Just Detected

Being diagnosed with diabetes can be an overwhelming experience In fact, it can be a major life stress for many people. This is especially true as most chronic conditions and progressive diseases can prove to be quite challenging to manage emotionally.

If you or your family are feeling anxious and disheartened, you should know that it is natural to feel that way. You should also know that you are not alone, and that 70 million other people in India are living with Diabetes. This is a condition that needs to be “managed”.

In brief, Diabetes is characterized by high blood glucose levels that result from defects in the body’s ability to produce enough insulin, and at times no insulin is produced at all. Insulin is required to remove sugars and toxins from our system, and when they do not get flushed out, they tend to accumulate, resulting in high blood glucose levels.

You will be happy to know there are countless cases of people who have reversed their condition simply by making changes in their daily lives, especially when it comes to food, exercise and stress management. With some precautions and care, we are confident that you too can be a winner.

Remember, with a clear plan, appropriate guidance, right (and on time) medications, timely tests and appropriate modifications to your lifestyle you can not only overcome your condition but stay on top of it. To know more, please refer to our Let’s Understand section

Remember, we are here to help you in your endeavour to stay focussed and on target!

Some quick tips that the American Diabetes Association and other bodies recommend that you should follow:

Find a good doctor
- We recommend seeking the advice of a specialist, in this case an ‘endocrinologist’ or ‘diabetologist’ who can help and direct you with a constructive plan of action. Check with your doctor if you have to repeat your tests.
Acquire as much information as you can
- An informed person can make better decisions. Therefore, it is essential for you to get to know more about food and other lifestyle changes that will help you manage better. Newly-diagnosed people are frequently advised to control blood sugar levels by following a healthy nutrition plan along with a regular exercise regime. To know more, read recommended diets and exercise plans for people living with diabetes.
Seek help and support from your family
- Research suggests that with family support one can manage diabetes much more effectively than running self-managed programmes. Your partner, family, and friends play a huge role in motivating you and helping you adhere to your diabetes management programme.
Make your own plan:
- As you may already know, food plays a very important role in diabetes management. An ideal diabetes meal plan consists of low carbs, low sugar, lean proteins and high fibre diet. You may choose from a wide variety of Diabetes meal plans available to you. Before you start following one, you are advised to check with your doctor or dietician regarding the amount of calories you need to take in a day/week, according to your BMI and physical activity rate.
  You may also seek a dietician’s advice to put together a plan that works best for you
Check on Alcohol and tobacco consumption
- Research suggests smoking may aggravate complications from Diabetes, such as heart diseases and may lead to nerve and kidney damage. It is, therefore, highly advisable to significantly limit or give up smoking.
  Alcohol consumption can have a strong impact on your blood sugar levels, not to mention liver-related disorders. It is a good idea to take your doctor’s advice on whether you can consume alcohol, and how much. In any case, please remember to always eat a meal while consuming alcohol to prevent fluctuations or spiking of blood glucose levels.
Medicines – on time, every time!
- One of the most crucial aspects of Diabetes management is to take your medication regularly and avoiding skipping meals. The medical explanation is that medicines and food have a direct role in keeping “good control” of blood glucose levels.
  If your doctor has advised you to take Insulin then please DO NOT skip your shots. Many people fear pain or scarring resulting from the Insulin shots, and the good news is that one can learn the right, less painful ways of taking Insulin. Refer to our “Insulin section” for more details.
  In fact, in order to keep your blood glucose levels in control, you should eat small meals more frequently and consult a dietician to plan the best possible meal plan for you.
Indulge yourself. Take extra care of your teeth to keep gum diseases at bay
- While it is true that you have to follow a strict plan, talk to your doctor about rewarding yourself once in a while.
  However, do keep in mind the fact that you have to keep up with your basic health and hygiene requirements. Do brush your teeth at least twice a day, as people living with Diabetes tend to have frequently-returning gum infections. You should also floss your teeth once a week and see a dentist at least twice a year. Inform your dentist if your gums bleed or get swollen to have the concerns addressed at the earliest.
Be careful about Wounds
- Take your wounds seriously, do go and see a doctor immediately if you feel your wounds are healing slowly, or not healing at all as high blood sugar can reduce blood flow, damage nerves and delay healing. It is essential to take care of your foot as minor cuts and blisters can lead to serious infections. Infact people living with Diabetes should also monitor for tingling or loss of sensation in the hands and feet.
Last but not the least
- With a strong determination and sincere effort, one can easily control Diabetes and enjoy living life like never before.
  Join the support community for family and friends of people living with Diabetes, a unique platform to share, help and bring a change in the lives of families and people living with Diabetes.

What can I do as a family/friend of a newly diagnosed loved one ?

As a partner or caregiver, it is understandable that your feel anxious and concerned on hearing the diagnosis of Diabetes.

Please be assured that there is no cause for concern as this is a condition that can be managed with a little care and diligence. You may need to play a pivotal role in the management of the condition for your partner or a loved one and therefore, you would need to be supporting and considerate. Research points to high success rates for diabetics that have had the support of a spouse or family member.

No need to panic
- While Diabetes is considered a lifelong “chronic” condition, there is no need to panic as it can be managed with lifestyle and diet changes. Please be caring and supportive as your partner/family member may have to depend on you to make the required changes and live a long and healthy life
Participate
- It is a good idea to actively participate in your partner’s plans and health goals. By working as a team your support is implicit. Set reminders to take medication on time, learn how to inject insulin, figure out what food items work and what don’t. Set realistic goals, and learn the fine art of encouraging without nagging.
De-stress yourself
- Diabetes can impact the whole family and not just the person living with the condition. In order to avoid the caregiver fatigue syndrome, it is a good idea to spend some time for you. Take timeout to pursue your own goals and keep up with your friends and associates outside of the Diabetic circle.

To read more on Diabetes, click on the link below.

Diabetes

I Need Insulin

My doctor is insisting on Insulin, what do I need to know ?

Insulin is produced in our body naturally by the pancreatic cells and helps the body in converting sugar into energy. When our body produces insufficient or no insulin then doctors recommend taking Insulin additionally, to ensure body metabolises carbohydrates into sugar, and sugar does not accumulate for a prolonged period of time in the form of blood glucose.

There are myths associated with taking Insulin, read below to find out the most frequently asked questions by people living with diabetes.

I have been asked by my doctor to take Insulin, is my Diabetes getting worse ?

Taking Insulin does not necessarily mean that your Diabetes is getting worse. To control your high blood glucose levels your doctor may prescribe Insulin therapy. By not taking the Insulin therapy you may further develop Diabetes-related complications such as Glaucoma in the eyes and malfunctioning of the kidneys or the liver, neuropathy, foot problems, nerve related issues etc. People with Type 2 Diabetes often use combined therapy of medicine and Insulin to keep their sugar levels in control.

Will injecting Insulin be painful ?

Injecting Insulin is not as painful as you may think. Your doctor will direct you how to inject Insulin in the right way and painlessly. Insulin should be given in the areas where one has more flab and less muscle. There are many new types of syringes which are thinner and painless to use, so this should not be a cause for worry.

Once I begin Insulin, will I have to take it for the rest of my life ?

The answer to this question is different for different types of Diabetes. For people living with Type 1 Diabetes this is true; however, for people with Type 2 Diabetes, studies have shown that taking medication on time, physical exercises and diet control can lead to reversal of the condition. Some people simply do not want to start Insulin because of the fear of having to take it forever. However studies have revealed that once the blood glucose levels are under control, patients have been able to switch back to oral medication and no longer have to depend on Insulin.

Travelling with Insulin is tedious, can I miss my injections ?

Doctors all round the world strongly recommend that people who are Insulin dependent must not miss any injections. If you miss your regular dose, it will disrupt the ground you have gained in Diabetes management and take you back to square one. Your blood sugar levels will shoot up and create an imbalance of toxins in the body, leading to further complications.

It is a good idea to make your own small back-pack where you could keep your syringes, Insulin, cotton, gauze and astringent handy. Insulin has to be kept in a cool place and, hence, sometimes needs to be refrigerated. If you are travelling, check with your pharmacist for new types of Insulin pens and cartridges, which might not need refrigeration.

What I can do as family/friend of a person living on Insulin ?

If your partner has Insulin-dependent Diabetes, we understand that you would have your own set of stresses that can be mentally and physically exhausting. You would need to be able to support your partner in different ways, such as establishing and maintaining a healthy diet and exercise routine, checking your partner for wounds that may be concerning, learning to give Insulin shots correctly and painlessly, as well as routinely check blood glucose levels.

There are quite a few things that you can do to help yourself and your partner. First and foremost, in order to support your partner in living with this condition, you need to take care of yourself, both mentally and physically. Establish a health plan for yourself, which will keep you in good shape to deal with the stresses that go along with Diabetes. It is even better if you can exercise together. Taking up meditation and yoga is also a very good way to reduce the impact of stress on your body.

You do not need to give up your life and pleasures in order to support your partner. For example, develop a balanced diet plan that takes care of your partner’s nutritional requirements, but do not forget to add your favourite dish to the equation!

Consult with your doctor to plan an evening out, away from the regular routine. Understand and follow the doctor’s instructions when it comes to dos and don’ts for eating and drinking on your evening out, and you will be fine.

Make sure to have a backup for yourself. As you support your partner in living with Diabetes, you need not give up your interests. Have family/friends provide you with backup whenever you need to step away for some time. This also takes care of the condition known as “compassion fatigue” in caregivers.

It is also good to have support of other people living with this condition just in case you yourself are under the weather for a couple of days.

To read more on Diabetes, click on the link below.

Diabetes

I’m a borderline case, what can I expect ?

Have you been diagnosed with borderline high blood sugar levels? In your case the blood sugar levels recorded are higher than normal, but not high enough to be full-fledged Diabetes. This is referred to as the Prediabetes stage which can be reversed by following recommended guidelines.

During this phase, your pancreatic cells are still producing a little amount of insulin to convert carbohydrates into sugar, however, Insulin produced by the pancreas is not sufficient to remove sugars effectively, keeping the blood glucose level high.

It has been observed that people with Prediabetes may not take this condition seriously. However, research suggests that the sooner one begins to take precautions, the better are the chances of reversal of this condition.

Some quick tips

Make small changes and be a winner!
- Prediabetes can eventually lead to Type 2 Diabetes; however, this development can be easily prevented. It requires small efforts and minor changes in your lifestyle. Research shows that reducing your body weight by just 5 -10 %, to begin with, makes a remarkable difference in the natural Insulin production in the body. Weight loss can also delay the onset of Type 2 Diabetes significantly.
Watch your portion sizes
- Dieticians round the globe suggest having 3 main meals and 3 mini meals to have a good control of your glucose levels.
  You may choose to use smaller plates for meals to check on serving portions to begin with. The plate method advocated by ADA is specially designed for people living with Diabetes or Prediabetes. This approach advises that you fill half of your plate with fibrous fruits and vegetables; one quarter with low carbohydrates, such as brown rice or a baked potato; and the last quarter should be lean protein, like grilled fish or chicken.
Never skip meals
- Eat regularly. It is always a good idea to follow a regular meal pattern and not skip meals. People who eat regular meals, beginning with healthy breakfast, are healthier, more energetic and weigh less than those who skip meals.
  Consume mini meals. Eating healthy mini meals and snacks such as fruits, multigrain bars and low-calorie preparations help you to not only control your blood sugar, but also hunger pangs and prevents you from overeating and binging.
Limit tobacco and alcohol consumption
- Research suggests smoking may aggravate complications from Diabetes, such as heart diseases and may lead to nerve and kidney damage. It is, therefore, highly advisable to significantly limit or give up on smoking.
  Alcohol consumption can have a strong impact on your blood sugar levels; they often spike blood glucose levels leading to poor diabetes management. It is a good idea to take your doctor’s advice on whether you can consume alcohol, and how much. In any case, please remember to always eat a snack or a meal while consuming alcohol to prevent fluctuations or spiking of blood glucose levels.
Exercise
- Exercise is integral to a healthy lifestyle. If you have been diagnosed with Prediabetes, it is even more essential for you to have a fitness routine.
  It is a good idea to check with your doctor before you starting any exercise program. However, a daily walk of 30 – 45 minutes usually makes a good starting point. You may also choose from a wide variety of exercise regimes such as Yoga, Pilates, Tai chi, Swimming, Dancing and Jogging.
Acquire as much information as you can
- It is believed an informed person can make better decisions. Hence we urge you to make an effort to learn about food and lifestyle changes that will help you manage your condition better.
Take help and support from your family
- Research suggests that it is easier to manage Diabetes more effectively with family support. Your partner, family, and friends can play a huge role in motivating you and helping you adhere to your diabetes management programme.
  It is a good idea to check with your doctor before you starting any exercise program. However, a daily walk of 30 – 45 minutes usually makes a good starting point. You may also choose from a wide variety of exercise regimes such as Yoga, Pilates, Tai chi, Swimming, Dancing and Jogging.
Last but not the least
- Always maintain a positive approach. Studies suggest that people who consider Prediabetes as a burden or stress are often unsuccessful in managing this condition. Hence, with a positive mind and attitude you can successfully control your blood glucose levels and come on top of your condition.

What I can do as family/friend of a diagnosed Prediabetes?

Studies reveal that a majority of partners and family members may be equally worried upon detection of their partner’s Prediabetes/Borderline condition. But the good news is that you and your family can play a very important role in arresting and reversing the condition. Research suggests, Partners and family members who actively take interest in managing Prediabetes/borderline condition with in their spouses have been very successful in achieving excellent results.

You may already know that Prediabetes is a warning condition, but studies are on our side saying the condition can be reversed by bringing in lifestyle changes and following low carb diets, exercise regimes and incorporating lifestyle changes.

Equip yourself first
- Reading and collecting information on diabetes yourself can be very helpful for you to understand what your partner is going through physically and emotionally. You may also choose to take guidance from a certified diabetic educator or a physician to help your partner in the best possible ways.
Support your partner mentally and emotionally
- Psychologists suggest that people living with Prediabetes/Diabetes undergo tremendous emotional turmoil. Feelings such as anxiety, fear, guilt, anger, frustration and denial are bound to be experienced. As a family member / partner you should try to be supporting and understanding of these emotional ups and downs. You are also advised to consult a certified diabetic educator to help you motivate your partner in dealing with this condition.
Participate in arresting Prediabetes/borderline condition
- It is always easier to approach a challenge as two people rather than one. By working together not only are you motivating yourself but you are also acting as a check for the other person. Planning goals together is very helpful in attaining successful results, it is a good idea to discuss and chalk out plans mutually before starting to follow any regime for management of this condition. Research suggests that partners, who ate the same food, and did combine exercises yielded better results than self-managed programmes.
  Reminding your partner to adhere to the Prediabetes management programme may help in controlling high glucose levels in people with Borderline conditions. You may also choose to follow “eating by the plate method” advocated by ADA and try various diets.
  However, it is important to beware that constant nagging, complaining or forcing may backfire in managing this condition. It’s advisable to set realistic goals, and handle situations compassionately.
Empower and replenish yourself
- Research shows family and partners undergo tremendous mental and physical fatigue. Remember to take care of yourself too, because you may also undergo mental and physical stress while looking after your companion.
  Ensure that you have time for yourself and for pursuing the interests you enjoyed before Diabetes made an appearance in your life. Pamper yourself and remain cheerful.
  It is important to strike a balance in order to manage your personal and professional life. Set realistic goals and do not give up. Eat a well-balanced healthy diet and learn different ways to cope up with stress. To know more read the below tips to manage compassion.

To read more on Diabetes, click on the link below.

Diabetes

Compliance and Checklist

Compliance and Checklist for Diabetes by Famhealth

Despite significant modern advances in diagnosis and treatment of diabetes, compliance still remains the most crucial aspect of blood glucose level control. Scientific research in National Institute Health USA, suggests “Poor glycaemic control may be reflected by both the failure of diabetes self-management by patients as well as inadequate intervention strategies by clinicians”. Hence identifying the barriers in compliance and treatment adherence is an equally important aspect for successful diabetes management.

Barriers in compliances may be due to various reasons but as per research the majority of non-compliances in diabetes management could be due to In-adequate information, Cultural differences, Religious beliefs, Family dynamics, Emotional imbalances, and sometimes poor communication skills.

According to the American Diabetes Association, The major compliance regimen for people living with Diabetes includes:

On time Medications:
- Medications on time, helps you to maintain a “good control” of blood glucose levels in your body. People living with diabetes are often prescribed multiple medications for diabetes and other co morbid conditions.
  To ease your medicinal intake you are advised to check with your doctor on the sequence of medicines to be consumed as per priority for e.g. which medications to consume before/after meals.
  To manage and ensure medicinal compliance you are encouraged to take the help of friends/family/colleagues who can effectively remind you to take your medications on time every time!
Food & Nutrition:
- According to Dr. Mona registered dietician from USA says, “Good food is good medicine and bad food is bad medicine”. You are advised to have frequent diabetes friendly meals, to reap the maximum benefits of successful diabetes management. To know more refer to our Food section.
Exercise regimen:
- Regimen: Having a daily exercise regime not only helps you to stay fit and healthy, but has also helped so many people in reversing their conditions remarkably! At Famhealth exercising can never get boring! Get to know the new forms and join our community to experience fun “do it with us” exercising modules.
Monitoring blood glucose levels:
- Checking your blood glucose levels timely as recommended by your doctor helps to administer the effect of food, medicines and physical activity in your body. It is almost a reflection of how well you are managing your condition. You are encouraged to take help of your partner/family member/caregivers to learn the right ways of monitoring blood glucose levels to ensure diabetes compliance.

Family/friends/caregivers play a vital role in helping a person living with diabetes to overcome all the barriers and come on top their conditions

Check blood sugar levels as often as recommended by your doctor. By checking your blood glucose level, you can know how food, physical activity and medicine affect your blood glucose.
Inspect your feet daily for cuts, injuries, blisters, infection and changes in skin pigmentation.
Inspect your mouth, teeth and gums. People living with diabetes often are prone to periodontal gum diseases, doctors’ advice brushing twice daily and flossing once in a week.
Check for infection, cuts, blisters, or colour changes all over the body including your underarms, groin area, area between toes, etc.
As you may be already aware, people with diabetes must avoid hot water baths as hot baths often lead to wrinkling and blisters in skin.
Keep your supplies close: Make an attractive kit bag and keep all the necessary medications and food items within your reach. Replenish the kit daily to keep your energy elevated, and blood glucose levels normal.
Last but not the least take your medications on time and at least exercise or walk for a minimum 45 minutes daily to regulate blood glucose levels.

Non adherence to the above treatment compliances often leads to frustration in families and also in doctors treating diabetes individuals

Diabetes Types & symptoms

Exercise for Diabetic Patients

As you may already know Diabetes is referred to as a “lifestyle disease”. One of the reasons contributing to the condition is sedentary living. Regular exercise and undertaking physical activities of one’s choice can play an important role in Diabetes management.

Research indicates that people living with Diabetes, who undertake some form of regular physical activity or have an exercise routine not only have a better control over their blood sugar levels but are also better able to handle the stress

According to Prof. Sheri Colberg-Ochs, PhD at Old Dominion University, Virginia, USA, physical activity can aid in Insulin secretion and keeping the blood glucose level in control. Working out regularly also keeps a check on obesity and movement coordination, as according to research, people living with Diabetes are prone to dis-balancing and falling. Falling down may further lead to conditions such as fractures and restricted locomotion, which can add to unwanted stress and pain in people living with Diabetes.

The good news is that exercises do not necessarily have to be necessarily boring and monotonous. You can invite friends and family to try out new activities and routines with you.

Exercise Tips

Water Aerobics

Muscle toning exercises in water are one of the best ways to beat the heat in the summers. One can try it in the pool with the entire family. Check out the places where you can try water aerobics in Delhi/NCR in our website and have fun with your family.

Swimming

Swimming stretches and relaxes your muscles and doesn’t put pressure on your joints, which is great for people with diabetes. For those with diabetes or at risk for developing diabetes, studies show it improves cholesterol levels, burns calories and lowers stress levels. To get the most benefit from swimming, we recommend that you swim at least three times a week for at least ten minutes and gradually increase the length of the workout. Make sure to have a snack and monitor blood sugars. Lastly, let the lifeguard know that you have diabetes before you get in the pool.

Tai Chi

It is a Chinese form of exercise, which uses slow & smooth body movements to relax the mind and body. In 2009, researchers at the University of Florida studied 62 Korean women assigned to one of two groups

a) Control group and an exercise group that began a regular practice of Tai Chi.

b) people who practised some other physical activity. Those who completed the tai chi sessions showed significant improvement in blood sugar control. They also reported increased vitality, energy and mental health.

Frog leaps/ Spot jogging

Are you bored and tired of going to the gym but miss the running/cardio and the treadmill? Try spot jogging with music on and then jump with a squat (frog leaps). It is believed to be extremely beneficial in toning and strengthing muscles. You are advised not to do it if you have arthritis, knee and foot problems.

Power Yoga

A traditional form of exercise mixed with latest strengthening postures, power yoga incorporates fluid movements that build flexibility, strength and balance. It is helpful for people with a variety of chronic conditions, including diabetes. It lowers stress and improves nerve function, which leads to an increased state of mental health and wellness. According to the ADA, power yoga may improve the blood glucose levels due to improved muscle mass.

Zumba

A unique form of strengthening work out which elevates your heart rate and the best part about doing Zumba is it is done along with catchy beats. Zumba burns up to 500 calories but it is not advisable for people with arthritis, knee and foot problems.

Various other dancing forms

Dancing is not only great for your body. Various forms like Salsa, contemporary, hip-hop, freestyle are the unique way to de-stress also. The mental work to remember dance steps and sequences actually boosts brain power and improves memory. For those with diabetes, it is a fun and exciting way to increase physical activity, promote weight loss, improve flexibility, lower blood sugar and reduce stress. Chair dancing, which incorporates the use of a chair to support people with limited physical abilities, makes dancing an option for many people. In just 30 minutes, a 150-pound adult can burn up to 150 calories.

Bhangra

A leading endocrinologist Doctor Sanjay Kalra recommends Bhangra a popular dance form which has originated from Northern India but practised worldwide. A 45-minute Bhangra performance regime can burn out up to 600 calories, and also help you lower your blood sugar levels and check on obesity.

Fun Activities With Family

Water Workouts

Water workouts stretch and relaxes your muscles and doesn’t put pressure on your joints, which is great for people with diabetes. For those with diabetes or at risk for developing diabetes, studies show swimming and water exercises such as aqualates, aqua aerobics, aqua yoga improves cholesterol levels, burns calories and lowers stress levels.

Cycling

Cycling is a recommended sport for people living with diabetes, it can be conducted either at your own pace or at a set distance which challenges your aerobic endurance by helping you burn calories and keep your glucose levels under control. Research suggests that if you cycle for 45-60 mins a day, this will help you achieve your physical activity targets in keeping a check on your blood glucose levels. People with diabetes must check their glucose levels before beginning cycling and must not cycle in rocky and unstable terrain to avoid falls and wounds.

Adventure

To break the monotony of the fast-paced city life, and lifestyle people with diabetes may choose to opt for something adventurous like adventure theme parks, visit adventure places, or enjoy the thrill of flying a Cessna and paragliding. Trekking and camping can be also a very exciting way to burn calories as well as enjoy a family trip. This list is not exhaustive; you can recommend your way of breaking the monotony and add to our list. However, people living with diabetes are recommended to check few things while opting for adventurous holidays and recreations.

Laughing activity clubs

Scientific studies confirm stress and diabetes have a direct connection; stress often leads to erratic glucose levels. To keep the stress under control one of the easiest ways is joining a laughter club. Laughter helps keep diabetes under control and it is similar to “exercising”. Laughter improves the overall performance of the heart’s muscular function and helps ward off cardiovascular disease and lower blood glucose levels.

Running Clubs

Running can improve your health and help with losing weight in an extremely manageable way for people with diabetes, while providing immense satisfaction and reward in the process.

Running can be the ideal form of exercise for people with diabetes as it helps the body’s sensitivity to insulin. This can be especially useful for people with type 2 diabetes to help combat insulin resistance.

To read more on Diabetes, click on the link below.

Diabetes Types & symptoms

Hair Care

Some of the common hair problems include:

Split Ends
Dandruff
Hair loss
Lack of volume
Oily hair
Scalp which is scalpy
Frizzy, dull, dry and brittle hair
Sun damage to hair
Chlorine damage to hair
Hair loss

What are the factors that affect health of our hair?

Diet- The best way to nourish the hair root is by having a healthy diet, rich in nutrients like iron and proteins, as these are vital for nourishing the hair root. Pulses, meat, eggs, nuts and green leafy vegetables are all good sources of these nutrients.

Keeping the hair covered while outdoors and the use of a good conditioner can help in keeping the hair shaft shiny and smooth.
Oiling the hair at regular intervals can help in improving the blood circulation of the scalp and aid in better hair growth.
Deep conditioning treatments and hair masks can help in imparting moisture to the hair shaft.
People with oily scalps can benefit from the use of a dry shampoo to keep their scalp fresh for longer as frequent shampooing can damage the hair cuticle.
Trimming every 6 to 8 weeks helps in removing the brittle split ends and also keeps your hair style looking fresh and updated.

What precautions can help in keeping hair healthy?

Air conditioning and sun exposure makes the cuticle dry and brittle and this makes the hair look dull and also causes splitting and breaking of hair.
The scalp is prone to certain conditions like dandruff, boils and lice infestation. It is important to check your scalp regularly and get these conditions treated as they can otherwise lead to hair loss due to breaking.
It’s also best not to share towels and combs with anyone, as sometimes that can cause diseases like fungal infections scabies to spread.
Washing the hair regularly is of vital importance for good hair health. These days, using a sulfate and paraben free shampoo is recommended, as these chemicals damage the hair.
It is also important to check the ph of your shampoo as an acidic ph of between 5-6.5 is ideal for the hair. Washing the hair very often can strip the scalp and the hair shaft of their natural oils, so wash your hair only when it’s really needed.
After shampooing, it’s always a good idea to use a conditioner on the ends of the hair as these are prone to split ends.
Always wash off the conditioner with cold water, this keeps the cuticle shiny.
Avoid combing your hair when it’s wet as this is when it’s most prone to breaking.

Beautiful hair is an asset and with the right care it can always be your crowning glory.

Sources

https://emedicine.medscape.com

https://www.aad.org/public

OCD (Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder)

What are the signs and symptoms of OCD?

People with OCD can have the symptoms of either obsessions or compulsions, or both. These symptoms can affect the aspects of life, such as work, school, and personal relationships.

Obsessions are repeated thoughts, needs, or certain mental images that cause anxiety.

Here is a list of some common obsession symptoms:

The person is extremely fearful of germs or contamination
He/she keeps on thinking about certain taboo thoughts such as sex, religion, and harm
Person becomes extremely aggressive towards others or becomes self destructive
Person becomes obsessive in keeping things symmetrical or in a perfect order

Some of the common compulsions include:

Person becomes cleaniness and/or handwashing freak
Always tries to order and arrange things in a defined or particular way
Gets the habit of checking certain things like if the door is locked or that the oven is off

It is not mandatory that a person who double checks things are suffering from OCD, but an OCD patient is unable to control his or her thoughts or behaviors, even when those thoughts or behaviors are recognized as excessive and spends least 1 hour a day on these thoughts or behaviors

Some individuals also suffer from a problem known as Tic disorder. Tics is a motor disease and is causes sudden, brief, repetitive movements, such as eye blinking and other eye movements, certain facial movements such as grimacing, shoulder shrugging, and head or shoulder jerking. Some people also suffer from vocal tics such as repetitive throat-clearing, sniffing, or grunting sounds.

What causes OCD?

OCD is thought to have a genetic predisposition. OCD is common in some families; however not all in a family suffer from OCD. OCD starts in the adolescence and affects early in boys than the girls. Research has indicated that people who have suffered physical or sexual trauma are at an increased risk for OCD.

It has been observed that children who suffer from a streptococcal infection known as the post-infectious autoimmune syndrome is called Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorder Associated with Streptococcal Infections (PANDAS) are more likely to suffer from OCD and it has also been observed that such symptoms of OCD in such children get worse post infection.

How is OCD treated?

As a first step, it is necessary to consult a doctor about your symptoms. The doctor can do an examination and may refer the patient to a mental health specialist, such as a psychiatrist, psychologist, social worker, or counselor for evaluation or treatment.

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) medication or a combination of both can be used in treating a patient with OCD

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)

CBT is a way which guides a patient in different ways of thinking, behaving, and reacting to the obsessions and compulsions.

Exposure and Response Prevention (EX/RP) is a type of CBT which has been shown to help many patients recover from OCD. EX/RP teaches gradually exposing you to your fears or obsessions and teaching you healthy ways to deal with the anxiety they cause.

Some other therapies include habit reversal training have been found in reversing the compulsions.

For children, the psychiatrist may design some methods to manage stress or may add an extra support to curb the OCD symptoms in school and home.

Medication

Certain medications like selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and a type of serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SRI) called clomipramine are used to treat OCD.

Although SSRIs and SRIs are commonly used to treat depression, but they are also helpful for the symptoms of OCD. These medications may also cause side effects, such as headaches, nausea, or difficulty sleeping. Clomipramine, is other substitute and is a different class of medication from the SSRIs, sometimes experience dry mouth, constipation, rapid heartbeat, and dizziness on standing. However, these side effects usually vanish as a person starts taking the treatment on a regular basis and the dose is increased slowly under the guidance of the physician.

Sources:

https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/obsessive-compulsive-disorder-when-unwanted-thoughts-take-over/index.shtml

https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/ocd/what-is-obsessive-compulsive-disorder

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/obsessive-compulsive-disorder-ocd/

http://www.ocduk.org/

Sinusitis

Sinuses around the cheekbones are called maxillary sinuses (the biggest).
Frontal sinuses are located in the low-center of your forehead
Ethmoid sinuses are located in between the eyes.
Sinuses in bones behind the nose are sphenoid sinuses.

Sinusitis is a disease and in known as an inflammation or swelling the sinuses. Air is present in healthy sinuses, but whenever these sinuses become clogged with fluid, germs can grow and cause an infection.

Allergies, bacteria or a virus are the main causes leading to sinusitis.
It is a self-limiting condition, but at times medical attention is needed.
Chronic sinusitis lasts for more than 12 weeks.

Sinusitis can be acute or chronic. It can result from various causative agents such as viruses, bacteria, fungi, allergies, or even an autoimmune reaction.

It is an uncomfortable and painful condition and usually heals without medical intervention. But, if it not healing on its own and the symptoms last more than 7 to 10 days one should see the doctor.

Symptoms

Symptoms usually depend on the duration and severity of the infection.

Mostly people who have more than two symptoms are categorized under acute sinusitis. At times sinusitis is associated with thick, green or yellow nasal discharge along with facial pain and pressure.

Below are some of the major symptoms:

Blockage of the nose
Usually a nasal discharge
Person is unable to smell
congestion
cough

Aggravated sinusitis has below symptoms:

Fever
Foul-smelling breath
A general tiredness and weakness
Dental pain
Headache

If these symptoms continue for 12 weeks or longer one must visit a doctor, as it could be chronic sinusitis

What are the causes of sinusitis?

Sinus is mainly caused as a result of fluid accumulation in the sinuses. This harbors germs.

Viruses:90 percent of sinusitis in adults is caused due to viral infection
Bacteria: 1 out of 10 cases in adults is caused by bacteria
Pollutants: Chemicals or irritants propels the mucous growth
Fungi: When sinus are infected by fungi it is called as allergic fungal sinusitis (AFS),

What increases the chances of sinusitis?

A history of respiratory tract infections, such as the common cold
Inflammation caused due to nasal polyps, or small growths
A compromised immunity in a person due to some health condition or some kinds of treatment
Allergy to dust, pollen, and animal hair
Deviated nasal septum

What are the types of sinusitis?

Sinusitis is primarily of two types and how soon it recovers is dependent on the type of sinusitis.

Acute sinusitis: This lasts up to 4 weeks and is the most common type.
Chronic sinusitis: Symptoms lasts, or reverses, after 12 weeks. Surgery might be needed to cure it

Diagnosis

A doctor usually carries out a physical examination to check a person suffering from sinusitis. ENT specialist may insert an endoscope into the nose, which provides a detailed image. In cases of persistent or severe sinusitis, a CT scan may be needed.

Treatment

Treatment options depend on the duration of sinusitis

Treatment of acute sinusitis:

Most acute cases heal without any treatment.

A nasal spray may relieve symptoms. In case if one does not recover, home remedies and over-the-counter (OTC) medications can be used to relieve symptoms. Antibiotics are the treatment of choice as bacterial sinusitis mostly has a bacterial nature. However, it is important to visit a doctor under below mentioned situations:

Symptoms lasting for more than 7 to 10 days.
Fever which shoots upto 101.5° Fahrenheit.
Persistent Headache.
Difficulty in vision
Person is unable to recover even after the medicines.

Chronic sinusitis

Mostly chronic sinusitis does not have a bacterial nature, so antibiotics are unlikely to resolve symptoms. A fungal infection can be treated with antifungal drugs.

In allergic sinusitis, treating allergies with shots or reducing and avoiding exposure to allergens can minimize the infection.

Surgery

If sinusitis is caused by deviated septum surgery is usually recommended. Surgery may also be advised if there are polyps, or if the sinusitis has resisted all other treatments.

Functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) is the surgical procedure used for treatment and septoplasty is used in case of deviated nasal septum. Treatment may still be required following surgery to prevent the return of sinusitis.

Surgery should always be the last option for treating sinusitis in children.

Prevention

The following steps may help prevent sinusitis:

Maintain good hand hygiene.
Avoid smoking.
On time vaccination.
Refrain from people infected with cold and other respiratory infections.
Use air conditioning units to prevent mold and dust from collecting.

Sources:

https://medlineplus.gov/sinusitis.html

https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/000647.htm

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0072669/

https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/sinusitis

Stones

Stones which are present in the urinary track are referred as urolithiasis. There are various sites in the body where stones can be found

Stones present in the kidney is referred to as kidney stones or nephrolithiasis/nephroliths
Stones present in the ureter is referred to as ureterolithiasis/ureteroliths.
Stones present in the bladder is referred as cystolithiasis/cystoliths
Stones in the urethra is referred as urethrolithiasis/urethrolithiasis

The word –lithiasis is added as suffix in all these terms as ‘Lith-‘ refers to a stone, and ‘-iasis’ refers to the formation of a pathological condition. Medically, stone (a concretion) in the urinary tract is a calculus, or calculi.

What causes kidney stones?

Kidney stones are the result of a buildup of dissolved minerals on the inner lining of the kidneys. They usually consist of calcium oxalate but may be composed of several other compounds. Kidney stones grow upto the size of a golf ball while maintaining a sharp, crystalline structure.

The stones become extremely painful when they leave the body, but they can also cause extreme pain as they leave the body.

Symptoms of Stones

Kidney stones result from a build up of minerals. A kidney stone usually remains symptomless until it moves into the ureter. When symptoms of kidney stones become apparent, they commonly result in following symptoms:

Acute pain in the groin and/or side
Blood in urine
Vomiting and nausea
White blood cells or pus in the urine
Lesser amount of the urine excretion
Extreme burning sensation while urinating
Continuous feeling to urinate
Fever and chills in case there is an infection

What are the complications of kidney stones?

Kidney stones that remain inside the body can also lead to many complications such as:

Blockage of the tube connecting the kidney to the bladder, thereby obstructing the path by which the urine uses to leave the body.

It has been found that individuals with kidney stones have a significantly higher risk of developing chronic kidney disease.

What are the causes of kidney stones?

The main cause of kidney stones is a lack of water in the body. It has been found that individuals who drink less than the recommended eight to ten glasses of water a day develop stones.

Lack of sufficient amount of water fails to dilute the uric acid, a component of urine, the urine becomes more acidic. An excessively acidic environment in urine can lead to the formation of kidney stones.

Certain medical conditions such as Crohn’s disease, urinary tract infections, renal tubular acidosis, hyperparathyroidism, medullary sponge kidney, and Dent’s disease increase the risk of kidney stones.

What are the risk factors that can lead to kidney stones?

Males are more prone to suffer from kidney stones than females. People mostly in the age group of 30 to 50 are more likely to encounter stones. People with family history of stones also are more inclined to suffer from stones.

If a person ones recognizes the kidney stones is most likely to suffer from kidney stones.

Certain medications like topiramate (Topamax) also increase the chances of the kidney stones. It has also been found that people on a long term use of vitamin D and calcium supplements also increases the chances of kidney stones.

Some other causes are as below which can lead to kidney stones are as below:

A high in protein and sodium but low in calcium
A sedentary lifestyle
Obesity
High blood pressure
Gastric bypass surgery,
Inflammatory bowel disease
Chronic diarrhea

Treatment of stones

Lithotripsy is the treatment for stones which involves treating stones shockwave and it breaks stone into minute particles.
Pain should be managed as the stone expulsion is a painful process.

Besides anti-inflammatory drugs, narcotics are at times used in an effort to make the pain of passing the stone tolerable. Antiemetic medication can be used in people experiencing nausea and vomiting.

Tinnitus

What causes tinnitus?

Tinnitus is not a disease. It is a manifestation of problem in the auditory system, which includes the ear, the auditory nerve that connects the inner ear to the brain, and the parts of the brain that process sound. At times, a small collection of ear wax can also cause tinnitus.

Below are some health conditions which can cause tinnitus:

Noise induced hearing loss can result in tinnitus
Ear and sinus infections
Diseases of the heart or blood vessels
Ménière’s disease
Brain tumors
Hormonal changes in women
Thyroid problems
Side effect of some medicines

In older people, tinnitus is the first sign of hearing loss.

Individuals noisy who work in noisy environments such as factory or construction workers, road construction workers, or even musician can develop tinnitus over a period of time as the exposure to extreme noise damages tiny sensory hair cells in the inner ear that help transmit sound to the brain. This is known as noise-induced hearing loss.

Army officials exposed to bomb blasts can develop tinnitus due to sudden and extreme exposure to sound. In fact, tinnitus is one of the most common service-related disabilities among army officials returning from Iraq and Afghanistan.

Pulsatile tinnitus is a rare type of tinnitus that sounds like a rhythmic pulsing in the ear, which is usually aligned with your heartbeat. A doctor makes a diagnosis by pressing a stethoscope against your neck or by placing a tiny microphone inside the ear canal. This kind of tinnitus is most often caused by problems with blood flow in the head or neck. Pulsatile tinnitus also may be caused by brain tumors or abnormalities in brain structure.

Other causes include fatigue, depression, anxiety, and problems with memory and concentration. Having tinnitus is a cause of stress in many of the affected individuals.

What to do if one has tinnitus?

The first step is to see and visit a doctor. Doctor will examine for problems such as ear wax, examines and question about current health, medical conditions, and would try to see if any medications is causing tinnitus.

A detailed examination is done by a ENT specialist who will physically examine your head, neck, and ears and test your hearing to determine whether you have any hearing loss along with the tinnitus.

What to do if sounds in the ear do not go away?

A consultation and visit to the doctor will help you find out ways to reduce the severity of tinnitus. Your doctor may advice certain lifestyle changes, which can help you to reduce the effects of tinnitus.

Treatment for tinnitus

Tinnitus is an incurable condition, but treatment may help to minimize its severity and effects. Most doctors use combination of the treatments to treat tinnitus:

Hearing aids often are helpful for people who have hearing loss along with tinnitus. A better hearing capability reduces the symptoms of tinnitus
Counseling is important for as it help patients to understand and learn methods that how to live with tinnitus. Most counseling programs have an educational methodology to help you understand what goes on in the brain to cause tinnitus. Counseling also teaches some self measures that how to deal with tinnitus effectively
Wearable sound generators are small electronic devices that fit in the ear and use a soft, pleasant sound to help minimize the sounds of tinnitus. This device masks the sounds created by tinnitus with the help of random tones, or music.
Tabletop sound generators are the devices which are used for relaxation or sleep. Patient can place them near bed, and it plays pleasant sounds such as waves, waterfalls, rain, or the sounds of a summer night. It helps affected people to have good and sound sleep.
Acoustic neural stimulation is a relatively new technique for people whose tinnitus is very loud or won’t go away. It uses a palm-sized device and headphones to deliver a broadband acoustic signal embedded in music. The treatment modality aims to stimulate change in the neural circuits in the brain, which curbs the effects of the tinnitus.
Cochlear implants are sometimes used in people who have tinnitus along with severe hearing loss. A cochlear implant bypasses the damaged portion of the inner ear and sends electrical signals that directly stimulate the auditory nerve. The device brings in outside sounds that help mask tinnitus and stimulate change in the neural circuits.
Antidepressants and antianxiety drugs helps to reduce symptoms of tinnitus

How to prevent tinnitus?

One must refrain from loud noises, as the major cause of noise- induced tinnitus is the exposure to loud noises and sounds. Refrain from loud music of DJ and high noise areas.

Sources:

https://medlineplus.gov/tinnitus.html

https://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/tinnitus

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2686891/

https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/tinnitus

Tag: famhealth

Just Detected

Some quick tips that the American Diabetes Association and other bodies recommend that you should follow:

What can I do as a family/friend of a newly diagnosed loved one ?

I Need Insulin

My doctor is insisting on Insulin, what do I need to know ?

I have been asked by my doctor to take Insulin, is my Diabetes getting worse ?

Will injecting Insulin be painful ?

Once I begin Insulin, will I have to take it for the rest of my life ?

Travelling with Insulin is tedious, can I miss my injections ?

What I can do as family/friend of a person living on Insulin ?

I’m a borderline case, what can I expect ?

Some quick tips

What I can do as family/friend of a diagnosed Prediabetes?

Compliance and Checklist

Exercise for Diabetic Patients

Exercise Tips

Cycling

Adventure

Laughing activity clubs

Running Clubs

HAIR CARE

Hair Problems And Precautions

Hair Care

OCD

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

OCD (Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder)

How is OCD treated?

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) medication or a combination of both can be used in treating a patient with OCD

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)

Medication

SINUSITIS

It’s Symptoms And Solutions

Sinusitis

Symptoms

What are the causes of sinusitis?

What increases the chances of sinusitis?

What are the types of sinusitis?

Diagnosis

Treatment

Treatment of acute sinusitis:

Chronic sinusitis

Surgery

Prevention

Sources:

STONES

It’s Symptoms And Solutions

Stones

TINNITUS

Causes And Treatments

Tinnitus

What to do if one has tinnitus?

What to do if sounds in the ear do not go away?

Treatment for tinnitus

How to prevent tinnitus?

Sources:

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