Monday, March 29, 2010
Businessweek Article
New inhaled insulin drug offers new hope for diabetes sufferers. (HealthDay News) -- A new form of inhaled insulin appears to help people with diabetes who must use insulin, with fewer potential risks than an earlier form of inhaled insulin that is no longer on the market. Read the complete story
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Diabetes Guide To Healthy Eating
A diagnosis by your doctor of pre-diabetes or an existing diabetic condition conjures up a number of not too pleasant visions. Among the many are thoughts of having to give up many of your favorite foods. In fact this need not be so, you can find an assortment of diabetic recipes that you can wrap your taste buds around. Your first critical step towards formulating a diabetic diet plan must be with the assistance of a dietitian. The dietitian will consider your lifestyle, your medication, your weight and any other existing medical conditions in order to tailor a plan which is just right for you. It is not inconceivable that this plan could also include your favorite foods, thus you will still be able to derive pleasure from your meals.
Getting Started
Not always do we pay close attention to what we eat, our focus is more on pleasing our palate rather than nutrition. For the diabetic this will be a major but critical adjustment. Here’s the ABC of making those adjustments as suggested by the American Dietetic Association:
(A) “Moderate sugar, fat and carbohydrates” – Typically carbohydrates take from five minutes to three hours to be digested, fats can take eight or more hours as opposed to proteins which take three to six hours. Therefore the reason why foods high in fat (ice cream) raises blood sugar level more slowly than vegetables (carrots). It is recommended that fat intake should be less than 30% of your daily calories. Desserts and sweets do not have to be completely eliminated from your diet but can be eaten once or twice per week, in moderate amounts.
(B) “Eat five fruits and vegetables every day” – Replace your sugar producing foods with fruits or vegetables, these are good sources of vitamins, minerals and fibers. Soluble fibers found mostly in fruits, vegetables and some seeds, trap carbohydrates and slow the absorption of glucose. Vegetables which are highly recommended are: cooked kidney beans (rated among the highest soluble fiber foods) and carrots which are also highly rated for having a positive effect on blood glucose levels.
(C) “Eat more starches” – Starchy foods are an important part of a healthy meal plan. Whole grain breads, cereals, pasta, rice and starchy vegetables like peas, corn, potatoes and yams can be included in your meals. Your portion though must be moderate, 3 to 4 daily servings of carbohydrate-containing foods are considered adequate.
Learning what, how and when to eat is a giant step towards taking control of your illness. There is no perfect food or diet for the diabetic, the goal of each plan is to supply a variety of foods which will provide enough sustenance while still keeping your blood sugar level under control. Your diet plan does not have to be bland, there are a number of diabetic recipe books available, also you can be daring and experiment with some of your favorite recipes, always being aware of your dietary limitations.
Keep to your dietary limitations and still spice up your meals from one of our diabetic recipe books at www.goldeneramart.com
Getting Started
Not always do we pay close attention to what we eat, our focus is more on pleasing our palate rather than nutrition. For the diabetic this will be a major but critical adjustment. Here’s the ABC of making those adjustments as suggested by the American Dietetic Association:
(A) “Moderate sugar, fat and carbohydrates” – Typically carbohydrates take from five minutes to three hours to be digested, fats can take eight or more hours as opposed to proteins which take three to six hours. Therefore the reason why foods high in fat (ice cream) raises blood sugar level more slowly than vegetables (carrots). It is recommended that fat intake should be less than 30% of your daily calories. Desserts and sweets do not have to be completely eliminated from your diet but can be eaten once or twice per week, in moderate amounts.
(B) “Eat five fruits and vegetables every day” – Replace your sugar producing foods with fruits or vegetables, these are good sources of vitamins, minerals and fibers. Soluble fibers found mostly in fruits, vegetables and some seeds, trap carbohydrates and slow the absorption of glucose. Vegetables which are highly recommended are: cooked kidney beans (rated among the highest soluble fiber foods) and carrots which are also highly rated for having a positive effect on blood glucose levels.
(C) “Eat more starches” – Starchy foods are an important part of a healthy meal plan. Whole grain breads, cereals, pasta, rice and starchy vegetables like peas, corn, potatoes and yams can be included in your meals. Your portion though must be moderate, 3 to 4 daily servings of carbohydrate-containing foods are considered adequate.
Learning what, how and when to eat is a giant step towards taking control of your illness. There is no perfect food or diet for the diabetic, the goal of each plan is to supply a variety of foods which will provide enough sustenance while still keeping your blood sugar level under control. Your diet plan does not have to be bland, there are a number of diabetic recipe books available, also you can be daring and experiment with some of your favorite recipes, always being aware of your dietary limitations.
Keep to your dietary limitations and still spice up your meals from one of our diabetic recipe books at www.goldeneramart.com
A Must Know For Taking Your Blood Pressure
High Blood Pressure (Hypertension) is defined as a reading of 140/90 and above. It is strongly recommended by healthcare professionals and organizations that people suffering with high blood pressure should make monitoring their pressure at home a daily routine. Keeping track of your readings give your doctor an added resource for determining if/how your medication is working and what changes occur during the day. While allowing you to play a role in managing your illness and making you more aware of potential problems. The American Heart Association strongly suggests that “monitoring blood pressure at home can be an effective way of tracking and treating hypertension”.
Choosing Your Blood Pressure Monitor
There are a variety of brands and features which make choosing the right monitor rather challenging. The first step would be to consult your doctor as to his/her recommendations. You can also do your own research using the internet or other available public health media to gather information as to which machines offer the highest level of accuracy and convenience of use. All monitors consist of the same basic components: an inflatable cuff/strap and a gauge for readouts. Some monitors have a stethoscope depending on the model. Your personal considerations should be: cuff size, display and stethoscope.
(1) An ill-fitting cuff will not give accurate readings so it’s very important that you use a cuff which makes good skin contact.
(2)The display should be clear and easy to read, particularly if you have visual problems.
(3)A blood pressure monitor which uses a stethoscope would require a small amount of training as to how it should be used correctly and how to interpret the sounds.
Taking Your Blood Pressure
Once your monitor has been checked for accuracy you’re now ready to begin. To ensure the most accurate readings there are certain guidelines which one must follow:
(a)Empty your bladder before starting. An extended bladder can affect the reading.
(b)You must not drink coffee, smoke cigarettes, use alcohol or exercise for 30 minutes before taking the reading. Sit quietly for three to five minutes beforehand
(c)Sit with your arm supported at heart level, legs uncrossed and back straight.
(d)Place the cuff snuggly around the upper part of your bare arm (at least 1” above your elbow), leaving just enough room to slip one fingertip under the cuff.
(e)For manual inflation, pump the air button then press the button for reading.
(f)Stay silent during the process.
(g)Record the reading, if your monitor does not have memory capabilities and take a second reading 2 to 3 minutes later.
Keeping an accurate record of your blood pressure readings is essential to managing the disease. It is absolutely necessary that your machine be reliable, that you take a precise reading and keep accurate records. Inaccurate readings can lead to misdiagnoses and by extension to life threatening complications.
At www.goldeneramart.com there's a wide variety of affordable monitors from which you can choose.
Choosing Your Blood Pressure Monitor
There are a variety of brands and features which make choosing the right monitor rather challenging. The first step would be to consult your doctor as to his/her recommendations. You can also do your own research using the internet or other available public health media to gather information as to which machines offer the highest level of accuracy and convenience of use. All monitors consist of the same basic components: an inflatable cuff/strap and a gauge for readouts. Some monitors have a stethoscope depending on the model. Your personal considerations should be: cuff size, display and stethoscope.
(1) An ill-fitting cuff will not give accurate readings so it’s very important that you use a cuff which makes good skin contact.
(2)The display should be clear and easy to read, particularly if you have visual problems.
(3)A blood pressure monitor which uses a stethoscope would require a small amount of training as to how it should be used correctly and how to interpret the sounds.
Taking Your Blood Pressure
Once your monitor has been checked for accuracy you’re now ready to begin. To ensure the most accurate readings there are certain guidelines which one must follow:
(a)Empty your bladder before starting. An extended bladder can affect the reading.
(b)You must not drink coffee, smoke cigarettes, use alcohol or exercise for 30 minutes before taking the reading. Sit quietly for three to five minutes beforehand
(c)Sit with your arm supported at heart level, legs uncrossed and back straight.
(d)Place the cuff snuggly around the upper part of your bare arm (at least 1” above your elbow), leaving just enough room to slip one fingertip under the cuff.
(e)For manual inflation, pump the air button then press the button for reading.
(f)Stay silent during the process.
(g)Record the reading, if your monitor does not have memory capabilities and take a second reading 2 to 3 minutes later.
Keeping an accurate record of your blood pressure readings is essential to managing the disease. It is absolutely necessary that your machine be reliable, that you take a precise reading and keep accurate records. Inaccurate readings can lead to misdiagnoses and by extension to life threatening complications.
At www.goldeneramart.com there's a wide variety of affordable monitors from which you can choose.
Hypertension, Are You At Risk
When your heart pumps blood, pressure is exerted against the walls of the arteries, prompting the term “blood pressure". When your heart is actively pumping blood, your blood pressure is highest, referred to as systolic pressure. Between beats - the pressure falls, this is diastolic pressure. These two numbers determine your blood pressure with the systolic pressure being placed ahead of the diastolic pressure and written one above or before the other, such as 120/80 (normal). Any reading above 120/80 places the body at risk, the higher the pressure, the greater the risk.
Hypertension (high blood pressure) is a chronic ailment in which the blood pressure reading is constantly 140/90 and above. Should your pressure rise and remain high for a prolong period it can result in: stroke, heart attack, heart failure, arterial aneurysm or kidney failure. Signs of pre-hypertension are 120 and 139 for the top numbers, or between 80 and 89 for the bottom numbers, this is an early warning sign of high blood pressure and immediate steps should taken to prevent and arrest further development.
Most people are not even aware that they are suffering with high blood pressure which only becomes apparent upon examination by a physician. Unfortunately in a majority of cases by the time a diagnosis is made the disease is in quite an advanced stage. Awareness of your blood pressure numbers can be key to avoiding the serious consequences of neglect. Constant monitoring through use of a home blood pressure monitor, regular checkups by your doctor and following a treatment plan can go a long way towards ensuring long and lasting good health.
For an assortment of reliable and easy to use monitors visit us at www.goldeneramart.com
Hypertension (high blood pressure) is a chronic ailment in which the blood pressure reading is constantly 140/90 and above. Should your pressure rise and remain high for a prolong period it can result in: stroke, heart attack, heart failure, arterial aneurysm or kidney failure. Signs of pre-hypertension are 120 and 139 for the top numbers, or between 80 and 89 for the bottom numbers, this is an early warning sign of high blood pressure and immediate steps should taken to prevent and arrest further development.
Most people are not even aware that they are suffering with high blood pressure which only becomes apparent upon examination by a physician. Unfortunately in a majority of cases by the time a diagnosis is made the disease is in quite an advanced stage. Awareness of your blood pressure numbers can be key to avoiding the serious consequences of neglect. Constant monitoring through use of a home blood pressure monitor, regular checkups by your doctor and following a treatment plan can go a long way towards ensuring long and lasting good health.
For an assortment of reliable and easy to use monitors visit us at www.goldeneramart.com
Is Low Blood Pressure A Threat?
Blood pressure is a result of the flow of blood times the amount of resistance in the blood vessels as the heart pumps out blood. Each time your heart beats, it pumps blood into the arteries. When the heart is actively pumping blood, the pressure is at its highest and referred to as systolic pressure. Between beats, when your heart is at rest the pressure falls this is diastolic pressure. These two numbers determine your blood pressure and are usually written one above/or before the other for example 120/80. A reading of 90/60 or lower is considered as low (Hypotension), while 140/90 is considered as high (Hypertension).
Low blood pressure may not have gained the notoriety as that of high blood pressure but if left untreated its consequences can be just as serious. There are a variety of ailments related to low blood pressure which if not diagnosed and treated in their early stages can lead to serious complications. Most prominent are: postural (orthostatic) hypotension and neutrally mediated (neurogenic orthostatic) hypotension.
The kidneys can balance low blood pressure naturally by retaining salt and water, thereby making medical intervention unnecessary. However, if your monitor consistently registers low blood pressure readings or you are experiencing any of the following symptoms: frequent bouts of dizziness, fainting, blurred vision, nausea, rapid weak pulse, muscle weakness, fatigue, headache, cold clammy skin and lack of concentration, you should consult your doctor for an evaluation, diagnosis and treatment (if necessary). In extreme cases the body can be deprived of an adequate supply of oxygen which can result in impaired heart and brain functions and respiratory problems leading to loss of consciousness or shock.
If you are concerned about your blood pressure visit us at http://www.goldeneramart.com for all of your blood pressure monitoring products.
Low blood pressure may not have gained the notoriety as that of high blood pressure but if left untreated its consequences can be just as serious. There are a variety of ailments related to low blood pressure which if not diagnosed and treated in their early stages can lead to serious complications. Most prominent are: postural (orthostatic) hypotension and neutrally mediated (neurogenic orthostatic) hypotension.
The kidneys can balance low blood pressure naturally by retaining salt and water, thereby making medical intervention unnecessary. However, if your monitor consistently registers low blood pressure readings or you are experiencing any of the following symptoms: frequent bouts of dizziness, fainting, blurred vision, nausea, rapid weak pulse, muscle weakness, fatigue, headache, cold clammy skin and lack of concentration, you should consult your doctor for an evaluation, diagnosis and treatment (if necessary). In extreme cases the body can be deprived of an adequate supply of oxygen which can result in impaired heart and brain functions and respiratory problems leading to loss of consciousness or shock.
If you are concerned about your blood pressure visit us at http://www.goldeneramart.com for all of your blood pressure monitoring products.
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