Health

Diabetes and Its Complications

2009-09-19T00:14:00.000-07:00

The first thing the patient needs to be educated in any illness is the other complications at which he is more prone to because of this illness. The same holds true with diabetes. In diabetes the detailed knowledge about this disease can aid people who are suffering from diabetes. These not only help the diabetics but at the same time those people who are not the sufferer; so they are more cautions to prevent the onset of this severe ailment.

Apart from having the basic knowledge about the symptoms, causes and treatment of diabetes, the knowledge about the risk of complication is also worth paying. This prepares the diabetic to cope not only with diabetes but at the same time with other related complications.

There are some causes that affect people’s ability to suffer with diabetes like heredity, age and ethnicity. Apart from the risk factors; the complication associated with diabetes are same in all diabetics. To find some basic knowledge about the diabetic related complications read through the given passages.

Heart Diseases

Experts are of the belief that diabetics are more prone to coronary heart diseases compared to non diabetics. The fact is that these complications lead to death of diabetics all over the world. The diabetics are more prone to heart related problems because of the deposits of fats that are brought by the radical changes in the body that block the arteries and lead to heart stroke or attack. The insulin in the bloodstream of diabetics is less compared to other normal people so they are at higher risk of blood clotting which further leads to hypertension and high blood pressure.

Kidney diseases

In diabetics the most common complication is kidney failure. The reason of kidney failure is the damage of blood filtering unit. Once the kidneys are damaged, vital proteins are expelled out of the body with urine and finally the kidneys are not in a position of erasing the wastes and toxins present in the bloodstream. The good news is that all patients do not experience this life threatening End Stage Kidney Disease. This kidney problem can be prevented by quitting smoking and keeping the blood pressure in control.

Eye Disease

This means the whole group of eye related problems that diabetics may suffer. In the worst cases, these eye related problems like damaged vessels of retina of eye, diabetic retinopathy, cataract, glaucoma, cloudiness of eyes’ lens and elevated pressure of fluid in eye poses great risk to the vision of diabetics. All these problems if not properly and immediately treated leads to blindness and loss of vision.

Diabetic Neuropathy

The diabetics who are more into drinking, smoking and have a poor control of their blood glucose level are at a more risk of developing diabetic neuropathy compared to the ones who are not in these bad habits.

Gastro paresis

This disorder of diabetic includes the destruction of stomach because of prolonged emptying. Studies have revealed that more than 25 percent type 1 diabetics are more prone to diabetic complication as it damages the “vagus nerve”. This nerve is responsible to keep the food in the moving position in the digestive tract. This problem is also found in type II diabetics but here it is not that common.

Proper knowledge helps in the early diagnosis and treating complication.

Related :-

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Five Herbs That Treat Diabetes Effectively

Thing to do in case of infertility

2009-07-01T23:10:00.000-07:00

While a problem of infertility is an issue that is considered private and almost taboo, reproductive disorders can be afflicted any couple. Mature couples, young couples, both heterosexual couples, including homosexuals, men or women who already have children and those who never had any, may have a reproductive disorder. Those who find this surprising reality in their lives feel that reality does not belong to them, they are living a nightmare. Part of it is a maze of medical treatments that include basal temperature taking, injections, tests to determine the status of the reproductive system, surgery, expectations, and hopes shattered.

Every step and every medical procedure carries a couple other more costly and complicated. Given this reality it is important that the couple knows the following:

1) Infertility is a problem of both.
Even in cases where only one partner involves a physical problem, infertility is one of the two (both affected).

2) It is important to find an honest professional to evaluate the condition.
However, it is equally important that the physician or team in question do not go beyond what is necessary for invasive treatments that lead to nothing.

3) It is important to remember that infertility is a physical problem, not psychological.

4) It is important to remember that the couple that the environment that surrounds it may not be sensitive to their problems. The result may be misplaced comments and offensive products of ignorance, not malice.

5) It is important to find a support group (other couples who suffer or have suffered the same problem), a friend who listens and understands, a competent therapist who does not make psychological interpretations free.

Infertility is a serious issue. It is necessary to raise awareness to those who suffer a reproductive disorder to find the necessary resources and self help. It also requires awareness of professionals working with these patients to treat them more human.

Acupuncture: What is it? Understanding of Acupuncture

2009-06-30T01:20:00.000-07:00

Originating in China more than 2,000 years ago, acupuncture is one of the four pillars of traditional Chinese medicine, and one of the oldest and most commonly used medical procedures in the world. It involves stimulating certain “acupuncture points” in the body, often by penetrating the skin with hair-thin, metallic needles and sometimes with the use of heat in a process called moxibustion.

What’s Acupuncture?

Acupuncture is most popularly used to relieve pain. However, traditional practitioners say that it can be effective for a wide variety of health problems.

The World Health Organization’s list of diseases responsive to acupuncture includes: the common cold and sinusitis, acute bronchitis and bronchial asthma, myopia and cataract, toothache and gingivitis, gastrointestinal disorders like ulcer and diarrhea, migraine and facial palsy, and musculo-skeletal disorders like low back pain and osteoarthritis. Other reports say acupuncture also cures insomnia and addiction to drugs and smoking. Acupuncture may also be helpful in managing weight problems.

How Acupuncture works

The philosophy behind acupuncture states that a healthy body has a delicate balance of yin (cold, passive principle) and yang (hot, active principle). Illnesses arise when yin and yang in the body are in a state of imbalance, which blocks the flow of qi (pronounced as “chi”), or vital energy, along pathways in the body called meridians. In Chinese medicine, the body has 12 main and 8 secondary meridians, and acupuncture treatment uses needles to stimulate points along these pathways to harmonize yin and yang.

The needles are driven into the surface layer of the skin. (The procedure shouldn’t be painful.) Sometimes, heat is introduced through the burning of an herb called moxa to promote circulation through the points and bring about an unhampered flow of blood and qi. People who have tried acupuncture report a feeling of heaviness or tingling sensations on the acupuncture points – a good sign that the correct points along the meridian are being stimulated.

The pros of Acupuncture

Most people turn to the method of acupuncture when Western medicine has “failed” them, or when they are tired of the side effects of their usual medications. For example, Western medicine treats chronic migraine with strong painkillers that can cause gastric irritation in some people, or treat hormone imbalances with hormones that may lead to other problems. Acupuncture tries to correct these conditions safely and without any side effects.

There are also cases where acupuncture can still be of some help to certain conditions that can no longer be managed through Western medicine, such as certain types of paralysis and Bell’s Palsy.

The cons Acupuncture

Not all medical problems can be resolved by acupuncture, and not all people are responsive to acupuncture treatments. Western medicine as its place and is still best for conditions involving other problems, like the presence of polyps (an abnormal tissue growth). Acupuncture is also not as effective in treating infections. Of course, in emergency cases such as heart attacks or brain and head trauma, getting treatment from the hospital is still recommended.