SKIN PROBLEMS IN DIABETES

Sep 4, 2017 | Healthy Tips

SKIN PROBLEMS IN DIABETES

Skin problems linked to atherosclerosis: Atherosclerosis is a serious health condition caused by the narrowing of blood vessels from a thickening of the vessel walls due to plaque build-up. While atherosclerosis most often is associated with blood vessels in or near the heart, it can affect blood vessels throughout the body, including those that supply blood to the skin. When the blood vessels supplying the skin become narrow, changes occur to the skin due to a lack of oxygen, such as hair loss, thinning and shiny skin especially on the shins, thickened and discoloured toenails, and cold skin. Because blood carries the white blood cells that help fight infection, legs, and feet affected by atherosclerosis heal more slowly when they are injured.

Necrobiosis lipoidica diabeticorum: Necrobiosis lipoidica diabeticorum (NLD) is thought to be caused by changes in the collage and fat content underneath the skin. The overlying skin area becomes thinned and reddened. Most lesions are found on the lower parts of the legs and can ulcerate if subjected to trauma. Lesions have fairly well-defined borders between them and normal skin. Sometimes, NLD is itchy and painful. As long as the sores do not break open, treatment is not necessary. If the sores do break open, see your doctor for medical treatment.

Diabetic dermopathy: Also called shin spots, this skin condition develops as a result of changes to the blood vessels that supply the skin. Dermopathy appears as a shiny round or oval lesion of thin skin over the front lower parts of the lower legs. The patches do not hurt, although rarely they can be itchy or cause burning. Medical treatment generally is not necessary.

Digital sclerosis: Digital sclerosis is a health condition in which the skin on your toes, fingers, and hands become thick, waxy, and tight. A stiffness of the finger joints also may occur. The medical treatment is to bring your blood sugar level under control. Lotions and moisturizers may help soften the skin.

Eruptive xanthomatosis: This skin condition may occur when blood sugar levels are not well controlled and when triglycerides rise to extremely high levels. Severe resistance to insulin makes it difficult for the body to clear the fat from the blood. With extreme elevations in these blood fats, people are at risk for pancreatitis, an inflammation of the pancreas. Eruptive xanthomas appear as firm, yellow, waxy pea-like bumps on the skin. The bumps — which are surrounded by red halosand are itchy — usually, are found on the face and buttocks. They also can be seen on the back side of the arms and legs as well as in the creases of the extremities. Treatment for eruptive xanthomatosis consists of controlling the level of fats in your blood. The skin eruptions will resolve over a few weeks. Drugs that control different types of fats in the blood (lipid-lowering drugs) may also be needed.

Rashes, Bumps, and Blisters

Rashes and bumps: Allergic reactions to foods, bug bites, and medicines can cause rashes, depressions, or bumps on the skin. It is especially important for people with diabetes to check for skin problems, such as rashes or bumps, in the areas where they inject their insulin.

Diabetic blisters (bullosis diabeticorum): In rare cases, people with diabetes develop skin problems, such as blisters that resemble burn blisters. These blisters can occur on the fingers, hands, toes, feet, legs, or forearms. Diabetic blisters usually are painless and heal on their own. These skin problems often occur in people who have severe diabetes and diabetic neuropathy. Bringing your blood sugar level under control is the medical treatment for this health condition.

Disseminated granuloma annulare: This skin condition causes sharply defined, ring or arc-shaped areas on the skin. These rashes most often occur on the fingers and ears, but they can occur on the chest and abdomen. The rash can be red, red-brown, or skin coloured. Medical treatment usually is not required, but sometimes a topical steroid medication, such as hydrocortisone, may help.

Diabetes and Bacterial, Fungus Infections

Bacterial infections: There are different kinds of bacterial infections commonly affecting the skin of those with diabetes. Skin infections with the bacteria known as Staphylococcus are more common and more serious in people with diabetes which is not under control. These bacteria can result in ‘boils’, an inflamed nodule from a hair follicle, which can occur in areas where hair follicles can be irritated. Other infections include styes, which are infections of the glands of the eyelids, and bacterial nail infections. Most bacterial infections require medical treatment with antibiotics in the form of pills and/or creams.

Fungal infections: A yeast-like fungus called “Candida albicans” is responsible for many of the fungal infections causing skin problems in people with diabetes. Women, in particular, are prone to infection with this fungus in the vagina. Other commonly seen areas of infection include the corners of the mouth with what is known as “angular cheilitis,” which feels like small cuts on the corners of the mouth. Fungus also can occur in between the toes and fingers and in the nails (onychomycosis). This fungus creates itchy, bright red rashes, often surrounded by tiny blisters and scales. These infections most often occur in warm, moist folds of the skin. Three common fungal infections are: jock itch (red, itchy area on the genitals and the inside of the thighs), athlete’s foot (affects the skin between the toes), and ringworm (ring-shaped, scaly patches that can itch or blister and appear on the feet, groin, chest and abdomen, scalp, or nails). Medicines that kill the fungus are usually needed to treat these infections. A rare but potentially fatal fungal infection with Mucormycosis is seen in people with diabetes. The infection usually starts in the nasal cavities and can spread to the eyes and brain

Skin Problems with Multiple Causes

Itching: Itching skin, also called pruritus, can have many causes, such as a yeast infection, dry skin, or poor blood flow. When itching is caused by poor blood flow, the lower legs and feet are most often affected. Using lotion can help to keep your skin soft and moist, and prevent itching due to dry skin.

Can These Diabetes Skin Problems Be Prevented?

Keeping your diabetes under control is the most important factor in preventing these skin problems. Follow your health care provider’s advice regarding nutrition, exercise, and medication. Keep your blood sugar level within the range recommended by your doctor. Proper skin care can also help reduce your risk of skin problems with diabetes.

14 WAYS TO SHED POUNDS AFTER 40

Sep 4, 2017 | Healthy Tips

14 WAYS TO SHED POUNDS AFTER 40

If you’re over 40, you may have noticed that it’s easier to gain weight — and harder to lose it — than it used to be. Changes in your activity level, eating habits, and hormones, and how your body stores fat all can play roles. But a few simple steps may help you slim down.

Eat Your Fruits and Veggies

Fill half your plate with them at every meal. Produce tends to have more nutrients and less fat and calories than meat, dairy products, or grains. And it may help you feel satisfied, even if you eat less. Fresh fruits, like apples and berries, are also great in place of high-fat or high-sugar snacks.

Don’t Skip Breakfast

Experts recommend a healthy morning meal like oatmeal or whole wheat toast with fruit. It can help curb that mid-morning hunger that leads you to grab something unhealthy on-the-go or overeat at lunch. Small meals or snacks every few hours can keep your appetite in check all day long.

Eat Less at Night

If you get most of your daily calories at lunch (before 3 p.m.), you might lose more weight than if you have a big meal later. But the most important thing is still what you eat, not when.

Cook Healthy Meals

A lot of extra fat and calories can come from the way you prepare food. Instead of frying food or cooking it in butter or lots of oil, try grilling, baking, or broiling. This is good advice at restaurants, too: Skip foods that are fried or that come in creamy sauces.

Don’t Make a Second Trip

You tend to be less active as you get older, and you may need a few hundred calories less than you used to. To lose weight, you may need to cut your calories back even more. Smaller portions and tracking your calories with a food diary or an app can help you eat less.

Pay Attention

When you’re busy with work, kids, and life, you can be tempted to grab food on-the-go or multitask through a meal. But you’re more likely to overeat — and be hungry again soon after — if you don’t focus on your food. Sit down for meals and tune in to what’s on your plate (not what’s on your TV or computer screen). That helps your brain realize when you’ve had enough.

Lay Off the Soda

If you drink sugar-sweetened coffee, tea, soft drinks, or energy drinks, switch to water or another zero-calorie beverage. Your sweet drinks have lots of added sugar, which can make you gain weight and raise your risk for diabetes.

Cut Back on Alcohol

Beer bellies aren’t always caused by booze. But a “spare tire” is common in middle age, and alcohol can have something to do with it. A glass of beer or wine is about 150 calories, and that can add up if you drink often. Plus, alcohol can make you hungry, so you may eat more while you drink.

Make Time for Exercise

Between desk jobs, commutes, and family activities, many 40-somethings don’t have a lot of free time to work out. But it’s important — for your weight and your overall health — to fit in at least 2 1/2 hours of moderate physical activity (like brisk walking or light yard work) every week. Pencil times into your calendar, and make them a priority.

Build Muscle

People naturally lose muscle after 40, especially women after menopause. Because muscle burns more calories than fat, this can slow down your metabolism and make it harder to shake those stubborn pounds. Strength-training exercises — lifting weights or doing bodyweight exercises, like push-ups and squats — at least twice a week can help you keep those muscles.

Relax, Don’t Stress

Stress can make you more likely to binge on unhealthy food, and it makes it harder for your body to break down fat. Try yoga, deep breathing, meditation, going for a walk, or reading a good book. Stress relief is different for everyone, so find what works for you

Get Good Sleep

All kinds of things can mess with your sleep after age 40 — health problems, stress, medications, and, for women, menopause. But people who don’t get good-quality sleep are more likely to gain weight. If you skimp on sleep because you’re busy or stressed, try to change your habits and settle into a regular routine.

Have Your Thyroid Checked

If you eat healthily and exercise regularly and still can’t lose weight, your thyroid might not be working like it should. This happens in about 5% of people, and it’s most common in women and people over 60. In addition to weight gain, it can also cause fatigue, joint or muscle pain, and depression. Medications can help, so get it checked if you think it might be an issue.

Get Support

For many people, it’s easier to lose weight with others than to do it alone. You might enter a weight-loss contest at work, join a group on social media, or ask a friend to go for early-morning walks or classes at the gym. Other people who share your goals can help keep you accountable and cheer you on as you make progress.

HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE IS NO JOKE — HERE’S HOW IT HURTS YOUR BODY

Sep 3, 2017 | Healthy Tips

HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE IS NO JOKE — HERE’S HOW IT HURTS YOUR BODY

Meg Dowell

September 03, 2017

We all know high blood pressure is bad. After all, we hear consistent warnings from our friends, family, and physicians. Yet something is very often missing in these conversations: the why. Why does having high blood pressure matter? Does it really affect your health that much? In short, yes. Hypertension can have some devastating effects on your body.

There’s some good news, though. If you monitor it carefully and work with your doctor, you can minimize these major health concerns. Let’s take a look.

Your eye health suffers

The blood vessels in your eyes supply blood to your retina, which triggers nerve impulses that pass through the optic nerve on their way to your brain. You may suffer complete vision loss if these vessels are damaged. If you have type 2 diabetes, your risk of total blindness increases.

The likelihood of an aneurysm increases

The most dangerous types of aneurysms form on your aorta or the vessels that supply blood to your brain. Most aneurysms don’t show symptoms, so it’s important to get checkups regularly so your doctor can intervene before you get hurt.

Sexual dysfunction is likely

Both men and women can suffer from sexual dysfunction as a result of high blood pressure. Hypertension patients experience this condition at higher rates than those with normal blood pressure.

You could be headed toward diabetes

If you have high blood pressure, you’re at an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes. This also increases your likelihood of suffering nerve damage and kidney disease.

The risk of having stroke increases

A stroke occurs when damaged blood vessels can’t get enough oxygen to your brain, causing brain cell death. This can lead to speech and motor difficulties, and could also kill you.

You could end up with dementia

Blood vessels supply both oxygen and nutrition to your brain. Without the proper nutrients, normal brain function starts to deteriorate. Sudden or gradual cognitive decline can result in confusion, disorientation, and have trouble communicating or understanding spoken words.

Kidney damage can be severe

If the blood vessels in your kidneys become narrow due to high blood pressure, your chances of developing chronic kidney disease increase significantly. Damaged kidneys won’t filter toxins out of your blood as efficiently as healthy ones, and if the damage is severe, they’re likely to fail completely.

You might end up with osteoporosis

Your bones depend largely on calcium to maintain density. It’s possible to lose calcium when you have high blood pressure, which weakens your bones and increases your risk of fracture.

And yes, it really hurts your heart

Similar to the way brain cells can die off without oxygen, the heart muscle can die if damaged arteries interrupt blood flow. This causes a heart attack, which isn’t always but can be, deadly.

So, what can you do?

Medication is sometimes necessary to treat dangerously high blood pressure. In the long-term, maintaining a diet rich in plant-based foods and engaging in regular physical activity can help you manage your symptoms and prevent severe damage to your body

GOOD’ HABITS TO GIVE UP FOR TYPE 2 DIABETES

Sep 3, 2017 | Healthy Tips

GOOD’ HABITS TO GIVE UP FOR TYPE 2 DIABETES

You know managing type 2 diabetes isn’t just about taking medicine. So you’ve been trying to make better food and lifestyle choices. But figuring out what’s healthy and what isn’t can be confusing.

Take these habits. They may seem like they’re good for you, but they could actually be sabotaging your efforts.

1. Buying “sugar-free” foods

The supermarket is full of things that appear to be diabetes-friendly because they don’t have added sugar. But many have sugar substitutes that contain carbs. That means they have the potential to send your blood sugar levels soaring.

Before you put something in your cart, check the nutrition facts to see how many grams of carbs are in each serving and how much sugar is added.

2. Swapping meals for meal replacement bars

Losing weight can help, and meal replacement bars may seem like an easy way to slim down.

Many meal replacement products are aimed at athletes. So they can be high in calories. Others contain ingredients like sugar alcohols (sorbitol and mannitol, for example), which can cause stomach trouble.

Occasionally, munching on a bar for breakfast when you’re pressed for time is OK as long as you pay attention to the nutrition info. But it’s smarter to stick with real meals.

3. Loading up on vitamins and supplements

A diet with lots of fruits and vegetables should give you all the nutrients you need. A multivitamin may help fill in the gaps, but it still can’t match the real thing — food.

Some people take supplements like cinnamon or chromium to try to keep their blood sugar levels stable. It’s unclear whether these work. If you choose to try them — or any supplement — tell your doctor. He can make sure it’s safe for you and won’t interact with any medication you’re taking.

4. Drinking juice

Natural doesn’t always equal healthy. One cup of apple juice, for example, has 25 grams of sugar and just 0.5 grams of fibre.

An apple, on the other hand, has less sugar (19 grams) and more fibre (4.5 grams). It will satisfy you longer and help stabilize your blood sugar. What’s more, a study found that drinking juice every day increases the risk of developing diabetes. But regularly eating whole fruit lowers it.

5. Downing diet soda

It may be calorie-free, carbohydrate-free, and sugar-free, but you can still overdo it. One study found that overweight people who rely on diet soda end up taking in more calories from food. Why? Diet-drink lovers may think they’re “saving” calories on drinks and can afford to splurge on food. Artificial sweeteners also confuse your body because they taste sweet but don’t provide calories.

If you’re craving a cola once in a while, it’s fine to treat yourself. But you should usually fill your glass with water and other unsweetened beverages like plain iced tea.

6. Avoiding all high-fat foods

A little fat is good for you, assuming you choose the right kinds. You should limit saturated fats (found in meat and dairy products) and avoid trans fats completely. But monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats are healthy.

In fact, certain high-fat foods seem to have benefits for people with diabetes. Eating nuts along with higher-carb foods may help prevent blood sugar levels from going up too sharply. Other studies have shown that people who eat avocados are less likely to get metabolic syndrome. That’s a cluster of symptoms that includes high blood sugar.

Just remember to keep portion sizes small. The calories can add up quickly.

7. Nibbling on 100-calorie snack packs

Many people open pack after pack because each one seems so tiny. They end up eating more than if they started with a “regular” container. In one study, people who were given nine small bags of chips ended up eating almost twice as much as those who were given two large bags.

So be honest with yourself: Can you really stop after one? If not, put the box back on the shelf.

Reviewed by Michael Dansinger, MD on January 07, 2017