A Guide on Ways to Prevent Diabetes

http://www.flickr.com/photos

Diabetes is a condition that can affect multiple body organs leading to other secondary diseases if not treated.It is therefor best to be informed about ways to prevent diabetes.There are two types of diabetes,Type 1  and Type 2 .In Type 1 also known as Juvenile onset diabetes,there is self destruction of the beta cells in the pancreas.These are the cells which produces insulin needed by the body.This is why Type 1 diabetes needs insulin injections to offset the lack of insulin production in the pancreas.Type 2 also known as adult onset diabetes is due to high blood glucose and possible lack of insulin.This easily preventable.

There are ways to prevent diabetes and avoid its possible complications:
1.Diet.
   Strive to eat a balanced diet always.Let us be guided by the healthy eating pyramid.This is a guide which intends to help us know how much food from each food group should we be eating.This is based on nutritional benefits of these foods.
2.Exercise
  .Let us aim to be active.In this modern day where cars and taxis are  always available,we should find the time to stretch our legs each day.Let us not always find the easy way in doing our daily activities.If there is an opportunity for us to walk while doing our errands,we should do it.Choose the stairs instead of the elevator.Being physically active will help us burn more calories.It strengthens our bodies and helps us maintain our weight.
3.Lose those extra pounds.
  Extra weight will make you prone to diseases like diabetes,hypertension,heart disease etc.The fats around our internal organs makes it difficult for them to function properly.Like  if fat surrounds the heart,it will restrict how it beats properly.
4.Avoid too much stress.
  As stress could lead to over eating and weight gain.Learn to find ways to unwind after each day. Learn how to meditate.Take a hot bath to relax tired muscles.Listen to your favorite singer.Or watch funny movies.

 Some of the possible complications of uncontrolled diabetes
1.Heart disease
2.Hypertension
3.Neuropathy
4.Eye problems like cataract,glaucoma etc
5.Kidney disease
6.Skin infections
7.Depression
8.keto-acidosis
9.Diabetes could affect oral health.
10.Hearing problems
11.Peripheral arterial disease
12.Stroke

Drugs are a great help for diabetic patients whose diabetes can not be managed with diet and exercise. Studies are being done about enzyme containing drugs being develop to act on diseases influenced by age.This is good news for for people suffering from alzheimer's disease,diabetes etc.If successful,it might have lesser side effects.

Diabetes has serious complications if not treated.Knowing ways to prevent diabetes is far better than treating it.Diabetes could be controlled with proper diet,exercise and drugs but nothing can beat prevention.Let us take care of our bodies because as we grow older,our metabolism slows down.Our bodies become susceptible to age related diseases like type 2 diabetes and alzheimer's disease.A slower metabolism will make us gain weight faster.We should therefor be more conscious of what we eat,modify our lifestyle and strive for better health.

Losing Weight and McDonald's Calorie Chart

Can you lose weight while eating at McDonald’s? You may think this is impossible. After all, don’t we all know that fast food is not diet food? Don’t we all know that McDonalds is the grandfather of all fast food chains?

The fact is, it is not only possible, it is also easy to lose weight at McDonald’s. The secret is the McDonald’s Calorie Chart. In order to take advantage of it, you will need to know your target calorie range. An average woman needs about 2000 calories per day to maintain weight. To lose about a pound per week, she will need to eat 1500 calories per day. Most women could start with this target. The average man needs about 2700 calories per day to maintain their weight. (Yes, ladies, I know. This really isn’t fair!) So a man might start at 2200 calories per day to lose a pound a week. Note that it is important to consult your doctor before you start any diet, to make sure all your health concerns are accounted for. Your doctor may recommend a different calorie target for you.

Now that you have a target calorie range in mind, you’ll need that calorie chart. McDonalds often has printed copies available, so make sure you ask when you next visit your local McDonalds. However, if you want to review one in the comfort of your home, you can find one online at this link: http://nutrition.mcdonalds.com/nutritionexchange/nutritionfacts.pdf. Note that this chart includes a lot more than just calories. You can build a healthy diet using this information!

Let’s create an example of a weight-loss diet using the McDonald’s Calorie Chart. For breakfast, you might choose a high-protein, healthy Egg McMuffin or Sausage Burrito, with a black coffee. Either choice starts your day with 300 calories and between 12-14 grams of protein. Plus, you can’t beat the convenience factor. Do you have mid-morning hunger pangs? That calorie chart tells you that apple slices with low-fat caramel might do the trick for only 100 calories. For lunch, you might choose a Southwest Chicken salad, which only has 390 calories. You might choose milk for calcium, vitamins, and extra protein, your lunch is a low 490 calories. So far, you’ve had 890 calories and are well on your way to a great day on your weight loss plan. You might need an afternoon snack though, so why not try a fruit and yogurt parfait for only 160 calories. Using that chart, you know exactly what you are eating, and you know that you’ve only had 1050 calories. For dinner, you have a number of options. You can have another salad and hold the dressing, and enjoy an ice cream cone instead. Alternatively, treat yourself to a premium grilled chicken club sandwich! Either way, you are right on target with your daily calorie intake and right on target with your weight loss goals.

It may seem unlikely that you can enjoy a healthy diet, and lose weight, while eating at McDonalds. And granted, if it were not for the McDonalds Calorie Chart, it would be difficult to do. But if you are armed and ready with that information, you can have weight loss, convenience, and a healthy, delicious diet – all at McDonalds.

How Much is Cord Blood banking?

Image by Mattman4698 via FlickrCORD BLOOD is defined  as the blood present in the umbilical vessels at the time of deliveryThese blood when properly stored by cryo preservation can be used later on for the treatment of diseases.Cord blood contains undeveloped stem cells.These stem cells  have the ability to build new cells when injected in the body.These make stem cells in cord blood useful in the treatment of diseases like cancer,some metabolic disorders etc.The stored blood can be used by the same person.It is also effective when donated to another patient.This is called allogenic transplantation Many lives have already been save by the use of cord blood.It is a relief to know that cord blood banking is available in the Philippines today.

.Cord blood banking for pinoys?

'The collection process of umbilical cord blood (UCB) stem cells is quick and painless, posing no risk to either mother or baby. At the delivery room, the UCB is collected directly after the delivery of the baby. It is then transported directly to CordLife's laboratory facility, where it is tested, processed and cryogenically frozen. The whole process takes place within 12 hours of delivery."
"The cost of CordLife's service is P40,000 for upfront enrollment and processing fee including cord blood collection, procedural fee, cord blood processing, viability test, infectious disease tests and ground transportation of cord blood unit within Metro Manila. Clients are also charged an P8,000 annual maintenance fee for the continued cryo preservation of the cord blood unit." -
By David Dizon, abs-cbnNEWS.com

Cord blood can be stored in a public cord blood bank.This will be available to the public.Storage will be free.It can also be stored in a family cord blood bank.The purpose is so that the stored blood will be available only to the family for personal use.The family will pay for the processing of the cord blood upon the baby's birth.It may start at $1,000 or more. An annual fee ranges from $100 to $150.Storing cord blood is insuring that in the event of family illness, there is hope for cure.

High blood Pressure and Salt

Image via Wikipedia

Campaigners warn over salt levels in bread

"Eating too much salt is linked to high blood pressure, which in turn increases the risk of developing heart disease.
Recommended dietary salt levels vary with age. Adults are meant to have no more than 6g of salt in their diet per day, while toddlers should have no more than 2g."

"The Department of Health needs to ensure that all bread is clearly labelled and that all manufacturers reduce the salt of bread to less that the salt target of 1g per 100g.
"It is the very high levels of salt that is hidden in everyday food, such as bread, that puts up both adults' and children's blood pressure."
By Caroline Parkinson Health editor, BBC News website
 
High Blood Pressure or hypertension have many causes.
Some factors that could affect blood pressure are:
1.Increasing Age,
2.Obesity,
3.Family History,
4.Ethnic Origin or race
5.Lack of Exercise
6. Diet
Increase in blood pressure could also be due to other systemic diseases like diabetes,renal problems etc.
We cannot do something about our genes and race.But we can control what we eat and we can choose to be active or not.

Ways to avoid high blood pressure are
1.Eating healthy like food low in salt
2. Avoiding too much animal fat
3.Eating more fruits and vegetables
4.Drinking lots of water
5.Exercising or  simply being active
6.Controlling our weight would improve our chances of preventing hypertension.

About Autism

Image via Wikipedia

 

 News about Autism

ESB Goes Blue For Autism Awareness

By: NY1 News

As Autism Awareness month begins, the Empire State Building is being bathed in blue.

Six-time Grammy winner Toni Braxton joined supporters from Autism Speaks Friday to flip the switch for the tribute.
A thousand landmark buildings around the world are participating.
Braxton is the mother of an autistic child and says she couldn't have made it without the support she got from the organization's co-founder......
Organizers said one in 110 children are diagnosed with autism.

via  NY1 News

      Autism a neurological  developmental disorder that affects a person's behavioral development  as early as infancy.It has many forms and different degrees of  limited social interaction.Not every autistic individual have the same social limitations.Autistic people are characterized by lack of response to people.They have limited ability to communicate.Self absorption is an observed trait.They like undisturbed routines.Their intelligence may be normal or above average.
     Early diagnosis of autism would greatly help the child.Loving and supportive family helps the autistic child better in his development.Parents accepting  their child's condition would foster the child's social development.Encourage the child to achieve what he can do.They say that some diets helps so parents and family members must learn to make changes.Counseling,music,better schools etc. are known to greatly improve the life of an autistic child.Avoiding foods with organophospates,food colorings and preservatives would greatly help people with ADHD,a form of Autism.Organophospates are found in pesticides used in fruits and vegetables.Try to eat organically grown food.
     Researchers say environmental pollution,genetics and some vaccines,which is controversial,causes autism.Research is still going on.We hope that if only we will know the cause then maybe we will know how to prevent and cure autism.April is the month dedicated to autism.It helps remind people and make us aware to be more accepting and tolerant of others who have autism.To accept them as they are and not to force them to be "normal".
    

What you should know about laser hair removal?

News about Laser Hair Removal

  


        Laser Hair Removal on Dr. Oz With GentleMAX From Candela

.......Now that it's officially spring, it's time for to get ready for shorts, skirts and bikinis and laser hair removal has never been easier or less painful.    

As recently seen on The Dr. Oz Show, the GentleMAX laser hair removal device from Candela removes unwanted hair from the face and the body. Dermatologist Dr. Ann Chapas says, "Until recently, we could only treat unwanted dark hair with very fair skin," but the GentleMAX combines two lasers in one device so it can actually treat dark hair on virtually all skin colors and types.

"It's faster, it's more efficient, it's less painful and it works on almost anyone," Dr. Chapas says regarding the new GentleMAX hair removal technology from Candela........

            via American Health and Beauty

Image via Wikipedia

after h

Image via Wikipedia

before hair removal

    The human body has places where the growth of hair is unwanted.And unwanted hair affects men and women alike.There are available creams which claim to remove hairs and waxing just to name a few but their effect is temporary.You could pluck and shave these hairs but these are not long term solutions.
     Laser Hair Removal is one of the more permanent solutions to unwanted hair removal.It may cost you more but the effect would be long term.It works for both men and women.It can safely be used in any part of the body like the the chin,back.bikini area, arm pit etc.It is fast and effective hair removal but the training and experience of the operator should be considered when contemplating laser hair removal procedure.Use and availability of newer more advance laser technology in the clinic to suit patient needs will insure a better outcome.
     The Laser Hair Removal works by using intense pulsed lights directed to the melanin of the hair follicle.It aims to damage the follicle to prevent hair growth.The number of sessions depends on the size and anatomical location of the hair.Laser hair removal is more effective on coarse black and brown hair.The treatment sessions may take 6 to 8 times with an interval of around 3 to 6 weeks before hair removal is complete.The disadvantage of laser hair removal is the possibility of hair regrowth in later years but retreatment can always be done.After the hair removal,patients are advised not pluck and wax the hair in the treated areas but to let these fall naturally.They should avoid the sun just after the treatment.
     The advantages of laser hair removal are first,it is fast since more areas can be done at once,the treatment lasts longer before regrowth of hair and only the targeted hair will be removed and so there is lesser or no skin damage in using Laser Hair Removal.

How does hair implant works?

                         

Image via Wikipedia

Alopecia Areata

 News about hair implants    

 

 Hair transplant changed James Nesbitt's life

•    "Several years ago I began losing my hair, and like a lot of men it was a major concern to me - in fact, it was practically an obsession. But also I’m an actor, so I'm in the public eye a lot, and I really felt that my hair loss could affect my career prospects," Nesbitt told Mail on Sunday newspaper. 

Nesbitt had two transplant operations, which involved taking hair follicles from the back of the head, where they were growing well, and moving them to the scalp.

"I'm also using the approved medications finasteride and minoxidil to improve the quality of my hair and to prevent further hair loss.".......

        from the    The Daily Telegraph

     
       Hair transplant is a microscopic surgery procedure where hair follicles from one area of the head is implanted in the balding spot.A hair and scalp specialist known as trichologist, well first determine the cause of hair loss then he can recommend the proper treatment.Hair implant is not immediately recommended at the first sign of hair loss.Doctors usually waits until the hair loss had been happening for sometime before hair transplant is done.Patients may have varying type of hair loss like receding hairline or alopecia.The pattern of hair loss and balding areas must be well established  first before finally transplanting hair follicles to the bald spots to insure better prognosis of the hair implant procedure.

2 Methods of Hair transplant
1. Follicular Unit Extraction Technique - a hair transplant technique where individual hair follicles are  removed  from one area of the head.Hair implant is done by making an incision in the bald area. Smaller scar formation with this procedure.
2. Another method is, a strip of hair is taken from the donor area,this is dissected into single hairs and through incision in the bald area, these individual hairs are implanted.This method makes a bigger scar from donor site.

How to prevent hair loss
1. Proper Nutrition.a balanced diet of protein, fruits, vegetables and nuts would help in over all health including the growth of hair follicles.
2. Avoid stress.An increased in dihydrotestosterone or DHT, a male hormone usually which rises during stress, causes hair fall out.
3. Avoid smoking which could cause decreased blood supply to hair follicles.
4. avoid crash dieting because nutrient imbalance could affect hair growth thereby may cause hair loss.
     Some people have genetics to blame for their hair loss but for others it could be due to some of the reasons above,what ever the cause, there is a remedy out there called hair implant.People may seek help for cosmetic reasons to improve their appearance and self-esteem.They could be victims of ridicule or accidents like burn victims,hair transplant could help them.Before the hair transplant procedure,patients are informed that hair growth after the transplant could take place after maybe 3 months which will improve with in 1 year of the hair implant.