All Posts in "Health & Fitness"

“Take two aspirin and call your doctor in the morning.”

We rely on medications to treat many of our diseases and illnesses, and most prove effective — even life -saving. But for those suffering from diabetes, a life defined by changing medications and uncertainty makes normal living difficult.

What are the most effective methods to manage the symptoms of type 2 diabetes? As researchers press forward in search for a cure for diabetes, many patients are finding success in managing their symptoms through small lifestyle changes. And the two most effective strategies are exercise and diet.

When diabetes has become a part of your life, what you eat and how much you exercise can affect the level of sugar in your bloodstream either positively or negatively.

Experts at Abbott, a healthcare research and manufacturing company, understand that with the more weight you carry, the more insulin you may need. Doctors agree that regular exercise is a proven way to manage diabetes. According to American Diabetes Association, “When you are active, your cells become more sensitive to insulin so it can work more efficiently. Your cells also remove glucose from the blood using a mechanism totally separate from insulin during exercise.” They add that exercising consistently can lower blood glucose and improve your A1C.

Abbott listed some of the benefits that exercise offers those managing diabetes:

  • Toning muscles to improve insulin sensitivity.
  • Lowering blood sugar levels.
  • Controlling weight.
  • Increasing lung capacity, thus improving the amount of oxygen in the bloodstream.
  • Relieving stress.

The American Diabetes Association recommends engaging in at least 30 minutes of aerobic exercise, at a level of moderate to vigorous intensity, five days a week. Be sure to consult your doctor before starting a new exercise routine.

 

You are what you eat

 

To better appreciate the positive impact of diet, understand what is happening in your body and how those occurrences affect a diabetic. When you eat food high in carbs or sugar, those sugars enter the bloodstream. The pancreas is alerted to the higher levels and secretes the hormone insulin to carry glucose into the blood cells so they can either convert sugars into energy or store it as fat.

This process happens every time the blood sugar levels rise. In the body of a diabetic, blood cells don’t respond when insulin wants to come in, so it has no choice but to remain in the bloodstream. Don’t look now, but insulin just got snubbed by insulin-resistant cells.

“The more insulin you secrete or inject, the more insulin-resistant you become. Nevertheless, a common treatment for type 2 diabetes is to inject more insulin or to prescribe increasing amounts of medication,” said Dr. Candice Hall of Next Integrative Health. “But doctors are now discovering that type 2 diabetes isn’t a condition that requires more medication. Instead, it needs a change in nutrition.”

For decades, diabetics have grasped a standardized treatment plan that included diet, exercise and medications–lots of medications. Sadly, many diabetics have yet to see real improvement in their health. But the term that causes the most concern for doctors like Hall and JoQueta Handy is “standardized.”

“Not every patient responds to the same treatment with the same results,” said Hall.

Handy shares similar experiences when treating young people suffering from health problems and learning disabilities.

“Food is our best medicine, and increasing cognition education should start with nutrition,” she said.

Handy is the founder and president of Children’s Opportunity for Brilliance International. She uses her holistic education discipline as a platform to inform fellow educators about her new findings on the front of teaching special-needs children and recognizes the need for differing learning styles with children. A commitment to nutrition is a base for her individualized learning platform. In her wellness practice, Handy witnesses the positive and lasting impact nutrition has on treating disease and disorders. 

When people are first diagnosed with diabetes, they often feel like their days of feeling normal are over. But Rachel Johnson, a research scientist with Abbott who specializes in diabetes nutrition and disease management, says diabetes can be managed.

“People with diabetes can live normal, active lives,” she said. “In addition to glucose monitoring and taking medication as needed, people can manage their diabetes through exercise and diet changes. And small changes can have big payoffs.”

 

Amy Osmond Cook, who wrote this article, is executive director of the Association of Skilled Nursing Providers.

Contributing Author by — March 28, 2017 in Health & Fitness

Every year, people make lists of things they will do to stay healthy and feel their best. But what about seeing your best, too?

Here, from the federal government’s National Eye Institute, are five things to know about glaucoma, a common eye disease:

  1. Glaucoma can cause vision loss and blindness, which can’t be reversed. Fluid builds up in the eye, causing pressure that can damage the optic nerve, which transfers visual images to your brain. But, you can save your vision with early detection and treatment.
  2. There are no early symptoms. No pain. No discomfort. No blurry vision. Only advanced glaucoma will affect your vision. Don’t wait for trouble before visiting your eye doctor.
  3. Nearly 3 million Americans have glaucoma. Half don’t know it. Lack of awareness and the absence of symptoms are preventing early detection.
  4. Some people are at higher risk than others — African-Americans over the age of 40, adults over 60 (especially Hispanics/Latinos), and people with a family history of glaucoma.
  5. Getting a comprehensive dilated eye exam is the only way to find out if you have glaucoma. During the exam, an eyecare professional places drops in your eyes to widen the pupils and looks for signs of the disease in the optic nerve.

The National Eye Institute has more information about glaucoma at www.nei.nih.gov/glaucoma.

With a balanced approach to preventative care, you can help keep your eyes and body healthy. For instance:

  • Get an eye exam. An annual trip to the eye doctor is critical for the entire family to ensure healthy and sharp vision. But did you know your visit to the optometrist is important to your overall health too? A routine eye exam can potentially detect signs of chronic diseases like diabetes, high cholesterol, and more. Because many symptoms of health conditions often don’t appear until damage has occurred, eye exams are a powerful, preventative health tool to keep tabs on what’s happening in your body.
  • An eye exam is a small investment for your eyes and body that’s well worth it, and a vision plan can help you keep the cost down. To search for a vision plan, visit vspdirect.com.
  •  Eat an eye-healthy diet. You probably know carrots are good for your eyes, but so are dark leafy greens such as spinach, kale and collard greens. Eat a diet rich in fruits and vegetables for a hefty punch of key vitamins, and a vision protecting-substance called lutein.

 

  •  Quit smoking (or never start). Smoking cigarettes has many well-known associated health risks, such as cardiovascular problems and cancer. Did you also know that smoking can contribute to the cause of many vision problems? Research links smoking to an increased risk of developing age-related macular degeneration, cataracts and optic nerve damage, all of which can lead to blindness.
  •  Maintain a healthy weight. Weight is a contributing factor for your overall health as well as your eyes. Conditions such as obesity and diabetes can lead to vision problems, like cataracts. By eating healthy portions and exercising regularly, you can reduce your risk.
  •  Protect eyes from blue light. Much of our days are spent with our faces glued to devices like smartphones, computers and televisions. Those digital screens emit high-energy blue light, which causes digital eye strain that leads to headaches, blurred vision, dry eyes, and even neck pain.
  • Ask your eye doctor about the best options to help you reduce eye strain, including using lenses with coatings that reflect and absorb blue light. You can also follow the 20-20-20 rule: every 20 minutes, spend 20 seconds looking at something at least 20 feet away.
srmedia by — February 27, 2017 in Health & Fitness

Your bones become more fragile as you age, increasing the likelihood of a fracture, especially if you have osteoporosis. Many patients don’t know they have osteoporosis because there are no symptoms.

Falls are the leading cause of bone fractures and injury deaths in older adults. Preventing falls before they occur is one of the best ways to avoid injuries and protect fragile bones.

Here’s how to create a fall-prevention game plan:

  1. Make an appointment with your doctor. Make sure to bring a list of your prescriptions. Together, you and your doctor can review any side effects such as dizziness that could cause a fall. Mention any previous falls – no matter how minimal – and if you have experienced symptoms such as changes in vision or walking gait.
  2. Get moving. Wear low-heeled, comfortable shoes that fit properly when exercising or walking outdoors. Work on strength training and exercises that integrate flexibility, agility, coordination and balance. Focus on alignment, especially within areas of the ankle, knee, hip and trunk, which can improve posture, rotation and stable movement.
  3. Change up your living space. Making small adjustments to your home can prevent falls before they occur. Add lamps in dim areas or position a flashlight with a magnet on the fridge. Place a non-slip rubber mat in your bathtub or shower, remove small rugs from traffic areas, and move frequently-used items within reach. Clear clutter by organizing shoes, books and decorative items in containers away from walking areas.

If you do fall and are at risk for osteoporosis, it’s important to let your doctor know right away especially if there is any pain or swelling.

Medicare Part B covers a bone density test once every 24 months, or every two years, for all qualified people with Part B and who are at risk for osteoporosis. A bone density test measures how strong your bones are. The lower your bone density, the higher your risk is for a fracture.

There are some risk factors that you can control and others you cannot. NIH Senior Health provides a checklist to help determine your risk.

Risk factors you cannot influence include age, being a female, especially Caucasian or Asian; a family history of osteoporosis, or having a history of previous fracture.

Risk factors you can influence include getting adequate calcium and Vitamin D intake, regular physical activity, not smoking and maintaining a healthy body weight.

 

Kelly Brammer, who wrote this article, is a registered nurse and supervisor of the Care Advantage Program for The Polyclinic in Seattle.

Contributing Author by — February 15, 2017 in Health & Fitness

As the population of Americans over age 55 soars toward 70 million over the next decade, more Americans are searching beyond avoiding wrinkles and fine lines for tips, foods and products that will help them live the lives they desire well into their advanced years — and this includes muscle maintenance.

As people age past 30, they can lose up to eight percent of their muscle mass each decade. Finding a way to maintain muscle through the years has been one of the more elusive parts of the healthy aging quest.

“Muscle loss can really take its toll. Even simple movements like opening a jar of pickles or gardening, become more difficult,” said medical director of NYU Langone’s Preston Robert Tisch Center for Men’s Health, Dr. Steven Lamm. “When you have less muscle mass, the muscles you have must work harder. It can be exhausting.”

Per Dr. Lamm, there are a few easy steps that can keep your muscles healthy as you age — and new research shows there may even finally be a way to curb muscle loss associated with aging.

Be Active

One of the most effective ways to keep muscles in tip-top shape is to be active. Even quick exercises done regularly can make a huge difference in your muscle health. “Try the long route when you’re taking the dog for a walk or take the stairs instead of the escalator. Staying active can also maintain joint health,” said Dr. Lamm.

Feed Your Muscles

Most people know that protein is a building block for muscle, yet don’t get enough of it. Sleep also feeds muscle growth and recovery. “I tell my patients to aim for a regular sleep schedule of eight or nine hours each night to promote optimal muscle mass, heart health and brain health,” said Dr. Lamm.

Try a Supplement

You cannot halt aging, but new research shows you may be able to curb the muscle loss that comes with getting older. A new clinical study showed that daily supplementation with the super antioxidant, Pycnogenol (pic-noj-en-all), improved muscle function and endurance and reduced some of the symptoms accompanying muscle loss. “I’ve recommended Pycnogenol to my patients for years as a natural extract for healthy aging, and as an important building block of wellness. This research builds on those findings,” says Dr. Lamm.

Pycnogenol is one of the most researched ingredients on the market, and decades of research demonstrate the benefits of this natural extract for cognitive support, joint health, and skin health that all contribute to an overall healthier self as we age. It’s available in more than 700 dietary supplements, multi-vitamins and health products worldwide. For more information, visit pycnogenol.com.

Muscle maintenance is a key to healthy aging. Luckily, there are many steps you can take to prevent muscle loss and stay strong through the years.

 

Source: StatePoint Media

One of the most effective ways to keep muscles in tip-top shape is to simply be active. (Photo credit: Rido-Fotolia.com)
Contributing Author by — February 7, 2017 in Health & Fitness