April 2022

Type 2 Diabetes – What Is Diabetic Gastroparesis?

Diabetic gastroparesis is a condition by which the food takes too long to empty from the stomach. It is a possible complication of diabetes, although other people can experience this condition without being diabetic. It’s basically a type of neuropathy, otherwise known as nerve damage, which can also cause other secondary effects for diabetics.

The nerves damaged are the ones that control the automatic muscular activity of the stomach. This disrupts the normal emptying process, and the stomach ends up behaving like a floppy bag. Food is normally squeezed out of the stomach in a matter of hours, but when gastroparesis is present, stomach emptying is variable and food may even remain in the stomach for days. This condition can make it impossible to control diabetes, especially in diabetics who have an injection of insulin before each meal. Because the absorption of food is completely unpredictable, it is impossible to make the normal calculations about the type of food and the dose of insulin.

Thankfully, most cases of gastroparesis can be treated using a combination of drugs, diet and insulin management. In rare cases, a feeding tube could be required. Antibiotics have been used with variable results. In recent years, specialists have treated gastroparesis by injecting botulinum toxin into the muscles at the outlet of the stomach. Early results of this procedure are promising.

Gastroparesis can come about in people who have Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes. When someone has this condition and eats a meal, their food seems to sit in their stomach for hours and hours. This is called delayed gastric emptying. The nerve that controls the movement of food through the digestive tract is called the vagus nerve. If it is damaged or doesn’t work at all, the stomach muscles and intestines cannot properly move food along. This causes the food to be slowed or stopped along the way.

Diabetes can be the cause of damage to the vagus nerve just like it can cause other kinds of nerve damage throughout the body. Since the stomach cannot move the food along fast enough, this can lead to blood sugar levels that are high and out of control. The high blood sugar levels continuing throughout the body causes more chemical changes in the nerves. This in turn damages blood vessels that are carrying nutrients and oxygen to the nerves.

What are the symptoms of gastroparesis? They include things like:

abdominal bloating,

gastroesophageal reflux,

heartburn,

nausea,

weight loss,

erratic blood sugar levels,

throwing up undigested food,

feeling full early when eating,

stomach wall spasms, and

lack of appetite.

Symptoms can be mild all the way through to severe, depending upon the person. There are several complications associated with gastroparesis including bacterial overgrowth since food sits in the system too long and has a chance to ferment. In addition, food can have time to harden into solid masses, called bezoars, which can obstruct the stomach. This is a very dangerous situation.

Gastroparesis can be diagnosed in several ways including:

a barium x-ray,

barium beefsteak meal, and

a gastric emptying scan.

The doctor can also do something called gastric manometry which measures the electrical and muscular activity in your stomach. Blood tests can also be ordered, but they won’t be conclusive for gastroparesis without other tests. Your doctor may also choose to do an ultrasound and/or an upper endoscopy to rule out other conditions.…

Blurred Vision – One of the First Signs of Diabetes

This is an era of speed. Everything in today’s era is fast. We want quick results, quick searches on internet and fast-food. As diabetes is reaching to the proportions of epidemic, a large number of people are losing complete or a part of their sight.

Would these diabetics be able to live in such a fast paced society with the partial vision? How would they survive in such society if their vision keeps on decreasing?

Diabetes is the number one culprit of blurred vision. American Academy of Ophthalmology advocates that diabetics have 25 folds greater risk of losing complete or a part of their site or experiencing blurred vision without the presence of any other disease. Don’t you think this 25 percent increased chance is a scary figure?

You must have already heard that blurred vision is one of the early signs of diabetes. But the figure released by American Academy of Ophthalmology is even more alarming.

In the early stages of diabetes the blurred vision comes and goes. This is the early signs of diabetes. It happens as the blood sugar levels becomes better or get worse. With the passage of time the constant increased blood sugar level starts to damage the vessels of the blood at the back of the eye retina. The longer a person has a diabetic life the more he is at the increased risk of suffering from partial loss of vision. This loss of vision because of diabetes is termed “Diabetic Neuropathy”. The diabetics who have a poor control on the level of the blood sugar generally develop eyesight deterioration within 15 years. You must not think at this stage that 15 years is a longtime as you must never play with your eyesight.

There are two types of eyesight damages because of diabetes

Non Proliferative

Proliferative

The later one is more severe but rare. The former one is generally known diabetic retinopathy. Retinopathy is the result of damages to the tiny blood vessels, which break because of increase in blood sugar level and rupture.

Generally no action is required except for the better blood sugar control

Proliferative retinopathy is a rare and a serious case. It is an uncommon growth of tiny blood vessels in the inner side f retina. The bleeding of these blood vessels, result in blindness or partial vision loss. Early detection of the problem is the key to better treatment. Laser surgery at the right time can help to put a stop at the leaking of these vessels. However the part of the vision that has been lost can never be reversed.…

Herbal Tea Gardening Demystified

Unlike the ambitious requirements of a formal garden, the needs of sustaining your very own herbal tea garden is very easy. It can be grown in any existing flower or vegetable garden as long as it is located in a sunny area. The better solution is to plant your herbal teas in a container that sits comfortably on your windowsill.

The only necessity of your indoor herbal tea gardening planter is to make sure the soil is loose and that the water drains sufficiently to ensure you do not waterlog the roots which would result in a scanty crop. Which ever method you choose you’ll want to make sure your herbs are within easy reach should the urge strike to enjoy a freshly brewed cup of tea.

When I first became interested in growing my personal herbal tea garden my tiny flat did not receive much sunlight so I had to carefully consider where I placed my containers. I found the perfect little corner that received great afternoon light. That is where I grouped my tiny collection of tea tins I’d collected from my forays to the local tea shop.

Your tea preference should dictate what type of herbs you would like to grow. For instance in my herbal tea garden some of my favorite type of teas are:

Chamomile which is an excellent night time tea that calms and induces sleep.

Bergamot which brews a refreshing taste of orange citrus that can be enjoyed both hot and cold.

Lemon verbena is another citrus tea with a tangier bite of lemon.

Peppermint is also an excellent summer tea known for its cooling taste.

When using fresh herbs for tea, rub them together or tear them to release the flavor producing oils. You can either use a tea infuser or pour hot water directly on the leaves. Be sure to strain them before drinking so you won’t have to dodge the leaves while enjoying your tea.

Let your fresh herbal tea steep for five or more minutes to allow the flavor to infuse the water. Some herbal teas are milder in taste then the conventional dry tea bags you may have become accustomed to drinking. It may take a couple of cups before you get the right mix. And with certain fresh herbal teas you’ll need time to appreciate the subtle flavor of fresh herb brewed tea.

You can mix and match your own customized tea flavors. If the herb has a pleasing aroma then chances are it will make a tasty cup of tea suiting to your palate. Personally, I enjoy the taste of bergamot, so many of my teas contain a hint of bergamot.

If you do not finish your pot of hot tea it can be chilled and enjoyed as iced tea. Simply add some fresh lemon juice and garnish with a mint flower or spring of chamomile to help maintain the original flavor.

Sun tea is a very popular way of brewing teas. To make sun tea place fresh herbs in a lidded gallon jar and add water. Set in the sun for a couple of hours, then strain and chill the tea. You can add slices of lemon and a garnish of edible flowers such as mint or violet to your glass.

Maintaining your very own herbal tea garden is extremely easy and you’ll be happy you did as you will enjoy an ample supply of fresh tea all year round. Store your dry herbs in a sealed glass jar container away from direct sunlight.

Extras from your personal herb tea garden make excellent gifts to friend and family. Who would not be delighted with a gift basket filled with fresh tea herbs and a small tea pot and matching tea cups?…

Divorce can be difficult for everyone involved, especially if there is a lot of hostility and conflict involved. It can be especially hard on minor children, who have had their entire world upended. Even non-contentious ones can be challenging for them as they struggle to adjust to a new schedule, new households and a whole new way of life. Their family will never be the same and they know it.

After you have talked with your family law Hernando County FL attorney and settled everything in court, there will be a period where your kids may feel angry, bitter and resentful as a result of all the changes. As they try to reconcile themselves to their new reality, they will need your support and understanding more than ever. There are a few things you can do to help them adapt to their circumstances.

1. Don’t Assign Blame

It is imperative that you assure your children that the divorce is in no way their fault. They may feel that they bear some fault even if they don’t voice it. Also, avoid blaming your former spouse or talking bad about him or her in any way. Even if you don’t have any intention of doing so, you may end up alienating them from their other parent, which can negatively affect their relationship with him or her.

2. Be Steady

Reassure your children by acting as normal as possible. Things will be different no matter what, but maintaining some semblance of normality will help them feel more stable and secure. Maintain the same rules as usual and continue with traditions as much as possible.

3. Display Patience

Above all, be patient. Your children may act out. They may behave coldly towards you for a while. They may even direct blame your way even if you didn’t do anything wrong. All of this is because of the turmoil and excess of emotions they are experiencing. Their brains are not fully mature and they may not be able to properly process everything they feel like you as an adult can. Respect them and their emotions. Allow them to vent as long as it’s not in a disrespectful manner. Don’t talk down to them or dismiss their feelings. Instead, tell them that they have a right to feel the way you do and that you are there for them whenever they need to talk.

Minor children can suffer the effects of divorce for a long time. By remaining steady, comforting and empathic, you can help them through the difficult adjustment period.…

Planning for the arrival of your new child is an exciting chapter in your life. Keep these tips in mind when you plan on having a child.

See a Medical Professional

As soon as you realize you are pregnant, you should contact your OBGYN who will recommend when to make your first appointment along with other pregnancy guidelines. If you are struggling to conceive naturally and become pregnant, there are many options for infertile couples to build their families. You can speak with your doctor about fertility drugs and in vitro fertilization options or work with adoption services for adoptive parents. Talk with your partner about which option would be best for your family.

Prepare the Nursery

Putting your baby’s nursery together is an exciting part of preparing for their arrival. Make sure to get essential nursery furniture including a crib or bassinet with a mattress and sheets, a changing table, a diaper pail, clothing storage, and a hamper. Get a rocking chair or glider you can comfortably sit in for feeding or rocking the baby to sleep. Purchase a baby monitor to alert you when your baby cries in case you are in another room. Some baby monitors come with sound and video features so you can easily check-in without waking your baby. Once your supplies and furniture are settled, you can focus on filling the room with fun toys and decorations for your baby.

Bring Your Baby Home

It’s normal for the first day home with your baby to be harder than you expect. Every baby will adjust to their new environment differently. Use this time to bond with your baby. Newborns love to be held often. It can take time to become comfortable with breastfeeding or bottle feeding. Your baby might become very fussy or tired when they get hungry. You’ll begin to learn their eating and sleeping habits by listening to their different cues. It can take time for your baby to adjust to being awake during the day. Some babies sleep most daytime hours and want to be awake during the evening hours. Be prepared to change a lot of messy diapers at all hours of the day. If possible, practice on a doll beforehand to get the hang of it. If you have any concerns, you can ask a nurse or experienced family member before bringing your baby home.

Keep these helpful tips in mind when preparing for the arrival of your new baby.…

**remove KW: Loomey’s Toys **

If you’re like most parents, you celebrate milestones in your baby’s life such as her first step or the first time he managed to sit up. And if you manage to have your phone handy, even capture it on video. But how many times do you pass up movement skills that are even more important?  While learning to walk and sit should be celebrated since they signal a child’s early mastering of muscular coordination and strength, he may already be working on skills that develop focus, concentration, and visual tracking skills, while helping him understand abstract concepts like distance, space, and time.

As you may or may not have guessed, these uncelebrated skills that go un-noticed and un-noted are creeping and crawling. And don’t feel bad if you don’t know the difference. Most people don’t, and some who think they do, often have them confused. Just for the record, babies crawl on their tummies and creep on their hands and knees – not vice versa.

The Importance of Crawling

Although researchers have observed that babies incorporate over 25 different combinations of body parts into their signature crawling styles they all fall under two headings – belly crawling and criss-cross crawling.  In addition to strengthening the back and hip sockets, flexing the spine and ankles, and developing eye-hand coordination, crawling plays a vital role in brain development.

The Importance of Creeping

When a child is able to lift her tummy off the ground and enlist the help of her hands and knees in getting around, she has reached the next phase of movement – creeping. Creeping helps babies integrate basic reflexes into the process of coordinating the movements of hands and knees on opposite sides of the body while developing the concepts of near and far, up and down, over and under, and up and down.

It also develops hand muscles they will one day need for writing and using tools. And since the distance between the eyes and the floor is roughly the same as that from the eyes to books they will one day read, creeping fine-tunes their vision and eye coordination as well as the near-far visual coordination they will need for alternating between the board at the front of future classrooms and their desk.

Creeping and Crawling in Special Needs Programs

Specialists and educators who work with special needs children have found that creeping and crawling exercises help challenged children organize their brains. Allowing children to go back to basic skills they may have missed in their early neurologically foundational years has led to improvements in areas as diverse as mastering fork handling, chewing, bladder control and riding a bike.

Growing Happy Babies

And while parents are sometimes anxious to see their babies progress to the walking state, they also need to recognize that long before babies take their first steps, they are engaging in learning that will influence their physical, social, and emotional well-being. And it’s never too early to start by allowing your babies to engage at community-centric spaces and programs offered by small business locally owned toy stores like Loomey’s Toys.…