while others munch on candy to kill time. Today, almost all foods have some amount of sugar in them. Having a sweet tooth is not bad, but when it affects your health, you need to take it seriously. Everyone must try to maintain a normal range of blood sugar levels. One should not consume products with too much sugar or salt. They should also avoid eating sweet or salty foods over long durations as both of these items can gravely affect their health. No one wants to spend the rest of their lives swallowing pills and restricting their diet. They can avoid this by controlling the amount of sugar they consume and following a healthy and active lifestyle. Diabetes in the country Today, a large number of people in the country have diabetes. According to a report published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 100 million Americans have diabetes or prediabetes. Approximately 30 million citizens, i.e., 9.4% of the total population suffers from diabetes, and approximately 84.1 million citizens have prediabetes. If prediabetic patients do not treat this condition, they will go on to develop the disease within five years. This is a grave illness and reports suggests that the number of patients will rise steadily over time. Diabetes is the seventh leading cause of death in the country, and this number is only expected to rise with time. Some areas of the country have a higher rate of mortality than others, while other areas are affected on a larger basis.
7 Popular and Effective Treatments to Remove Facial Hair

7 Popular and Effective Treatments to Remove Facial Hair

Any person who looks attractive has a definite edge over people who appear shabby and untidy. A clean skin, devoid of hair, gives people a fresh look. If you are conscious of your facial hair, you can consider various methods to remove it as it will enhance your confidence. Eliminating facial hair makes the texture of your skin smooth, and heightens your appeal as you appear more self-assured. The removal of unwanted hair from the face is not a pleasant activity. However, nowadays, modern techniques to remove facial hair are available. These techniques make the whole process easy and uncomplicated. You can opt for numerous methods to remove your facial fuzz along the upper lip, cheeks, chin or between your eyebrows. If you want to explore your options, you can go through some of the most popular and effective treatments to remove facial hair listed below. Plucking Plucking is the most common method that women use to remove facial hair at home. You’ll need tweezers to pluck your hair and this one of the easiest ways to remove stray hair as soon as it becomes visible. Tweezing is best for smaller and localized areas, such as your brows and chin, but it is quite labor intensive and time-consuming. Furthermore, it is essential to wash the tweezers with warm water and soap after every use. Waxing This method can remove facial hair quite easily. You spread soft wax on an area and pull it off with a cloth or paper strips. A trained beauty practitioner can remove hair from your upper lip, cheeks, brows, and chin with ease using this technique. However, waxing can cause irritation sometimes because some people’s skin may be sensitive to the products applied to it. An incorrect waxing technique may cause imperfect extraction of the hair follicle and lead to the breakage of the hair shaft.
5 Effective Tips to Treat Dry Scalp

5 Effective Tips to Treat Dry Scalp

If you are suffering from dry and dull hair, and often see white dandruff flakes on your shoulder, then a dry scalp could be the reason behind it. Many people feel embarrassed due to the white flakes and the itching that dry scalp can cause. The irritation that dry scalp causes can sometimes be unbearable; therefore, it is important to choose effective treatment methods to treat it as soon as possible. If you ignore the problem of dry scalp, it can then turn into a chronic problem, which could be very hard to treat in the future. You can choose from the plethora of dry scalp treatments available in order to avoid this problem. What causes dry scalp? Dry scalp is caused when the oil-producing glands on the scalp are not active or underactive and are not producing enough amounts of natural oil. This natural oil helps keeps the scalp moist all the time. The following are some other causes of a dry scalp: If you are using harsh, chemical-filled shampoos, it can cause dry scalp When you are using hard water to wash your hair Fungal infections Extreme weather conditions like extreme heat or cold climates Improper diet Harsh styling products Not oiling your hair often or not using conditioners after shampooing To combat dry scalp, the following list provides some effective dry scalp treatments: Oil massage: One of the best and most proven methods for treating dry scalp is oil massage. You can take any oil that you use regularly and massage the scalp in circular motions. In this way, blood circulation will be promoted in the scalp and your hair will also start growing in a natural way. When using oil for massage, it is always efficient to heat it slightly. This means that you should use lukewarm oil to massage your scalp, and this can be especially helpful if the dry scalp is being caused due to some fungal infection.
Early Signs of Alzheimer Disease

Early Signs of Alzheimer Disease

Alzheimer’s disease is known to affect over 5 million people in the country as per research conducted by the Alzheimer’s Association. It is the most common form of dementia and results in the loss of memory and the degradation of other mental abilities that affect the quality of life. It is most common in adults aged 65 and above. Signs related to Alzheimer’s begin to appear slowly and gradually. The decline in memory and reasoning skills is typically slow but varies on a case-by-case basis. 5% of the population suffers from early-onset Alzheimer’s disease. Early-onset Alzheimer’s disease affects those in their 40s and 50s. These signs may seem to be a result of stress or age sometimes. You may be developing the disease if you are experiencing the following symptoms: You might suffer from extreme mood swings. This includes feeling confused and depressed. You may also experience anxiety and fearfulness. These changes in moods are noticeable and you may feel irritated if something is not done according to plan or if the normal routine of your day is not abided by. Here is another sign of Alzheimer’s, if you suddenly do not enjoy social gatherings anymore then you might be experiencing a symptom of Alzheimer’s. You try to avoid common social events, hobbies or work projects that were once important to you. You try to withdraw from attending these events and prefer to stay at home. You may demonstrate poor judgment. You may make bad financial choices and end up donating large sums of money or buying something which you normally would not buy. You may also not care about your personal hygiene as much as you used to. This may include you not taking regular baths or changing your clothes on a daily basis. You might not care about certain things and make rash decisions to get it over with, without thinking twice about its consequences.
A Quick Guide to Preventing and Treating Gas in Babies

A Quick Guide to Preventing and Treating Gas in Babies

It can be painful for new parents when their baby keeps crying for a long time, especially when they are unable to understand why their baby is crying. One of the main reasons why babies cry is due to gas as it creates pain. Babies tend to pass gas at least 13 to 21 times in a day. Many babies will not have any problem in passing gas, but there are a few kids who get stuck. Such babies feel pain and an uneasy sensation. So, before you see tips to relieve your baby from gas, you should know about its causes and symptoms. Why do babies pass so much gas? It is very common for babies to pass so much gas because they take in a lot of air when they are eating, being breastfed, sucking a pacifier or crying. All this air gets stuck in the tummy, and comes out in the form of gas. When the baby is unable to release the gas, they feel uneasy and get fussy. With no words to express their uneasiness and pain, wails are the only way that babies can communicate how they are feeling. At such times, it is essential to take appropriate measures to comfort the baby by easing their pain. What are the signs that your baby is having gas problems? How do you know if your baby is crying because of gas? Here are the things that you should keep an eye on: Check out if your baby is crying frequently If the baby is arching the back away from you, it could be a sign of gas problems When their face is turning red If your baby is scrunching their face as if they are in pain If you notice these signs, then you need to check if your baby is having trouble in passing gas, and you need to do something to make sure that your baby gets relief from gas.
A Complete Guide to Diabetic Feet Care

A Complete Guide to Diabetic Feet Care

Diabetes, which is also referred to as diabetes mellitus, is a health disorder characterized by high blood sugar levels. This is caused due to fluctuating insulin levels in the body. It is a long-term condition that affects various parts of the body like heart, kidneys, and limbs in the long run. But what is the relation between diabetes and foot related issues? Diabetics are prone to foot issues because the disease damages the nerves and affects the blood flow to your feet. Diabetic feet problems require periodic checkups almost as often as you check your blood sugar levels. Regular and consistent foot care is vital for a diabetic patient. Even the slightest neglect or postponement of foot checkups may lead to serious complications like loss of limbs. Taking good care of diabetic feet goes a long way in the prevention of infections and other complications. Foot Complications Due to Diabetes Diabetes affects vital organs in the long run. Maintaining sugar levels through medication and active lifestyle can prevent health complications due to diabetes to a large extent. Uncontrolled and unmonitored diabetes leads to several life-threatening complications. Unregulated diabetes can lead to eye, foot, skin, hearing, cardio, and renal complications. Common diabetic feet complications are neuropathy, foot ulcers or sores, and gangrene, which lead to amputation of the limb. Prolonged diabetes affects the nerves (diabetic neuropathy) and hampers the blood supply to the feet. Also, wearing ill-fitting footwear can also lead to diabetic feet problems. Diabetic peripheral neuropathy affects the nerves of the feet, resulting in numbness and complete loss of sensation if left untreated. People with long-term diabetes or uncontrolled diabetes are likely to develop peripheral neuropathy. What starts as a tingling sensation and occasional periods of numbness becomes a permanent loss of sensation to the feet. As a result, walking and balancing become difficult for the person.
Normal Blood Sugar Levels for People With and Without Diabetes

Normal Blood Sugar Levels for People With and Without Diabetes

Having something sweet after a meal is nearly everyone’s weakness. Most of us enjoy consuming sugary treats from time to time. Unfortunately, this has affected many people in the country. Gorging on sugar has its own set of repercussions. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, a staggering 100 million Americans suffer from pre-diabetes or diabetes. 9.4% of the country’s population suffers from diabetes. 84.1 million Americans have prediabetes. If their condition is left untreated, they will go on to develop the disease. Diabetes is the seventh leading cause of death in the country. Naturally, effective measures are essential. You need to be careful and keep your blood sugar levels within the normal range. Here are the blood sugar level charts for people with and without diabetes. Blood sugar level ranges Diabetes is a matter of great concern. Some areas of the country have a higher mortality rate than others, while other regions have a higher number of patients. Maintaining one’s diet is the key to avoid worsening the disease. The food you eat impacts your blood sugar levels, and you need to control your diet. To understand your blood sugar levels, you need to take frequent tests. Prediabetes is a condition which often leads to the onset of diabetes if not treated in its early stages. You need to know about the blood sugar level charts to determine how likely you are to develop this condition. Additionally, the doctor may recommend an A1C blood test to diagnose type 2 diabetes and prediabetes by checking the sugar level charts. The blood sugar level charts have different ranges that vary from person to person. These levels depend on whether the patient has type 1 diabetes or type 2 diabetes. There is a different blood sugar level chart for children with type 1 diabetes.
8 Ways to Treat Back Pain Without Surgery

8 Ways to Treat Back Pain Without Surgery

Back pain is one of the most common health problems that affect a large number of people in the country. The pain can range from a minor, constant ache to a sudden, sharp, and penetrating sensation that makes the person unable to move. Back pain can strike at any time. It can result from a strain or injury in the back due to an accident or heavy lifting or can develop over time due to changes in the spine as we age. Moreover, a sedentary lifestyle can also lead to chronic back pain. In most cases, stress or tension in the back muscles causes pain. In this article, we will explore different ways of treating back muscle pain without surgery. Treatment options for back pain If you are experiencing unbearable pain, you need to visit a healthcare professional. However, a lot of times, the pain is short-term and can be effectively treated with a combination of non-surgical options that offer instant relief. Benefits of non-surgical treatments The chief benefit of non-surgical back pain treatments is that you can manage your pain and move towards an active lifestyle. Some of the other advantages are: The ability to work and treat your pain simultaneously Better flexibility Improvement in the body’s posture Learning effective ways to prevent back pain in the future Effective non-surgical treatments Physical therapy Exercise is the best solution to get relief from chronic back pain. It is the first line of treatment that you should try under the guidance of a trained spine physical therapist or physician. Different people have diverse problem areas. So, the physical therapy should be tailored according to your specific symptoms and condition. By performing the prescribed set of exercises regularly, you can prevent backaches in the future. The following activities will be included in a physical therapy routine to get relief from back pain:
All You Need to Know About IBS-D

All You Need to Know About IBS-D

Irritable Bowel Syndrome or IBS is a common condition associated with the large intestine of our body. It affects around 25-45 million Americans. People in their late teens to the early 40s are likely to get affected by this condition. A person with IBS often experiences a mix of belly discomfort or pain along with trouble in bowel habits. Some other symptoms are cramping, bloating, mucus formation in the stool, and gas. Although it isn’t a life-threatening disease, it requires long-term management, a healthy lifestyle, and proper treatment to get rid of IBS. Mostly, healthcare professionals categorize IBS into three categories which are as follows: IBS-D where diarrhea is the predominant symptom IBS-C where constipation is the predominant symptom IBS-M where predominant symptoms can be a mix of diarrhea and constipation Factors that lead to IBS-D Though the precise causes of IBS-D are still unknown, let’s have a look at some of the factors that play a vital role in the development of this condition: Intestinal muscle contractions The intestinal walls have muscle linings that allow food to pass through the digestive tract through its contraction and relaxation movements. If the intestinal contractions are stronger than the average levels, it can lead to the formation of gas, bloating, and even diarrhea. At the same time, if the muscle contractions are weaker than usual, food passes slowly through the digestive tract, which can lead to the formation of hard and dry stool. Nervous system Abnormalities in the nerves in your digestive system can cause your body to overreact to changes. Thus, it could result in discomfort, pain, or even diarrhea and constipation. Intestinal inflammation Some people with IBS-D develops an increased number of immune-system cells in the intestinal walls which leads to inflammation of these walls. This condition plays a role in the formation of more serious digestive abnormalities including diarrhea and constipation.
Ways to Manage Nerve Pain from Shingles

Ways to Manage Nerve Pain from Shingles

Shingle is an infection which is caused by the same virus that gives you chickenpox and it appears as a painful rash which generally persists for 4 weeks at most. The condition causes an itching sensation, burning, all-around discomfort, and immense pain in its duration. While the symptoms of the disease are quite hard to handle, they can be managed and put to rest with effective treatment and by practicing home remedies. The best course of action is generally getting a cream to tackle shingles. Following the shingles virus, you may suffer from an extremely painful condition called post-herpetic neuralgia. The condition is characterized by pain occurring in the areas of the body where the rash was once present. It may or may not occur before the onset of the rash that characterizes shingles. The pain generally follows a nerve’s path on one side of the body. Here are a few ways you can manage nerve pain from shingles and lead a pain-free life. Pain from shingles To treat nerve pain that has preceded the appearance of the shingles rash, or which is ongoing during its appearance and treatment, it is necessary to manage shingles by following the below-mentioned methods first. Avoid scratching your blisters: When you are suffering from painful and itchy blisters, abstaining from scratching them is a task in itself. To effectively manage nerve pain from shingles, you need to try to keep from scratching your blisters. They will eventually crust over and fall off on their own terms. Scratching them only makes things worse as they will open up and become much more susceptible to infection. You may also end up spreading bacteria if you keep scratching your blisters. If you have accidentally scratched them, wash your hands immediately to avoid the spread of harmful infection-leading bacteria.
Tips to Treat Pain after Shingles

Tips to Treat Pain after Shingles

The pain caused due to shingles can be very severe and it can affect your normal day-to-day activities as well. Shingles are often caused when the chickenpox virus known as Varicella Zoster is reactivated. The virus then travels through the nerve fibers to cause a painful skin rash. Usually, the pain goes away along with the rash but can also persist sometimes. You can treat the pain after shingles using the following measures. Always consult a doctor if you are not sure which remedy to follow, or if you are suffering from any other disease. Painkillers Shingles cause nerve damage that is permanent and the pain is an after effect of it. To ease the pain of the effects of shingles, you can take painkillers that will effectively help with reducing the pain. Painkillers such as tricyclic antidepressants can help in dealing with the pain. Thoracic epidural injections Shingles are caused due to the nerve damage and if you reduce the nerve root inflammation, then the pain can also be reduced. For this, the anti-inflammatory medicine can be injected into the space that is near the spinal cord. This reduces the pain. Thus, thoracic epidural injections can be used for the treatment of shingles. Membrane stabilizers You can use membrane stabilizers to treat the pain after shingles. You can ask your doctor to prescribe medicines that will act as membrane stabilizers and will help you with the immense pain caused due to shingles. The pain can prolong even after shingles are gone and therefore fighting the pain is the only way. Natural remedies for treating the pain after shingles Healing baths When you clean the blisters every day, then the infection is less likely to spread. The itchiness and pain after shingles can be reduced with cool water baths. Since heat increases the blisters, you should avoid taking bath with hot water at all costs.
Causes and Treatment Methods of Chronic Diarrhea

Causes and Treatment Methods of Chronic Diarrhea

Diarrhea is the second most reported illness all over the country. The most prominent characteristic of diarrhea is a watery or loose stool. If diarrhea lasts for four or more weeks, then it will be regarded as chronic diarrhea. Although acute diarrhea may not be that serious and will get cured with time, chronic diarrhea may create some serious complications if it is not treated as soon as possible. Here are some of the causes and treatment methods of chronic diarrhea. Causes of chronic diarrhea Too much alcohol and caffeine If you consume foods that have too much caffeine or cola content, then you might get the watery stool. Also, consumption of too much alcohol can ruin your digestive system. In that case, you will face the problem of chronic diarrhea. However, if you consume these substances in a limited amount or even stop consuming it completely, then you may not face this problem. Consuming sugary items Taking too much sugar is known to cause diarrhea. Also, there are some substances that are artificial sweeteners. Consuming these substances regularly can cause chronic diarrhea. Here are some the examples of these substances: Lactose Fructose Mannitol Sorbitol Taking certain medications Certain medications might cause acute or chronic diarrhea. Medications that are used for chemotherapy may cause diarrhea, or if you have taken a course of antibiotics, then you may also get vulnerable to diarrhea. So, if you have this medical condition after starting a particular medication, then you should consult your doctor immediately. Celiac disease If you have celiac disease, then it will be difficult for you to link your food with the specific symptom you are having because your stomach will already be damaged. So, you will be experiencing these symptoms all the time. This will last for around four or more weeks.