Understanding Spinal Cord Structures

The Regions of the Spine

The spine is an intricate set of bones, muscles, nerves and discs.  It is divided into five regions:  cervical (neck bones); thoracic (in the chest); lumbar (low back); sacral (attached to the pelvis); and, coccygeal (the tail bone).  Each region has a number of vertebral bones.  There are usually seven cervical vertebral bones, twelve thoracic bones, and five lumbar vertebral bones.  The sacrum is a single, large, fused bone.  The coccyx is made of one or two small bones. 
Occasionally, an individual may have one extra level, or one bone less than normal.  Although it is normal to have five lumbar bones, it is not unusual to see four or six lumbar levels.
The spine bones are often referenced with letters and numbers.  C, T, L, and S refer to the cervical, thoracic, lumbar and sacral regions respectively.  Within each region, the vertebral bones are numbered from the top down.  C1 refers to the top cervical bone.  T3 would indicate the third thoracic level from the top.  L5 would be the lowest lumbar level.  S1 indicates the first sacral level. 

The Bones and Discs

The vertebrae are the bones of the spine.  Together, they support the entire body.  
 Each of the vertebral bones is separated from its neighbor by a disc.  The discs are in the anterior (front part) of the spine.  Together, the discs allow movement and cushion shocks.  Posterior to (behind) each of the discs, and between every pair of vertebral bones, is a foramen or hole. 
One spinal nerve root exits through from each of these holes.  The nerves go to the arms, chest and legs.  The posterior parts of the vertebral bones are connected by small joints called facet joints.  Behind the facet joints and along the midline are spinous processes.  The spinous processes are bumps which can easily be felt along the back of the neck, thoracic spine and low back.

 

Vertebral Bone / Vertebrae

Each of the vertebral bones has an anterior (front) part and a posterior (back) part.  The anterior portion is called the vertebral body.  The body provides the surfaces against which the discs rest.  Two pedicles, or struts, project posteriorly from the body and support an arch called the vertebral lamina.  The arch over the body of the vertebra forms a canal through which the spinal cord and nerves pass.  The arch also supports the small facet joints which connect the backs of the vertebral bones. 

Each Intervertebral Disc

The vertebral bones are separated from one another by intervertebral discs.  The discs provide flexibility and absorb impacts and shocks.
The discs consist of two parts. The inner area is called the nucleus, and the outer area is called the annulus.  The disc is like a jelly donut. 
The nucleus, or inner core of the disc, consists of a gelatinous material. The annulus, or outer ring, is the strongest portion of the disc.  It keeps the jelly-like center from leaking out, supports the weight of the spine, and prevents excessive motion.  The annulus is built from layers of fibers, much like a tire. 
Normally, the disc remains firmly contained between the vertebral bones.  The disc can, however, rupture.  Ruptures occur when the fibrous covering of the annulus is torn.  

The Motion Segment

Every two vertebral bones are separated from one another by a disc.  The two bones, and the disc together, make one motion segment.  There is only a small amount of movement at any one motion segment.  The strong fibers of the disc annulus, and the posterior facet joints, prevent excessive movement.  The spine is able to bend and extend because there are many motion segments which act together.
When there is damage to a disc, to one of the facet joints, or to a portion of the vertebral bone, there can be too much movement at the motion segment.  Excessive movement can be painful.  Fusion surgeries, where the bones are welded together, are sometimes recommended when there is excessive movement.

The Muscular Spine

The back is supported by strong ligaments and by even more powerful muscles.  The muscles are arranged in much the same way as the guy wires in antennas.  The strength of an antenna is determined by the strength of the guy wires.  The strength of the back is determined by the strength of the muscles. 
See the comparison pictures to the left.  The muscles are arranged exactly as are the guy wires of a large antenna.
The psoas muscles are perhaps the most important of the muscles.  Other paraspinal muscles posteriorly and the abdominal muscles anteriorly also contribute substantially.¹

The Spinal Cord and Nerves

The spinal cord begins at the base of the brain and runs down the spine to the low back.  It is protected within the spinal canal, a bony arch formed by each of the vertebral bones.  Between every two vertebral bones, two nerves exit the spinal canal.  One is on the left and another is on the right.  The nerves exit right behind the disc and directly in front of the facet joint. 
If there is a ruptured disc, it will pinch the nerve.  Similarly, a damaged facet joint can also press on a nerve. 
Each nerve goes to a specific area of the body.  The nerves from the neck go to the arms.  The nerves from the thoracic spine go to the chest wall and abdomen.  The nerves from the lumbar spine go down the legs.  Each nerve serves sensation in a particular area and controls specific muscles.  Some of the nerves have reflexes that can be tested.  Some of the nerves also regulate blood flow to the skin and tissues, and the functions of the internal organs. 
When a nerve is pinched, the pain radiates along the path of the damaged nerve.  If one has a pinched nerve in the neck, one generally gets pain in the arm.  If a low back nerve is damaged, there is usually leg pain.  If a nerve is badly pinched, some of the muscles may become weak, and there may be abnormal reflexes with changes in skin color or temperature.

Latest Treatments for Spinal Cord

Some of the latest treatments for spinal cord include far infrared 9 jade ball therapy massagers, tourmaline ceramic mats & automatic thermal massager beds which are able to create miraculous results for spinal cord problems. You shall also combine one of the above with Detox Foot Spa machine which will detoxify your full body from internal level.

Obesity

Obesity is a term used to describe body weight that is much greater than what is healthy. If you are obese, you also have a much higher amount of body fat than is healthy or desirable.It is a chronic (long term) disease that is difficult & time consuming to treat. Medically it can also be called as a state of body in which there is generalized accumulation of excess adipose tissues leading to more than 20% of desirable weight.

Obesity or overweight can damage the body by its mechanical & metabolical adverse effects on normal body functions. It invites disability, diseases & premature death.

Causes of Obesity

Obesity is caused by ingesting more energy than is expended over a long period of time. Our body needs calories to sustain life and be physically active but to maintain weight, we need to balance the energy we eat with energy we use or spend. It is usually cuased due to one of the following factors or a combination of factors such as:

1. Family History & Genetics Your genes also may affect the amount of fat you store in your body and where on your body you carry the extra fat. Children adopt the habits of their parents. A child who has overweight parents who eat high-calorie foods and are inactive will likely become overweight too. However, if the family adopts healthy food and physical activity habits, the child's chance of being overweight or obese is reduced.

2. Eating & Drinking Habits

• Nibbling between meals is common among housewifes and is a potential cause for obesity; especially if snacking is there in addition to existing meals.
• Some may eat faster, taking less time to chewing. They tend to consume more food at each meal.
• Obese persons respond to external cues to eat rather than internal hunger signals. They eat when it is mealtime or when they are surrounded by tasty food instead when they are hungry.
• Drinking too much alcohol also causes extra pounds of weight in our body.
• Our food is not properly digested if we drink water with food or just after food which leads to extra fat accumulation or obesity.

3. Physical Activity People who live an active life are much less likely to gain weight than those who spend most of their day sitting in front of computer or tv.

4. Environmental & Social Factors Environment includes world around us - our access to places to walk & healthy foods, e.g. today more people drive long distances to work instead of walking, tend to eat out or get 'take out' instead of cooking, or have vending machines with high-calorie high fat snacks at their workplaces.

5. Age As you get older, you tend to lose muscle, especially if you're less active. Muscle loss can slow down the rate at which your body burns calories. If you don't reduce your calorie intake as you get older, you may gain weight. Midlife weight gain in women is mainly due to aging and lifestyle, but menopause also plays a role. Many women gain around 5 pounds during menopause and have more fat around the waist than they did before.



6. Lack of Sleep Studies find that the less people sleep, the more likely they are to be overweight or obese. People who report sleeping 5 hours a night, for example, are much more likely to become obese compared with people who sleep 7–8 hours a night.
People who sleep fewer hours also seem to prefer eating foods that are higher in calories and carbohydrates, which can lead to overeating, weight gain, and obesity over time.
Hormones that are released during sleep control appetite and the body's use of energy. For example, insulin controls the rise and fall of blood sugar levels during sleep. People who don't get enough sleep have insulin and blood sugar levels that are similar to those in people who are likely to have diabetes.
Fat distribution around the waist ("apple shaped" figure, intra abdominal fat) carries more risk than fat distributed on hips & thighs ("pear shaped" figure, fat under skin).

7. Other Causes Some drugs such as steroids, anti-depressants and some medications for psychatric conditions or seizure disorders may cause weight gain. These drugs may slow the rate at which body burns calories, stimulate appetite, or cause the body to hold on to extra water.

Risks & Dangers of Obesity: 

Some of the dangers of being overweight include developing:

• High Blood Pressure: When you have excess body fat, your body retains sodium. When your body retains sodium, blood volume increases and blood pressure rises. High blood pressure causes your heart to work harder, which is dangerous for the heart & can lead to stroke.
• Diabetes: Obesity is the leading cause of type 2 diabetes. Excess fat makes your body resistant to insulin. When your body is resistant to insulin, your cells can't get the energy they need.
• Fatty Liver: It occurs when fat builds up in liver cells & causes injury or inflammation in liver. It can sometimes lead to severe liver damage, cirrhosis(build up of scar tissue that blocks proper blood flow in liver). People who have diabetes are more likely to have fatty liver disease.
• Abnormal blood fats: A diet high in saturated fats increases the level of LDL (bad) cholesterol.
• Osteoarthritis: Excess weight adds pressure to joints and wears away at the cartilage that protects them.
• Sleep apnea: A fat person may have more fat stored around his neck. This may make airway smaller, difficulty in breathing, loud snoring or altogether. The more overweight a person is, the greater more severe the sleep apnea will be.
• Cancer: Fat cells make harmones that effect cell growth & leads to higher risk of developing many different kinds of cancers of colon, esophagus, kidney etc.
• Gallstones: Obese people have more cholestrol which may lead to gall bladder stones or enlarged gall bladder. Gallstones are more common in people who are overweight.
• Physical Discomfort: As fat accumulates, it crowds the space occupied by your organs. People who are overweight may have difficulty breathing, walking, sitting or weak pelvic muscles.

Click here to assess your health risks associated with your weight.

Treatments

• Most people can lose weight by eating a healthier diet and exercising more. Even modest weight loss can improve your health. Sticking to a weight reduction program is not easy. You will need a lot of support from family and friends.You may need to have calory diet around 1500Kcal.
• Regular walk and exercise for one hour.
• Use Super Body Cavitation Sculptor Weight Loss treatment for effective & immediate weight loss. One session can easily reduce upto 2 inches of belly fat.
• Far Infrared Sauna Bath rejuvenates skin & helps in weight loss.
• Low frequency vibratory massage for reducing belly fat or fats on thighs, arms, lower back etc. It is used for half hour on fatty areas which mobilizes fat tissues and reduce waistline for 2-3 inches in a month.
• 9 Ball Jade projector & ceramic heating mat is also helpful in reducing weight. 9 Ball Jade massager is applied by giving pressure on para spinal region and abdomen.
• There are many over-the-counter diet products. These include herbal remedies. Most of these products do not work and some can be dangerous. Before using an over-the-counter or herbal diet remedy, talk to your health care provider.
• Follow some Natural Tips for weight loss
  
• Weight-loss surgery may be done to help you lose weight if you are very obese and have not been able to lose weight with diet and exercise.
  Surgery alone is not the answer for weight loss. It can train you to eat less, but you still have to do much of the work. You must be committed to diet and exercise after the surgery.Talk to your doctor to learn if this is a good option for you.
  You may have complications from these surgeries. One problem some people have is throwing up if they eat more than their new small stomach can hold. Check out our article on dangers of weight reduction surgical treatment.

Ankylosing Spondylitis

Ankylosing spondylitis is a form of chronic inflammation of the spine and the sacroiliac joints. The sacroiliac joints are located in the low back where the sacrum (the bone directly above the tailbone) meets the iliac bones (bones on either side of the upper buttocks). Chronic inflammation in these areas causes pain and stiffness in and around the spine. Over time, chronic inflammation of the spine (spondylitis) can lead to a complete cementing together (fusion) of the vertebrae, a process referred to as ankylosis. After years of ankylosis, however, stress fracture may also occur. Ankylosis leads to loss of mobility of the spine.

Ankylosing Spondylitis

Ankylosing spondylitis is also a systemic disease, meaning it can affect other tissues throughout the body. Accordingly, it can cause inflammation in or injury to other joints away from the spine, as well as to other organs, such as the eyes, heart, lungs, and kidneys. Ankylosing spondylitis shares many features with several other arthritis conditions, such as psoriatic arthritis, reactive arthritis, and arthritis associated with Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. Each of these arthritic conditions can cause disease and inflammation in the spine, other joints, eyes, skin, mouth, and various organs. In view of their similarities and tendency to cause inflammation of the spine, these conditions are collectively referred to as "spondyloarthropathies." 

Causes, Incidence & Risk Factors:

The tendency to develop ankylosing spondylitis is believed to be genetically inherited, and a majority (nearly 90%) of people with ankylosing spondylitis are born with a gene known as the HLA-B27 gene. Blood tests have been developed to detect the HLA-B27 gene marker and have furthered our understanding of the relationship between HLA-B27 and ankylosing spondylitis. The HLA-B27 gene appears only to increase the tendency of developing ankylosing spondylitis, while some additional factor(s), perhaps environmental, are necessary for the disease to appear or become expressed.

Recently, two more genes have been identified that are associated with ankylosing spondylitis. These genes are called ARTS1 and IL23R. These genes seem to play a role in influencing immune function. It is anticipated that by understanding the effects of each of these known genes researchers will make significant progress in discovering a cure for ankylosing spondylitis.

The disease most often begins between ages 20 and 40, but may begin before age 10. It affects more males than females. Family history of ankylosing spondylitis & male gender are the main risk factors for it. 

Symptoms

The disease starts with low back pain that comes and goes.

• Pain and stiffness are worse at night, in the morning, or when you are not active. It may wake you from your sleep.
• The pain typically gets better with activity or exercise.
• Back pain may begin in the sacroiliac joints (between the pelvis and the spine). Over time, it may involve all or part of the spine.

You may lose motion or mobility in the lower spine. You may not be able to fully expand your chest because the joints between the ribs are involved. Fatigue is also a common symptom. Other, less common symptoms include:

• Eye inflammation or uveitis
• Heel pain
• Hip pain and stiffness
• Joint pain and joint swelling in the shoulders, knees, and ankles
• Loss of appetite
• Slight fever
• Weight loss

Advanced spondylitis can lead to deposits of protein material called amyloid into the kidneys and result in kidney failure. Progressive kidney disease can lead to chronic fatigue and nausea and can require removal of accumulated waste products in the blood by a filtering machine (dialysis).


Signs and tests

Tests may include:

• CBC Complete Blood Count
• ESR erythrocyte sedimentation rate
• HLA-B27 antigen
• X-rays of the spine and pelvis

Treatment

Your doctor may prescribe nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to reduce inflammation and pain. Corticosteroid therapy or medications to suppress the immune system may also be prescribed. High doses given over prolonged periods of time turn these steroids into "scare-oids". However, we can use Tourmanium Ceramic or Jade Stone Heated Mats for controlling inflammation & pains.

Physical therapy for ankylosing spondylitis includes instructions and exercises to maintain proper posture. This includes deep breathing for lung expansion and stretching exercises to improve spine and joint mobility. Since ankylosis of the spine tends to cause forward curvature, patients are instructed to maintain erect posture as much as possible and to perform back-extension exercises. Lying flat on the back at night can help maintain normal posture. Automatic jade roller massager beds can also be used to bring the spinal cord to normal posture which has heated jade rollers fitted in it. During a Yugalife Thermal massage bed session, the user optimally alleviates their spinal column, positioning it in the horizontal position, while a massage carriage with JADE massage rolls glides from their neck over the spinal column to the coccyx and back again which improves the posture very much.

Finally, orthopedic surgery maybe required when there is severe disease of the hip joints and spine.

Arthritis 

Joint inflammation

Arthritis is inflammation of one or more joints, which results in pain, swelling, stiffness, and limited movement. There are many types of arthritis (over 100 identified, and the number is growing). The types range from those related to wear and tear of cartilage (such as osteoarthritis) to those associated with inflammation resulting from an overactive immune system (such as rheumatoid arthritis). Some other forms of arthritis include Gout, Ankylosing Spondylitis, Juvenile Arthritis, Psoriatic Arthritis, Systemic Lupus Erythematosus & Septic Arthritis etc. Together, the many types of arthritis make up the most common chronic illnesses.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors

Arthritis is the result of abnormal mechanical, inflammatory, metabolic, physiological or pathological factors. Usually, it involves the breakdown of cartilage. Cartilage normally protects the joint, allowing for smooth movement. Cartilage also absorbs shock when pressure is placed on the joint, like when you walk. Without the usual amount of cartilage, the bones rub together, causing pain, swelling (inflammation), and stiffness.
You may have joint inflammation for a variety of reasons, including:

• An autoimmune disease (the body attacks itself because the immune system believes a body part is foreign)
• If the bone is broken
• General "wear and tear" on joints
• Infection (usually caused by bacteria or viruses)

Often, the inflammation goes away after the injury has healed, the disease is treated, or the infection has been cleared. However, with some injuries and diseases, the inflammation does not go away or destruction results in long-term pain and deformity. When this happens, you have chronic arthritis.


Osteoarthritis is the most common type and is more likely to occur as you age. You may feel it in any of your joints, but most commonly in your hips, knees or fingers. Risk factors for osteoarthritis include:

• Being overweight
• Previously injuring the affected joint
• Using the affected joint in a repetitive action that puts stress on the joint (baseball players, ballet dancers, and construction workers are all at risk)

Arthritis can occur in men and women of all ages. About 37 million people in America have arthritis of some kind, which is almost 1 out of every 7 people.

Primary Osteoarthritis: In the broadest sense of the term, primary osteoarthritis is an idiopathic phenomenon, occurring in previously intact joints, with no apparent initiating factor. Primary osteoarthritis is related to the aging process and typically occurs in older individuals. This occurs particularily in post-menopausal women & may be regarded as hereditable form of disease. Some clinicians limit primary osteoarthritis to the joints of the hands (specifically the distal interphalangeal joints, proximal interphalangeal joints, and carpometacarpal joints at the base of the thumb) whereas others include the knees, hips, cervical & lumber spine & great toes as potential sites of involvement. During acute onset, joints look inflammed, red & tender. Osteophyte formation & deformity can also develop.

Secondary osteoarthritis. This type of osteoarthritis has a specific cause, such as an injury, an effect of obesity, genetics, inactivity, or other diseases. Here are the risk factors that can lead to secondary osteoarthritis:

• An injury: If you fracture a bone playing sports or in a car accident, you’re more likely to later develop osteoarthritis in that joint, and you’re more likely to experience osteoarthritis at a younger age than those who have primary osteoarthritis.
• Obesity: “Obesity is a big factor,” Dr. Jyoti says. Extra weight that bears down on the joints day in and day out can cause the joint to wear away faster. According to the Arthritis Foundation, every extra pound you gain adds three pounds of pressure to your knees and six pounds of pressure to your hips.
• Inactivity. A sedentary lifestyle leads to weight gain, which can lead to osteoarthritis, Dr. Jyoti says. Also, if you’re inactive, you have weaker muscles and tendons that surround the joint. Strong muscles help keep joints properly aligned and stable. Low-impact activities such as walking and swimming are important for keeping those muscles and tendons strong, she says.
• Genetics. You may carry genes that put you at risk for osteoarthritis. In particular, experts have found that arthritis of the hands tends to have a genetic link among women. Osteoarthritis in the knee and hip also seems to run in families. If your mother had it and your aunt had it, you’ll probably have it starting at about the same age.
• Inflammation from other diseases. Diseases that cause inflammation, such as rheumatoid arthritis, can increase your risk of getting osteoarthritis later in life. 
• Metabolic. Gout & haemochromatosis are the most comon type of arthritis that is caused by the metabolic disorders. Gout is a group of disorders of purine metabolism which causes an excess of serum uric acid. Deposition of urate occurs in articular or extra-articular tissues. This excess of uric acid can be caused by over-production or under-excretion by the body. The solidified uric acid accumulates near certain tissues and joint muscles. In Haemochromatosis, the amount of iron in the body is much higher than usual. The iron builds up over time in various organs such as the liver, heart and brain.
• Developmental. These include hip dysplasia, slipped upper femoral epiphysis, unequal leg length etc. which is caused due to abnormal development with growing age.

In all these secondary cases, either the stress on joint becomes abnormal, or the ability of joint to withstand normal stress in altered.


Pathology

As Osteoarthritis (OA) progresses, structures in the joint degenerate. First, the articular cartilage breaks down, exposing the subchondral bone, which then becomes damaged. Eventually there is formation of new bone at margins of joints called osteophytes.

Signs and Symptoms of Arthritis

Symptoms of arthritis include pain and limited function of joints. Inflammation of the joints from arthritis is characterized by joint stiffness, swelling, redness, and warmth. Tenderness of the inflamed joint can be present.
Many of the forms of arthritis, because they are rheumatic diseases, can cause symptoms affecting various organs of the body that do not directly involve the joints. Therefore, symptoms in some patients with certain forms of arthritis can also include fever, gland swelling (swollen lymph nodes), weight loss, fatigue, feeling unwell, and even symptoms from abnormalities of organs such as the lungs, heart, or kidneys.

Treatments

The treatment of arthritis is very dependent on the precise type of arthritis present. An accurate diagnosis increases the chances for successful treatment. Treatments available include physical therapy, splinting, cold-pack application, paraffin wax dips and surgical opearations. Anti-inflammatory & immune-altering medications are frequently used but only to reduce pain for short term. Side-effects from these drugs are frequently encountered and their use shall be kept to minimum.


GENERAL ADVICE

1. Do not give any stress to affected joint

2. Avoid Obesity. Some of the Natural Weight Loss Treatments can be used to have a full control on obesity.

3. Adopt active life style & do regular exercises to maintain the normal rangeof joints & reduce stiffness.

4. Use low frequency vibratory massage for its analgesic & circulatory effects.

5. Heated Jade Stone Mat can be used to relieve discomfort by reducing the protective muscle spasm.


6. FIR Sauna bath can be used to improve quality of movement. It also prevent further strain or damage to affected joint due to the resting in correct position during the treatment.

7. Don't do squatting.

8. Jade acupressure can relieve the tender points of the body.

Causes of Diabetes - Symptoms, Diagnosis & Latest Treatment of Type I & Type II Diabetes

Diabetes is a chronic (lifelong) metabolic disorder that prevents the body to utilize glucose completely or partially. It is characterized by raised glucose concentration in blood. Normally, blood glucose levels are tightly controlled by insulin, a hormone produced by the pancreas. Insulin lowers the blood glucose level.

To understand diabetes, it is important to first understand the normal process by which food is broken down and used by the body for energy. Several things happen when food is digested:

    * A sugar called glucose enters the bloodstream. Glucose is a source of fuel for the body.

    * An organ called the pancreas makes insulin. The role of insulin is to move glucose from the bloodstream into muscle, fat, and liver cells, where it can be used as fuel.

When the blood glucose elevates (for example, after eating food), insulin is released from the pancreas to normalize the glucose level. In patients with diabetes, the absence or insufficient production of insulin causes hyperglycemia. Diabetes is a chronic medical condition, meaning that although it can be controlled, it lasts lifetime.

Types of Diabetes:

    * Type 1 diabetes is an auto-immune disease where the body’s immune system destroys the insulin producing beta cells in the pancreas. Its onset is usually sudden & diagnosed in childhood. This type of diabetes accounts for 10-15% of all people with the disease. It can occur in any age, although commonly under 40, and is triggered by environmental factors such as viruses, diet or chemicals in people genetically predisposed. People with type 1 diabetes must inject themselves with insulin several times a day and follow a careful diet and exercise plan.

    * Type 2 diabetes is far more common than type 1. It makes up 80-85% of diabetic cases & usually non-insulin dependent. It develop slowly & usually occurs in adulthood. Symptoms may not show for many years and, by the time they appear, significant problems may have developed. Many people with type 2 diabetes do not know they have it, although it is a serious condition. The disease is strongly genetic in origin but lifestyle factors such as excess weight, inactivity, high blood pressure and poor diet are major risk factors for its development. People with type 2 diabetes are twice as likely to suffer cardiovascular disease. Type 2 diabetes may be treated by dietary changes, exercise and/or tablets.

    * Gestational diabetes mellitus is high blood glucose that develops at any time in 5-10% of pregnant women who do not have diabetes & diagnosed though an Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT).  Risk factors for GDM include a family history of diabetes, increasing maternal age, obesity and being a member of a community or ethnic group with a high risk of developing type 2 diabetes. While the GDM or carbohydrate intolerance usually returns to normal after the birth, the mother has a significant risk of developing permanent diabetes while the baby is more likely to develop obesity and impaired glucose tolerance and/or diabetes later in life. Self-care and dietary changes are essential in treatment.

Symptoms of Diabetes Mellitus

High blood levels of glucose can cause several problems, including:

• Blurry vision
• Excessive thirst
• Fatigue
• Frequent urination
• Hunger
• Weight loss inspite of increases appetite

Patients with type 1 diabetes usually develop symptoms over a short period of time. The condition is often diagnosed in an emergency setting. Some people with high blood sugar experience no symptoms at all especially in case of  Type 2 diabetes.

 

Self-Testing

If you have diabetes, your doctor may tell you to regularly check your blood sugar levels at home. There are a number of devices available, and they use only a drop of blood. Self-monitoring tells you how well diet, medication, and exercise are working together to control your diabetes. It can help your doctor prevent complications.
The American Diabetes Association recommends keeping blood sugar levels in a range based on your age. The normal glucose levels shall be

Before meals:

·         70 - 130 mg/dL for adults 

·         100 - 180 mg/dL for children under age 6

·         90 - 180 mg/dL for children 6 - 12 years old

·         90 - 130 mg/dL for children 13 - 19 years old

At bedtime:

·         Less than 180 mg/dL for adults

·         110 - 200 mg/dL for children under age 6

·         100 - 180 mg/dL for children 6 - 12 years old

·         90 - 150 mg/dL for children 13 - 19 years old

Treatment of Diabetes

Diabetes treatment include insulin and glucose-lowering pills called oral hypoglycemic drugs. These drugs create several side effects like Nausea, vomiting, gas, bloating, diarrhea, loss of appetite, muscle pains. According to National Institute of Health (NIH), people with diabetes have an increased risk of developing Adhesive Capsulitis (Frozen Shoulder).

People with type 1 diabetes need daily insulin injections. Insulin does not come in pill form. Injections are generally needed one to four times per day. Some people use an insulin pump. It is worn at all times and delivers a steady flow of insulin throughout the day. Other people may use inhaled insulin.

Unlike type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes may respond to treatment with exercise, diet, and medicines taken by mouth. There are several types of medicines used to lower blood glucose in type 2 diabetes. Medications may be switched to insulin during pregnancy and while breastfeeding.

Gestational diabetes may be treated with exercise and changes in diet.

The immediate goals are to treat diabetic ketacidosis and high blood glucose levels. Because type 1 diabetes can start suddenly and have severe symptoms, people who are newly diagnosed may need to go to the hospital.

The long-term goals of treatment are to:

·         Prolong life

·         Reduce symptoms

·         Prevent diabetes-related complications such as blindness, heart disease, kidney failure, and amputation of limbs

Latest Treatments available for Diabetes

There are several innovative drugless treatments for Diabetic patients  which are based on far infrared rays & complete detoxification through ion therapy. These treatments cause increased blood circulation, natural blood detoxification, increase of immune strength & combat the various complications of diabetes. One such machine i.e. Ionic Foot Spa, works on the basis of ion therapy, causes decrease in blood glucose levels which can be measured through various laboratory tests. These therapies are much more effective & can also be used along with medicines. The need of medicine intake is slowly decreased with use of regular infrared therapy & can be controlled without any drugs. Allthough the results & time duration of recovery may vary depending upon patient to patient and their case history.

High-fat Diet Leads to Inflammation of Blood Vessels

Consuming a diet rich in high fat food items could cause  inflammation of blood vessels, a new study published in the journal American Journal of Physiology reveals.
The medical term for blood vessel inflammation is vasculitis or angiitis. Inflammation of veins is called venulitis and inflammation of arteries is called arteritis. Vasculitis is the term used for a group of diseases that cause blood vessels inflammation.
In vasculitis, the inflammation of blood vessels causes them to become thicker. This makes it harder for the blood to move through them, and the supply of oxygen to the tissues is hindered. In extreme cases, the condition can result in blot clots and aneurysms.
Researchers from the University of California analyzed the effects of eating fast food breakfast among 61 volunteers, all of whom had varying waistline sizes and triglyceride levels. Each breakfast consisted of an orange juice, two breakfast sandwiches and hash browns.
The researchers found that based on an individual’s triglyceride level and waistline size, the size of triglyceride rich lipoprotein (TGRL) varied. The TGRL is responsible for the cause of inflammation in endothelium, which is a thin layer of cells that lines the entire circulatory system.
The researchers added that those who had bigger waistlines of over 32 inches and had higher triglyceride levels were at a higher risk of developing inflammation since the size of the TGRL was bigger than among those with lower waistlines.
Wine may calm inflammation in blood vessels
Adding to evidence that a little wine can do a heart good, a new study suggests that women who drink moderate amounts may have less inflammation in their blood vessels.
Spanish researchers found that after four weeks of drinking two glasses of wine per day, women showed lower levels of certain inflammatory substances in their blood. The findings, reported in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, suggest a mechanism by which wine -- particularly red wine -- may protect the heart.
Numerous studies have found that wine drinkers tend to have lower rates of heart disease than teetotalers do. Research also suggests that higher levels of "good" HDL cholesterol may be one reason, though not a full explanation of the benefit.
Figuring out exactly how wine may protect the heart is important in order to prove that the link between wine and heart health is, in fact, a direct one, according to Dr. Emilio Sacanella, the lead researcher on the new study.
Studies that show wine drinkers to have better heart health do not prove that wine is the reason, explained Sacanella, of the University of Barcelona. Wine lovers may, for example, have generally better diets, higher exercise levels or other heart-healthy habits, he told Reuters Health.
For their study, Sacanella and his colleagues focused on the potential effects of wine on inflammation. Inflammation is part of the body's response to injury. It's thought that chronic, low-level inflammation -- in response to stresses like smoking, high cholesterol and obesity -- contributes to the buildup of fatty deposits called plaques in the inner lining of the arteries.
Inflammation may also make these plaques more likely to rupture and create a blood clot that could then trigger a heart attack.
Sacanella's team recruited 35 healthy women who regularly drank amounts of wine. Each woman spent four weeks on a heart-healthy, but wine-free, diet, followed by four weeks in which they had a glass of red wine with lunch and dinner. They followed the same pattern with white wine.
Overall, the study found, the women's HDL levels climbed after four weeks of drinking, while their blood levels of a number of inflammatory substances, such as C-reactive protein, declined. Red wine had a more pronounced effect than white wine.
The greater benefit of red wine may be related to its higher concentration of polyphenols, according to the researchers. Polyphenols are plant compounds that act as antioxidants and may help reduce inflammation.
According to Sacanella, population studies have suggested that people who drink moderate amounts of wine -- about a glass or two per day -- may lower their risk of dying from heart disease by nearly one-third compared with non-drinkers.
"So a person who usually drinks up to this quantity of alcohol should maintain this healthy habit," he said.
However, he added, doctors cannot recommend that non-drinkers take up the habit, as some people are vulnerable to drinking problems and the health consequences that come with that.