Juvenile Diabetes and the Honeymoon Period
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In many children with juvenile diabetes a period occurs shortly after being diagnosed
they go through what is commonly called as the honeymoon period. This is a time when
your child?s blood sugar levels will return to normal without the aid of additional insulin.
It is important to remember that this happens in a lot of children and does not mean that
the disease has gone away. The pancreas is still trying to do its job and is working
overtime to make insulin for your child?s body. Following are some guidelines to follow
when this happens.
The length of the honeymoon period is not the same for everyone. In one child it can last
months while in another child it can feasibly last for over a year. It all depends on how
much insulin your child?s pancreas can produce and how long it can keep up that rate of
production. It will be hard to figure out how much if any insulin your child needs during
this time when their blood sugar levels are normal. Constant monitoring of the blood
glucose levels is still required, because you will not know when the honeymoon period is
over otherwise.
Keep in close contact with your health care provider. He or she will help in determining
what the best plan is to follow during the honeymoon phase. Some may even want you to
give minute amounts of insulin daily in order to keep your child used to the injections and
your child?s body accustomed to the additional insulin it will need.
It can be emotionally hard for your child during the honeymoon phase. Everything will
seem back to normal and they are going to want to resume their life like it was prior to
diagnosis. It is important to remain on the diabetic diet and continue monitoring during
this time.
Keeping Your Brain Young
One good telltale of our real age is our mental capacity. We expect that as we become grandmas and grandpas, our intellectual performance can never be the same with its prime years. But why does this happen? And what can we do to avoid thinking like we are old-aged already?
The Process Of Aging
Our neurons are non-regenerative. That means they do not divide to reproduce more of its kind. Once they die, they can?t be replaced with another one. As we age, these brain cells of ours start to reduce in size and in number. This reduces our ability to call to mind some things that we have learned, including those in school, and even those details when we were younger.
A neurotransmitter called acetylcholine also declines as we age. This neurotransmitter is directly involved in memory and conveying of messages from a cell to another one. Moreover, because of the stresses that we have, the hippocampus, our memory bank, diminish in function.
As we get old also, we develop plaques and tangles that accumulate between and within neurons, respectively. Plaques are proteins that mount up in between neurons while tangles are fibers that grow within the brain cells. Too much of these two are thought to kill nerve cells, like in Alzheimer?s Disease, an age-related disease.
In addition to this, substances are created as a result of our lifestyle and environmental pollution. These substances called free radicals can damage our DNA and impede the production of energy which can cause early cell death.
Stay Sharp
To delay the signs of aging with regards to our mental capability, we should make a number of things a habit.
As they say, stress is inevitable in everyday life because we need it to overcome large and small obstacles. But, of course, stress has a lot more negative effects than good ones. So, avoid too much stress. According to some studies, stress does not only make you look older, it also accelerates the degeneration of your brain.
Those who are easily stressed have higher risks to cognitive impairment than those who are not. You should examine yourself and determine the best ways in which you can cope with the obstacles of the day. Praying is one of the best examples. Planning ahead of time can reduce possible stress. An hour of it can even reduce two hours of your working time.
To stay sharp, one must also have adequate sleep. A new research in Massachussetes General Hospital shows that adequate sleep can help you think well. Adequate sleep helps the brain collect different bits of information and have correct interpretation of them. On the contrary, if you sleep less than the required number, you would most likely have a bad performance and mood problems.
Another thing we should regularly do to preserve our brain functions is to meditate. Doing it actually improves attention, learning, and memory. Regular meditation can also help you slow down the shrinking of our gray matter. For the younger ones, a thought of it is quite ridiculous because meditating is just for the oldies. But a new study has shown that people who meditate earlier in life have better attention in their succeeding years.
One can?t end a roster of anti-aging recommendations without mentioning about eating right. It is true when the say that an apple a day can make you okay. Apples are rich in flavonoids that helps protect the brain cells from free radicals. These fruits also contain a good number of antioxidants that do not only make your skin look young, it also raise the levels of the neurotransmitter called acetylcholine that diminishes as we age.
Just for review, this neurotransmitter is very important for our memory and the ability of the neurons to transport messages from one to another.
Some Ways That Obesity And Heart Disease Are Related
Many medical professionals believed that obesity and heart disease were only related in an indirect sense. They attributed the major risk factors for heart disease (such as hypertension, high cholesterol, and even arteriosclerosis) to the degree of the obesity of the person involved. While obesity is a contributing factor for many of these conditions, studies are now indicating a more direct link between obesity and heart disease.
A More Direct Link?
Recent longitudinal studies indicate that while obesity can affect a number of risk factors for heart disease, the two are also directly related in that obesity can be a predictive indicator of heart disease. In a fourteen year study, it was indicated that middle-aged women with a BMI index of greater than twenty-three, but less than twenty-five still had an approximate 50% increase in the risk of both fatal and non-fatal coronary heart disease. This indicates a clear, direct connection between obesity and heart disease.
Another factor that may connect severe obesity and heart disease more directly is that of abnormalities in the left ventricular mass and function of the heart. While in the majority of cases, these abnormalities are seen in the presence of both hypertension and obesity, there are recorded causes where these abnormalities are seen without hypertension being apparent. In such cases, the only condition that appears to affect the condition of the heart is severe obesity. This information indicates that obesity and heart disease are intricately linked and can definitely lead to congestive heart failure.
Treatment Choices for Obesity and Heart Disease
Since a connection, either direct or indirect, has long been established between obesity and heart disease, the medical profession has developed a number of avenues over the years to combat these two related problems.
In certain patients with congestive heart failure, for instance, sodium restriction and even a small reduction in weight may dramatically improve the function of the heart and lead to a reduction in the risk of heart disease. In fact, a number of studies have indicated that a drastic weight loss, such as after gastro-intestinal surgery, greatly decreases the occurrence of both heart disease and insulin based diabetes.
There are, of course, any number of ways to treat both obesity and heart disease. These can include changes in diet and exercise practices, medication, and sometimes even surgery. Only you and your doctor can decide what choice is best for you. Whatever method is chosen, the connection between obesity and heart disease is becoming clearer everyday.
The Wondrous Benefits of Soy Protein
Soy protein is emerging as one of the great alternative protein sources for human consumption. Health experts are all excited about how soy protein can change the face of nutrition. What?s all the rage? Here are some great reasons to get with soy protein.
Soy Protein is Plant Protein
Soy beans contain complete protein and have one of the best protein digestibilities among all protein sources. Soy beans also contain little or no fat and have virtually no cholesterol. Lactose intolerant ones will be pleased to know that soy beans contain no lactose.
Being a plant protein, soy is free from steroids and antibiotics animal protein contains. It is also free from the parasites that contaminate some of these products. They also contain none of the diseases one can contract from mean sources such as Mad Cow Disease, and Foot and Mouth Disease.
Vegetarians love this bean as it provides a comparable ? if not better ? source of protein as compared to its animal counterpart. It provides a protein that is better and easier to digest and is comparable to most protein supplements.
Soy Beans are Very Versatile
Soy beans are very versatile. Various cuisines, especially Asian ones recognize the value of the humble soy bean. A variety of naturally yummy delicacies are all soy based: tofu, soy pudding, Soya milk, and meat substitutes ? not to mention condiments such as soy sauce, and hoi sin sauce.
To counter the problem of world hunger, the growing of soybeans has been suggested. Not only are soybeans easy to grow and harvest, they will grow pretty much anywhere and produces much in a little time. There have been farmers reported to have replaced their entire crop line with soy bean plants. These hardy little plants produce much per harvest, and, as said earlier, can grow in even the most trying terrain.
The Great Substitute
Soy is low in fat and can be used to substitute most protein sources. When cooking, you may use soy substitutes instead of flour for a low fat alternative. This makes it a great protein source for those that are looking to lose weight without compromising their protein requirements.
Bodybuilders are considering how this can make their jobs a lot easier. Without the fat and with all the protein goodness ? easily digestible at that ? bodybuilding has just received a great blessing of a food.
Although these bodybuilders are currently debating how soy can be a help to bodybuilders, it doesn?t take away anything from what soy can contribute to the overall health of a person.
It is very advisable to stick to natural protein rather than processes protein if possible, as processed foods typically have some risk attached to them. The best use of this food can be attributed to how it perfectly fits into anyone?s low-fat, high-protein diet.
Soy products can be incorporated into shakes and drinks. And being lactose-free, lactose intolerant people will still be able to get their milkshake fix without having to suffer so.
Soy products are also a great source of other nutrients such as saponins, isoflavones, and phytosterol. Saponins help support a healthy immune system. It also combines with cholesterol to avoid increased absorption of cholesterol in the body. Phytosterols also help reduce the absorption of cholesterol in the body in the same way saponins do.
Isoflavones are powerful antioxidants and prevent the effects of free radicals in the body. They prevent many of the signs of aging and have been known to help prevent cancer. This alone makes soy a miracle protein source in its own right.
Isoflavones, along with vitamins A,C, and E are among the front liners in the fight against such disease ? they also counter the effects of pollution, and stress.
How Much is Too Much
Unlike other protein sources, it is pretty safe to consume a wide amount of soy products. While allergies to soy products exist, cases are few and far between. When changing to a soy diet, however, it would be best to consult your physician or your nutritionist. Ask specifically if the soy interferes with any prescription drugs you are taking.
Soy can be great blessing for people who are looking for a great source of protein that does not entail the side effects of most of the other sources. It would be advisable for one to explore how it can improve one?s diet.
Juvenile Diabetes and Teenagers
Teenagers are young adults and are ready to take on new responsibilities. If your
teenager has had juvenile diabetes for some time, this is the time to pass the reins of
management over to them. It may seem a bit intimidating to you to let your child take
control of their diabetes but it is the best thing you can do for them. They are
approaching a time in their life when they are going to be going out on their own. For
both your sake and theirs, a comfort level needs to be reached in reading blood sugars,
giving injections and planning appropriate meals.
If your child was a teenager when he or she was first diagnosed, involve them in the
process from the beginning. Their input and the ability to make some decisions will help
them feel in control of a situation they would rather not be in.
The biggest point to stress and make sure your teenager understands is how important it
is to keep proper control of their diabetes. Juvenile diabetes is a serious disease and it has
serious complications if blood sugar levels are not kept under control.
Discuss with your child different scenarios that are sure to arise and try and come up with
solutions or ways to manage them. Drinking can have a negative affect on blood glucose
levels and it is important that a young adult realize the dangers. When they reach legal
age, they need to know how drinking can affect them and ways to incorporate that into
their life if they so choose.
As a parenting, letting go is a hard thing to do but it is necessary to create independent
adults. Trust your child to make the right decisions for their diabetes and be there to
guide them when necessary.
The Effects of Kidney and Heart Disease
Good health is something you cannot take for granted; thus, constantly maintaining it by eating well, exercising, and having regular check ups is what every one of us must strive for.
All our body parts and organs are vital for a happy existence; however, the heart is one of the most important organs, without which living is not possible. When faced with heart disease, treatment can be challenging, but when heart problems combine with another major organ failure, there can be fatal consequences.
Kidney and Heart Disease
Renal and coronary artery disease may progress parallel to each other, and there are many heart related diseases that affect the kidney, as well.
The kidney’ s function is to filter wastes and excrete fluid by using the bloodstream’ s own natural pressure. There are a number of causes that can trigger damage to the kidneys, and some of them are:
- Decreased blood flow, which is usually caused by clogged arteries that, in turn, will cause a kidney and heart disease.
- Acute tubular necrosis (ATN) - this may occur when tissues are not getting enough oxygen or when the renal artery is blocked or narrowed.
- Over-exposure to metals, solvents, radiographic contract materials, and certain types of medications.
- Myoglobin in the urine (myoglobinuria) this condition occurs when one consumes excessive amounts of alcohol, tissue death of muscles for any given cause, or other disorders.
- Direct kidney injury.
- Infections such as acute septicemia.
- Blood disorders, which affect the heart and can lead into a joint kidney and heart disease.
There are many other causes, which can lead to the deadly combination of kidney and heart disease. You need to do everything in your power in order to avoid this dangerous duo attack. It is more than likely that in a situation where you are faced with kidney and heart disease at the same time that the outcome is fatal.
Prevention is Better Than A Cure
The only way to prevent a double failure of your body’ s systems is to be constantly aware of your health’ s situation by conducting regular check ups with your doctor and following his, or her advice.
Knowing in time that you are in danger of some major failure, or that you will be faced with a serious disease should you not take precautions right away, will help save your life. Most people who have heart attacks never suspected one and usually end up in emergency room in a critical state. Take charge of your life and take care of your health today.
Keeping Skin Youthful
The young rushing to grow old and the old doing all that it takes to stay young is one of the most observable ironies in life. Well, blame the latter to vanity, or, perhaps, let?s be thankful for it. So that this time, it would be vanity?s chance to strike ?coz staying young is just a simple routine that would spell a huge difference. And to boost this regimen, some experts share relevant tips for a younger-looking skin.
Clean face properly
Remove all traces of cosmetics on your face by using cotton balls and moisturizing cream. Using lukewarm water (that also opens pores for deeper cleansing) and a soap-free, non-comedogenic, and mild cleanser, gently rotate your middle and pinky fingers upwards avoiding hard rubbing that could damage your skin. Make sure hands are clean to prevent spreading bacteria and dirt which can worsen acne and other skin problems.
Massage face wash on skin for about 60 seconds to wipe away dirt, bacteria, pollutants, and product residue. Rinse at least three times to remove residues that will clog our pores. After patting skin dry, use an alcohol-free toner that preferably contains glycolic acid or alpha hydroxy acid. These acids can educe the size of you pores and can give you instant results.
Use soap on select areas
To maintain the softness of skin, soap should be applied only on select areas–your face, underarms, feet, groin, and buttocks. These are the areas that need the cleansing effects of soap so other areas won?t be unnecessarily stripped off of its natural skin oils. Some experts say that rinsing other areas with water alone is enough to make them clean.
Moisturize while you wash
Moisturizing after cleansing is absolutely necessary. Washing the face can aggressively remove the natural oil of the skin. Moisturizing after cleansing will replenish the necessary oil that was lost. Use products which contain the leas amount of harsh additives. Pure Vitamin E and aloe vera oil can be applied too for intensive moisture treatment. Just open a capsule and apply directly on skin for that intense moisture you need.
Let moisturizer be absorbed well
Set moisturizer for at least three minutes before applying makeup. This will let your moisturizer to be completely absorbed and will help our makeup to last all day.
Clean a damp face, not a dry one
Use cleansers on damp skin. According to Dr. Mary Lupo, a professor of dermatology at Tulane University, cleansers are more likely to be irritating if applied on dry skin. This will also lock in moisture.
Splash face with cold water before a makeup
This helps shrink pores and is a trick used by makeup artists to help makeup glide on seamlessly. Moreover, smaller pores give little space for pollutants and cosmetics to reside, hence, a more radiant skin.
Apply products properly
The effectiveness of products depends chiefly upon its penetration unto the skin. For better absorption of ingredients, follow this sequence: toner, serum or treatment products (like retinoids), moisturizer, and sunscreen. This sequence will keep heavy formulas from preventing lighter ones to be absorbed well.
Move your sun shade
Change the placement of your sunshade in your car. Move this to your left to block UV rays while you are driving. If not, the left side of your face would tend to look older than the other side because of the sun damage. Nevertheless, place a shade wherever you are seated in your car. It does not only protect your skin, but also that of your fellows.
Experts have done their share, so now it?s time to do yours.
Insulin Pumps for Juvenile Diabetics
A popular alternative, especially for teenagers, to daily insulin injections is to use an
insulin pump. Although it is an alternative for everyone because of the high cost of the
unit and having to wear it 24 hours per day for others it can help in successfully
managing juvenile diabetes.
An insulin pump is worn all the time and provides a steady stream of fast-acting insulin
instead of a combination of fast-acting and long-lasting insulin that is typically combined
in a syringe. If your child is has to have multiple needles in a day this is also an attractive
alternative.
Wearing an insulin pump provides greater flexibility; there is no specific injection and
eating times that have to be met. But eating at similar times each day is still
recommended. One of the best features of wearing an insulin pump is the ability to bolus
? giving additional fast-acting insulin immediately before eating a meal or a snack by
pressing one of the buttons on the pump. This method can prevent spikes in blood sugar
by providing a boost of insulin when it is needed most.
Some of the downsides of a pump are the expense. The unit itself is not cheap and you
have to still buy the insulin and supplies to go with it. And it has to be worn all the time
with the exception of bathing or swimming. But you and your child will have to weight
the pros and cons of a pump and see what they want to have in the end.
The same amount of effort is still needed to keep blood sugars in control but having an
insulin pump can be more convenient by not having to worry about insulin injections. An
insulin pump will also keep a steady stream of insulin in the body overnight when blood
sugars can sometimes spike.
Ischemic Heart Disease and the Western World
Ischemic heart disease is the proper medical term for reduced blood flow to the heart. It is ultimately caused by hardened or blocked arteries, and it is the number one cause of death in most western countries.
From the time people are very young, as young as five years old, they can start developing tissue deposits, called plaque, in the lining of their arteries. For many people, these deposits never cause trouble. For others, the deposits can grow, harden, and eventually cause death. The growth of these tissues is called arteriosclerosis.
As these tissues grow, the arteries will enlarge some to try and accommodate blood flow. However, if the blob of plaque ruptures, the particles clog blood passages causing a heart attack or stroke, in the worst cases.
Pass On The Fats
Scientists know what causes ischemic heart disease: a fatty diet, inaction, and smoking. While smoking is certainly not limited to rich countries, a fatty diet and inaction are luxuries of middle- and upper-class populations.
In Europe and the United States, calories are cheap and plentiful. For an hour s wage, a person can buy a meal containing a pound of meat. However, in some countries, a pound of meat is a treat to be divided within one family once a month. No doctor recommends either extreme of poor or rich food, but rather, everyone needs a healthy, balanced, but lean diet to prevent ischemic heart disease.
However, some doctors have an idea about using peer pressure to make westerners make themselves healthier. Thirty years ago, few Americans wore seatbelts. And many more smoked cigarettes than do now. Laws played a part in changing behavior, but in both of these cases, peer pressure really started the trend. And many scientists, nutritionists, and activists, worried about ischemic heart disease, are trying to repeat the trend for healthier diets.
And this power of healthy suggestion seems to be working on restaurants. Especially since 2004, fast food chains have started to offer healthier menu choices such as yogurt, salads, and fruit. Many restaurants now print some nutrition information on their menus and offer specifically heart-smart recipes.
But the question is will people take advantage of healthier menus, city recreation departments, and fresh vegetables at the grocery store? So far, it does not seem so. Some scientists predict that 75% of all Americans will be overweight by 2008. Yet extra weight and the bad diet and inactivity that usually accompany it are causing an epidemic of ischemic heart disease.
Benefits of resistance training
Do you want to have a stronger and more beautiful body? Then the best thing to do is get on your feet and start doing the resistance training.
What Is Resistance Training?
Resistance training involves activities that use weights, machines and even body weight to work out the muscles properly. It is also known as strength training or weight training. This can be very helpful in achieving a healthier body.
This kind of training is usually associated with athletes who have to build up their bodies. Most people would think that when resistance training is done, the body will grow bigger. Actually it will not. Resistance training is simply about increasing the strength of the body, not its size.
Actually, this can be practiced by anyone. It basically builds and tones the muscle to give the body a better look. This training program is even very much advisable to the elders. The usual training programs undergone by the elders are standing free-weights resistance or the moderate-intensity seated machine training.
How Does Resistance Training Work?
A resistance training program will include the use of various exercise equipment and machines like the bench press, dumbbell or barbell. When the equipment is used, the muscles of the body will be pitted against the weight. The cells of the body will then adapt to the extra weight. This will then result to hypertrophy or the enlarging and increasing of the nerve cells to help in the muscle contraction.
Before doing any resistance training, it will be best to consult first with the doctor. This goes especially for people who have medical conditions or are overweight. This kind of training is not something that you can explore on your own. You have to know the proper equipment for the needs of your body. The body must also be conditioned first before taking in the weights.
Resistance training can also be done without resorting to the equipment. Doing push-ups is one good example. You can do it just about anywhere where there is enough space for you to move. This time it is your own body weight that will be pitted against the muscles. So those who are a bit constrained in the budget can still do resistance trainings.
What Are the Benefits of Resistance Training?
1. Increase Bone Mineral Density
Bones are constantly remodeling, meaning the tissues break down at the same time they build up. The peak of remodeling takes place during puberty. However, as a person ages, there may be problems with the bone mineral density as the remodeling may not be as active anymore. This is especially a problem to post-menopausal women.
Bone mineral density is usually supported by the hormones. To address the problem of not having the hormones to maintain the bone mineral density, physical activity is the next best option. Resistance training is one physical activity that can address this.
2. Increase Strength
Strong bones and strong muscles will be developed as you undergo the resistance training program.
3. Increase the Range of Activities
When your body is strong enough to carry some considerable weight, then definitely you will also be capable of doing more strenuous activities. You are less likely to be lazy and you can live a more active lifestyle.
4. Reduce the Body Fat
Pitting the weights on your muscle will definitely give it the body the exercise it needs and get rid of the undesirable fats. Thus expect the tone of the body to improve. Even more, expect the body to look better, to be leaner.
5. Improve State of the Elders
For the elderly, undergoing a resistance training program will help improve their health and decrease the risks brought about by the age. They can be more independent, without needing to rely on other people for doing simple things. Being able to do so will also decrease the risk of injuries in the elders
6. Improve Heart Condition
Regularly doing resistance training can result to a lowered heart rate and lowered blood pressure, especially after exercise. The risk of heart diseases is reduced to a considerable extent.
This kind of training however must be properly done. It requires commitment and consistency. It will have to be done in a regular basis, following a schedule that the doctor or the physical trainer would recommend. If done incorrectly, the benefits of the program may not be enjoyed and it can even result the injury.
The key here is to simply take your time. Do things one step at a time correctly. As your body condition improves, then move on to more challenging tasks. The strength of the body and its overall look are at stake in the resistance training. So you better be sure to do it properly.
