Health and Beauty Les Halles

Before the discovery of insulin in 1921, everyone with type 1 diabetes died within a few years after diagnosis. Although insulin is not considered a cure, its discovery was the first major breakthrough in diabetes treatment.

Today, healthy eating, physical activity, and taking insulin are the basic therapies for type 1 diabetes. The amount of insulin must be balanced with food intake and daily activities. Blood glucose levels must be closely monitored through frequent blood glucose checking. People with diabetes also monitor blood glucose levels several times a year with a laboratory test called the A1C. Results of the A1C test reflect average blood glucose over a 2- to 3-month period.

Healthy eating, physical activity, and blood glucose testing are the basic management tools for type 2 diabetes. In addition, many people with type 2 diabetes require oral medication, insulin, or both to control their blood glucose levels.

Adults with diabetes are at high risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD). In fact, at least 65 percent of those with diabetes die from heart disease or stroke. Managing diabetes is more than keeping blood glucose levels under control–it is also important to manage blood pressure and cholesterol levels through healthy eating, physical activity, and use of medications (if needed). By doing so, those with diabetes can lower their risk. Aspirin therapy, if recommended by the health care team, and smoking cessation can also help lower risk.

People with diabetes must take responsibility for their day-to-day care. Much of the daily care involves keeping blood glucose levels from going too low or too high. When blood glucose levels drop too low–a condition known as hypoglycemia–a person can become nervous, shaky, and confused. Judgment can be impaired, and if blood glucose falls too low, fainting can occur.

A person can also become ill if blood glucose levels rise too high, a condition known as hyperglycemia.

People with diabetes should see a health care provider who will help them learn to manage their diabetes and who will monitor their diabetes control. Most people with diabetes get care from primary care physicians–internists, family practice doctors, or pediatricians. Often, having a team of providers can improve diabetes care. A team can include:

- a primary care provider such as an internist, a family practice doctor, or a pediatrician

- an endocrinologist (a specialist in diabetes care)

- a dietitian, a nurse, and other health care providers who are certified diabetes educators–experts in providing information about managing diabetes

- a podiatrist (for foot care)

- an ophthalmologist or an optometrist (for eye care)

and other health care providers, such as cardiologists and other specialists. In addition, the team for a pregnant woman with type 1, type 2, or gestational diabetes should include an obstetrician who specializes in caring for women with diabetes. The team can also include a pediatrician or a neonatologist with experience taking care of babies born to women with diabetes.

The goal of diabetes management is to keep levels of blood glucose, blood pressure, and cholesterol as close to the normal range as safely possible. A major study, the Diabetes Control and Complications Trial (DCCT), sponsored by the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), showed that keeping blood glucose levels close to normal reduces the risk of developing major complications of type 1 diabetes.

This 10-year study, completed in 1993, included 1,441 people with type 1 diabetes. The study compared the effect of two treatment approaches–intensive management and standard management–on the development and progression of eye, kidney, nerve, and cardiovascular complications of diabetes. Intensive treatment aimed to keep A1C levels as close to normal (6 percent) as possible. Researchers found that study participants who maintained lower levels of blood glucose through intensive management had significantly lower rates of these complications. More recently, a follow-up study of DCCT participants showed that the ability of intensive control to lower the complications of diabetes has persisted more than 10 years after the trial ended.

The United Kingdom Prospective Diabetes Study, a European study completed in 1998, showed that intensive control of blood glucose and blood pressure reduced the risk of blindness, kidney disease, stroke, and heart attack in people with type 2 diabetes.

High blood pressure also referred to as High B.P or hypertension is a chronic health problem. There are solutions to this problem also. The U.S Department of Health and Human Services offers the following solution of high blood pressure or reduces the blood pressure if it is an existing problem whose pinch you are feeling.

Be fit in your weight concerns: Healthy weight maintenance will definitely help you to prevent high blood pressure. Getting a normal weight is not a difficult task as it appears. The beginning can be initiated by cutting down the size of your meal and snacks, and it is important that you take particular care regarding the consumption of high calorie food. Your weight can be maintained if you can burn calories equivalent to the proportion of your consumption of your food. In case you are interested in losing your weight than you need to burn more calories than the amount of food you consume. As you progress in losing weight you can expect a reduction in your blood pressure levels.

Eat a healthy diet: When you are choosing on selecting your diet choose a diet that has plenty of fruits and vegetables. Avoid food stuffs which have high fat content and cholesterol. If you initiate practices to keep your heart fit, then you can definitely keep your blood pressure levels in control.

Keep a control on salt and sodium levels: Excessive consumption of salt and sodium levels can increase blood pressure. So it is vital that you read the food labels. The U.S guidelines indicates that the consumption of sodium can be restricted to not more than 2400 mg and the intake of salt should not be more than 1 table spoon per day. If you are in the practice of eating canned, processed and convenience foods then choose the brands that have low sodium content. In case you are in the practice of salting your food at the time of consumption then be in practice that you use very less salt or it would be best if you do not use salt at all. However this practice will take little time to get used to food without a pinch of salt. But in due course of time you will realize that the food tests better with less salt.

Junk items are made with lot of sodium and salt content, so select items with less salt and sodium content. Less consumption of salt and sodium will help you to prevent high blood pressure.

If you are into alcoholic consumption then as per the guidelines the intake should not be more than 2 drinks for men and 1 drink for women.

Exercise is an important criterion that helps you to maintain a stable blood pressure. Brisk walking and bicycling are good modes of exercising.

Incase you are smoking then an immediate action has to be taken to give up smoking. These are some of the steps which can help you to bring your blood pressure levels to bring it to moderate levels.

It is estimated that 50,000 people lose their sight needlessly every year and that 80 million Americans are at risk of eye diseases that can lead to poor vision and even blindness. The good news is that the most common eye diseases are all preventable to some extent. Here are some ways on how to improve your vision.

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First: Mix a cup of blueberries with a cup of yogurt for breakfast. Blueberries are one of the riches fruit forms of antioxidants. According to a study, men and women who ate the greatest amount of fruit were the least likely to develop age-related macular degeneration (ARMD), which is the leading cause of blindness in older people. The berries contain compounds called anthocyanosides, which may protect the retina against macular degeneration. Next: Have a spinach twice a week. Spinach is rich in lutein, a nutrient that may prevent age-related macular degeneration and cataracts. It is ideal to get your lutein in combination with some form of fat like olive oil for the best absorption.

Third: Eat fish twice a week. A study from Harvard researchers evaluated the diets of 32,470 women, and found that those who ate the least amount of fish, thus, getting the least amount of omega-3 fatty acids, had the highest risk of dry eye syndrome. Next: Cook with red onions, not yellow. Red onions contain far more quercetin, an antioxidant that is thought to protect against cataracts.

Fifth: Take a multivitamin every day. A major study suggested that if every American at risk for age-related macular degeneration took daily supplements of antioxidant vitamins and zinc, more than 300,000 people could avoid ARMD-associated vision loss over the next five years.

Your eyes are two of your most precious possessions, but chances are, you take your eyes for granted. You learn about their value only when you lose them. Find ways on how to improve your vision before it’s too late.

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