General Articles

Diabetes Guidelines – Learning the Causes of Diabetes and Ways to Prevent the Disease

According to the investigation, prior to the onset of type 2 diabetes, people will always complete the pre-diabetic issues phase. Type 2 diabetic issues are the most common form of diabetes which usually impacts the actual middle-aged individuals. Pre-diabetes is the condition in which the blood sugar levels level of the person are actually higher than regular although not high enough to become regarded as an instance of diabetes. It was discovered that a person who are getting under 6 hour sleep through the night have higher chances of developing pre-diabetes, the condition is being characterized by the damages fasting of sugar earlier towards the actual diagnostic of the disease.

There is complex evidence that the healthy weights along with the physical activity are both useful for preventing diabetes disease. These steps are now being prioritized for slowing down or even stopping diabetes. Changes in your life style must be the greatest option with regards to the prevention or the delay of diabetes. It is not suggested to make use of drug medications for delaying the actual onset of diabetes due to the lacking proof of effectiveness and possibilities in the long term results.

Pre-diabetes is curable and simple to treat, you can keep away from acquiring pre-diabetes by way of doing exercises; thirty to 60 units of physical exercise every day. Avoid smoking and restrict utilization of alcohol. Prevent prepared sugary as well as greasy food and drinks and also consume little serving sizes. Above all, consume a nutritious diet which includes fruits, whole grains, dried beans, fish, non-starchy vegetables, and milk without fat. If you adhere to these types of healthy life styles, pre-diabetes can be avoided and taken care as well.

The doctor might recommend drugs to lessen the blood sugar levels, in the event that pre-diabetes is persistent. Glucophage or even Precose could be given to lower the blood sugar levels. Low-dosage of aspirin can also be given for the protection of the heart. Raised blood sugar as well as high cholesterol drugs may also be recommended.

Loosing weight can aid much more in managing the disease. Diabetes when not treated right away will result to numerous problems such as cardiovascular or even heart ailments that have been shown to end up being deadly. The good facts are which onset of diabetes could be prevented or delayed through the great management of the disease. Outstanding management is performed by means of early recognition of the risk problems in pre-diabetes as well as healthy life styles centered on exercise as well as diet programs.…

Understanding Carbohydrates and Diabetes, Part 1

There has been a wealth of discussion regarding carbohydrates, or carbs, and its importance to our diets over the past few years. There has been conflicting views on the value of carbs in our diets.

This article will touch on the basics concerning carbs, and what is generally accepted practice, but your health team knows what is best for you specifically.

Perhaps the most simplistic definition of a carbohydrate is that it is food which is commonly known as a starch (bread, pastry, pasta, potatoes) and when our body processes these food items they turn to sugar. Often this causes there to be too much sugar in our system and too much of anything is never a healthy choice.

One question that seems to come up repeatedly regarding carbohydrates is, “Should I stop eating carbs entirely, especially as a diabetic?” And the answer to that question is an emphatic, “No!” Carbohydrates are a very essential part of our diet, supplying vitamins and minerals that are not available in other foods.

As always, before making any major changes to your dietary regime consult your physician and/or registered dietician. These individuals are well versed in your health history and are particularly qualified to guide you through the challenges of treating your diabetes, including your dietary needs.

There are basically two ways to “count” carbs, by “servings” or “choices” and by grams. Essentially, 1 carb “choice” is equal to roughly 15 grams of carbohydrate. You will learn the tracking method that works best for you. Patient practice and soon it will become second nature.

As with everything about our individual bodies, we process carbs differently. In order to answer the question, “How many carbs should I eat?” we must take into consideration a multitude of variables, such as sex, build, height, activity level and current weight. All of these factors will need to be considered before establishing a target for the amount of carbs you should have.

One consistent opinion among the experts, including the American Diabetes Association is that 45-65 percent of your day’s calories should come from carbohydrate sources. If you eat fewer carbs, particularly if you’re on a lower calorie diet, you may not receive the nutrients your body needs to maintain good health.

Generally speaking, women need fewer carbs than men, and the smaller your build the less carbs you need. If you are trying to lose weight, the percentage of calories from carbohydrates should be at the higher end of the scale.

Typically, you should have carbs at every meal to supply your body with the fuel it needs to function properly. And you should choose “complex carbs” over “simple carbs”, because complex carbs take long for the body to break down into sugars, reducing the “sugar spike” that often occurs after meals.

It is also recognized that snacks should be a part of the diabetic’s lifestyle, to avoid sugar spikes in blood glucose levels. Snacks typically should be between 7 and 10 grams of carbohydrates, and should be from complex sources, such as fruits and vegetables or whole grains and not from highly processed foods, which tend to have simpler forms of carbohydrates, such as sugar.

Below is a table with basic guidelines. Be sure you verify this information with your health team before making changes to your dietary plan.

Variables Carbs per Meal Woman wanting to lose weight 30-55 grams (2 – 3 A� choices) Man wanting to lose weight 50-65 grams (3 – 4 choices) Smaller Woman (Maintaining Weight) 45 grams (3 choices) Larger Woman (Maintaining Weight) 60 grams (4 choices) Smaller Man (Maintaining Weight) 60 grams (4 choices) Larger Man (Maintaining Weight) 75 grams (5 choices)

If you would like to learn more or read more articles, simply visit the author here through EzineArticles.…

After a long week, it is time to spoil yourself. Do some yoga or get a massage to pamper yourself. If you are too tired to do anything, watch a movie marathon. It’ll help you forget about work for a few hours. You may even be tempted to get your favorite dessert. No matter what you decide to do, remember that there is no right or wrong way to pamper yourself.

Getting a Massage

Getting a Massage in Ormond Beach has numerous benefits, including reducing muscle tension and improving flexibility. Massage benefits last differently for different people due to differences in body type and external factors such as the type of massage you receive. Massage benefits last about an hour after each session. Schedule one after a long week if you want to reap these benefits. 

If you plan on getting a massage in the early afternoon, you should drink coffee or tea before the massage to avoid feeling stressed or tense during the session. Also, don’t drive or watch television for at least a few hours after a massage.

Enjoying Your Favorite Dessert

After a long week, nothing tastes better than your favorite dessert. You can indulge without guilt or shame if you know it’s okay to enjoy it. But, there are some things you should know before you submit. The sugar content in most desserts triggers a release of endorphins and serotonin in the brain. These chemicals make you feel happy. This is a great way to end the work week and get a little time.’ You can enjoy a double dessert to prolong the ‘feel-good’ factor. Regardless of why you choose to indulge in dessert, you’ll feel better afterward.

Practicing Yoga

Practicing yoga after a long week is an excellent way to release stress. Regardless of your schedule or hectic schedule, you will benefit from a few minutes in the poses. However, you don’t need to do them daily; practicing yoga once a week can make a big difference. As long as you practice correctly, you can manage your stress better.

One of the most important things to remember when practicing yoga is to pay attention to your breathing. The key to effective yoga is to breathe deeply and mindfully. Don’t let yourself get breathless while doing a pose. The purpose of yoga is to calm and relax the mind and body. Therefore, using breathing techniques like diaphragmatic breathing is essential for practicing yoga. This type of breathing helps foster healthy breathing habits and empties the abdomen as much as possible.

Getting a Manicure

A manicure after a long work week is a great way to relax and feel pampered. Many new moms want to look cute and pampered, and recent studies support this practice. However, you must be extra careful when holding your baby while having your nails done. Before your manicure, read about some things you should know about the process. First, make sure that the nail salon uses sterilized tools. Also, consider wearing UV protective gloves and applying the polish in a well-ventilated area.

There are several types of manicures, including primary and gel manicures. The basic manicure involves trimming the cuticles, filing the nails, and applying polish. The basic manicure lasts up to a week with minimal chipping. So if you’re in a hurry or don’t want to wait too long, go for the basic manicure. It will give you the perfect manicure in a short amount of time and will look great for up to a week.

Getting a Pedicure

A pedicure after a long day is a great way to wind down, especially if you’ve been working long hours. During a pedicure, you’ll be able to relax and unwind while protecting your newly exfoliated heels from walking and slipping. Also, if you’ve been wearing closed shoes all week, you’ll be less likely to develop a fungal infection. If you’re worried about fungal infections, you can have your pedicure performed by someone knowledgeable and skilled.

A pedicure can last up to a month. If you don’t have a very active lifestyle, you may be able to go a month or two between pedicures. However, if you’re prone to getting your nails dirty, it’s best to wait two to three weeks between pedicures. That way, they can harden and stay looking great for longer. Alternatively, you can wear sandals or flip-flops for the first hour or two after a pedicure to avoid smudging the new polish.…

How to Prevent Diabetes Mellitus

It is important to be knowledgeable about the disease process in order to understand how to prevent diabetes. Diabetes is a disorder that affects the way food is digested and used for energy. Food is broken down into a form of sugar, called glucose. Glucose is then used by cells for growth and energy. However, insulin must be present in order for the glucose to reach the cells.

Individuals with diabetes are unable to utilize the glucose because of decreased or absent insulin production by the pancreas, and insulin resistance. Insulin resistance means that the cells do not properly use insulin. Due to the glucose not being utilized by the cells, it builds up in the blood stream.

Diabetes is diagnosed in one of three ways:

* Type 1, or juvenile diabetes

* Type 2, or adult onset diabetes

* Gestational diabetes.

Type 1 most often affects people below the age of 40, but can occur at anytime. It is considered an auto-immune disease. This means the immune system is attacking the cells in the pancreas that are responsible for insulin production. The cause is not fully understood and, therefore, it is not preventable.

Gestational diabetes, also called carbohydrate intolerance, is diagnosed at some point during pregnancy. It usually resolves after birth, but the mother is at an increased risk of developing Type 2 diabetes later in her life.

Type 2 is the most common, and usually affects people over the age of 45. It is characterized by insulin deficiency and insulin resistance. It is the only form that can be preventable.

Prevention starts with awareness of the risk factors which include: a family history of diabetes, sedentary lifestyle, poor diet, excess body weight, and if you are over 45 years of age.

Some ways you can reduce your risk of developing this condition are eating healthy, exercise, and weight loss if you are overweight.

Healthy eating consists of eating low fat and low calorie foods. Avoid having a lot of animal products in your diet, and eat plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.

Incorporate at least thirty minutes of moderate physical activity into your daily routine. If you are overweight, work on shedding those excess pounds. Healthy lifestyle choices and awareness are essential to prevention of diabetes.…

Important Information About Diabetes

Across the United States millions of people suffer from diabetes. According to statistics from the American Diabetes Association this it is actually much higher than this because there are many people who have not been diagnosed before. Once it has been discovered that you have diabetes there is still a way you can get your old normal life back. There are so many things about diabetes that people do not know and some of these things need to be revealed.

The first thing you need to know is that diabetes is not at all a progressive disease. There are chances that you can actually control and monitor the diabetes all by yourself. If you are diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes (usually common in juveniles) then you will need to begin using insulin because your body is not producing it at all. You could use an insulin injection while having a good exercising routine and having a diet that is healthy.

If however you have Type 2 diabetes then it means your body is producing the insulin but it is just not being used well. This diabetes occurs later in life and can be brought under control through regular exercise, constant blood sugar monitoring, good diet and in some occasions medication that is oral.

Pre-diabetes is the condition that occurs just before someone actually gets the full diabetes. This condition can be dealt with very well and stopped from advancing to worse levels of diabetes through certain changes to your lifestyle. Make a change in your diet through the reduction of grains and sugar and involve exercise in your day-to-day life.

If you have been diagnosed with pre-diabetes, it might seem like you are safe but the fact is you are not safe. A quick change of lifestyle will save you from making your condition worse and making it fully blown diabetes. If you decide not to do anything about it then you should brace yourself for the diabetes. Your doctor should be able to offer you the perfect remedy for this condition and they should be able to offer you a blood sugar meter which will help you monitor it and see if you are on the right path to recovery.

Blood sugar levels always increase because of carbohydrates. High Fructose Corn Syrup and refined sugars are the top culprits in this respect. Diabetics should not exactly think that whole wheat bread is okay for them also. It might be advisable to have an apple everyday but with diabetes it is bound to increase the sugar to levels and that might create trouble. Eliminate breads, sugar, pastas, cereals and some fruits apart from berries from your routine of feeding. Blood sugar counts should be at 75-90 between meals and it should be 120 about 2 hours just after the meal. If it goes beyond 140 then you need to think about changing your diet.

Many people do not know it but controlling diabetes is a combination of factors. Eating healthy and indulging in regular exercise is the best way to control diabetes. This should be topped up with regular monitoring of the blood sugar level. All in all, it takes a combination of all 3 to ensure that your problem of diabetes is going to be beat and you will soon be freed from it.…

Herbal Tea – Uses and Benefits

The Chinese have known about the medicinal benefits of tea since ancient times. One of the most popular herbs today is chamomile (matricaria). Chamomile is regarded as a great all round herb. It will calm anxiety and relax tension, both physical and emotional. It is also helpful for flatulence, diarrhea, stomach disorders and gastritis, insomnia and toothache. Chamomile is also an excellent herb for teething babies or when they have ear infections, cramps or stomach aches. I have also listed some other popular herbal tea and their benefits.

Loose Leaf Tea

DANDELION Dandelion can be used to assist skin conditions such as acne and eczema, as well as itchy or scaly rashes. It also stimulates appetite, and the flow of bile and works as a diuretic. Dandelion is beneficial for liver and gallbladder disorders and digestive complaints. It can also be used in managing weight problems and distributing cholesterol.

DONG QUAI Dong quai like lady’s mantle is a great herb for easing symptoms of premenstrual syndrome and heavy menstrual bleeding. As well as helping balance female hormones dong quai is also rich in iron, magnesium and niacin, which makes it an excellent blood stimulant.

ECHINACEA Echinacea must be one of the most popular, and most used herb. It is most useful in stimulating the immune system, helping the body to rid itself of infections of all sorts, including fungal, viral and those caused by micro organisms. Effectively echinacea increases the body,s defenses helping them to work more efficiently.

EPILOBIUM Epilobium is the most effective herb for treating prostate condition disorders, with no side effects. It is also a herb with exceptional long term therapeutic effects.

FEVERFEW Feverfew Loose Leaf Tea has been associated with promoting restful sleep, relief from asthma attacks and improving digestion. By far its most noted use is effectiveness in relieving and preventing migraines. Probably due to a combination of active constituents of the herb, which are both anti-histamine and anti- inflammatory.

CHAMOMILE Chamomile is regarded as a great all round herb. It will calm anxiety and relax tension, both physical and emotional. It is also helpful for flatulence, diarrhea, stomach disorders and gastritis, insomnia and toothache. Chamomile is also an excellent herb for teething babies or when they have ear infections, cramps or stomach aches.…

Herbal Teas For Nursing

If you are a lactating mother, and you have not yet been introduced to herbal teas for nursing, then tune in and get inspired! Even if you have been using herbal teas already to support you in motherhood, it’s always interesting to know a little more about the nutritious medicines that you are taking. Herbal teas are especially useful when your baby is going through a feeding spurt, and you are not producing enough milk to meet these demands.

Common Herbs used in Nursing Teas Today

Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) has both a rich flavour and history of use in breastfeeding mothers. It has been used to boost milk production, and also to treat colic in babies since antiquity. It enhances digestion by preventing flatulence and cramping. So it’s ideal for lactation. No good nursing tea would be without Fennel!

Caraway (Carum carvi) is from the same plant family as Fennel, the Umbelliferae family, and when you compare the two plants physically you see that they both grow erect, with many branches that shoot out from the main stem and are topped with umbrella-like clusters of tiny flowers. Caraway is a wonderful lactation and anti-colic herb, just like fennel. However it’s used extensively in breads, sauerkraut, cheeses and digestive liquors throughout Europe. It also improves iron absorption in nursing mothers.

Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum) is an enhancer of breast development, and has long been used for lactation. I’ve known women who have experienced an increase in breast milk production with this herb who were not even breastfeeding at the time! Another reason why fenugreek is great for nursing mums is it helps your body regulate blood glucose levels, thus improving energy production and reducing carbohydrate cravings!

Anise (Pimpinella anisum). We use the deliciously sweet seeds of anise for their high content of volatile oil, which is responsible for it’s powerful anti-flatulence and anti-colic activities. It’s from the same family as Fennel and Caraway, with its own umbrella-like clusters of tiny flowers.

Lemon Verbena has historically been used to promote healthy milk flow. It’s also a soothing relaxant, and helps to make breastfeeding a more harmonious experience.

In some situations it may be necessary to slow down your production of milk. In this case it’s best to consult a professional herbalist. They will use herbs such as sage (salvia officinalis) to achieve this.

Nursing Teas are a wonderful support for mother and baby throughout lactation and even beyond. There’s no time like the present to make sure that you are both receiving the best, natural nutrition possible. Happy Nursing!…