Type 2 Diabetes

Type 2 diabetes is a disease of the metabolism involving the body's ability to use sugar to provide energy to the cells of the body. Type 2 diabetes is the most common of the diseases of diabetes mellitus. Type 2 diabetes usually occurs in adults but more and more young adolescents are being diagnosed with this disease. It is believed to be caused by poor diet, little or no exercise as well as being overweight or obese.

With Type 2 diabetes, the body's ability to use glucose is impaired. Insulin is a substance which is used by the body to help facility the movement of glucose from the blood system into the cells of the body. The insulin used in this process is produced in the pancreas and those with Type 2 diabetes either produce too little insulin or produce plenty of insulin but the cells are unable to use it. This is known as "insulin resistant".

Because of this the level of glucose builds up in the body and is excreted from the body in urine. This extreme urination often causes dehydration and the dehydration without replacing the fluids can lead to a diabetic coma also known as hyperglycemic hyperosmolar nonketotic syndrome

The symptoms of this disease which usually leads a person to see their medical professional includes extreme thirst as well as excessive urination. Occasionally diagnosis is made after the person ends up in the hospital after suffering an episode such as diabetic coma.

High blood glucose levels overtime can damage the nerves, the small blood vessels in the eyes, kidneys and the heart leaving the person predisposed to atherosclerosis (hardening) of the large arteries that can cause heart attack and stroke as well as many other severe complications.

This condition is treated by medication, dietary changes and exercise and in some cases can be treated with dietary changes and exercise alone. Those who are obese or overweight need to also lose weight. The diabetic needs to daily monitor the level of blood glucose in the body using a portable glucometer which can take the reading from a small drop of blood from the finger.

Both types of diabetes mellitus are conditions or diseases which have no cure and last a life time. But with proper medication and other lifestyle changes Type 2 diabetes is a disease that can be managed well but involves a life time commitment to regular professional as well as self care.

Depression Increases Risk of Stroke

Depression is a relatively minor risk factor for stroke compared to high blood pressure (hypertension) and other health conditions and behaviors that damage blood vessels, the researchers say. Still, their analysis suggests that as many as 4% of the estimated 795,000 strokes that occur in the United States each year can be attributed to depression.

“If you have depression but no other health issues, you probably don’t have to pay too much attention to stroke risk,” says An Pan, PhD, the lead author of the analysis and a research fellow at the Harvard School of Public Health, in Boston. “But if you are depressed and are also obese, or have hypertension or…unhealthy lifestyle factors, your risk is going to increase dramatically.”


Pan and his colleagues combined data from 28 studies dating back to the mid-1990s that included about 318,000 people overall. Roughly 2.7% of the participants had a stroke during the studies, which ranged in length from two to 29 years.

Compared to those who showed no signs of depression, people who received a depression diagnosis from a doctor or who reported feeling depressed were 45% more likely to have a stroke and 55% more likely to die from a stroke, the researchers found.

Depression increased the risk of ischemic stroke, in which a blood vessel becomes blocked and cannot send blood to the brain. But it did not measurably raise the risk of the other major type, hemorrhagic stroke, in which a blood vessel leaks or bursts open.

The new study is the latest in a long line of research linking depression to chronic disease and serious physical health problems.

“We knew that depression raises a person’s risk of developing diabetes, obesity, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease,” Pan says. “We also knew that depression can occur after patients suffer a stroke. We just didn’t have strong enough evidence to know if the reverse was true, or what really comes first.”
Researchers have already established that depression increases the risk of heart attacks (and especially fatal ones), so it makes sense that depression would have a similar association with stroke, says Norman Rosenthal, MD, a clinical professor of psychiatry at the Georgetown University School of Medicine, in Washington, D.C.

“Strokes and heart attacks both represent blood vessels becoming blocked and blood being withheld from a vital organ, whether it’s the heart or the brain,” says Rosenthal, who was not involved in the new study. “They’re essentially the same disease.”

Are depression drugs partly to blame?


Depression could contribute to strokes in many ways, Pan says. For starters, people who are depressed are more likely to smoke or drink heavily, to follow an unhealthy diet, and to neglect their personal health. Most of the studies included in the analysis controlled for these and other risk factors, but the data suggests that at least some of the stroke risk in depressed people can be explained by an unhealthy lifestyle.

There are other possibilities, as well, that aren’t as easily measured. Depression can increase the production of stress hormones in the body, for instance, and can trigger dangerous inflammation in the blood vessels. “Little things, like keeping up good dental hygiene or socializing with friends, all affect inflammation levels—and these are things that a depressed person is less likely to do,” says Rosenthal.

Depression may also cause people to slack on taking medications needed to control other stroke-related conditions, such as diabetes or high blood pressure. On the other hand, some medications prescribed for depression—most notably the class of drugs known as atypical antipsychotics—have been shown to cause weight gain and obesity, a known risk factor for stroke.

More research is needed to determine whether depression drugs contribute to stroke risk. Doctors should monitor weight gain and blood pressure levels in patients taking these drugs, but there’s no reason for patients to stop taking them, Pan says. “For now, physicians should prescribe medication if they think it is necessary, or if non-drug treatments haven’t worked.”

Although depression isn’t the most important risk factor for stroke, the researchers say it likely has a noticeable impact on the stroke rate. They estimate that depression is responsible for an additional 106 strokes per 100,000 people in the United States each year.

How Sleep Position Affects Sleep Quality

Do you sleep on your back or your stomach? Do you sleep all night or do only fitfully? The way you sleep could be the explanation of how and how much you sleep, say experts.

There isn’t really one correct way that is doctor recommended for sleep. It is widely accepted that you must not change your natural way of sleeping unless there is a medical necessity. The human body tends to unconsciously find the position that is most comfortable for it. But it is possible for certain problems like sleep apnea, snoring, headache, heartburn and back trouble to become worse because of the way you sleep.

Most people tend to only sleep in a particular position every night and tend to find other positions uncomfortable and even sometimes painful. Sleeping in positions other than their natural one tends to make their sleep restless and disturbing.

People tend to choose their position of sleep based on the level of comfort in breathing. If the airway in the throat becomes smaller, he sleeper tends to favour sleeping on the stomach. It is recommended that snorers and those with sleep apnea should not sleep on their backs. The recommended position for such people is on their side as it keeps their airways open. Research has shown that sleeping on the left side can help in relieving heartburn symptoms, while right-side sleeping could make them worse. Doctors have also recommended that sleeping on the left side during pregnancy helps improve circulation to the heart, which is good for both the mother and the baby.

It is very important to get adequate sleep at night, without which the body keeps feeling tired the next day, and can reduce your productivity and creativity. Therefore a good night’s sleep is very important. Your mattress can also be an important factor in determining your sleep pattern.

In the end, it is best to sleep the way you are most comfortable. If you have a problem like sleep apnea or snoring, try a different position in consultation with your doctor.

All About Breastfeeding : Why Is Breastfeeding Important?

Breastfeeding is the best way of ensuring that your baby gets all the required nourishment. It’s tailor made for your baby with the right quantity of nutrients and antibodies which will help protect your baby from illness and infection. Initially your breasts will produce ‘colostrum’ – a clear, golden yellow fluid which starts your baby’s digestive system working and protects against infection. Your breast milk transmits immunoglobulin A proteins (IgA) and macrophages which are antibodies against disease causing organisms. This is one of the reasons why breastfeed babies are less likely to have ear infections, allergies, vomiting, diarrhea, meningitis and pneumonia.

How To Breastfeed

 

Learning how to breastfeed takes practice and the more you do it, the easier it would be. The first feeding can happen within 30 minutes to an hour after being born as your baby will be hungry soon after being born. If you had a vaginal delivery, you can nurse in bed or in a chair by lying on your side with your baby facing you or by holding your baby in the cradle position with the head in the crook of your arm. You need to firmly support your baby’s back and buttocks. If you sit and feed your baby, make sure your baby’s entire body is facing your body and not the ceiling.

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Breastfeeding After Cesarean Delivery

 

If you had a Cesarean-section delivery., your baby may feel drowsy as a result of anesthesia and may not be interested in feeding straight away. Encouraging your baby to feed will help your baby wake up. You can do so by stroking your baby’s cheek which will help in opening the mouth wide ready to feed. You can nurse your baby by lying down on your side, sitting up using one or two pillows to support your baby and protect your incision or by using a side-sitting or “football” hold.

Choose a comfortable position while you are breastfeeding and use pillows or cushions to support your back and arms. Make sure you support your baby’s back, head and hips. If you are sitting and feeding, use a footstool to support your feet. Holding your baby in right position is important. You and your baby should be tummy to tummy with your baby’s nose opposite your nipple and the head and body should be in line with each other.

Helping Your Baby Latch

 

Helping your baby latch on to your breast correctly is the key to successful breastfeeding. Check your baby’s position and correct it if you feel that your baby has not latched on correctly. You can help you baby latch on correctly by stroking your baby’s cheek with your finger. Stroking will ensure that your baby will open its mouth wide and then move your baby towards your nipple aiming at the roof of your baby’s mouth. Your baby will close its mouth once it has a good mouthful and this will form a tight seal. While feeding, your baby should have all of the nipple and areola (the pigmented ring around the nipple) in the mouth.

Usually, babies fall asleep once they are full and they naturally come off the breast. In case your baby falls asleep with the nipple in mouth, you can ease off by sliding your little finger into the corner of the mouth. This will break the suction. Do not pull your baby off the nipple.

Stress Relief Tips: Numerous Strategies

There are umpteen stress relief tips. Stress can function as an energizer or motivator. Excessive amounts of stress can cause social and medical turmoil. The body’s response to stress is physical. Stress activates the ‘fight or flight’ response in the body. Stress causes release of adrenaline, which is a stress hormone. This causes increase in heart rate, rapid breathing and increase in blood pressure. Stress relief tips are essential in the effective management of stress. Mentioned below are some of the stress relief tips:

Deep breathing:

This is one of the most popular and effective stress relief tips. Perform deep inhalations through the nose. Allow the air to reach the lungs. Individuals should hold their breath until they reach a count of six. The exhalation should be slow. Perform this action for numerous minutes. Hyperventilation should be avoided. Start natural breathing in the event of light-headedness or dizziness.

Express Yourself:

Talk to a friend or participate in group activities. Follow an online community. If these stress relief tips fail to work, consult a doctor or counselor. Reach out to the church and community. Individuals could also tame a pet.

Allocate time for fun and relaxation:

Indulge in activities that enhance the feel-good factor. These activities could include music, dancing, beach walks, prayers, hiking, gardening, photography, bird watching, movies, swimming, sports, and museum visits. List down the activities that you enjoy.

Exercise:

Exercise combats stress. Try new forms of exercise, such as swimming. Take long, brisk walks. Indulge in some exercise. You may also consult a doctor to learn which exercises are appropriate.

Laugh:

Laughter combats stress to a great extent. Watch humorous movies. You can also read stories that are humorous.

Rid Yourself of Negativities:

Take a closer look at your surroundings. Avoid people who have a negative outlook toward life. Say a firm ‘no’ to negativity.

Pen down your feelings and emotions:

Write down the things that trouble you. Writing helps to get rid of frustration. Deeper insights can be got through writing. Innovative solutions can also be found.

Massage therapy:

Allocate time for yourself. Massage could relax the muscles and increase blood flow to the skin. This helps to relieve emotional and mental stress. Muscle spasms are also eased. Massage therapy has proven benefits.

Set Realistic Goals:

Do not expect others to dance to your tunes. Avoid expectations of being right every time. Life involves conflicts. Be ready to combat conflict. Understand your needs and arrive at a compromise.

Keep a check on self expectations:

Individuals experience tension and stress when self expectations get out of control. Do not set demands that are unrealistic.

Disclaimer: The information provided here is not intended to diagnose, treat or provide a second opinion on any health problem or disease. It is meant to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between an individual and his/her clinician.

Can Migraine Be Controlled with Exercises?

Yes, Migraine headaches can be controlled successfully with exercises. Below we have discussed some exercising forms that can help in managing migraine attacks:

Gentle cardiovascular workouts:

You can get involved in cardiovascular activities like swimming, cycling or walking. Performing these activities regularly will decrease severity of the migraine headaches. These workouts will promote production of endorphins and thus helps in reducing migraine pain.  However make sure that you use these exercises only as preventive measures. Migraine pain can worsen due to physical activities; so never exercise when you are anticipating a migraine attack and experiencing related symptoms.

Meditation: 

 

As meditation does not involve physical movements, it is regarded as a perfect exercise for migraine relief. According to the experts, meditating during migraine attacks can reduce the pain effectively. The patient will need to sit in an upright position in a dark and quiet room and attempt to calm down his mind. There are several techniques of meditation that you can follow; consult an expert for suggestion on the most effective techniques.

Neck stretch:

This exercise can be done even when the migraine pain is at its peak. Neck stretching generally starts with 5 to 10 repetition of neck stretches, both in the forward and backward direction. This should be followed by gentle neck stretches on the left and right side; one should perform 5 to 10 repetitions of these side stretches. If you are doing the stretches in the right manner, you will feel it along your entire neck. Once the stretches are done, you will have to perform 5 to 10 repetitions of head rotations, from left to right.

Yoga:

You can also perform yoga. Yoga reduces migraine pain by relaxing the mind of the patient and relieving sensory overload. There are several yoga poses that can be done for getting rid of migraine pain; you can perform the easy mountain pose or the comparatively complex triangle pose. Remember, yoga asanas should never be done during rigorous migraine pain; they should be performed as the initial signs of migraine appears.


Disclaimer: The information provided here is not intended to diagnose, treat or provide a second opinion on any health problem or disease. It is meant to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between an individual and his/her clinician.

Biggest Causes of Chronic Headaches

What is a chronic headache? According to medical science, a chronic headache is defined as the headache that occurs for a minimum of two (can be more) times every week for a period of at least 3 months. In this article, we have discussed about the biggest causes of chronic headache.

 

 

Brain injury :

According to medical experts, traumatic injuries to our brain can make us suffer from chronic headaches. One can also develop chronic headache due to presence of a brain tumor. Medical experts states that when the brain tumor presses the pain sensitive walls of our blood vessels and the nerve tissues, we can experience severe headaches. Excessively high or low intracranial pressure is another well known cause of chronic headaches.

Infections :

Patients suffering from brain infections like encephalitis or meningitis often become victims of chronic headaches.  A person suffering from meningitis develops inflammation in the thin tissues surrounding his spinal cord and brain. On the other hand, a patient with encephalitis develops inflammation in his brain.  Both encephalitis and meningitis occur due to viral or bacterial infections. Another infection type that in rare cases may lead to chronic headaches is respiratory infection reaching the sinuses of the patient.

Other factors :

Any condition that results in inflammation in our brain or the surrounding areas of out brain is likely to trigger chronic headaches. One may also develop chronic headache due to a stroke. Medical experts say that an individual developing increased response towards the pain signals might also suffer from chronic headache. A certain part of our brain helps in suppressing the pain signals; any damage caused to this part of our brain might make us experience chronic headaches.


Disclaimer: The information provided here is not intended to diagnose, treat or provide a second opinion on any health problem or disease. It is meant to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between an individual and his/her clinician.

Kids Health: How to Make Their Bones Healthy?

How to enhance the bone health of kids? The healthy habits contributing to the growth of the children are also beneficial for their bone health. The key of developing health habits for the little ones is becoming good role models as parents. It’s true that when a child sees the parents sticking to good habits he gets encouraged for doing the same. The most essential good habits that one needs to maintain lifelong for having strong bones are getting involved in daily physical activities and proper nutrition; the same stands true for the kids too.

Let us know what to eat for having healthy bones. Nutrition for strong and healthy bones includes lots of food items rich in vitamin D and calcium. Generally, the vitamin D obtained from sunlight is enough for majority of the kids; if not having foods like fortified milk and egg yolks will be enough for getting the required amount of vitamin D. However, most kids fail to get adequate amount of calcium from their daily diet; this stops them from having healthy bones. Below we have mentioned the required quantity of calcium for kids of different age groups.

• Babies from birth to 6 months of age require 210mg of calcium.
• Babies between 6 months to 1 year of age require 270 mg of calcium.
• Children between 1 and 3 years require 500 mg of calcium.
• Children between 4 and 8 years require 800 mg of calcium.
• Children and young adults between 9 and 18 years require 1300 mg of calcium.

Calcium can be obtained from a number of food items, but the most common of them all are dairy products like milk, cheese, yogurt etc. Drinking 8oz of milk offers 300mg calcium; this covers around 1/3 and ¼ of the recommended dosage of calcium for the younger children and teenagers respectively. Milk also acts as the source of other essential nutrients like vitamins and minerals. Some other common calcium rich food items include: fishes like sardines and salmon, orange, spinach, broccoli, kale etc.

Chocolate for Heart Health: The Sweet Truth

In spite of the indulgent reputation of chocolates, a number of researchers around the world believe that chocolate in extremely beneficial for our cardiovascular system including the heart. The following pointers will inform the reason behind this perception of the researchers.

• According to the scientists that antioxidants present in dark chocolate are extremely beneficial for the heart. The antioxidants found in dark chocolate are known as flavanols, a sub class of polyphenols. Flavanols work by deactivating the free radicals in human blood and thus controls the formation of bad cholesterol. Flavanols are also known for stimulating the nitric oxide production in human body; nitric oxide is the gas responsible for relaxing and widening the arteries.
• A research published in the year 2006 showed that chocolate has great effects on the heart health of human beings. The study was done on 470 elderly men; they were followed for 15 years to check their regular intake of chocolates or other cocoa products. The men who consumed maximum amount of cocoa products during this phase were 50 percent less vulnerable towards heart failures compared to the men who ate least amount of cocoa products.
• One of the crucial agents for blood clotting is platelet. Platelets are extremely essential for healing of wounds, but create serious problem when these sticky cells accumulate on the walls of the arteries. Accumulation of platelets on the artery walls lead to formation of blood clots and plaques that can result in arterial blockages. Generally, the physicians prescribe baby aspirin, a medicine known for its anti-clotting effects for preventing heart attacks. A medical study was conducted for comparing the effects of baby aspirin and cocoa beverage; the results revealed that cocoa offered similar effect to that of baby aspirin. However, the effects of cocoa were slightly less in magnitude. The best result was obtained when both cocoa and baby aspirin were administered together.

Diagnosis of Type 1 Diabetes

The diagnosis of type 1 diabetes can be problematic. Unless there is a known history of diabetes in the family, most people do not recognize the signs and symptoms of type 1 diabetes when they first appear. These symptoms can easily be mistaken for a stomach virus because vomiting is frequently present. As symptoms persist and worsen, most people seek medical attention and only then discover they have type 1 diabetes.

How Is Type 1 Diabetes Diagnosed?
Because symptoms begin to appear quickly once the pancreas shuts down its production of insulin, most people are diagnosed within a short period of time from when the symptoms begin. In some cases it may take longer. Diagnosing diabetes requires a blood sample to measure glucose levels in the blood.
What Tests Are Used?
There are three standard tests used for diagnosing type 1 diabetes. The type of test used for any particular person depends on the situation and the doctor’s preference. These tests are:
Fasting Blood Glucose (FBG)
In a FBG test, a blood sample is obtained after a period of fasting for at least eight hours. This usually means no food or drink (except water) is taken after midnight on the night before the test. A blood sample is usually drawn early the next day before any food is eaten or beverages consumed. If the results of this test reveal a glucose reading of 126 mg/dl or higher it indicates diabetes. To confirm the diagnosis, it is usually necessary to repeat the test a second time on a different day. Fasting glucose levels are normally between 70 to 110 mg/dl in a person without diabetes. The FBG test is the most commonly used test for diagnosing diabetes.
Random Blood Glucose
In a random blood glucose test, a blood sample is also tested to measure your glucose but there is no consideration given to when you ate your last meal. A glucose level of more than 200 mg/dl indicates that you have diabetes.
This is the preferred glucose test used in medical emergencies when a person (most often a child) has such high glucose levels they may be drifting into a diabetes-induced coma. Within minutes of using this test, medical personnel can determine how much glucose is in the blood and administer insulin if type 1 diabetes is confirmed as the diagnosis.
Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT)
This diagnostic test, called the oral glucose tolerance test, differs from the other two because you are asked to drink a sugary beverage as a way to measure how your pancreas can manage the glucose you take in. Before you drink the beverage, a baseline fasting blood glucose is taken. You then drink the beverage and over the next two hours blood glucose levels are taken every 30 minutes. In a person without diabetes, glucose levels rise and then fall quickly because the body naturally produces insulin to lower the blood glucose. In contrast, a person with type 1 diabetes will see a sharp rise and a sustained high level of glucose because the pancreas is unable to deliver the needed insulin to lower the glucose in the blood.
If your blood glucose at the two-hour mark is below 140 mg/dl, your blood sugar is considered normal. A reading that exceeds 200 mg/dl after the same time period indicates diabetes. If glucose levels are higher than 200 mg/dl, the test should be repeated on a different day to confirm the diagnosis.

A1c (hemoglobin A1c) test

The hemoglobin A1c test has traditionally been a measure of long-term control of glucose levels in the bloodstream. But in 2010, the American Diabetes Association recommended that the test also be used as another option for diagnosing diabetes and prediabetes. Though using the A1c test would more often be used for diagnosing type 2 diabetes, it deserves mention here because it could also be used to diagnose type 1.
When glucose test results on the A1c measure 6.5 percent or higher on blood hemoglobin, it is considered a diagnosis for diabetes. The advantages of using the A1c test over plasma glucose is that it takes less time and is more convenient than the oral glucose tolerance test and does not require fasting before the test is performed.
Other tests may be performed (such as thyroid) to determine if there are any other autoimmune antibodies present. For all of these tests to give reliable results, you must be free from infections and viruses and not be taking medicines that could affect your blood glucose.

_Sources:
American Diabetes Association. Clinical practice recommendations: 2002. Screening for Diabetes. Diabetes Care. 2002;25:21S
American Diabetes Association. American Diabetes Association’s New Clinical Practice Recommendations Promote A1C as Diagnostic Test for Diabetes.
Diagnosis of Diabetes. National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse. Accessed: August 11, 2008. http://diabetes.niddk.nih.gov/dm/pubs/diagnosis/index.htm

Tips for Constipation in Pregnancy

Constipation, difficulty having regular bowel movements or BMs, is a very common symptom of pregnancy. This does not mean that you have to suffer from constipation or irregular, hard bowel movements and the pain associated with them and can even cause hemorrhoids. There are things you can do to help things move along.

• Water:
  Simply drinking water can help make your bowel movements more frequent and less hard to pass. Staying hydrated is important for everyone, particularly in pregnancy. Be sure to get enough water every day and you will find that you have fewer problems with constipation.
• Fiber :
  Fiber is found in natural sources like many fruits and vegetables, also in beans and some grain. These natural sources will help your bowel movements be loose and regular. Some recommend using prune juice.
• Watch the calcium :
  Too much calcium can cause constipation.
• Exercise :
  Exercise is known for helping keeping your bowels move regularly.
• Medication:
  You can take medications like fiber pills and laxatives to help relieve the painful symptoms of constipation. In pregnancy not all of these medications are safe or effective. Please see your doctor or midwife about which are safe for you.

5 Strange Pregnancy Symptoms

Pregnancy is an odd thing to live through. Though most women expect certain symptoms to come with pregnancy. Nausea, vomiting, even backache are expected by most moms-to-be. Here is a list of five pregnancy symptoms you may not have even thought about!
 

1. Nose Bleeds & Nasal Stuffiness
   Your nose is so far away from your uterus, how could it be involved? But nose bleeds and stuffiness can be very common. Treat the symptoms with natural remedies like a humidifier or snorting salt water. If that doesn't help, talk to your doctor or midwife for other options.
2. Vaginal Discharge
   When you're pregnant you expect your periods to stop. You probably don't expect an increase in vaginal discharge. This discharge is normal and healthy. If it bothers you, simply wear a panty liner. It will increase in amount until the birth of your baby. If there is ever a change in color or an odor, you should report it to your doctor or midwife. See more on leukorrhea.
3. Insomnia
   When you think of pregnancy you probably think of being extremely tired. Sometimes, with or without the fatigue, you can experience pregnancy insomnia. This can manifest itself in the form of an inability to fall asleep or as the inability to fall back to sleep after being awakened (like your nightly trips to the potty). Exercise, decreasing caffeine and relaxation are the mainstays of non-medicinal relief. More pregnancy sleep tips.
4. Gastrointestinal Distress (Burping & Gas)
   The hormones of pregnancy have sent your gastrointestinal tract in a spin. The unladylike affliction of belching, burping and gas are fairly common. Try to avoid offending foods and remember to just let it all hang out. Holding it in can cause a lot of pain.
5. Constipation
   Yet another lovely affect that pregnancy can have on your body. The hormones of pregnancy cause your intestines to slow down and become sluggish. Exercise, drinking plenty of water and eating high fiber foods can be very helpful in this issue. If this doesn't help, be sure to talk to your midwife or doctor for additional measures you can take.

50 Tips for a Healthy Pregnancy

Trying for a baby? Being healthy before, during and after pregnancy involves so many different aspects of your life. So, I've compiled a quick list to help you stay on the healthy side. 

1. See your practitioner before becoming pregnant.
2. Start changing your food habits to include a healthy variety of foods.
3. Exercise! Starting now will help you stay in shape during pregnancy, can lower your risk of miscarriage, and has been proven to help reduce labor complications and length.
4. Educate yourself!
5. Eat a new vegetable you've never tried.
6. Check out a book on pregnancy.
7. Figure out what to do about chemical birth control, like the birth control pill.
8. Stop smoking. There are many programs to help you.
9. Take a prenatal vitamin. They can be prescribed by your practitioner or you can buy them over the counter. Ensure it contains 0.4 mg of folic acid.
10. Ask your partner to join you on your new healthy habit changes.
11. Track your cycles. Learning what you can about your cycles will help determine when you ovulate and when you conceived. These make for more accurate due dates.
12. If you need a new practitioner, interview before you become pregnant.
13. Ask your friends about pregnancy and parenthood.
14. Avoid chemicals that could possibly harm your baby. You can find these at work, in your home, and just about anywhere, be environmentally sensitive.
15. See your dentist before you get pregnant and brush your teeth daily.
16. Tell any medical professional that you may be pregnant if you are trying to get pregnant. This can prevent exposure to harmful tests and chemicals if you are pregnant and don't know it yet.
17. Stop changing cat litter.
18. Remember, it can take up to a year to become pregnant. If you have been actively trying for a year or more than six months if you are over 35, see your practitioner.
19. Act pregnant. This includes not drinking alcohol, even while trying to conceive. There is no known safe level during pregnancy and alcohol can cause birth defects.
20. Announce your pregnancy when you are ready.
21. Talk to your parents, what do you want to take from their experiences? How do you want to be different?
22. Rest when you can. Nap!
23. Start a journal or a pregnancy blog.
24. Use non-medicinal remedies for problems like nausea, heartburn, and constipation.
25. Drink six - eight eight ounce glasses of water a day.
26. Read yet another book!
27. Join a prenatal yoga or exercise class.
28. Keep your prenatal appointments with your midwife or doctor. This will help ensure that if you have any problems that they are caught early and kept to a minimum.
29. Take an early pregnancy class.
30. Remember to add 300 - 500 calories a day while pregnant.
31. Tour your selection of birth facilities before making a choice if you are not having a home birth.
32. Review the signs of premature labor and warnings signs for when to call your practitioner.
33. Talk to local doulas and start interviewing. Doulas can help you have a shorter, safer and more satisfying birth.
34. Keep a food diary to ensure that you are keeping up with your daily requirements.
35. If you are decorating your house or a nursery remember to avoid fumes often associated with paint and wall paper. Perhaps have friends do the heavy work while you help make snacks for them. Keep the windows open!
36. Baby sit a friend's baby and learn a bit about caring for a newborn.
37. Take a childbirth class. Sign up early to ensure you get the class and dates that you want.
38. Swimming is great in late pregnancy. It can help relieve a lot of aches and pains and makes you feel weightless.
39. Take a breastfeeding class to help prepare you for the realities of breastfeeding.
40. Stretch before bed to help prevent leg cramps.
41. Continue to exercise, even if you have to slow down. This will help you recover more quickly.
42. Write a birth plan. Something to help you clarify what you want or need for your birth experience. Share this with your practitioners and those you have invited to your birth.
43. Have film and cameras ready!
44. Practice relaxation whenever you can. Try for at least once a day.
45. Do pelvic tilts to help with late pregnancy back pain. It will help relieve your pain and even encourage the baby to assume a good birth position.
46. Pack your bags if you are going to a birth center or hospital. Don't forget your insurance cards, pre-registration forms, camera, birth plan, etc.
47. Review the signs of labor and warning signs.
48. Take a picture of yourself before the baby comes!
49. Read birth stories.
50. Kiss the baby!

Blood Sugar Levels

This article will discuss blood sugar levels – what tests are done to find these levels, what average levels are and what happens when levels become too high or too low.

 

 

 

 

Normal Blood Sugar Levels

The prime source of energy for animal and human cells is glucose which is a kind of sugar which passes thru the blood system. When you eat carbohydrates, glucose goes through your body. The levels of glucose are kept normal by glucagon and insulin. Insulin is the hormone which is generated in the pancreas and discharged into the blood system when levels of glucose rise.


The normal level for glucose is usually 70 and 150 mg. These levels are typically lowest when waking up, and rise following meals. Levels of blood sugar consistently higher then 150 are a sign of high blood sugar also known as hyperglycemia. When the blood sugar level persistently falls to 70 are lower this is a sign of low blood sugar also know as hypoglycemia. Low blood sugar is a prospectively fatal condition. The symptoms or signs of hypoglycemia are weakened mental functioning, lethargy, unconsciousness as well as irritability. Continual hyperglycemia causes diabetes mellitus, which is the most frequent disease connected to the regulation of blood sugar. Diabetes is a disease which can cause kidney, nerve and eye damage.

Diabetes Blood Sugar Levels

In making the diagnosis of diabetes, doctors first and foremost use the end results of particular glucose tests. But, test outcomes are just one element of all the data which goes into the conclusion for a diagnosis of Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes. Physicians also look into the outcomes of your physical assessment, presence or lack of signs, and health record.

Also, some drugs may change your blood glucose levels which will then go back to usual after the illness has gotten better. Many people who are very ill will have transient problems with elevated blood glucose levels. These are mostly commonly due to medications such as steroids and certain diuretics, such as water pills.
The 2 major tests run to determine the existence of blood glucose difficulties are the total amount of glucose levels in the blood system all through a fast during the night and level of the body’s capacity to properly handle the surplus sugar in the blood after drinking a drink of very high glucose.

Oral Glucose Tolerance Test

The “oral glucose tolerance test” is a test that may be carried out in a physician’s office or a lab. The individual being checked begins the test in a fasting condition (having neither drink nor food except water for no less than 10 hours but not longer than 16 hours.)

Beginning blood glucose is taken and after that the individual is asked to drink a “glucola” which is a drink with elevated amounts of sugar in it. The individual then has their blood analyses done at ½ hour, 1 hour, 2 hours, and 3 hours after consuming the “glucola”.

In order to get trustworthy results with this test, the individual should be in fine health and not ill – not even as minor as a cold. As well, the individual should be regularly active. For example, not detained to a bed like a hospital patient or lying down, and should as well not be using any drugs which could have an effect on the blood sugar. On the morning of the analysis, the individual should not drink coffee or smoke. Throughout this examination, the individual should sit or lie calmly.

This test to measure the glucose tolerance is done by analyzing the level of blood glucose 5 times during a time frame of 3 hours. In an individual with no diabetes, the blood glucose levels will rise after drinking the glucose drink, and then fall rapidly back to regular levels. This is because of the production of insulin in reaction to the glucose and this insulin has a normalizing effect of lowering the blood sugar level.

In a person with diabetes, levels of glucose rises higher than normal after consuming the glucose drink and then drops back to normal levels much slower. This is because insulin is either not being generated, or it is generated but the body cells are unable to react to it.

As with random blood glucose or fasting tests, an obviously uncharacteristic oral glucose tolerance test is analytical of diabetes. But, measurements of blood glucose during the tolerance of glucose test may fluctuate to some extent. Because of this, if or when the test demonstrates that you have a mild elevation of glucose levels in the blood, the physician may need to redo the test in order to make certain of a correct diagnosis.
These tolerances for glucose tests can lead to 1 of the below diagnoses:

Standard Reaction

An individual is known as having a normal/standard response if the 2-hour sugar level is equal to and less than 110 mg/dL.

Impaired Glucose Tolerance

When an individual has results which are the same as or greater than 110 and less than 126 mg/dL, they are said to have weakened or impaired glucose fasting. This is regarded as a risk for potential diabetes in the future and will possible set up another test in the future. But the results by itself, does not formulate the diabetes diagnosis.

An individual is alleged to have impaired glucose tolerance when the 2-hour glucose end results from the oral glucose tolerance test are larger than or equal to 140 but below the level of 200 mg/dL. There is as well a risk factor for diabetes in the future. There are currently conversations on lowering the higher value to 180 mg/dL in order to make a diagnosis of mild diabetes earlier in order to allocate quicker intercession and avoid many of the complications of diabetes.

Diabetes

An individual is diagnosed as a diabetic when oral glucose tolerance tests confirm the glucose level in the blood at 2 hrs is more than or equal to 200 mg/dL. This needs to be verified by a 2nd test on a different day. Currently there are some conversations about lowering the higher value to 180 mg/dL to diagnose more individuals with mild diabetes in order to allocate quicker intercession and avoid many of the complications of diabetes.

Gestational Diabetes

A woman is diagnosed with gestational diabetes when pregnant and having any 2 of the following results: a fasting glucose level higher than 105 mg/dL, a 1-hour glucose level higher than 190 mg/dL, a 2-hour glucose level higher than 165 mg/dL, or a 3-hour higher than 145 mg/dL.

How to Control Blood Sugar Levels

If a person experiences blood sugar levels which are too high, the individual is further likely to develop severe health situations, such as infections, problems with blood clotting, and the failure of cuts and wounds to repair. High levels of sugar or glucose can as well lead to problems such as diabetes. Happily, there are several steps which can be taken to lower blood glucose levels.

A simple way to lessen glucose levels is to remain fit as well as healthy. Exercising on a regular basis not only aids lower blood glucose levels but also facilitates the fighting of infections. Remaining energetic and taking expected exercise can also assist with blood pressure difficulties. Exercise also helps to manage the body’s mass and controls cholesterol levels.

This daily exercise does not need to be an exhausting workout. 30 minutes of daily exercise, even just walking, will assist to lower blood glucose levels. Walking to the store instead of driving is really all which may be essential to supply any individual with some much needed exercise. Any addition exercise, such as working out in a gym, needs to be talked about with a physician initial especially if a person has uneven blood glucose levels.

The food which an individual eats can as well play a part in assisting to lower blood glucose levels. Low-glycemic foods which are digested more unhurriedly by the body are a healthier alternative. High-glycemic foods go into the blood system effortlessly and swiftly, which causes the pancreas to work harder to generate insulin.

Low-glycemic foods which assist lower blood glucose levels consist of high fiber fruits, peanuts, oatmeal, bean, granola and peas. High-glycemic foods comprise rice, white bread and potatoes. Investigate has shown that white bread and potatoes are converted intensely quickly by the body into glucose. In fact, they are changed more rapidly than a candy bar would be.

To be avoided at all cost is fast foods. The sugar and fat content in fast foods is tremendously high. Look for healthier alternatives. Most food packaging now contain information on the food’s content of sugar. Many restaurants and most fast food outlets now have healthy meal alternatives such as fish dishes as well as salads.

Average Blood Glucose Levels

Random

The “random blood glucose” test may be taken at any time in related to eating or drinking and can be administrated at any time. A level higher than 140 mg/dL can indicate prediabetes. A level above 200mg/dL indicates Type-1 or Type-2 diabetes and suggests further tests.

Fasting

The “fasting blood glucose” test must have the individual fasting for at least 8 hours. Normal levels for this test are 70 to 100 mg/dL. Higher levels indicate prediabetes and higher than 125 mg/dL suggest diabetes either Type-1 or Type-2 and suggest further testing.

Oral Glucose Tolerance

This test also needs to be done after fasting, drinking of a glucose drink and another hour wait. A beginning test is done and then repeated every 1 or 2 hours. Normal levels are below 140 mg/dL. Levels of 140 to 199 mg/dL indicate prediabetes and level above 200 mg/dL suggest diabetes with further testing needed.

A1C

The is the glycated hemoglobin test which measures blood glucose level averaged over a 2 to 3 month period. The value is a percentage of hemoglobin in cells of red blood which are covered in sugar. Normal values are 4% to 6%. Levels for prediabetes are 6% to 6.5%. Levels of 6.5% and higher indicates diabetes.

Variations of Normal

There are several factors which can slant the results of any of the above tests. Several of these factors include age, sex, general health, race, medications, as well as if individual drinks alcohol. Menstrual cycles of women in pre-menopause can also slant these tests.

Dangerous Blood Sugar Levels

When diabetes is not treated properly and other even when it is treated proper, there are dangerous risks of blood sugar levels. There are 2 involving hypoglycemia where blood sugar is too low and hyperglycemia where blood sugar is too high.

Hypoglycemia

When hypoglycemia occurs the level of blood sugar has dropped lower than 70 and often happens because of missing a meal, missing a snack, or by failing to eat enough carbohydrates. Exercise when it is strenuous or an illness can also cause hypoglycemia.

Signs of hypoglycemia can include jitters, pale skin, headache, and extreme hunger, changes in mood or behavior, dizziness, trouble paying attention or tingling around mouth.

To treat blood sugar which is too low the individual needs to eat carbohydrates to up the level. This can be done by drinking about one-half a cup of soft drink, juice, eating glucose tablets or any hard candy. Then the glucose level needs to be checked in 15 minutes. If the level is still too low, the process needs to be repeated every 15 minutes until the proper level is maintained.

Hyperglycemia

The other dangerous level is hyperglycemia which happens when glucose levels rise to 200 – 240 or above. When glucose levels keep on climbing it becomes a problem. It can happen because of eating a meal which is too large, or the meal had too many carbohydrates, stress or not having any exercise as well as being ill can cause high levels.

The signs of hyperglycemia consist of increased urination or excessive thirst. At levels over 240 or higher, the risk of diabetic coma exists. This is also known as ketoacidosis.

Ketoacidosis can occur because the body does not have enough insulin to breakdown glucose and therefore the body begins to use fat for energy. This process causes the development of ketones which the body can not tolerate. Ketones are dumped in the urine which is the body’s effort to get rid of these excessive ketones. But the body can not release all the ketones and as they build up in the blood system, they create the condition of ketoacidosis which leads to diabetic coma and even death.

To treat this condition is to first determine if ketones are present in the urine. If no ketones are found in the urine, then immediate exercise will lower the blood sugar level. Exercise with ketones in the urine has the opposite effect and will raise the blood sugar higher.

If hyperglycemia is happening too frequently, the individual needs to seek a physician’s counsel as there may need to be adjustments in medication in order to maintain a healthy level.

Blood Sugar Levels Chart

Type of Person	Fasting Value		Post Prandial
	Min Value	Max Value	Value 2 hours after consuming glucose
Normal	70	100	Less than 140
Early Diabetes	101	126	140 to 200
Established Diabetes	More than 126	-	More than 200

*Note: All values are in milligrams

 

Nicotine Raises Blood Sugar Levels in Diabetic Smokers

Nicotine raises 'blood sugar levels in diabetic smokers'  
     
Washington, Mar 28 (PTI) Diabetic smokers, it's high time that you kick the butt, for a new study has claimed that nicotine in cigarettes can raise your blood sugar levels.

Researchers in the US have carried out the study and found that nicotine in cigarettes is strongly linked to persistently raised blood sugar levels among diabetics, and this may cause serious complications in smokers with diabetes.    
    
"It's already well-established that smoking increases risk of problems in people with diabetes. What wasn't clear is if there is a specific component of cigarettes that increases the risk.    
  
"(Now) It is the first study to establish a strong link between nicotine and diabetes complications. If you're a smoker and have diabetes, you should be concerned and make every effort to quit smoking," researcher Xiao Chuan Liu said. 
       
For their study, the researchers added equal amounts of glucose (sugar) to samples of human red blood cells. They also added varying levels of nicotine to each sample of red blood cells for either one day or two days.

They then tested the hemoglobin A1C (HbA1C) levels of the samples. HbA1C is a measure of what percentage of red blood cells have glucose molecules attached to them.        

The study found that nicotine raised HbA1C. The smallest dose increased HbA1C levels by 8.8 per cent. The highest dose, after two days of nicotine treatment, increased blood sugar levels by 34.5 per cent.
        
Liu said: "Nicotine is a toxic substance, and our results show that nicotine caused an increase in HbA1C. This is important for the public to know, and for smokers to know.    
    
"It's not just the cigarette smoke. If you think you can just use a nicotine replacement product indefinitely, there's still a risk and your chances of getting complications
will be a lot higher."        

The findings have been presented at a meeting of the American Chemical Society.

Diabetic diet chart

Many diabetics resign themselves to never consuming sugar in their lifetime. Well, it doesn’t necessarily have to be so. There is no written rule that if you are diabetic, you are supposed to follow a boring and restricted lifestyle. A simple tweak here and there will help you not only enjoy your life but also make sure that your sugar levels are under control.

Here is a diabetic diet chart that will help you ensure that your sugar-levels are in place:

• Befriend bitter gourd as it helps in lowering blood sugar efficiently.
• Fenugreek seeds are also the best thing to have on your diabetic diet chart. Gulping a few of these seeds along with water on an empty stomach early morning will do wonders and will help you control diabetes effectively.
• Garlic is rich in potassium and it helps in replacing the potassium that you lose out in your urine. It also has sulfur and zinc which are components of insulin.
• Include lot of fiber in your diet. An ideal diabetic diet chart is the one which has soluble fibers that are found in food sources like apples, soybean, oatmeal, and kidney beans as these help in slow digestion and the right absorption of nutrients. Slow absorption of nutrients will mean slow release of glucose which is essential for those suffering from diabetes.
• Make sure you include ample fluids in your daily diabetic diet chart.  This will ensure that your body is well hydrated.
• Including flaxseed in your diet is a good idea as it will help in maintaining the sensitivity of the cell membrane and will facilitate insulin production.
• If you feel like eating rice, then choose brown rice instead of white rice.
• You can eat almost all fruits. However, make sure you avoid bananas, sapota, mangoes, and other fruits that are high in sugar levels.
• It is a good idea to keep condiments, spices, and alcoholic beverages away from your diabetic diet chart.

If you are diabetic, you need to consume food in small quantities at regular intervals. Just as too much of bingeing is not recommended, fasting is also not advisable either.

Following a mild exercise regime will also help in controlling your blood sugar levels. A proper diet that is based on a diabetic diet chart combined with a light exercise regimen will definitely help you. Last but not the least, do not forget your insulin shots or your pills.

How to Wash your Face Properly – the Process

Learning how to wash your face properly is essential in maintaining beautiful and healthy skin.  This process was designed as a daily routine.  When you learn how to wash your face properly, you will be one step closer to the perfect face!

Remove Trace Make-up – Use a cotton ball and moisturizing cream to avoid damaging your skin.

Use Lukewarm Water – Water that is too hot or too cold can dry out your skin.  If you use lukewarm water, your pores can open for even deeper cleansing.

Choose Mild Cleansers – Avoid the strong and harsh soaps or cleansers.  Strong soaps can dry your skin and can actually strip off natural lipids.  If you are one that likes soaps, choose a mild one, as mentioned above.  However, there are cleansers that are soap-free, non-comedogenic, and mild.  These would include products, such as Cetaphil, Burt Bee’s, or Neutrogena.

Wash your Hands – Wash your hands before you begin.  This will ensure that any dirt, grime, or germs that are on your hands will not get onto your face.  This is an important step you should not forget.
 
Massage Face – Apply the mild cleanser of your choice to your face by massaging it in.  Gently rotate upwards with your middle ring and pinky fingers.  Do not rub hard.  This could cause more irritation.
 
Rinse Well – Make sure all residue of soap or cleanser is completely rinsed.  Left behind residue can clog your pores, which can cause breakouts.  You may not be able to tell there is still residue on your face.  To ensure you completely remove the residue, rinse your face at least three times.
 
Do not Rub Dry – Always pat dry your face with a soft, non-abrasive towel.  Rubbing can cause irritation, which can lead to break-outs.
 
Use a Toner – Make sure you use an alcohol-free toner on your face.  This will help your face feel smooth and refreshed.  Look for astringents and toners that contain glycolic or alpha hydroxyl acids.  These acids can actually reduce your pore size, which will help prevent break-outs and help avoid ingrown hairs.  Be sure that the product is not sensitive to light.
 
Apply Moisturizer – Replenish your natural oils with a moisturizer.  Choose one that is all natural.  For intensive moisturizing, use pure vitamin E or aloe Vera oil.

Learning how to wash your face properly and applying it on a daily basis will ensure you are that much closer to the perfect skin you have always dreamed of having.

ALL ABOUT BREASTFEEDING

Breastfeeding is considered to be among the most essential things which every baby need to have during their early stages of life. The mother should know all about breastfeeding. There is hardly any substitute to breast milk, considering its beneficial value. It provides your child with all the varieties of needful nourishment and health benefits. On account of the high importance in feeding breast milk among the newborn babies, one wishes if it would have been possible to feed their babies right from the tap, but it isn't so in actual practice. There can be at times when we need to go away leaving our child in completing some other work. A nanny who knows all about breastfeeding can be employed in such cases.

Bottle-feeding is the one which is very much common among your babies which can hardly arise any nipple confusion. This enables to continue the breastfeeding process, although it's not in actual sense. Feeding breast milk in the form of bottle feeding among your baby enables you to lag behind the issues of sucking problems, supply issues or even physical deformities which can obstruct the process of nursing. Cup feeders are another alternative way to actual breast milk feeding. Itis designed to make easy for a baby to drink. It also comes with graduated markings enabling to find the accurate measurement of the amount a baby consumes. Yet the parents should know all about breastfeeding as it is the best for their baby.

Beauty Tips For Active Women

All women would like to appear beautiful and healthy at the same time. However, for active women finding the spare time to keep up their apprearance and health can be a challenge. Especially for those who wish to balance their career and family life at the same time. Those 24 hours they have each day never seem enough to juggle between work and home. But things do not have to stay that way. Staying fitand beautiful simultaneously is absolutely doable for active women everywhere.

To help you get started try the follow tips:

-A good haircut is worth its price a hundred times over. An easy, low maintenance hair cut can make life so much easier for active women. Ladies, say ‘no’ to the permanent pony tail! An occasional ponytail done right is acceptable, but the permanent ponytail is a fashion disaster. Getting a good cut that you can manage with ease and still look fashionable is important.

-Not wearing makeup today? Put on a little lipstick or lip gloss. Lip color gives your face a finished look even on the most makeup free days.

-If you are an active woman you probably don’t have the time to shop for all the latest fashions trends. Busy women should stick to classic clothing choices. You can still look trendy, but a lot more pulled together. The woman on the go should also invest in a good pair of active wear shoes with the proper support.

- Short exercises, 5 to 10 minutes a day, can help a lot. If your office is not on the 100th floor take the stairs instead of the elevators. When you’re at work spend about 5 minutes for a light stretching exercise. You don’t have to be ashamed if others are watching you stretch. A lot of people unconsciously do stretching exercises when they’re stuck on something difficult on the job. Take a look around your office if you don’t believe me.

- Make your lunch instead of eating out. Eating at restaurants is certainly easier than making your own food, but you need to think years ahead. Most restaurants don’t care about balanced diet buy you should. By preparing your own lunch you can make healthier meal and save money at the same time.

- Facial massage. There are a lot of online resources that demonstrate you how to give oneself a nice facial massage. Massaging your face is really good to prevent wrinkles and it is easy to do. So when you’re stuck in a traffic jam, instead of spending time cursing, you can use it to massage your face. Facial massage also has additional advantage; it is a method for de-stressing.

- Stay hydrated. If your body lacks even 10% of water you will find it harder to concentrate, your skin will feel dry and you’ll feel sleepy. Drinking water is probably the easiest and the best beauty tip for active women. It is so easy to gulp down water but the effect is wondrous. Make it a habit to drink at least 8 portions of water every day. Don’t overdo it because you will gain no extra advantage from it.

Beauty is definitely a combination of looking good and feeling great. If you follow these beauty tips, which include makeup tips and exercise tips you should feel and look better while maintaining your active woman lifestyle.

Skin Care Tips for Women in Their 20s

Choosing to pay attention to your skin can only be a positive thing and the sooner you start, the better and more visible the results will be. Skin care in your 20s is meant to promote healthy, youthful skin and prevent the signs of premature aging from appearing, so take the following tips into account and make the best of your skin!

Choosing to adapt your skin care regime to your age is a must as each decade that passes leaves its print over the skin, causing changes which we need to adapt to in order to promote that healthy, youthful looking skin that grabs attention instantly. People have been trying to find a miracle cure, the “fountain of youth” for the skin, but the only thing that works so far is a well established skin care routine and a healthy lifestyle.

The skin care tips for women in their 20s are meant to ensure the base for a youthful looking complexion and the sooner you start paying attention to what your skin needs, the better and the more visible the results will be over time.

The major things that affect the complexion in our 20's are usually mild breakouts and fine lines. Fine lines can be caused by the turbulent lifestyle such as not getting enough sleep, smoking, and many more others, so caring for the skin and preventing negative effects from damaging our delicate complexion is a must.
Here are a few steps which are meant to promote healthy, wrinkle-free, radiant youthful skin that the 20s should be all about:

Care for your skin in the morning and in the evening using appropriate skin care products for your complexion type. Wash your skin, exfoliate once a week and moisturize daily regardless of your complexion, as moisturized skin maintains its elasticity and thus is less likely to develop early fine lines and wrinkles. Protect your skin and lips with SPF cream when outside and apply a special eye cream on the area surrounding the eyes as it is much more sensitive than the rest of your complexion.

Facial masks are definitely a must at least once a month as they can really aid your skin. There are a so many ingredients which can do wonders for your skin and deal with different skin problems, it would be a shame to miss out on them. Turn to professional facials done at a beauty salon or save some money and be green by turning towards homemade facials as there are a myriad or recipes to choose from.

Vices are definitely not good for your health, thus neither for your skin, this is why if you're a smoker you should seriously consider quitting. Smoking tends to promote the development of wrinkles around the eyes and mouth, in addition to aiding premature aging skin. Alcohol too causes dehydration (among other health issues) which can affect your skin, so try to avoid these vices as much as possible if you want your skin to radiate beauty and health.

Turn towards anti-aging foods and products after you hit 25 as it's best to start early on preventing wrinkles. There are a myriad of anti-aging facial creams, so try to find one that suits your skin needs.

Get enough sleep and get all the necessary vitamins so your skin can regenerate and maintain its elasticity. There is a reason why the 8 hour night sleep is called the beauty sleep, so make sure you get enough rest and all the vitamins your body needs to function perfectly if you wish to look and feel great.

Use high quality products only as they can really make a difference for your skin. The price is sometimes a sign for quality as the higher the price, the extended the research on the product and the higher the quality of the ingredients. However, that doesn't mean you have to spend hundreds of dollars on creams, but you should however choose the ones that don't use low quality ingredients and come very cheap.

Credit: Thinkstock Photos

Signs and Symptoms of Diabetes

Many people with type 2 diabetes may have the disease for years and not even know about it.  The main reason for being unaware about the disease is that the symptoms appear benign and harmless if observed in isolation. The common signs and symptoms of high diabetes are:

 

 

Increased Thirst and Frequent Urination

Do you feel that you spend most of the day going to the toilet? Are you always thirsty? These could be symptoms of diabetes. Increase in the blood sugar level causes fluids to move out your cells. This makes you feel thirsty you drink more water which in turn leads to frequent urination. The high blood glucose levels cause loss of glucose in urine. Glucose will take water from your blood and this causes your bladder to fill up and finally results in frequent urination.

Increased Hunger

Have you started eating more than usual and you feel hungry often? People with diabetes feel hungry as their body cannot use the glucose in the blood (as the insulin in the body is not working well). So the cells of the body are depleted of energy and you feel hungry more frequently.

Weight Gain

People with diabetes often gain weight due to increased hunger and frequent eating.

Unusual Weight Loss

This is more common in people with type 1 diabetes as the inability of the body to use glucose leads to tissue breakdown (fat and muscle break down). This causes loss of weight.

Increased Fatigue

Even though there is abundant glucose in the blood, the cells starve (as your body cannot use the glucose in the blood due to lack of insulin) and don’t get their essential energy. So you feel tired and fatigued.

Irritability

This may be the effect of feeling tired and fatigued.
Blurred vision Elevated glucose levels in the blood leads to loss of fluid from the lenses of your eyes. This can affect your ability to focus and see clearly. If diabetes remains untreated or uncontrolled, blindness or prolonged vision problems can occur.

Slow-healing Sores or Frequent Infections

If your cuts and bruises take a much longer time than usual to heal then get your blood sugar tested. It can be because of diabetes. Elevated blood sugar (glucose) impairs the ability of your body to heal and can lead to frequent infections (yeast and candida). The incidence of bladder and vaginal infections in women increases considerably.
Itchy skin The skin of people with diabetes can become dry and itchy.

Sexual dysfunction among men Men over 50 years of age can experience frequent or constant sexual dysfunction (erectile dysfunction).

Numbness or tingling of feet and hands This caused due to damage to the nerves due to high blood sugar.
A diabetic person with severe hyperglycaemia or severely elevated glucose levels for a long time (several hours or days) can have other symptoms.

• Dehydration.
• Difficulty in breathing.
• Giddiness on standing.
• Weight loss.
• Drowsiness, stupor and confusion.
• Loss of consciousness or coma.

If you have symptoms suggestive of elevated glucose levels, get your blood sugar levels tested. Even though the signs and symptoms of diabetes seem harmless initially, an early diagnosis of diabetes improves the overall prognosis and decreases the chances of serious complications due to diabetes.