High blood sugar is a condition in which the sugar cannot be effectively transported from the blood into the cells. If left untreated, the condition can result in diabetes. As per a study, approximately 50% of the people in the country either have diabetes or are classified as pre-diabetic. Thankfully, there are some easy ways of controlling blood sugar levels to avoid all short-term and long-term problems. Here are some simple lifestyle and dietary changes to assist in diabetes. Blood sugar control measures can be taken to do that. Let’s have a look. Regular exercise Exercise is a great way to combat most illnesses. Indulging in regular exercise can help one shed off the extra weight as well as boost insulin sensitivity. This, in turn, helps the cells to better use the available sugar in the bloodstream. Also, exercise helps one’s muscles to use the blood sugar for generating energy and for muscle contraction. It is best to check blood sugar levels regularly to understand how well one’s body is responding to different activities. Controlling carb intake The body breaks down the carbs into sugar. Following that, the insulin transports this sugar into the cells. In case someone is consuming a lot of carbs or the insulin fails to properly perform its function, the entire process fails and blood sugar level spikes. So, in diabetes, blood sugar levels can be controlled by following a low-carb diet routine. This keeps the blood sugar level in check and prevents it from going up. Increasing fiber intake This is an effective way of diabetes blood sugar control. Fibers slow down the carb digestion and absorption of sugar, thus promoting a steady rise in blood sugar levels. In fact, a fiber-rich diet is known for managing type 1 diabetes. Moving on, there are two types of fibers – soluble and insoluble.

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.

Asthma and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) are respiratory ailments that are often confused for each other due to overlapping symptoms and little understanding of the two conditions. The National Institute of Health (NIH) says that about 40% of people with COPD also have asthma. The NIH also estimates that 24 million Americans suffer from COPD though about half of them are not aware of it. If you suspect that you are suffering from any of these two conditions, it is important to understand the similarities and differences between COPD and asthma for better management of these conditions. What is asthma? Asthma is an allergic reaction that often develops in early childhood. Health experts have never pinpointed why people develop asthma, but only that asthma attacks are triggered by allergens. These include dust, dust mites, mold, pollen, strong perfumes, certain foods, and food additives. The allergic attack causes inflammation that constricts the airways. Asthma attacks differ in severity depending on exposure to the triggering allergen. An asthma attack is relieved using a bronchial dilator to expand the airways and allow free movement of air. What is COPD? COPD is a disease that develops later in life due to the effects of exposure to particulate irritants especially tobacco smoke. This is usually observed in smokers above the age of 40 years. COPD is a progressive disease whose effects are treatable but irreversible. It is characterized by progressive airflow limitation and degrading of lung functions. This leads to respiratory complications including shortness of breath, coughing, and frequent throat clearing. COPD is a leading killer in smokers, being attributable to the death of about 150,000 Americans each year. Chronic bronchitis and emphysema are respiratory complications commonly observed in people with COPD. Chronic bronchitis happens when the bronchial tubes are inflamed leading to excessive coughing and mucus production.

An inflammatory lung condition which affects the passage of your lungs is called asthma. This condition is usually a chronic inflammation in the passage of the lungs. The airways of the lungs become narrow and start to swell, which in turn produce some extra mucus. This excess mucus makes it difficult for you to breath in a normal way and that will trigger wheezing, coughing and causes shortness of breath. For some people, an asthma attack is not a big problem as this does not disrupt their normal life. But for some people, asthma attacks are very common and that causes a problem in their daily activities as well. When you keep neglecting the problem of asthma, it can even become life-threatening as well. Proper treatments for severe asthma are very important and have to be done as quickly as possible. This is a condition which cannot be cured completely, but you need to make sure that you take proper treatment in order to control its symptoms and triggers. Causes of severe asthma The main and exact cause of asthma is not known, but there are many causes that trigger asthma. Based on the causes of asthma, the treatments for severe asthma are decided by the doctor. Some of the causes include: Excessive smoking Environmental factors like polluted air Inhaling some chemical or sprays to which you are allergic Breathing allergens like mold, animal dander, and dust Flu, cold, bronchitis or sinusitis and other upper respiratory infections Emotional stress Exposure to dry and cold weather Too much exercise Symptoms of severe asthma: The symptoms of severe asthma are more like mild to moderate asthma, but they are more intense and sometimes they are life-threatening as well. Some of the symptoms of severe asthma include: Shortness of breath, which worsens with time Tight and painful chest A severe cough Even after breathing treatment, the wheezing continues Difficult in speaking at a stretch Lips, fingernails, and face turn into blue color or pale yellow Even after using an inhaler, little change is observed in a severe asthma attack Difficulty in doing everyday activates Treatment options for an asthma attack Generally, it is termed as severe asthma just because it does not respond to any kind of treatments for severe asthma or medicine that is prescribed by the doctor.

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a gastrointestinal disorder. The condition results in acute abdominal discomfort, gas, diarrhea, as well as changes in the patterns of one’s bowel movement. IBS with constipation is one of the most common scenarios that can greatly affect your quality of life. According to a study, the IBS affects more than 10% of the population in the country. The reason for the occurrence of IBS is unknown, which is why there is no specific cure for the condition. However, certain kinds of food items, stress, and hormonal changes are known to flare up the symptoms of this disease. Understanding these symptoms and following some basic steps that ease IBS can help to manage the condition in an effective way. Here are some ways to manage IBS. Making dietary changes Simple changes in the diet can help to relieve the troublesome symptoms of IBS. There is no specific diet for the same as some foods may cause IBS symptoms in one person whereas, on the other, they may not. Eliminating certain foods According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive Kidney Disease, certain items have shown to trigger the IBS symptoms: Dairy products High-fat products Caffeine Alcoholic drinks Broccoli, beans, and cabbage Drinks containing artificial sweeteners Chocolate and nuts Increasing dietary fiber Increasing your fiber intake is especially helpful in alleviating the symptoms of IBS with constipation. Doctors suggest consuming 22 to 34 grams of fiber each day. There are plenty of food items that are rich in fiber such as whole grains, fruits, vegetables, beans, etc. It is important to note that fiber should be added gradually to the diet, little by little. For instance, 2 to 3 grams should be added each day. Adding too much fiber in one go can cause bloating and gas, and further, aggravate the IBS symptoms.

Immunization is the key to protection from critical diseases. Vaccinations during childhood and adulthood have brought down the high mortality rates caused by life-threatening illnesses. Meningococcal infection was one such dreaded disease that claimed the lives of many people. Thanks to meningitis vaccine shots, meningococcal disease is now preventable. Although rare, meningococcal disease can cause grave conditions in teens and young adults. Once a person contracts this infection, it spreads rapidly, infecting the lining of the brain and spinal cord. In worst cases, the meningococcal infection spreads to the entire brain and spinal cord within a few hours. To get protection from meningococcal disease, it is vital that one takes meningitis vaccine shots. Vaccination is the best way to guard oneself against contracting this dangerous and rapidly spreading infection. All you need to know about the meningitis vaccine Meningococcal infection is not contagious like flu or cold, but the disease can spread through infected respiratory and throat secretions. An infected person can spread this infection by coughing or sneezing around others or by kissing them. Currently, three vaccines shots for meningitis are available in the country. None of these vaccines contain live bacterial cultures. These vaccines essentially contain antigens that trigger the immune system to produce antibodies to fight the meningococcal disease. When the infection enters the body, the antibodies present in the immune system attack and kill the infectious bacteria. The three vaccines available for meningococcal disease are: Meningococcal polysaccharide vaccine (MPSV4) Meningococcal conjugate vaccine (MCV4) Serogroup B meningococcal vaccine (MenB) The first two options in the list offer protection against four types of meningococcal infections. These infections make up 70% of the meningococcal infection cases in the country. Meanwhile, the MenB vaccine prevents meningococcal disease caused by the Meningococcal B strain of bacteria. The MCV4 vaccine is administered to people aged 55 and younger.

There are several people who have to deal with the problem of frequent urination. It leads us to question the amount of fluid we are losing on a daily basis. The bladder can store up to 600 ml of urine. We generally feel the urge to urinate when the bladder contains 150 ml of urine. The average person urinates four to eight times per day. If you are urinating more than eight times a day, you have a leaky bladder. There are several causes which culminate to this problem. Wondering how to stop frequent urination? Here are a few tips which will help you to deal with this problem. Kegel exercises involve strengthening the pelvic floor muscles. These muscles may be weakened by an overactive bladder. Performing these exercises facilitates improved bladder movement. All you have to do is identify your pelvic floor muscles by stopping your urine midstream while urinating. Tighten your pelvic floor muscles for 3 seconds and then let them go for 3 seconds. Repeat this process 3 times in sets of 10. The best thing is that you do not need to designate a particular time to perform these exercises. You can do Kegel exercises while sitting down, standing up or while on the move. Kegel exercise is the answer to urinary incontinence treatment. There are several medications to relieve you of the urge of frequent urination. They help to relax the bladder and treat the symptoms associated with a leaky bladder. Although they are not the best option, they are definitely worth trying out. However, it is advisable to consult your doctor before taking any medication. If you are looking for a natural option, Corn Silk is fantastic. It is obtained from the waste material from corn cultivation. This has been used a traditional medicine in France and China to cure bedwetting and bladder irritation.

A burning sensation in your feet is often related to nerve damage caused by certain underlying health conditions, out of which diabetes is one of the major causes. The feeling of pain can range from mild to harsh, and intermittent to constant. Sometimes you may get the feeling of hot, tingling or prickling pain or numbness in your feet which usually gets worse during the night. Causes of burning foot pain Sometimes, cases of burning foot pain have unknown causes. However, most of the times, doctors diagnose a wide range of conditions that lead to the sensation of burning foot pain. Here are some of the top causes: Diabetic neuropathy Uncontrollably high levels of blood sugar can gradually damage your blood vessels and nerves, leading to a reduction in the transmission of signals from the nerves. It can also weaken the blood vessel walls that are responsible for carrying oxygen and nutrients to nerves all over the body. Altogether, this can affect the ability to feel sensation in various parts of the body, including the feet. According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, around 60-70 percent of people with uncontrolled diabetes have some nerve damage or neuropathy. Certain factors can increase the risk of neuropathy: Obesity High blood pressure Smoking Alcohol consumption When the nerve damage takes place in your legs and feet, it’s known as peripheral neuropathy. It is the most common form of diabetic neuropathy. Apart from the burning sensation in the feet produced by peripheral neuropathy, there are some other symptoms which are as follows: Numbness or tingling in your hands and feet Sharp and stabbing pains Weakness in your legs or arms Excessive sweating Small fiber sensory neuropathy (SFSN) SFSN is painful neuropathy which often leads to a painful burning sensation in the feet.

The shoulder is the most flexible joint in your body consisting of three bones namely humerus (upper arm), scapula (shoulder blade), and clavicle (collarbone). The top of the humerus is ball-shaped, and it fits into a shallow socket present in the scapula. The ligaments in the shoulder help to keep the ball centered in the socket while the rotator cuff muscles allow you to rotate and lift the arm. If this part of your body gets injured, then you can experience pain in the shoulder muscles. Causes of shoulder muscle pain Shoulder pain, also known as deltoid pain, is a common problem that people face due to a variety of reasons. To understand the source of this pain, we are going to discuss the issues associated with different parts of the shoulder. Rotator cuff problem (outside the shoulder region) Altogether, there are four rotator cuff muscles present in the shoulder region that allow individuals to move the shoulder. These muscles are not involved while lifting heavy objects. The three causes of pain in the shoulder muscles associated with the rotator cuff are tendonitis, bursitis, and rotator cuff tear. While bursitis and tendonitis refer to an inflammation of the bursa and tendons, a rotator cuff tear generally occurs when the tendons get separated from the bone due to an injury. Rotator cuff injuries are associated with symptoms that tend to become worse at night. It also leads to a painful sensation during physical activities such as reaching or throwing. Patients with a rotator cuff tear tend to suffer from loss of sleep because of the pain in the shoulder muscles. Sometimes, your muscles may feel stiff due to the injury or inflammation caused by a rotator cuff tear or tendonitis. Bicep tendonitis (Front of the shoulder region) Patients with this condition usually develop gradual pain at the front of the shoulder.

Type 1 diabetes is a chronic condition in which the pancreas almost stop producing the insulin hormone that is needed to allow the glucose (sugar) to enter the cells and produce energy. This chronic condition is also known as insulin-dependent diabetes or juvenile diabetes. It usually occurs when the immune system destroys the beta cells in the pancreas. Different medical research reports have reflected that several factors, including some viruses and genetics, may lead to this chronic condition. According to these medical reports, usually, type 1 diabetes can appear during the adolescence or childhood, and it can develop slowly in adults as well. Till date, different medical studies on this chronic condition have not come up with a permanent cure or remedy. However, the treatment mainly focuses on keeping the blood sugar levels in control with insulin. Additionally, some lifestyle changes along with a healthy diet can help prevent complications caused by type 1 diabetes. Symptoms of type 1 diabetes Due to this chronic condition, glucose from food items is unable to enter the cells and produce energy. Instead, it starts to build up in the blood, resulting in high blood sugar. It also causes the cells to starve. To prevent the life-threatening health complications caused by type 1 diabetes, patients require proper treatment. Here is a list of some of the most common symptoms of type 1 diabetes that will help you understand when to consult a doctor. Frequent urination: A patient with type 1 diabetes may feel like urinating quite often as the blood has extra sugar in it. Dehydration: The patient may become dehydrated due to frequent urination. DKA (Diabetic ketoacidosis): The combination of acidic ketones, dehydration, and extra glucose in the blood causes ketoacidosis. If not treated on time, DKA can become life-threatening. Weight loss Blurred vision Extreme hunger Increased thirst Mood swings and irritability Weakness and fatigue In the case of children, you may notice the problem of bed-wetting at night.