Are You Suffering From Diabetes Insipidus?

Diabetes insipidus is not a new term now. Many individuals suffer every year with this disorder. Diabetes insipidus is a disorder where a person experiences excessive thirst that results in excretion of large amount of diluted urine which is responsible for the reduction in the amount of the body fluid. It is commonly called as DI and there are various reasons that favour occurrence of DI in humans. The most prevalent type of diabetes insipidus is the neurogenic DI which is caused by the deficiency of the anti-diuretic hormone typically recognized as argentine vasopressin. Another type of DI is nephrogenic DI which is the result of non-responsiveness of the kidneys towards the vasopressin.

The symptoms of diabetes insipidus comprise excessive urination and feeling of frequent thirst. The symptom including excessive urination resembles that of the diabetes mellitus with a difference that no blood glucose is present in the urine. Blurring of the eye vision may also occur but is rare. Dehydration may also occur as a person is unable to conserve water resulting in loss of body water. The loss of water through frequent urination may persist throughout the day and may continue till night. The children suffering from DI may show loss of appetite, body weight, growth, fever, vomiting and diarrhea. Adult individuals with untreated DI may tend to remain healthy until the water loss is minimized but they are at greater risk of potassium ion depletion.

Diabetes insipidus may be diagnosed by testing the calcium level, bicarbonate level and the blood glucose level. The sodium ion is found to be comparatively high in the electrolyte test. The analysis of urine reveals dilute urine with low specific gravity and low electrolyte level. The fluid deprivation test reveals that whether the disorder is the result of excessive uptake of fluid or defect in the ADH production or due to unresponsiveness of the kidneys towards ADH. The fluid deprivation test also indicates the changes in body weight, urine output, and urine composition. The patients continue to urinate frequently in absence of any fluid intake. Desmopressin is given to the patients which is responsible for the reduction of the urine output and increases the osmolarity of the urine and the kidneys tend to function normally.

Electrolyte and volume homeostasis are the complex mechanisms of the human body that regulate the blood pressure and sodium and potassium ions in blood. Urine production is under the control of hypothalamus which secretes ADH from the supraoptic and the paravenrticular nuclei. After the synthesis of ADH, it is transported in the form of neurosecretory granules through the axons of hypothalamic neurons to the posterior lobe of the pituitary gland where it is stored to be used further. The ventromedial nucleus of the hypothalamus is responsible for the regulation of the thirst. Kidney is the main effector organ the fluid homeostasis. ADH is responsible for the absorption of the water into the bloodstream and concentrating the urine.

There are several forms of DI. One such type is the neurogenic diabetes insipidus which is commonly recognized as the central DI. It is caused when the production of the hormone vasopressin is lost in the brain. Other type is the nephrogenic DI which is the result of the failure of the response of the kidneys towards ADH. Third type of the diabetes insipidus is the gestational DI which is caused only during the period of pregnancy. It has been reported that all the pregnant ladies produce an enzyme vasopressinase in the placenta that breaks the ADH; this can attain many hazardous forms in the gestational DI. GDI in most cases is treated with desmopressin. Diabetes insipidus is also responsible for causing several dangerous diseases in the period of pregnancy like the pre-eclampsia, HELLP Syndrome and Acute fatty liver of pregnancy. These diseases are caused by the activation of the hepatic vasopressinase. Failure in the treatment of any of these diseases can lead to the death foetus. Another form of DI is the dipsogenic DI which occurs due to the defect or damage of the thirst mechanism that is controlled by the hypothalamus. This results in the abnormal intake of fluid and increase in the thirst which suppresses the ADH secretion resulting in increased production of urine. Desmopressin is ineffective for its treatement.

Central DI and gestational DI can be treated with the help of desmopressin but it is ineffective for the treatment of the nephrogenic diabetes insipidus. Indomethacin is used for the treatment of the nephrogenic DI. Several types of amilorides are available for the treatment of DI. Diabetes insipidus if treated carefully will be kept under control.

Diabetes Insipidus

What is Diabetes Insipidus?

Unlike other types of diabetes such as Diabetes Mellitus Diabetes Insipidus is a disease that is linked to the pituitary gland in the brain. When the word diabetes is mentioned most people will assume that we are speaking of Diabetes Mellitus (Sugar Diabetes). Diabetes Insipidus though is not caused by a lack of insulin or the lack of insulin regulation. Diabetes Insipidus happens when the pituitary gland does not make enough of the hormone ADH. Antidiuretic Hormone is needed to control the amount of water in the body. Diabetes Insipidus can be a serious or even fatal disease if not caught and treated. The treatment may be ongoing for the rest of your life.

What causes Diabetes Insipidus?

Like all forms of diabetes no one knows exactly what causes the actual disease however they do know that people that have had other problems are prime candidates to develop Diabetes Insipidus.

If you have or have had any of the following you may develop Diabetes Insipidus:

* A brain aneurysm which is a weak spot in a blood vessel causing the artery to balloon out much like a weak spot on a tire causes a "bulge"

* Any type of brain infection

* A Tumor of the brain

* A Tumor of the Pituitary Gland

* Compulsive, excessive fluid intake

* Bleeding inside the skull

* Family history of Diabetes Insipidus

* Head Injury that may cause damage to the Pituitary Gland

* Kidney Disease

* Surgery on the Pituitary Gland sometimes causes a temporary type that lasts about 14 days

If you have the following signs or symptoms, you should ask your physician to do further testing for possible Diabetes Insipidus:

* Dry skin, especially the hands.

* Constipation

* Passing large amounts of extremely clear urine

* Terrible thirst especially for cold or iced fluids

What is the treatment?

The treatment depends more on what appears to be causing the problem. This is one place where the allopathic medical community agrees with the naturopathic medical community. Remove the cause and you treat the disease. This is the underlying theme to most naturopathic treatments, where as the allopathic community is more a symptom treatment practice.

Depending on what may be causing the problem a person may be subjected to any or all of the following tests and or treatments:

- Complete medical history and exam

- Basic Blood and Urine tests

- Computerized Tomography scan (CT Scan)

- Daily weights to determine fluid loss or gain

- Dehydration test

- Intake and output measurements (I and O)

- Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)

- Surgery. If a tumor is involved you may need brain surgery to remove it.

Disclaimer:

This report should in no way be considered medical advice. The suggestions and/or techniques described in this report are for informational purposes only. If you are ill or injured you should see your primary healthcare professional immediately

Contact the following groups for more information:

American Diabetes Association

1701 North Beauregard Street

Alexandria, VA 22311

Phone: 1-800-342-2383

Web Address: http://www.diabetes.org

* National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse

1 Information Way

Bethesda, MD 20892-3560

Phone: 1-800-860-8747

Web Address: http://www.diabetes.niddk.nih.gov

Annually the American Diabetes Association has a fundraiser bicycle ride called the "Tour De Cure" I often ride in this event which raises money to help with research to combat diabetes. Be sure to check out my website for details on helping the ADA to find a cure.

What Is Diabetes Insipidus?

There is a type of diabetes related to the functioning of the Kidneys (DI). It has some symptoms in common with Diabetes mellitus and a similarity in the name but is caused by a completely different mechanism that has nothing to do with insulin.

Diabetes insipidus as it is known, is caused by the failure of the body to produce a hormone that tells the kidneys to retain water; or the failure of the kidneys to correctly respond to the presence of that hormone. This hormone is called Vasopressin but is also known as Anti diuretic hormone or ADH. (A diuretic is anything that causes the production of urine). This hormone is anti-diuretic; it does the opposite, that is, it reduces the amount of urine produced. If ADH is lacking or the kidneys do not to respond to it, a large amount of very dilute urine is produced; this condition is known as polyuria. Polyuria (much urination) causes an increase in the concentration of sugar in the blood due to reduction in the amount of water. The reduction of the water in the body also causes an intense thirst that never seems to go away. The person will drink huge amounts of water, a condition known as polydipsia but may still be dehydrated.

They are two main types of the disease

Central Diabetes Insipidus

This is the name given to the disease when it is due to a lack of the hormone ADH. This lack may be due to damage to the glands that either produce or store Anti diuretic hormone (ADH). These glands, found in the brain, are called hypothalamus and pituitary. The hypothalamus produces the ADH and the pituitary stores it. If there is head injury, infection, loss of blood supply, surgery or tumor that affects either of these two glands then ADH may either not be produced or stored. In addition to damage due to trauma or disease to the hypothalamus and/or pituitary, this may also be a genetically inherited disorder.

Treatment is usually by using a synthetic hormone called desmopressin which may be injected, given as pill, or inhaled as a nasal spray. The nasal spray is also given to children to prevent bed wetting.

Nephrogenic Diabetes Insipidus

This is the term used to describe the condition if it is due to defect in the parts of the kidneys the (nephrons) that filter out waste and return water to the blood. There are several possible causes of this disease:

• It may be an inherited disorder in which male children defective gene from their mothers


• It may also be due to the long term use of drugs such as lithium salts (mood altering drugs given to bipolar patients)


• Hypercalcemia (a condition in which the calcium level in the blood is above normal)


• Low levels of Potassium


• Polycystic Kidney disease (PKD); a disorder in which clusters of cysts develop in the kidneys. (Cysts are noncancerous round sacs filled with fluid. They enlarge the kidneys, reduce the efficiency of the filtration system, and may lead to kidney failure.)

There is no 'treatment' for this condition. Lifestyle modifications that help include ready access to large amounts of water and frequent bathroom breaks. If the condition was due to the intake of the lithium salts then changing the medication is necessary.

Diabetes insipidus is caused by the failure of the kidneys to conserve water as they filter the blood. This is due to the lack of, or unresponsive to a hormone called (vasopressin) ADH which tells the kidneys how much water to reabsorb.

Diabetes insipidus is not related to Diabetes mellitus.

Diabetes and Diet - How Are They Related?

Diabetes is a life threatening disease that can only be controlled by leading a healthy lifestyle and following a proper diet. If you ask how diabetes and diet are related, I would say they are but both sides of the same coin. Diabetes is resulted due to the inability of the pancreas to produce insulin. In some cases it is also because the body has developed insulin resistance. Diabetes can be controlled by making certain modifications in the diet. To stabilize the blood sugar levels a certain patient has to make necessary changes in his or her diet. A control diet for diabetes would basically mean you have to eat the same meal everyday and in equal proportions.

Diabetes and diet does not mean that you have to go and buy special foods. You just have to maintain a healthy and low calorie diet. You must avoid all food items that can increase your blood sugar levels. Eating regular meals in moderate amount is very important. A diabetic patient is bound to feel unusual hunger and thirst. So bringing oneself up to control his urge to eat every time is what a diabetic should develop. This does not happen overnight and requires a lot of motivation, will power and of course practice.

Did you know something else about the diabetes and diet? An overweight person is more likely to develop the type 2 diabetes. So there is something called the preventive diabetic diet as well where a patient who is more vulnerable to diabetes due to a family history should control his diet and modify his food habits.

Following of the food pyramid will let you develop a clearer understanding of diabetes and diet. A diabetic person should include more and more of healthy food items like fruits and vegetables in his diet. A fiber rich diet is good for the diabetics. Other than that a diabetic patient should be careful about seeing that the portions of his meals are well regulated and the meals are eaten during the same time everyday.

So to summarize the whole concept of diabetes and diet, the patient concerned must first develop an understanding of what to eat. If you are a diabetic then cut down on the purified carbohydrates; cut down on your sugar intake and avoid fast food. Replace the fats you take in with healthy fats. Next step in your learning more about diabetes and diet is to know when to eat. Even the healthiest of meals if taken irregularly can be of no benefit. So see that you eat at a fixed time everyday. Last but not the least the portion of your meal is very important to regulate. See that the nutritional element in your diet is high and the overall calorie consumption is low.

Diabetes and diet go hand in hand. If you want to live a regular life in spite of suffering from diabetes, you must follow a diet that allows you to control your diabetes.

Things to Know About Diabetes and the Effect it Can Have on You

Diabetes is rapidly assuming epidemic proportions today. Therefore, it has become absolutely necessary for everyone to know about it in order to manage it better. The following information is intended to serve this purpose.

Types of Diabetes

Diabetes is of two types: diabetes mellitus and diabetes insipidus. In diabetes mellitus, the pancreas stops producing insulin at all, or produces it in very little quantity. Insulin is a hormone that enables the cells of the body to absorb glucose, a form of sugar, obtained from the digestion of food, and the primary source of energy for the body.. As a result, glucose accumulates in blood and urine resulting in frequent urination, increased thirst and hunger, and disturbances of fat and protein metabolism. Diabetes insipidus is a less common condition. It results from lack of vasopressin hormone which controls urine secretion.

Types of Diabetes Mellitus

Diabetes mellitus, the commoner form of diabetes, is also of two types. Type I shows up in childhood itself. In it, the pancreas stops producing insulin completely. That is why it is also known as insulin dependent diabetes. Type II normally affects adults, and sometimes teenagers. In it, either the pancreas produces less insulin or it is not properly utilized by body cells. Therefore, it is also known as non-insulin dependent diabetes.

People who are Vulnerable to Diabetes

Adults over 45, obese or physically inactive people, those who have family history of diabetes, African, Hispanic and Native American people or most vulnerable to diabetes. In fact, the Native Americans show the highest incidence of diabetes in the world. Among sexes, women are more prone to it.

Diagnostic Tests for Diabetes

To detect diabetes, the glucose present in the blood is measured about eight hours after the person last took food. It can also be diagnosed through an oral glucose tolerance test in which glucose level in the blood is measured before and after the person concerned has been given a certain amount of sugar. Another test which is in the process of development identifies some specific antibodies which are present only in diabetics. When developed, this test will be able to detect diabetes quite early and thus reduce the risk of complications.

Treatment of Diabetes

Treatment of diabetes involves two things: controlling the blood sugar level, and preventing complications. This is accomplished by suitable diet and lifestyle changes along with medication.

Type I

In Type I diabetes insulin injections have to be given two to four times a day. The quantity of the insulin required and the frequency of injection varies from person to person depending upon his physical activity level, diet, and other medical conditions. Typically, in this type of diabetes, blood sugar level needs to be measured many times a day using a meter and a drop of blood obtained by pricking a fingertip. On its basis, the patients adjust the quantity and frequency of insulin injected. Type I diabetics should carefully distribute their meals and snacks over the whole day so that insulin supply is not overwhelmed in helping the body cells absorb glucose. Further, they should eat foods containing complex carbohydrates that break down slowly, and therefore the blood sugar level also rises slowly.

Type II

In Type II diabetes, initially the treatment involves diet control, exercise and weight reduction. Type II diabetics often take the services of nutritionists to put together a suitable diet that does not result in too swift a rise in blood glucose level. A typical meal for a diabetic is low in fat (not more than 30% of total calories), provides moderate protein ( 10 to 20% of total calories), and contains a variety of carbohydrates, such as beans, vegetables and grains. Regular exercise is very useful to help body cells absorb glucose. Even 10-15 minutes of daily exercise can make a difference. Diet control and exercise also help in weight reduction which is believed to increase the body cells' ability to absorb insulin. However, overtime, medication may also be required.

Thus Type II diabetes can be easily managed by suitable lifestyle changes. Type I is more difficult to manage; fortunately it is less common of the two.

Childhood Asthma and Emphysema Management

Asthma and emphysema are classified as chronic obstructive pulmonary disorders (COPD). Asthma is a growing problem in the United States. More children miss school for asthma than for any other virus or disease. Children are given steroid inhalers to combat the problem but often experience side effects such as unnecessary weight gain. If steroids are not good for professional athletes why would they be good for our kids?

Chiropractic care can help with these problems. Let's begin with understanding the difference between normal breathing and breathing with bronchial asthma. During normal breathing air is filtered and warmed in the nose and nasal cavities prior to entering the trachea or windpipe. This dries and cleans the air. The trachea separates into the left and right bronchi that enter the lungs where they separate into tiny branches where carbon dioxide and oxygen are exchanged. It is here that oxygen enters the blood and carbon dioxide and water vapor leave.

For all of the above steps to be successful, the bronchi and bronchioles must remain completely open at all times. But this does not happen with those suffering from bronchial asthma. What does occur is:

• During an asthmatic attack, the bronchioles become swollen, subsequently begin to spasm and are flooded with mucous
• Those experiencing an attack struggle for breath, literally grasping and fighting for air.
• Attacks may be triggered by allergic reactions, emotional stress, physical exertion, cigarette smoke or other irritants.

Emphysema is traditionally associated with smoking, which can destroy the alveoli in the lungs. Less lung tissue results in a decrease in oxygen, thus causing high blood pressure and heart problems. Individuals with chronic emphysema suffer with problems that include fatigue, muscle weakness, impaired mental function, or trouble breathing air out and may lead to death.

How can a chiropractor help with asthma and emphysema? Chiropractic care is focused on keeping the nerves in the spinal cord free from interference. Chiropractors do not claim to treat any condition or disease but they detect and correct spinal subluxations that interfere with the nervous system. With a healthy nervous system, the body is free to heal itself. The result is all areas of the body, including lungs, bronchial passages and other components of the respiratory system can more effectively heal and function at maximum capacity. Remember, the nervous system controls every organ in the body.

Guggul - Uses and Side Effects

The useful constituents of guggul, gugulipid and guggulsterone, are derived from Commiphora molmol. Guggul may lower serum cholesterol levels by as much as 24%, and triglyceride levels by as much as 23%, by increasing the hepatic binding of LDL cholesterol. Its effects on HDL cholesterol levels are variable, either increasing or decreasing. Guggulsterone stimulates the thyroid gland, has anti-inflammatory properties, may help in weight reduction, and protects against myocardial necrosis resulting from drug toxicity. Guggul is available as capsules and tablets. Common trade names include Guggulow, Guggul Raj, Gugulmax, Gugulplus, and Ultra Guggulow.

Reported uses

Guggul has used pnmanly for Its ability to decrease serum cholesterol levels. It's also used to treat atherosclerosis and high cholesterol and high triglyceride levels. In Ayurvedic medicine, it's used to treat arthritis and to aid in weight loss.

Administration

Daily dose of guggulsterone is 25 mg three times a day, is provided in a 500-mg tablet standardized to contain 5% guggulsterone.

Hazards

Guggul has been associated with diarrhea, anorexia, abdominal pain, and rash. There is potential reduction in the bioavailability of single doses of diltiazem and propranolol when these drugs are given with guggul. The effects of thyroid drugs may be altered because guggul stimulates the thyroid gland. Guggul's lipid-lowering effect is increased when it's used with garlic.

Guggul shouldn't be used by patients with liver or kidney disease. Pregnant and breast-feeding patients should also avoid use.

Clinical considerations

Monitor patient with thyroid disease or taking a thyroid supplement because guggul stimulates the thyroid gland.

Guggul may interfere with the intended therapeutic effect of conventional drugs.

Only preparations with standardized amounts of guggulsterone should be used.

Use should be limited to 12 to 24 Weeks.

Monitor serum cholesterol levels.

If patient is pregnant or breast-feeding, or is planning to become pregnant, instruct her not to use guggul.

Tell patient that herb isn't a substitute for healthy eating and exercise.

Advise patient to keep guggul out of reach of children and pets.

Tell patient to notify pharmacist of any herbal or dietary supplement that he's taking when obtaining a new prescription.

Advise patient to consult his health care provider before using an herbal preparation because a conventional treatment with proven efficacy may be available.

Research summary

Although the mechanism is unclear, studies show that guggul stimulates the thyroid gland, which may account for its ability to lower serum cholesterol.

Research A double blind, place bo-controlled study of guggul's effects on reducing cholesterol included 61 individuals who were followed for 24 weeks. After 12 weeks of following a healthy diet, half the participants received placebo and the other half received guggul at a dose providing 100 mg of guggulsterones daily. The results after 24 weeks of treatment showed that the treated group experienced an 11.7% decrease in total cholesterol, along with a 12.7% decrease in LDL cholesterol; a 12% decrease in triglycerides; and an 11.1 % decrease in the total cholesterol/HDL cholesterol ratio. These results were significantly better than those seen in the placebo group.

4 Reasons Why Your Dog Drinks Excessively

If your dog drinks excessively, it could be because he is suffering one of the following. Be acutely aware when they do this.

Causes:

Pain, stress, heat exhaustion(dehydration), illness(vomiting and dehydration), kidney failure or disease.

Pain and Stress

These cause an increase in heart rate and respiration which in turn causes the body temperature to rise. The dog pants to cool down and has to drink a lot to keep its mouth wet so evaporation can take place. Also a full stomach has a feeling of contentment that physiologically eases the dogs discomfort. If you cannot see an obvious reason for this take your dog to the vet A.S.A.P.

Heat Exhaustion.

You can assist your dog to cool down by bringing it into your bath and standing it in cold water, sponge the dog down especially the head, groin and armpit areas.

The skin is thin and less hair helps the blood cool faster.

The toe pads are also a heat release area. If it does not cause more stress and discomforts try to lay the dog down into the water in a 'drop' position, not a flank (side) position.

Keep drinking water available but restrict it in intervals so the dog does not gorge it and then vomit it back again.

You have to think for your dog. The dog is under stress and does not know any better.

Keep offering water to drink, as the dog becomes more comfortable. Also use a cooling fan on the dog. If the condition of the dog is not improving wet it down all over and ring your vet for any further advice then take to the Vet ASAP.

Do not wrap up! As it will prevent heat evaporation!

If your dog does improve allow time for it to stabilize, before taking to your vet for a check up. Always make sure where ever your dog is, that it has adequate water supply and air flow at all times. Cars are deadly for dogs in summer, they are mobile ovens even with the windows down. A shady tree is a much safer idea.

Illness

Often a dog will drink when it has Vomiting, Diarrhea, or any general gastric illness. The dog does not know when to stop and that excessive amounts are detrimental to its recovery. Veterinary attention may be needed. If the dog is vomiting and drinking you must take the water away until the vomiting ceases. If the dog becomes worse seek veterinary attention immediately. Try gradually re-introducing small amounts of water again and fast the dog from all food for 24hrs.

Feed only small bland meals after that.

Kidneys

Acute (sudden) or Chronic (gradual) kidney failure or disease can cause a change in the dogs drinking habits depending on how toxic (sick) the dog is. Sometimes they do drink excessively but also they may not drink at all. Drinking in excess will also cause an increase in urinating.

The dog also shows signs of lethargy, vomiting, dehydration, poor appetite, a rough harsh coat, bad breath and anemia.

Veterinary attention is needed. Blood tests and Urine tests, will help show up the problem. Treatment involves replacing lost body fluids and electrolytes also antibiotics, drugs to stop vomiting, anabolic steroids for recovery, weight gain and repair of the kidney damage and vitamins.

Monitoring of blood and urine levels has to be done until the dog stabilizes.

Your vet will then explain about how to care for the kidney-damaged dog. Dietary changes, medicines will help ease the strain on your dogs' kidneys. These are avoiding meat, eggs, cheese and bones.

Prescription diets are the safest and easiest way to do this. They are available in cans from your vet. This will help prolong life, it will probably require more Veterinary treatment as the kidneys worsen. Ultimately euthanasia is the nicest option as kidney transplants are not readily available to dogs and owner finances.

What Causes Canine Bladder Enlargement and What Can I Do About It?

If your dog is acting unusual, such as if he is urinating more frequently than normal or if he is straining to urinate, check to see if he has canine bladder enlargement. You can do this by feeling his abdomen. If it feels swollen, he is probably suffering from painful bladder problems.

In a canine enlarged bladder can be caused by a number of factors, including urinary tract infection, prostate gland infection, a tumor, and bladder stones. In order to treat an enlarged bladder, you need to give your dog a remedy immediately.

If you leave your dog to fend for himself he will feel a great amount of pain. Canine bladder enlargement can lead to a number of problems including urinary blockage, which can be fatal if left untreated.

You can give your dog a homeopathic remedy to ease the pain and reduce inflammation. Look for a homeopathic remedy that contains urinary tonics like cantharis and uva ursi, which are known to soothe inflammation, strengthen the lining of the urinary tract and bladder, and encourage the healthy flow of urine.

You should also give your dog a lot of water to drink in order to flush out all of the toxins in his bladder. Avoid tap water because it contains bacteria and chemicals that can worsen your dog's condition. Instead, give your dog filtered water.

Canine enlarged bladder is not a death sentence but it does need to be treated promptly. Take your dog to the vet immediately if you feel his abdomen and realize that it is swollen. Your vet will recommend treatment but whatever you treatment you decide to use, remember to give your dog a homeopathic remedy in addition.

A homeopathic remedy alone is usually enough to treat canine bladder enlargement but if you have any doubt in your mind and choose to go the conventional treatment route, you can still supplement with a homeopathic remedy.

Homeopathic remedies are highly effective as a supplementary treatment for canine enlarged bladder. They will help to prevent the recurrence of illness as well as aid the body's natural healing process. Best of all, they strengthen your dog's immune system thus improve his health as a whole.

Look for a homeopathic remedy that has been manufactured in a registered facility. Some effective urinary tonics to look for in a homeopathic remedy for bladder enlargement include cantharis and uva ursi. Make sure the remedy is homeopathic and not herbal.

Herbal remedies function differently than homeopathic remedies for canine bladder enlargement. Herbal remedies contain high concentrations of natural ingredients and can often be just as dangerous as pharmaceutical drugs. If you want to prevent your dog from suffering from side effects, give him a homeopathic remedy and not an herbal one.

Homeopathic remedies only contain tiny amounts of active ingredients. They operate on the principle of like treats like, which means that a small amount of an ingredient that would normally cause certain symptoms in a healthy dog actually heal those very symptoms in an ill dog.

Canine bladder enlargement can be remedied quickly, effectively, and safely with homeopathy so if this problem plagues your dog, why not give it a shot? For the best results, give your dog a homeopathic remedy every single day. By doing so, you can keep your dog's bladder healthy and promote overall good health in your dog for years to come.

5 Common Myths About Hyperthyroidism and Graves Disease

There are numerous myths about hyperthyroidism and Graves' Disease, and I'm going to discuss five of the more common ones in this article. So let's take a look at them:

Myth #1: Antithyroid drugs and RAI are the only treatment options. According to most endocrinologists and other types of medical doctors, there are essentially two treatment options for people with hyperthyroidism and Graves' Disease. In the United States, radioactive iodine is commonly recommended as a first option to people who have hyperthyroid conditions. Many others will take antithyroid drugs to help manage the hyperthyroid symptoms. In some cases surgery will be recommended, but it's rare.

However, many people are turning to natural treatment methods in order to get to the underlying cause of the condition. Although antithyroid drugs may be necessary to temporarily manage the symptoms, they do nothing for the actual cause of the problem. Radioactive iodine obliterates the thyroid gland, and so it also doesn't do anything for the actual cause of the disorder. On the other hand, the goal of a natural treatment protocol is to detect and then correct the underlying cause of the condition.

In most cases of hyperthyroidism, and in just about all cases of Graves' Disease, the malfunctioning thyroid gland isn't the actual cause of the condition. One needs to address other areas of the body, such as the immune system, adrenal glands, sex hormones, and digestive system. If one or more of these areas is responsible for the hyperthyroid condition, they will need to be addressed in order to restore the health of the individual.

Myth #2: RAI cures hyperthyroidism & Graves' Disease. Some medical doctors think of radioactive iodine as a cure for hyperthyroidism and Graves' Disease. While RAI may be necessary in some cases, the problem is that it doesn't do anything for the underlying cause of the condition. This harsh treatment method obliterates the thyroid gland, and in most cases will make someone hypothyroid for the rest of their life. Once again, some people may need to receive radioactive iodine, but by no means is this curing hyperthyroidism or Graves' Disease.

Myth #3: Natural treatment methods don't work. If you were to ask any endocrinologist whether natural treatment methods can help with hyperthyroidism and Graves' Disease, chances are they will firmly tell you "no". The main reason for this is because they don't know much about natural treatment methods. Plus, you need to remember that they were trained in medical school to use drugs, surgery, and other conventional medical treatment methods. So it shouldn't be a surprise that they will tell their patients that natural treatment methods don't work.

Plus, something to keep in mind is that many people attempt to self-treat their condition naturally. Taking this approach usually doesn't work, as while it might help to manage the symptoms temporarily, self-treating one's condition probably won't restore their health back to normal. While natural treatment methods can be very effective when under the supervision of a competent natural endocrine doctor, by no means is it a quick and easy process. The person needs to take responsibility for their health if they want to have any chance of restoring their health back to normal.

Myth #4: Hyperthyroidism is never life threatening. While it is true that most hyperthyroid conditions aren't life threatening, there are some cases when they can be. This is especially true when someone with hyperthyroidism develops thyroid storm, which is an emergency situation that requires immediate medical intervention. With this condition the person's pulse rate can exceed 200 beats per minute. So again, it is rare for hyperthyroidism and Graves' Disease to be life threatening, but it definitely can be.

Myth #5: Genetics is the primary reason why people develop hyperthyroidism and Graves' Disease. When it comes to the development of hyperthyroidism and Graves' Disease, genetics definitely can play a role. However, research is showing that lifestyle factors are more prominent in the development of such conditions. In other words, just because you have a genetic marker for hyperthyroidism or Graves' Disease doesn't mean you will develop these conditions. Most people can prevent this condition from developing by living a healthy lifestyle, which most people don't do. So eating healthy, doing a good job of managing stress, getting sufficient sleep, etc., can all help to prevent the development of such conditions.

So hopefully you now realize that these myths aren't true. And if you currently have hyperthyroidism or Graves' Disease, then you just might want to consider consulting with a natural endocrine doctor to see if you're a good candidate for a natural treatment protocol. Although not everyone with these conditions can have their health restored back to normal, many people can benefit, and you have absolutely nothing to lose by speaking with an expert.

Type 2 Diabetes Affects Over 50 Million Americans Today

Type 2 diabetes, which accounts for nearly ninety-five percent of all cases of diabetes and affects over fifty million Americans, is largely seen in adults over the age of 40. Today, however, it is also being seen more and more at younger ages, and even in quite young children.

The symptoms of type 2 diabetes are often quite mild in the early stages of the condition and it is possible to suffer from type 2 diabetes for many months, or even years, before it is diagnosed. It is however a potentially serious condition and undiagnosed type 2 diabetes can lead to several serious complications including renal failure, blindness, the inability of wounds to heal and coronary artery disease.

Estimates indicate that about one in five adults above the age of 65 in the United States suffers from type 2 diabetes. The condition is more common amongst Native Americans, African Americans, Hispanics and Non-Hispanic Whites and is slightly more common in older women than in men.

The origin of type 2 diabetes is a mystery and, while it is thought that there is a genetic component to the disease this is much less clearly evident than it is in the case of type 1 diabetes. Evidence does however clearly show that environmental factors play a large part in the development of type 2 diabetes and this is particularly true in the case of obesity, a lack of exercise and a sedentary lifestyle.

Many people believe that type 1 and type 2 diabetes are the same thing and that the difference lies simply in the name, with type 1 diabetes being used when referring to the disease childhood and type 2 diabetes being used for adults. This in not however the case and, while there are some similarities, type 1 and type 2 diabetes are quite separate conditions and require very different forms of treatment.

In the case of type 1 diabetes the body is unable to produce insulin, which is needed for the transfer of glucose (the body's main source of energy) from the blood into the muscles and other cells of the body. In the case of type 2 diabetes the problem is not that the body cannot produce insulin, although in certain cases insulin production may be low, but that the body becomes resistant to insulin.

There is presently no cure for type 2 diabetes which is a chronic condition and treatment is therefore designed to manage the disease to lower the incidence of complications (many of which can be life-threatening). Treatment is also aimed at maintaining a good quality of life for the sufferer.

Initially, patients with type 2 diabetes are treated using a carefully designed program of diet and exercise (including a weight loss plan where this is needed) and this can be very effective in controlling levels of glucose within the blood and can often improve a patient's sensitivity to insulin considerably. Where this treatment does not prove to be successful, or in cases where the disease progresses, the condition is usually treated with a range of medication.

Getting Kidney Failure From Diabetes

After being diagnosed with diabetes, there is a high chance, though not 100%, that kidney failure will follow close by. Before the full fledge kidney failure, there'll be five stages that the patient will go through. The 5 stages are briefly discussed below.

Stage 1:

Hyperfiltration Initially, when you are first down with diabetes, your kidneys will start to enlarge. Due to the enlargement, they seem to function abnormally well. They start to clean wastes from your body at a faster speed. This is caused by a large amount of glucose entering the kidneys, which draws a large amount of water with it. There is an increase in the flow of blood through the glomeruli, causing the kidneys to enlarge. When the first stage happens, it quickly advances to the next stage. Most patients that are first diagnosed with diabetes would already find themselves in the next stage.

Stage 2:

Microalbuminuria Signs of damage start to show on the glomeruli, while the rate of filtration stays high. The damage allows small amounts of albumin, which is a type of protein in the blood to leak into the urine. Initially, the traditional urine dipstick will be unable to trigger a positive test when the amount of albumin is not sufficient. A more sophisticated test for microalbumin must be performed, in order to give a proper report of the patient.

Stage 3:

Proteinuria As the third stage is reached, the glomeruli gets more and more damaged, leaking even more albumin into the urine. This would reduce the body's ability to filter waste. This can cause the blood levels of two components of the blood to rise. They are known as creatinine and urea.

Stage 4:

Advance clinical nephropathy At this stage, blood cannot be filtered by the damaged kidneys. The urine now contains large amounts of leak protein. The two blood components discussed in stage 3, Creatinines and urea in the blood increases as well. The patient is most likely to be diagnosed with hypertension at this stage.

Stage 5:

End stage ranal failure Signs and symptoms of kidney failure start to show as the kidney function drops to 5 or 10% below its ideal level. This cannot be cured, and the only options are dialysis or kidney transplant. To prevent diabetes kidney problems, the following means can be done: Keep your glucose level in tab. Visit your doctor about your HbA1c test, and what the goal for the glucose level to be kept under control to be. Keep your blood pressure in control, and take frequent checks. The level should be 130/85 mmHg or lower. Urine should be tested for small amount of proteins to identify the leakage. This kidney check should be done at least once a year. You can suggest to your doctor about being placed on an ACE inhibitor to protect your kidneys. If you think you have a bladder or kidney infection, visit your doctor immediately.

Natural Ways to Prevent Diabetes

Diabetes is a medical disorder which is characterized by hyperglycemia or high blood sugar levels. This is usually due to problems with the secretion of insulin, the hormone responsible for controlling blood sugar levels within the body. The two main forms of the condition - Type 1 diabetes and Type 2 diabetes. In both cases diet is a key factor in the treatment of diabetes.

Type 1 diabetes is usually diagnosed very early on in life and is caused by a genetic fault which affects the body's ability to secret insulin. Most people with Type 1 diabetes have to take daily insulin injections. Diet is very important for these people as a means of controlling their diabetes however dietary change cannot prevent Type 1 Diabetes from occurring.

The number of cases of Type 2 Diabetes has increased drastically in recent years. It is often referred to as Adult Onset Diabetes and occurs later in life. It is strongly associated with increased body mass and obesity, and the risk of developing this disease can be greatly reduced through dietary monitoring, weight reduction and exercise.

Uncontrolled or untreated diabetes has many risks, which can be life threatening. Such complications include cardiovascular disease [http://www.mitamins.com/disease/Cardiovascular-Disease.html], chronic renal failure, and retinal and nerve damage. Therefore it is clear that seeking treatment of diabetes, in addition to general advice on living with the condition is very important. Proper diet, medication and lifestyle changes can keep diabetes under control.

The risks of developing Type 2 Diabetes can be greatly reduced with a few easy-to-make lifestyle changes. It has been proved that wrong eating habits, obesity, lack of exercise, bad habits like smoking [http://www.mitamins.com/disease/Smoking.html] and stress all contribute to causing Type 2 diabetes. The Harvard Medical School associate, the Joslin Diabetes Center has noted that at least 10 million Americans who are at high risk for Type 2 diabetes can lower their chances of getting the disease with diet and exercise. This has been proved over again in subsequent studies.

Eating sugar and refined carbohydrates does not cause diabetes, however a high intake of these foods may contribute significantly towards weight gain - which is responsible for diabetes. Achieving and maintaining an ideal body weight as an important step in the prevention and treatment of diabetes.

A reduction in both simple sugars and the intake of simple carbohydrates is ultimately beneficial in the treatment of diabetes. This means reducing white bread, simple cereals, juices and high-sugar beverages. Complex carbohydrates like whole grain pasta, breads, pulses and basmati rice should be eaten in preference - portion size is still important though.

Carbohydrates should be spread through the day, with a small to moderate portion at each meal. Proteins assist in building muscle tone and repairing cells; however some protein-containing foods are high in fat such as meat. Therefore keep protein portions to around the size of your fist, and take 1 portion with each meal. Choose lean options such as fish, eggs, tofu and lean meat.

An overall reduction in fat intake is important in both the prevention and treatment of diabetes. Identify the harmful and good fats in your diet and make the appropriate changes. Trans fats, found in many processed foods, are the most harmful. Saturated animal fat found in meat and dairy also contributes to boosting your cholesterol. Monounsaturated fats such as olive, peanut and canola oils have protective effects - so use these as your oil of choice. Avocadoes and nuts also contain monounsaturated fats. Drinking plenty of water is essential to wash away the toxins from the body.

A good fruit and vegetable intake is crucial in the treatment of diabetes. These items contain an array of anti oxidant vitamins as well as different types of fibers that help to stabilize blood sugars. Of course fruit contains some natural sugar (fructose) so if you have been diagnosed with diabetes you need to ensure you spread it throughout the day and stick to around 3 portions.

Exercise is crucial in preventing diabetes - both from the point of view of regulating weight and in preventing insulin resistance (which can occur prior to the development of diabetes). Jogging, swimming, tennis or joining a gym are all recommended but failing that just try to ensure you walk as much as possible each day.

There are some natural remedies available for the treatment of diabetes like fenugreek seeds, onion and garlic, margosa or neem extracts (azadirachta indica - a subtropical tree) and bitter melon or bitter gourd extracts. Such remedies have no proven efficacy however and should not replace prescribed medication for diabetes control.

Different Types of Water Filtration

The quality of water used in your homes is becoming more and more suspect of contaminants such as chromium, lead, chlorine, fluoride, microbes, and bad odor. Across the nation, newspapers are discussing and reporting about water quality problems related to human health. There are many types of filters and dispensers for sale that vary as much in what they filter as they do in appearance and price. Replacement filters must be understood as well to determine length of use and long term cost.

Different filters offer different methods of filtration and will vary in function. For example, many filters will remove chlorine and bad odors, while not removing lead or other heavy metals such as chromium, or other organic compounds or bacteria. The general and primary concerns seem to focus on removal of chlorine, odors, lead, and microbes. However, other materials may need to be considered due to local industry or geology.

Most consumers are interested in a quality product that does what is expected for a fair price, and is fairly simple to install. Before discussing the pros and cons of a brand of filter system, it is important to know what type of filter is used in the system to make sure it will perform as you expect.

There are many types of systems on the market and here are a few categories to choose from with some pros and cons to help you decide.

1. Filter pitchers - these filters are simple to use, and often use activated granular carbon to attract and remove contaminants. However, keep in mind that all activated carbon filters are not all equal, so read about what they are certified to remove through certifiers like NSF International. In general filter pitchers will help remove smell and taste and many will remove chlorine. The hardest thing is to determine when it is time to change the filter. Depending on the brand, some of these will also remove lead. These systems are least costly, however, replacing filters can be costly and knowing when to replace can be hard to determine.

2. Countertop filters - these types of filters usually attach to the sink aerator and can filter larger amounts of water much faster than filter pitchers. They are generally more expensive than filter pitchers; however, a wide variety of filters are offered to suite your needs. The filter itself is usually larger and will last longer depending on use. They are fairly easy to install, however the hose leading to the faucet can get in the way and some people do not like the appearance. These units can remove lead, chlorine, odor, bad taste, and many more specific filters are available, depending on what needs to be removed.

3. Faucet-mounted filters - these filters use the same filtration as countertop and pitcher filters, but mounts directly to the tap in place of the aerator. They can filter water faster than a pitcher, but tend to be bulky, cumbersome, and can clutter up the sink area. The size of the filter may also dictate that you change it more frequently.

4. Under counter filters - For those who want to filter large amounts of water fast, this may be the filter system for you. It has the same benefits as the countertop filter that attaches to the faucet. It offers a wide variety of filter types and sizes. The main canister is hidden under the sink with a dispenser attached to the back of the sink. The dispenser for faucet is offered in a variety of styles and quality changes with price. The cost may vary considerable depending on the type and/or quality of the system. This type of filter may or may not require some professional plumbing. The types of materials removed is similar to the counter top filter

5. Distillers - this type of water cleaning system boils water, turning it into a vapor and collecting it as it condenses back into pure water. This is a great system for removing contaminants; however it also removes all the water's natural minerals which can leave the water tasting flat. These systems tend to be 2 to 3 times more expensive than over or under the counter filtration systems. And, with distillation some chemicals may vaporize and condense back into the system.

6. Reverse osmosis - these units can be installed almost anywhere on the water system, including under the sink. Water is forced through a semi permeable membrane that leaves impurities behind. Very clean water can be expected, however the process can create as much or more wastewater as the clean water produced. These systems can be expensive to buy and maintain. The benefit is that they can remove a large number of disease causing organisms, and most chemical contaminants, including heavy metals.

Whether you are considering filtration for the kitchen sink, refrigerator ice and water dispenser, bath and shower, or possibly a complete system for the entire home, there are a large number of filters and dispensers available. At the very least consider buying a quality filter and dispenser for your drinking and cooking water. You can never go wrong with a carbon block filter which provides a relatively long life before needing to be replaced. These filters will reduce chlorine, bad taste and odors, volatile organic compounds, and other pesticides and herbicides. By doing a little research today, you may begin to change your internal world forever.

Canine Strokes - An Owner's Guide to Strokes in Dogs

Strokes in dogs are very rare. They occur when the blood flow to the brain has been impaired. There are two types of strokes, namely hemorrhagic and schemic. The former occurs when a vessel breaks, while the latter occurs when blood supply is diminished for some reason.

Causes

Canine strokes can occur for a number of reasons. Some occur because of severe trauma to the head, such as being hit by a car. Dogs that ingest poisons may also have a stroke. Underlying medical conditions can also be to blame. Common conditions include Cushing's disease, heart disease, kidney disease, diabetes, and brain tumors.

Symptoms

Unfortunately, strokes in dogs can produce some of the same symptoms caused by other diseases or conditions. Some of the most common signs include head tilting, constant circling, and difficulty walking. It is also common for dogs to experience sudden behavioral changes, loss of bowel control, and blindness.

Diagnosis

If your dog exhibits any of these symptoms, you will need to seek medical assistance quickly. Quick diagnosis and treatment goes a long way towards a complete recovery. The veterinarian will start out by physically examining your dog. If your dog has had a stroke, he will perform a CT scan or MRI to try to determine the cause. These two procedures require that your dog be anesthetized.

Treatment

Canine strokes are treated by determining the underlying medical condition and treated it if possible. Successful treatment of this condition will prevent future strokes. Unfortunately, the damage caused by these strokes is irreparable. Most dogs recover motor functions and have a complete recovery within a few weeks. However, your dog may have certain behavioral changes after having one.

Diabetes Medical Supplies For Safe Traveling

Are you a diabetic patient, looking for the best solution of this medical condition? Before knowing about the treatment, first you need to know what diabetes is. It is a fatal disease, which is characterized by constant high level of blood glucose or sugar. Diabetes can even cause death or permanent disability, if not taken proper care on time. As diabetes is a chronic disease, there is no permanent cure for this medical condition, and it can cause plenty of discomforts to the patients. So, better care would help you live a hail and healthy life.

Diabetes medical supplies play a vital role in maintaining your blood sugar level as well as to facilitate effective treatment. You will be required to undergo a lot of changes in your lifestyle to fight against diabetes. Nowadays, diabetes medical supplies are manufactured on large scale due to the increasing ratio and awareness among general public. People with diabetes are advised by healthcare professionals to undertake some special diets, medicines, and other important activities, such as walking, to maintain their blood sugar levels. These can be followed easily in the day-to-day activities. But, when you travel, it is quite difficult to follow all the above regimes. This in turn leads to health complications. Hence, special care must be taken to get rid of any difficulty while traveling. Here are some useful tips to help you to maintain your health while traveling.

• Discuss your travel plan with your doctor.


• Get a written medical prescription from your doctor for all your medication and diabetes medical supplies.


• You can even get a travel letter from your doctor describing your diabetes plan.


• Keep a record of phone numbers handy, including your doctor's number, to get assistance in case of emergency situations.


• Pack the right amount of medicines and supplies that you need for the entire trip.


• It is advisable to use a small lunch bag with ice packs to ensure that the bag is insulated. You can keep your insulin in this insulated bag, if the weather is warm.


• Keep your glucose meter with you all the time.


• It is better to keep spare or extra batteries for your testing kit.


• Keep an ample amount of test strips, in case you need to test more frequently.


• Carry sufficient amount of lancets.


• If you use syringes, then carry enough of them.


• It is always good to carry keytone strips the foil wrapped strips last longest.


• Have glucagon emergency kit with you for use in emergencies when your blood sugar level drops.


• Always carry a small supply of fast acting glucose with you to deal with the circumstance of low blood sugar reaction. Glucose tablets and glucose gels are the best fast acting ones.


• Carry essential insulin pump supplies.

What Are the Best Methods for Hyponatremia Management?

Hyponatremia management is often targeted towards elimination of the cause. Once the cause has been removed, the correction of hyponatremia will be appropriate an efficient. Another way to know how to manage hyponatremia is to establish if the condition is either acute (quick development spanning only a few days to a couple of weeks) or chronic (condition has developed over several days, weeks, spanning to more than 6 months).

Conservative hyponatremia management is recommended if the patient has mild symptoms such as headache, lethargy, and dizziness, if patient is asymptomatic, or if serum sodium level is less than 135 mEq/L, but it is greater than 125 mEq/L. If hyponatremia is brought about by any medications, the drug should be discontinued if possible. However, tapering is advised if the drug in question in an anti-depressant or a corticosteroid. In some conditions, restriction of free water may be recommended. The patient must only consume 1-1.25 liters of water per day depending on the severity of hyponatremia.

Hyponatremia management of hypertonic IV infusion is done in other cases if serum sodium levels continue to stay below normal level or if it still continues to drop. Sodium correction should be done with caution for there is risk of osmotic demyelination syndrome, or brain herniation. Both conditions can result to sever brain injury and even death in some cases.

Generally, hyponatremia management should be an hourly increase of serum sodium levels of no greater than 0.5 mEq/L. Severe symptoms require rapid management within the first two hours to prevent risk of hyponatremia. Correction should be aimed at increasing serum sodium levels to no 12 mEq/L in the first 12-16 hours or at a rate of 0.5-1.0 mEq/L. A hypertonic solution of3% saline is used for this purpose, or a solution of 5 mEq/10 ml. Solution is generally infused at a rate of 25 mL/h, which will correct serum sodium levels by 10 mEq/L in the first day.

Medications can be used if patient has problems adhering to fluid restriction during hyponatremia management. Demecocycline (Declomycin) given in 600-1,200 mg daily can be used to induce nephrogenic diabetes insipidus. Caution is advised when using this medication in patients with liver or kidney problems. Arginie vasopressin receptor antagonists can also help correct hyponatremia by targeting the renal tubules to retain sodium and eliminate water.

In all hyponatremia management applications, regular monitoring of serum sodium levels are necessary to establish effectiveness of the therapy and also to prevent over-correction of hyponatremia.

Water Filtration Systems

There are different types of water filters available. To the uninformed this can make selecting a water filter a daunting task. It is best to review the different filtration types beforehand and select the type best suited to you. Let's review the most popular types and their benefits and drawbacks.

You will find that most of the popular filtration systems will be relatively inexpensive and pretty easy for most home owners to install. You certainly want a filter that removes chlorine, THMs and VOCs from your water.

One such solution is an activated carbon filter. These will last a normal family several months and have the added benefit of inexpensive replacement filters. Carbon filters tend to not filter out important minerals in water that are good for our health.

A reverse osmosis water filter falls short a bit in this area. These systems are known to take the minerals out of your water. This results in less taste and water that just is not as healthy. They also tend to waste more water that would be desired.

An Ultra Violet filtration system uses high-frequency light to kill any harmful organisms in the water. This is a wonderful system to sterilize your water. However, it falls short when removing chemicals from it. A prerequisite of an ultra violet system is that you need to have a device that will pre-filter the water to remove other materials.

There really are many different solutions on the market. Perhaps you simply want a refrigerator with an all in one solution. Great thing is that today these are available and are just as good as most other filtration systems.

Spend a little time researching before making your purchase. It will pay off in the end with high quality h2o.

Natural Treatment For Diabetes - How to Treat Diabetes Naturally

If you suffer from diabetes then you may be looking for the best natural treatments to take away your symptoms. Many traditional medications can have terrible side effects and so why suffer with them when you can gain relief from natural products?

Here you will find out the best natural products available today. Hopefully this will give you a better knowledge of the alternative treatments available and you will be able to make a decision to best suit you.

The Best Natural Treatments for Diabetes

If you are looking for the best natural treatments for diabetes then the first one you should know about is Food Therapy.

Food Therapy is best undertaken after consulting your doctor. It basically involves avoiding certain foods and eating plenty of others. Obviously being diabetic you should avoid foods such as refined sugar and biscuits. You should also avoid all processed foods and fried foods too. Then there are foods that are better limited such as red meat and caffeine and alcohol. You should especially avoid alcohol if you have an empty tummy because it can cause low blood glucose. Then finally there are the foods that you can eat and they include fruit and vegetables, wholegrain products and also drink plenty of water. Try to get a lot of fiber in your diet too as that will lower your body's need for insulin.

Taking part in regular exercise can also really help to reduce the effects of diabetes. It is a well known fact that being overweight is a big contributor to Diabetes Type 2.So by losing weight and staying healthy you will be successfully helping the body to deal with conditions such as Diabetes a lot better.

One natural treatment you might not have considered but which can be very effective is bitter melon. Bitter melon is great for treating diabetes because it contains a compound which is extremely like insulin. It will help to control the levels of sugar in the blood too which is obviously extremely beneficial.

Other herbal treatments you may find helpful include Cat's Claw which is regularly used to treat diabetes. It can be found in your local health food store. Another includes Pycnogenol, an antioxidant which does not affect insulin levels but which reduces the blood glucose levels. In France it is one of the top prescriptions used for diabetic retinopathy.

Overall, there are a number of natural treatments for diabetes available. The best of them however include a good diet and plenty of exercise. So if you haven't yet looked into the best natural treatments then you may want to take some of the ones mentioned into account.

Natural Remedies For Diabetes - Finally Practical Information You Need

Diabetes mellitus, commonly known as diabetes, is one of the most common and a highly prevalent lifestyle disease that occurs as a result of certain metabolic disorders inside the human body. As per the available statistics on diabetes, around 20 million individuals in U.S are suffering with the symptoms of diabetes. Ironically, every year these numbers are increasing at an exponential rate. Interestingly, a variety of treatment methods are available at present for diabetes cure. One option is natural remedies for diabetes, also called as naturopathy.

Nature has cure for almost every human ailment. An important fact about natural remedies for diabetes is that they have been in vogue since ages and are still being used in several ancient methods of medicine such as Ayurveda. Listed below are some commonly used herbs for diabetes cure.

• Fenugreek - This is one of most well-recognized and documented natural cures for diabetes. Research studies suggest that fenugreek, including its leaves and seeds, are extremely effective in controlling blood sugar levels and also help in regulating its assimilation inside the body. Apart from this, fenugreek is also useful in controlling bowel irregularities, restoring lost appetite, cures inflammation and is used to treat various skin diseases.


• Bitter Gourd - This is another major natural remedy for diabetes cure that is commonly available in almost every house. An interesting fact about bitter gourd is that it regulates the blood glucose levels without causing any unwanted side effects.


• Alma - Scientifically known as Emblica officinalis, the products from this plant are highly rich in vitamin C, a natural antioxidant that helps restore normalcy in the pancreas and regulate insulin secretion.


• Neem - This is one of the most commonly available natural remedies for diabetes in almost every household. Botanically known as Azadiracta indica, neem can be used in the treatment of every type of diabetes. In type 1 diabetes, it helps in rejuvenating the pancreas, thereby helping in reducing the insulin intake. In case of non-insulin dependent diabetes, neem is extremely useful in maintaining the blood glucose levels and also helps the body cells become responsive to insulin.

Apart from those mentioned above, there are several other naturally available products that can help in managing the symptoms of diabetes effectively. Some examples include vegetables suchs as cucumber, string beans and Garlic, spices such as Cinnamon and Cloves, products derived from tress such as Gurmar and Jamun, herbs like Holy Basil, Ginseng, Gingko biloba and Aloe vera and nutrients such as Chromium and Zinc.

Natural remedies for diabetes were extensively used for correcting altered blood sugar levels until the advent of modern pharmacological drugs. The most significant advantage of using these herbs and other natural cures for diabetes is that they do not cause any major side effects, unlike modern diabetic medications. However, before taking any of these natural medications for diabetes cure, one must remember to consult the physician and use the medicine as per the doctor's advice. Also, monitor your blood glucose levels regularly so as to determine and analyze whether the treatment is being effective or not.

By keeping this information in mind, you should have a greater understanding of how natural remedies can help treat this terrible disease.

Basic Metabolic Panel - Sodium

Part 1 of a closer look at the Basic Metabolic Panel or BMP that most people have run every time they go to the doctor. Today's focus is sodium.

Range:

The normal range is 135-145 mEq/L or that is the normal range for 95% of the population, so you may fall outside of that range and be totally normal. If you are below that level, we call it hyponatremia, and if you are above that level, we call it hypernatremia. These word come from hypo (meaning under) or hyper (meaning over), natrium (meaning sodium), and emia (meaning a condition of the blood).

What Are They Looking For:

Hyponatremia especially below 125 mEq/L is the most worrying and tends to result in nausea, vomiting, headache, confusion, and even seizures and coma. But if you are a little under the normal range then you might just have some general discomfort.

Hypernatremia is most concerning above 157 mEq/L but the symptoms are a little more vague, such as lethargy, weakness, and irritability though it can also result in seizures and coma.

Hyponatremia is the one most likely to present itself in a severe state as the thirst response normally kicks in to prevent us from becoming hypernatremic.

Organs Involved:

For such a small molecule, sodium involves a large number of organs. The heart, kidney, liver, vessels, thyroid, and adrenal gland are some examples. All of these systems work in conjunction to keep everything in balance, so when things go awry it can be a little more concerning. These changes normally result from chronic medical conditions that have their own symptoms associated with them though knowing the sodium level can help narrow the differential diagnosis.

Treatment:

All of the treatments looks to correct the salt/water balance and then treat the underlying condition. Normally saline, which is just water and table salt at physiologic concentrations, or some derivative is given in the setting of hyponatremia. With hypernatremia, a more dilute form is need as it is primarily fluid that is lacking.

While hyponatremia can result from various medical conditions, such as liver cirrhosis, hypothyroidism, and Addison's disease, a more likely cause is vomiting or diarrhea.

Hypernatremia on the other hand can result from diabetes insipidus and Conn's Syndrome, but is more likely to be the result of excess sweating and poor water intake.

Take Home Point:

If your sodium levels are a little outside of the normal range and you feel fine, your doctor is unlikely to pursue that further. Do not be concerned about that because often small fluctuations occur due to food and water intake.

Gout Swelling Treatment - Effective Tips

Diseases can be classified according to the body systems that they affect. Metabolic disease is one of the classifications that greatly affect health wellness. Examples of it are diabetes, hyperthyroidism, diabetes insipidus, SIADH, and gout. Gout is a disease wherein the sufferer experiences hyperuricemia.

The uric acid level is greatly increased because the kidney is not able to excrete it. Sometimes it is also linked to the food ingested which has high purine contents. Purine is a chemical produced from the breakdown of proteins, which produces uric acid if this chemical is broken down further.

Uric acid if not taken out of the body, will crystallize and builds up in the joints of the ankle, foot, knee, elbow, wrist, fingers and commonly in the big toe. This can lead to intense pain, swelling, and inflammation that can result to a difficulty in moving. However, gout swelling treatment is very much available so people can move and do their activities properly and fast.

Gout swelling treatment includes modification of lifestyle, having appropriate diet, massage, herbal medicine, and the use of drugs. The first thing to do is to eat a low purine diet. Meaning, you should practice the avoidance of foods that can cause uric acid level to stay high.

Foods such as organ meat, liver, mushroom, crabs, asparagus, broths and gravies of meat, beans, peas, anchovies and sardines must be restricted. Increasing your fluid intake in a form of tea, water, and juice is also advisable to help eliminate excess uric acid in the body. Raw fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds and grains together with strawberries and cherries are very helpful.

Drinking alcoholic beverages must be kept to a minimum intensity, the same thing with being overweight.

Other gout swelling treatment includes the use of plants found within the surroundings. Bilberry, black cherry juice, blueberries, cayenne pepper, buchu tea, black cohash, castor oil and celery seeds are just some of its examples. The use of drugs can be effective and the most prescribed medicines for gout are the non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or NSAID's, corticosteroids, and colchicines for swelling and pain.

Allupurinol and probenecid also lower down the level of serum uric acid. Regular exercise is also needed.

Gout is a very common condition experienced by men at the age of 40 to 50. On the other hand, women experience this mostly during their menopausal period. Gout swelling treatment can be very effective if the sufferers are willing enough to oblige all the techniques given to them. But most importantly, you should avoid its causes to get away from suffering this condition.

Type 2 Diabetes - Lets Talk About Ketoacidosis In Type 2 Diabetes!

Diabetes is a serious disease that affects millions of Americans on a daily basis. For diabetics, constantly monitoring blood sugar and keeping tabs of meals and snacks is a way of life. But for those who suffer from Type 2 diabetes there is also the danger of ketoacidosis.

As if diabetes is not enough to deal with, ketoacidosis is a further complication of the disease. It occurs when the body can't use its supply of sugar, or glucose, as fuel to burn because either it does not have enough insulin or there is no insulin at all. When this happens, by-products of the fat breakdown, called ketones, start to build up in the body's blood and urine. When the ketones reach a high enough level they become poisonous and ketoacidosis begins.

This condition is usually the result of Type 1 diabetes, because it is typically these symptoms that lead an individual to the doctor in the first place. It does occur in Type 2 diabetes, even though it is not as common.

Doctors have discovered that people who have Type 2 diabetes and are of Hispanic and African-American ethnicity are most likely to contract this condition. Research has also discovered that for these individuals, the condition is usually triggered by a serious illness.

Since the symptoms for ketoacidosis are similar to some other diseases it is important that diabetics are very familiar with them so that they will recognize when they need assistance. Some of the symptoms can include:

• a flushed face


• deep, rapid breathing, and


• the mouth and skin will become dry

They also usually experience breath odor, resembling a "fruity" smell. Stomach pain, nausea and vomiting are typically also present.

Additional symptoms can also include shortness of breath, stiffness or aching of the muscles, several days of frequent thirst and urination and severe fatigue. The diabetic will generally have a decreased appetite and headaches, and they will typically experience difficulty breathing when they are lying down.

The seriousness of leaving this condition untreated cannot be overstated. Those who are particularly at risk are the elderly. If treatment is not utilized the individual can suffer form a variety of serious complications. These can include:

• cerebral edema, or


• a buildup of fluid in the brain, and


• kidney failure

A person can also have some of their bowel tissue die due to low blood pressure. If the seriousness of the disease is allowed to progress the person could suffer a heart attack, lapse into a coma and eventually pass away.

Ketoacidosis is scary... and usually avoidable!

How to Treat and Prevent Non-Diabetic Hyperglycemia

Hyperglycemia is the medical term for high blood sugar. In most cases, hyperglycemia goes hand in hand with diabetes. However, there are other causes that can be found for the condition. The definition of what is considered a high amount of sugar often varies by the medical establishment.

In most cases, it is considered any level that is over 180 on a blood glucose test. This level would be high if you have been fasting for at least four hours, as levels this high can be common after a meal. There are specific causes and treatments for non-diabetic hyperglycemia.

Many eating disorders, such as bulimia, can lead to hyperglycemia. In this case, the high amount of sugar found in the blood would be most commonly found during the binging phase of the process. With this disease, most people will binge eat, which is the process of consuming large amounts of food in a short period.

In most cases, the foods chosen are high carbohydrate foods and simple sugars. These foods can quickly raise the blood glucose level as the body will not have enough time to produce a high enough insulin level. In this case, the best option for preventing hyperglycemia is to get a handle on the eating disorder and this is usually no small task.

However, the hyperglycemia is a direct result of the disorder. If you are facing this condition, you need to eat small meals through out the day to get your levels back under control. Contact your physician for help with management.

Hyperglycemia can often be found in people who have an infection or inflammation due to an illness. When a person is ill, the body will release endogenous catecholamines, as well as other hormones that can raise levels of sugar in their blood. For this reason, it is possible for normally healthy people to have high blood glucose level.

This is why no one should ever be diagnosed with diabetes based on one blood sugar level. It is possible for one high reading to be a product of illness and stress on the body. This condition is usually detected by your physician during blood tests.

In this case, it is often hard to determine whether the symptoms you experience are from the flu or from raised blood glucose levels. This is why you should seek medical treatment for help in determining what the issue is. If you doctor does discover that your illness has caused a rise in blood sugar levels, they might suggest insulin for a short period or you may need to adjust your diet while you are ill.

It is very possible for illness, stress, and certain habits, to have an impact on blood glucose levels. These levels do not always mean a person has diabetes or that they will develop it later on. Your doctor should determine if you are experiencing Hyperglycemia due to other factors or if this is an ongoing condition that deserves a diabetes diagnosis.

There are tests that can measure your blood sugar levels over several months to help determine if this is an isolated event or an ongoing condition. Only your doctor can help make this determination.

Type 1 Diabetes - How Different Is It To Type 2 Diabetes?

How is type 1 diabetes different to type 2 diabetes? Firstly, let's explain what diabetes is. It is a group of metabolic diseases where people have high blood sugar and the reason for this is that the body does not produce enough of the hormone called insulin or because the body's cells do not respond to the insulin that is produced.

There are three main types of this disease and they are:

• Type 1 diabetes - this is where the body fails to produce any insulin at all and requires insulin injections daily to survive


• Type 2 diabetes - this is where the body is insulin resistant, which means that the body's cells fail to use the insulin properly


• Gestational diabetes - this is when a pregnant women who has never had diabetes before will develop a high blood glucose during pregnancy, which can later in life develop into type 2 diabetes

Knowing this information we can now understand that type 1 is when no insulin is produced at all and type 2 produces insulin but does not efficiently move the sugar through the bloodstream.

Type 1 diabetes is known as an autoimmune disease, this is where the body actually attacks its own cells. The main organ the body attacks when you have type 1 is the pancreas, which as we know produces insulin. The beta cells that produce insulin in the pancreas are destroyed by the body, which means it has no insulin.

The insulin hormone is what helps to regulate the amount of sugar in your body. Without having insulin in your body the sugar cannot be absorbed and that will cause your blood sugar levels to rise. This is why a person with type requires insulin injections so that they can control the sugar levels in their body. Type 1 usually occurs in children as young as 11, where sadly others are born with this condition.

Type 2 diabetes is known as an autoimmune disorder, this is where the body does not produce enough insulin. This will cause your blood sugar to be out of control and you will require medication to maintain normal blood sugar levels. The best way to manage your blood sugar levels is through a healthy well-balanced diet and regular exercise. Type 2 usually occurs in people that are 40 years and over.

Unfortunately, there is nothing that can be done if you have type 1 and there is no way of preventing this type of diabetes. Type 2 can be prevented and maintained through a healthy diet and regular exercise.

The difference between type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes is significant, however both can be maintained well enough so that you can live your life relatively well.

Safely Administering Your Own Insulin Injections

1. Choose a diabetic syringe and needle of the correct size.

The size of the syringe you need is simply dependent upon the volume of the insulin injections you will be administering. Unless you're overweight, the right size of needle is a short, thin needle. This will give you less pain. However, if you're overweight you may need a longer needle.

2. Choose a location for your diabetic insulin injection.

Insulin injections can go in a variety of areas of the body that have some fat under the skin. Typical areas for giving insulin injections include the thighs, back of arms, and stomach. As often as you'll be giving yourself insulin, you may find it a bit less painful to rotate the sites of insulin injections so that you don't become overly swollen and sore in one location. One side note is that your doctor may want you to give yourself injections exclusively in the stomach area if your doctor is seeking out the steadiest rate of insulin absorption by the body.

3. Make sure everything is clean.

You need to wash your hands and make sure you choose a sanitary syringe and needle. Syringes may be successfully reused by a single person if cleaned with rubbing alcohol between uses, but things can go wrong. In most cases it is recommended that you at least change needles for each injection, if not changing both needles and syringes.

4. Extract some fresh insulin.

Before sticking yourself with the needle, you need to make sure you have unexpired insulin in your syringe. Additionally, keep an eye out for signs that the insulin may be breaking down. If for example the insulin changes color or has debris floating in it, you should get your insulin replaced immediately. In particular, the fast-acting insulins should always be clear. If you use a longer acting insulin it may be a little cloudy. If you pay attention you will learn to recognize what your insulin looks like so that you will be able to tell when it doesn't look quite right.

Diabetes Tips - 8 Things To Help You Feel Better

Diabetes is a lifelong disease in which a person's body either does not produce enough insulin. Insulin is a hormone that works to control the amount of glucose in the blood. Glucose is really just sugar. When your body digests the foods you eat, it changes the carbohydrates, as well as some of the proteins and fat into glucose.

Taking insulin injection everyday strikes fear and dread into the hearts of many. On the surface of the body's cells, there are special places called receptors, where the insulin normally attach itself. If the insulin is bond to those receptors as it should be, it allows glucose to move from the bloodstream into the cells and be used for energy, but with spoiled receptors, the insulin is not effective in doing its work. In some cases, insulin fails because of spoiled receptors.

Today many adults do not understand diabetes any better than nine-year old's. So let's take a look at what at what diabetes really is. To be accurate, we should call the disease by its full name, diabetes mellitus, to avoid confusion with a much rarer and totally different type of diabetes, called insipidus. But average person knows the disease simply as diabetes.

Type I diabetes (also called insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, or IDDM) occurs when the insulin-producing cells in the body do not function, and they make little or no insulin. If the body does not even produce insulin, the glucose cannot move into the cells. To stay alive, the majority of these people will have to depend on insulin injections for the rest of their lives. Type I is the much less common form of diabetes-only about 10~20 percent of all diabetes are insulin-dependent. This kind of diabetes usually begins in childhood or youth.

Type II diabetes (also called non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus, or NIDDM) most often begins in overweight adults who are over age of 40. With Type II diabetes, the pancreas does still produce some insulin. In some cases, the body is simply not making enough insulin. In other cases, however, the body may be making an adequate amount of insulin, but that insulin is no longer effective because the cells' insulin receptors are jammed, even this may not help.

The best aid and no one can deny it are( sunshine, water, rest, air, exercise and diet) If only you are willing to give yourself the very best health possible. One should find a good trusting doctor or specialist (diabetologist or endocrinologist).

A new start:

Nutrition - eating plenty of fruits, vegetables, and unrefined grains.

Exercise - regular, moderate exercise everyday.

Water - actually may be very helpful in avoiding diabetic complications.

Sunshine - helps to destroy germs, because infections are a constant threat to a diabetic

Temperance - too much of anything may be harmful rather than beneficial/avoid things which are harmful to the body.

Air - fresh air, free from pollution or tobacco smoke.

Rest - 7~8 hours of sleep/short holidays away from work.

Trust in Divine power - faith in God.

Diabetes - Why Does the Blood Sugar Level Go High?

The critical problem caused by all types of diabetes comes down to the same thing. All systems in the body are starving to death. They are not getting the sugar they need to do their work.

The fundamentals are pretty simple. When you eat something your digestive track processes that into sugar. Glucose to be specific. That Glucose gets passed into the blood stream and gets picked up by and connected to to a red blood cell. It takes one molecule of Insulin to get one molecule of Glucose to detach from a red blood cell and be available to a muscle or organ cell for use.

In the case of Type 1 diabetes the pancreas is no longer creating Insulin or the body is unable to use the pancreas has created. The body's immune system has attacked the beta cells in the pancreas. It is the beta cells that make Insulin. That means it is impossible for a sugar molecule to release from the red blood cell. That means none of the bodies cells are getting fed to the degree they need food.

In the case of Type 2 diabetes the pancreas is no longer making enough Insulin. That means not enough of the bodies cells are getting enough to eat.

In either case you have body cells with out food. Those cells respond by secreting a chemical that tells the system "Hey, we are hungry down here!". The system reacts in a number of ways.

One of the main things that takes place is the liver releases a shot of glucose into the circulatory system from its private reserve. This adds more sugar molecules to the blood cells. Since there is little or no Insulin to get the glucose off of the blood cell the Diabetics blood sugar level rises.

It is impossible for the sugar to get off of the blood cells and get to the cells that need to eat. The cycle just keeps repeating and repeating and repeating. A diabetic's blood sugar level just keeps getting higher and higher.

Other body systems kick in. They cells are screaming "Give us food!". Pretty soon the diabetic is feeling hungry. It the diabetic succumbs to this feeling and eats, then the blood sugar level goes even higher.

The liver's private reserve of glucose can also get used if the body gets into the "Fight or Flight" mode. If a diabetic gets into a hectic situation, one of the things that happens is the liver dumps glucose into the blood stream so the muscles will have the fuel to do what they need to do. A diabetic's blood sugar level just keeps on rising.

In the short term nothing really significant happens. If you recall the last time you over indulged at a Thanksgiving dinner you will get the idea. You felt lethargic, a little sleepy and probably spent a few hours sitting on the couch watching a sports event. Your upper level brain functions shut down to some extent. It was OK to be a couch potato. That is what a person with uncontrolled diabetes feels like much of the time. Only you need to turn up the volume two or three times.

The long term effects are where diabetes becomes quite wicked. High blood sugar will damage your nervous system, kidneys, heart, feet, eyes and more. It can lead to strokes, heart attacks, kidney failure, blindness, amputations and more.

There is a way to slow down the ravages of diabetes. It will even work to prevent the original on set of diabetes. It is a healthy diet and exercise.