Harmful Health Effects Of Smoking
Harmful Health Effects Of Smoking Cigarettes Active or passive - whatever may be the type - smoking cigarettes has some very harmful health effects. Dangers of smoking are well-known and can have serious detrimental effect on the quality of your life besides diseases.
The act of inhaling and exhaling the fumes of burning tobacco in cigars, cigarettes or pipes is called smoking. Originally it was started by Native Americans and was practiced in rituals and for medicinal purposes. But slowly it spread to other parts of the World and by the end of 19th century the use was widespread all over the earth. There are various methods of smoking. They are cigarette, cigar, smoking, pipe, hookah or shisha. Today the habit is so rampant that many Governments have come down heavily on tobacco manufacturers and sellers in the form of heavy taxation for tobacco and tobacco products. This is because there are numerous harmful health effects of smoking. But, why does one smoke? Some of the possible answers are discussed below.
Causes of Smoking
Many studies among smokers have established the fact that depression is one of the main reasons for people indulging in this act. The habit is less prevalent among people not having depression problems. One of the studies also indicates that people acquire this habit at the young age and become addicted. Actually, children derive this habit from elders especially from their parents, by seeing them smoke in their house or when used by the parents themselves for procuring the cigarettes. Smoking in movies is the main reason for adolescents acquiring this habit.
The smokers derive an imaginary pleasure of relaxation in smoking. Quitting this habit depends on the mental strength of the person. Among the depressed smokers the percentage of quitters is less. Nicotine, one of the components is mainly responsible for the addiction to this habit. It has been established that people get addicted to nicotine within five months of smoking. According to studies nicotine is more addictive than caffeine or ethanol.
Studies on Smoking
In 1964, a committee appointed by the U.S. Public Health Service concluded in its report that smoking is a serious health hazard. The Surgeon General's Advisory Committee drew the attention of the world to the dangers of smoking. It concluded, according to the study conducted over a decade, that the chances of a smoker getting lung cancer are significantly more than a non-smoker.
The factors such as the number of years the person has smoked and at what age he started are also very important for the smoker contracting the disease. The effects of smoking have been taken so seriously by the governments around the world that they have made it compulsory to have statutory warnings like "smoking is injurious to health" or "smoking kills" on all packs so that the new users get warned.
Effects of Smoking
Tobacco smoke contains a substance called nicotine, a poisonous alkoid. It also has substances such as carbon monoxide, acrolien, ammonia, prussic acid, aldehydes and tar. Tobacco contains about 4000 chemicals which when heated produce a lot of substances that cause irreparable damages to the health.
A cigarette burns at 700° C at the tip and at 60° C at the butts. This heat breaks down the tobacco stuffed inside to produce various toxins. When a cigarette burns the residues are concentrated towards the butt. To avoid excess inhaling of tobacco products, the concept of filters were introduced by the manufacturers, and an impression that filter cigarettes are harmless was created. But it has been proved that filters cannot altogether stop the substances getting inside. However the intake will be reduced by the quality of filter.
Diseases Caused by Smoking
Smoking affects lung and causes lung cancer. Its harmful effects do not end there. Cancer and some other illness such as heart diseases, stroke and other cardiovascular diseases are caused by the act. The risks associated with the use of oral contraceptives, and occupational hazards such as the use of asbestos sheets, are increased by the harmful effects of smoking.
Pipe and cigar users do not normally inhale much, which may not cause lung cancer but they run the risk of developing mouth cancer. In the case of pregnant women, smoking is doubly dangerous as it affects the child in the womb. The nicotine in tobacco reduces the blood flow and thereby the flow of oxygen and nutrients to the unborn baby gets reduced causing, sometimes, the death of the baby itself.
Studies have shown, one in two chain smokers die and half of these chain smokers never cross their middle age. Nicotine and carbon monoxide, together cause increase in heart rate, blood pressure and put strain on the blood vessels and heart. Smoking also causes a number of cardiovascular diseases that includes heart attacks and strokes.
Cigarettes contain tar like substances that coat the lungs like soot in chimneys. In just 20 days, a smoker breathes in about one full cup (215 g) of tar. Thus, reducing the air carrying capacity of the lungs. The carbon monoxide decreases the oxygen levels reaching the brain, muscles and body tissues. Thus, causing the heart to pump harder and faster.
Smokers tend to suffer from many lung ailments that include emphysema (slow rotting of the lung tissue), bronchitis, chronic obstructive lung disease (COPD) and finally heart failure. Smokers are 10 times more likely to develop lung cancer than non-smokers. Studies also show that 1 in every 5 deaths due to heart disease is due to smoking. This is because smoking tends to cause blockage of blood vessels by fat deposits that affects the functioning of the heart.
It is not just lung cancer, but smoking cigarettes can also cause cancers such as acute myeloid cancer, cervix cancer, bladder cancer, stomach cancer, cancer of the mouth, cancer of the throat, cancer of the uterus and many other deadly cancers.
Passive Smoking
The dangers of smoking are not confined to the smoker himself. The non-smoker person by his side is also affected by the act. This is called passive smoking, i.e. inhaling the cigarette smoke of others. It is also known as environmental or secondhand smoking.
According to the study released, the signs for cardiovascular diseases are higher in people subjected to, secondhand smoking. It is confirmed in many studies that exposure to secondhand smoke causes lung cancer, heart diseases, heart attacks and breast cancer in the case of young women The risks, a passive smoker is exposed, have led to the ban of smoking in public and work places, in many countries.
Whether it is active or passive smoking, it has several harmful health effects. The bottom line is, it is harmful to health and 'SMOKING KILLS". It is time to say no to tobacco and no to smoking, if you love your life and your family.
By Jayashree Pakhare
Last Updated: 12/8/2011
By Poushali Ganguly
Dangers of Smoking Smokers never become old simply because they die younger! Taking in those first few puffs of smoke as a teenager is never a conscious decision. The initial choice of smoking is made when the implications of tobacco use and its addiction are not very clear. Here's an article that tells you how you could be putting yourself in danger by smoking.
Do you think a single drag of smoke would cost you not more than a few quick bucks? Think again... If you add up all future health expenses to it, then you'll realize that it actually may cost you a huge fortune.
Now let's closely examine what happens when you slowly inhale smoke... It enters your respiratory system and causes irritation to the delicate mucosal lining in the lungs. This is because the cigarette smoke consists of a mixture of toxic chemicals like carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide and nicotine that can severely harm your respiratory system. The lung's defense mechanism instantly tries to throw these toxic fumes out of the body. And hence you start coughing! You continue to inhale smoke further until it paralyzes the protective lining and crumples your lungs and then your immune system. Now... the cough disappears and the toxic gases travel through your blood to other body systems.
Once nicotine enters the liver, it starts acting like a drug and stimulates the secretion of blood glucose. At the same time, it acts on the brain causing an increase in heart rate and blood pressure. It stays in the blood for quite some time before it's excreted by the kidney and liver. You can see how just one drag of smoke has the capacity to not only compromise your immunity but also make way for foreign bodies like bacteria, viruses, and the like thus inviting a host of illnesses.
How good does that feel! Not to mention that this euphoria wears off within minutes wanting you to smoke more and more, to retain that effect.
Here, you are! Hooked... helpless... and how...
... smokers suffer from such direct damage on a daily basis with each passing cigarette.
Smoking Kills
It should be noted that cigarettes affect not only the lungs, but also most of the vital organs of the body including the brain and the heart. There is hardly any system in the human body which is not affected by smoking.
Cardiovascular Diseases
Cigarette smoking is one of the major risk factors for hypertension and fatal heart attacks. The chemicals in the smoke develop atherosclerosis and lower supply of oxygen to the heart leading to cardiovascular diseases. However, there's still a glimmer of hope given that the damage already caused due to the smoke can be reversed.
Once you quit smoking successfully, the risk of developing a heart disease or stroke is the same as you never smoked. This is not to say that you should wait longer to quit the habit until you are completely smoke-dried.
Stroke and Gangrene
The effect of smoking in causing stroke and brain hemorrhage is due to deposition of plaque in blood vessels. This causes narrowing of blood vessels and reduced blood circulation that may lead to stroke and paralysis. Smoking may also cause gangrene due to clogged arteries.
Lung Disorders
The toxins in smoke can cause lung disorders like emphysema, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, bronchitis, and significant reduction in lung functioning. This is because the alveolar sacs in the bronchioles that are functional in oxygen and carbon dioxide exchange are damaged.
Smoker's cough is a common symptom that develops as the defense system tries to expel the chemicals accumulated in the air passage and lungs. Gradually, the respiratory system becomes more prone to infections due to lowered immunity.
Other Effects
Nicotine affects the bones, joints and muscles of the body. A single cigarette contains about 9 mg of nicotine, most of which is burnt off and 1 mg enters your body with each cigarette that you smoke. This small amount of nicotine can cause severe harm to your body. It causes osteopenia, osteoporosis, and hence increased chances of fractures and tissue injuries. Smoking may cause loss of taste, bad breath, dental caries, stained teeth, mouth sores and receding gums. Dry mouth and loss of appetite are some signs of addiction to smoking.
Infertility
Smoking impacts women's health by causing infertility, miscarriages, complicated pregnancies and early menopause. Smoking during pregnancy and breastfeeding can have hazardous effects on the baby in early childhood and also as they grow up. Smoking is also known to cause sperm abnormalities leading to infertility in men.
Stats
√ About 33% of male adult population (global) smokes.
√ Time cut down from one's lifespan is approximately equal to the time indulged in smoking.
√ Every minute, seven people die of tobacco use.
√ 49 known carcinogenic compounds and 4000 other toxins are contained in a single cigarette.
√ More than 90% of lung cancer deaths are due to cigarette smoking.
√ The cost that smokers impose on US economy is more than $193 billion a year.
The effects of smoking are increased by manifold due to the gateway effects. Two important gateways are children choosing to smoke due to their parents; and the second gateway is that these puffs lead to many other addictions, even drug abuse. Medical costs incurred from the tobacco-related illnesses and complicated pregnancies could be the direct costs affecting the national economy. Lower work-efficiency, dropping of earnings, higher medical expenses, early retirement (if ever) put an additional burden on the growth and economy.
A common notion ~ 'Smoking is a great stress-buster and helps me unwind.'
The fact ~ 'Smoking kills' slowly & miserably. It's invariably nothing but planning a surprise suicide encounter for later.'
So next time you see a warning on a pack of cigarettes which says, 'SMOKING KILLS', you know How!
By Dr. Maisie M
Last Updated: 4/6/2012
How does Smoking Affect the Respiratory System In spite of the statutory warning, a number of people continue to smoke cigarettes. Besides causing irreversible damage to their own bodies, they pollute the air around and foster passive smoking. The effects of smoking on the respiratory system are formidable.
The oxygen content in the atmosphere is vital to all living organisms. The quality of oxygen dictates the working of the metabolism, nutrient burn-down and energy release. The latter is critical to growth, reproduction and the very sustenance of life. The breathing in of oxygen and release of carbon from food during metabolism is accomplished through the respiratory system. The system works like an apparatus to handle and process the inhalation of oxygen and exhalation of water vapor and carbon dioxide.
Function of the Respiratory System
The respiratory system comprises the nasal cavity, larynx, trachea, bronchi, throat and the lungs. Normally, the oxygen from the air is inhaled through the nose and guided towards the lungs, via the nasal cavity. The layer of tiny hair in the nose keeps dust and foreign bodies from reaching the lungs. The oxygen travels through the nose to the pharynx and enter the passage for air thereafter.
From the trachea, the air is taken to the bronchi, bronchioles and finally the alveoli. The alveoli have capillaries. While this process is in action, another intricate system within the human anatomy conducts a simultaneous task. The blood that leaves the heart chambers with impure blood passes through the alveoli, exchanging the carbon dioxide concentrated blood for that charged with oxygen. This energized blood then rejuvenates every cell in the body.
Effects of Smoking on the Respiratory System
The addiction for tobacco is actually one related to the nicotine and tar content in the tobacco. The craving only gets more aggravated with indulgence and becomes very painful, emotionally and physically, when an attempt is made to give it up. Nevertheless, the damage caused by the habit has far-reaching effects and even after going through smoking cessation withdrawals, it takes the respiratory tract years to totally rehabilitate.
Smoking cigarettes causes cancer of the mouth and throat and lung cancer. Research reveals that it also causes chronic bronchitis and makes breathing difficult. Women smoking cigarettes during pregnancy are known to have miscarriages and premature deliveries. Governments around the world are trying to implement the smoking ban and encourage citizens to give up the vice. The statutory warning: 'Cigarette smoking is Injurious to health' accompanies every cigarette pack and is supposed to work as a motivator to stop smoking.
One breath comprises a complete inhalation and exhalation. The lungs are never completely empty; there is always some air retained within. An adult normally takes 16 breaths per minute when awake and anything between six and eight when asleep. The chest cavity is a protective frame around the two lungs and heart. The internal movements around breathing contribute towards the health of the respiratory system. The quality of the air you breathe and the working of the associated, processing organs are affected by allergies, cold and flu viruses, bacterial infections and pneumonia. The condition of this vital system further deteriorates with smoking and pollution. No artificial structure or machines can ever replace the respiratory system.
What Happens When you Smoke
By Gaynor Borade
Last Updated: 1/25/2012
Passive Smoking - Harmful Effects of Secondhand Smoke You need not be an active smoker to experience the harmful effects of smoke from a cigarette, cigar, or pipe. Breathing in the smoke of other active smokers is enough to cause you serious damage.
Enlarge Image
Breathing of smoke caused by someone else is known as passive smoking. It is also known as involuntary smoking or secondhand smoking. Secondhand smoke is also called environmental tobacco smoke (ETS).
In passive smoking, the person is forced to breathe 'sidestream smoke' from the burning tip of a cigarette / cigar / pipe, and 'mainstream' smoke which is inhaled and then exhaled by the active smoker.
Today secondhand smoke is one of the major sources of indoor air pollution.
Who is at Risk?
Every passive smoker is at risk with exposure to environmental tobacco smoke. ETS causes the maximum damage to fetuses, infants, and small children by damaging their developing organs, mainly the lungs and brain.
Fetus and the Newborn
Pregnant women who smoke are advised to quit the habit. Smoking causes them much less harm than is caused to the developing fetus. Birth defects such as cleft lip and palate combined with a low birth weight have been noticed in cases of mothers smoking. With the mother continuing smoking even after giving birth, the production of milk is reduced. The chances of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) too increases due to maternal smoking.
A Child
Secondhand smoke and children are a lethal combination. Children are affected the most by it, especially when it happens at home.
All the organs of a child are in the developmental stage, and breathing in smoke can mainly impair proper development of their lungs and brain. Children exposed constantly to secondhand smoke tend to develop childhood asthma which could get worse with further exposure.
Sinusitis, cystic fibrosis, and chronic respiratory diseases get worse when a suffering child is forced into passive smoking. Other diseases that are caused due to passive smoking and can be very difficult for small children to cope with are bronchitis and pneumonia.
Many children exposed to secondhand smoke develop an infection in the middle ear. The inhaled smoke irritates the eustachian tube that connects the back of the nose to the middle ear. This irritation causes a swelling and obstruction, which causes an imbalance of pressure equalization in the middle ear. This causes fluid retention and infection in the middle ear which is very painful for the child. If diagnosed and treated in time it is totally curable, but if treatment is delayed, it could even lead to a permanent reduction in hearing.
Involuntary inhalation of secondhand smoke can have a variety of immediate effects. They are:
-- Cough
-- Nausea
-- Headache
-- Eye irritation
-- Sore throat
-- Dizziness
-- Difficulty in breathing in those already suffering from asthma
Long term involuntary smoking increases the risk of smoking-related disease. A person exposed to involuntary smoking over a period of time could be infected by one or more of the following diseases.
-- Lung Cancer
-- Ischemic heart disease
-- Harmful effect on the cardiovascular system, increasing the chances of a heart attack
There is absolutely no risk-free level of exposure to secondhand smoke. Even short exposures to passive smoking could cause the blood platelets to get stickier, damaging the lining of blood vessels, decreasing coronary flow velocity reserves, and reducing heart rate variability, all potentially increasing the risk of heart attack.
Reducing the Risk
If you are a smoker, there are many ways in which you can help prevent others around you from passive smoking.
Stop smoking. This is the best advise. It will not just benefit you, but everyone around you. If it is difficult (which it will be), consult your physician who could help.
If you do not intend giving up cigarette smoking, don't do it at home. Whenever you feel the urge to smoke, go outside the house where nobody will be at risk of your secondhand smoke.
Never smoke in the car.
Smoking in public places is banned almost everywhere, but even if it is allowed don't smoke where there is a large concentration of people. You could be causing someone unintentional harm.
By Kevin Mathias
Cause and Effect of Smoking There are many factors that lead people to take up smoking, and there are hundreds of ways in which this habit could harm an individual.
Since a young age we are told about the many harmful effects of smoking and why we should stay away from it, but as we grow older we find that a majority of people are addicted to it and beyond redemption. This stems from the fact that cigarettes are a huge source of revenue for the Government, and try as they may, they cannot cover up the fact that cigarettes provide huge income for them. It is for this reason alone, that smoking will never be banned by the Government, in spite of so many people getting afflicted by its effects.
Lung cancer and mouth cancer are some of the biggest dangers of smoking, and one single cigarette contains thousands of harmful chemicals. There are very few people who can actually recognize the dangers involved, and quit it altogether. Even though approximately 450,000 people die due to it every single year in the United States alone, the number of smokers just keeps rising and people do not stop doing it.
Smoking Cigarettes
When we speak of it, we generally refer to cigarettes, but there are many other substances that are smoked that are dangerous to the human body as well. As we all know, cigarettes contain the very harmful substance known as nicotine, and this causes irreversible damage in the long run. To get to the bottom of potential causes, one needs to understand the basic psychology behind people taking up this habit. The problems of teen and women smoking cigarettes is also something that needs to be addressed in a responsible manner.
Here are some of the most commonly seen causes.
Here are some facts and statistics related to deaths that should be a cause for alarm for any smoker.
There is so much more to learn about this topic, and most of these factors are beyond the realms of this article. This is a very vast and insinuating issue, and this is something that almost everyone has an opinion on.
By Rahul Thadani
Last Updated: 9/26/2011
Nicotine Side Effects Nicotine is a poisonous alkaloid that is widely used in cigarettes and other tobacco products. It is also used as a drug in nicotine replacement therapy, which helps the individuals trying to quit smoking. But overdose, as well as long-term use of nicotine as a drug and smoking cigarette can cause some serious side effects. Read on to find out more.
Nicotine is the main compound found in tobacco products and cigarettes. It is a poisonous alkaloid found in several species of plants belonging to the family of nightshade or Solanaceae. Apart from being an active ingredient in tobacco products, nicotine is also used as a drug in nicotine replacement therapy. Nicotine is highly addictive in nature and it can bring about a change in the level of chemicals in the brain like dopamine and norepinephrine to alter mood and increase alertness. When smoked, nicotine enters the lungs, from where it is absorbed by the bloodstream. Blood carries nicotine throughout the body, including the brain. This can give rise to several complications or side effects, which are discussed below.
Side Effects of Nicotine
Nicotine can affect several parts of the body, as it is carried by the bloodstream to different organs. The side effects can be classified into short-term effects and long-term effects.
Apart from being the main ingredient in tobacco products, nicotine is also used as a drug, especially in nicotine replacement therapy. In other words, nicotine is used to help people trying to quit smoking by minimizing nicotine withdrawal symptoms. For nicotine replacement therapy, nicotine is available as nicotine gum, lozenges, nicotine patch, nicotine inhaler and spray. These products provide nicotine in a very small dose, as compared to cigarette smoking, in an attempt to control the withdrawal symptoms.
Side Effects of Nicotine Replacement Products
Nicotine replacement products can also cause some serious side effects, if used excessively and for a prolonged time period. The first obvious side effect of nicotine gum, lozenges, patch or inhalers is that, they too can lead to addiction or dependence. Many times it has been observed that individuals taking nicotine replacement therapy to quit or stop smoking, eventually end up getting addicted to these products.
By Chandramita Bora
Last Updated: 2/27/2012
Diseases Caused by Tobacco Use of tobacco, either by chewing or smoking, can lead to increased risk of various health hazards. Take a look at the detailed information about the diseases caused by tobacco and few ways that would help you to quit this unhealthy habit.
Are you aware that various chemicals present in tobacco can lead to numerous health problems? There are more than 4000 harmful chemicals like nicotine, tar, formaldehyde, benzene, carbon monoxide and hydrogen cyanide in tobacco smoke. Due to its high content of nicotine, tobacco becomes addictive. Once you get addicted to chewing or smoking tobacco, it is very difficult to get rid of it. Some people become addicted to relieve stress, tensions and depression; while others may, for the sake of enjoyment and thrill. Whatever might be the reason for this addiction, effects of cigarette smoking and chewing tobacco are certainly very hazardous to your health.
Ill Effects Due to Consumption of Tobacco
Some people have the habit of chewing tobacco frequently, while most people practice cigarette smoking. Both the forms of tobacco use cause many dangerous health problems. In the United States, the use of tobacco accounts for one in five deaths from lung cancer, cardiovascular and respiratory diseases.
Heart Diseases
Tobacco smoke increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases. It consists of a high amount of carbon monoxide, which decreases the level of oxygen in the blood. Vital organs like the brain, heart and lungs are deprived of sufficient oxygen, which affects their functioning. People addicted to smoking are at a greater risk of high blood pressure, heart attack, aortic aneurysm, blood clots, hemorrhages and other cardiovascular diseases.
Tobacco smoking increases the levels of triglycerides and clotting factors and reduces the levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol in the blood, leading to coronary heart diseases, stroke, cerebrovascular diseases and atherosclerotic peripheral vascular diseases.
Lung Cancer
It is the leading cause of lung cancer. Smoking accounts for about 80% cases of lung cancer. In addition, smoking also increases the risk of cancer of other body organs like mouth, esophagus, pancreas, stomach, kidneys, bladder and cervix.
Oral Ailments
Chewing tobacco increases the risk of oral health problems such as periodontal disease, mouth ulcers, candidiasis, oral lesions, oral leukoplakia, gingivitis, brown staining and sticky tar deposits on the teeth, tooth decay, tooth abrasion, altered taste and bad breath. It can also lead to lip cancer, sore throat as well as a burning sensation on the tongue and lips.
Other Complaints
Chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPD) such as chronic bronchitis and emphysema can also result from smoking. Some other diseases that are caused by tobacco are peptic ulcers, asthma, pneumonia, diabetes, cataracts, acute myeloid leukemia, chest infections and tuberculosis. Due to smoking, the level of vitamin A in the body is reduced, which can lead to early aging.
Pregnancy Problems
Using tobacco during pregnancy causes hazardous effects on the health of both, the pregnant woman and her baby. There is an increased risk of miscarriages as well as pregnancy-related complications like ectopic pregnancy, bleeding and premature birth. There is also a possibility of low birth weight baby or stillbirth.
Passive Effect
People, especially infants and children, who come in contact with the smokers may also suffer from the passive effects of smoking. They may become more susceptible to respiratory problems like asthma and various infections of the throat and nose. There is also a higher risk of sudden infant death syndrome.
Few ways that can be tried for quitting this habit are hypnosis, acupuncture, filters, low-level laser therapy (cold laser therapy), smoking deterrents, electronic cigarettes, herbs and supplements, quit-smoking medications (e.g., Chantix, Zyban), Cold Turkey therapy, etc.
The effects of chewing and smoking tobacco are life-threatening. In order to prevent the diseases, you should stay away from these unhealthy habits. It's never too late to quit smoking and stop tobacco use and a strong willpower will help you to do so. Always remember, there should be no compromise, when health is concerned. Respect your beautiful life.
By Reshma Jirage
Last Updated: 5/31/2012
Is Hookah Bad for You Is hookah bad for you, just as smoking cigarettes are? Why are more and more young people smoking hookah these days? Are there any health risks we should be aware of? Find the answers to these questions in the following article...
During the 15th century, hookah was created in India. Hookah was looked upon as a status symbol for many Indian aristocrats and gentry. It quickly became a great tradition and still is, followed by Jats, Rajputs, Bishnois and many more. Later on, it was sent out to Middle East and spread throughout Iran, Turkey, and Egypt. Considered to bring pleasure while smoking with the water pipe, hookah is still part of many cultures around the world. Hookah is also known as "narghile", "shisha" and "goza" around the world. And today, it has become a visible part of the western culture as well, as many hookah lounges are being introduced to young men and women. Although hookahs are a different kind of smoking activity (besides cigarettes) and they don't have the same type of tobacco as cigarettes do as well.
A more new concept for the West, complete truth is still not out yet. What we are talking about here are the health risks that smoking hookah brings. Can it cause lung cancer? Does it have the similar harmful effects of smoking like cigarettes? Or worse? People who smoke hookah tend to claim that it is less risky than cigarettes. But how can we be completely sure if smoking hookah is safer or just plain safe? Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) suggests that just like cigarettes, even hookah smoking can increase risk of cancer in its users. Which is why, to understand what happens when we smoke hookah, we have collected the following information for you.
Hookah - A New Trend in the West
According to the CDC, smoking hookah is quickly becoming a new fad among the youth. As the west is a huge melting pot, more and more Middle Eastern restaurants and shops are facilitating artistically-designed hookah to the public. The hookah, similar to any water pipe, is stuffed with shisha (flavored tobacco) and can be smoked legally. Also, some of the restaurants and lounges lure people with exotic belly dancers performing while they're there. This gains incredible popularity for introducing the youth to 400 year old traditional practice of offering hookah and drinks. Restaurants in Miami, Los Angeles, Seattle, New York, and other states have elegant settings and ambiance for its patrons to obtain this "addiction". But do people realize that in order to experience this new fad, are they thinking of the health risks or just going with the flow?
Can We Defend Smoking Hookah?
People who have become regular users of hookah, try to defend it as much as possible. Yes, enough research and studies have not been done on the harmful effects of smoking, but we can't just rule out the fact altogether. For some, due to misleading facts on the Internet and by other hookah promoters, hookah is a healthier alternative to smoking cigarettes. Considered to give a unique kind of high, more and more people are becoming accustomed to it.
According to the Nicotine Dependence Center, Richard D. Hurt, M.D. says "hookah smoking is not safer than cigarette smoking". So what puts hookah in a questionable position? The tobacco is made specially, it then gets heated on the smoke chamber, and the smoke then passes through the water. You draw the smoke through the rubber hose and from the mouthpiece, and you get to enjoy a unique style of smoking. The tobacco is a bit toxic in the hookah pipe as the water doesn't filter the toxins out of the smoke. A person can in fact inhale more tobacco smoke from hookah than smoking cigarettes. The reason behind it is that in hookah, a person generally tends to inhale large volume of smoke (in one session) than cigarettes. A session of hookah can last up to an hour or more; so you do the math.
Dangers of Smoking Hookah
CDC compiled a list of 12 possible side effects of smoking hookah and came up with the conclusion that it can lead its users to nicotine dependency and increase their risk of getting lung cancer. The presence of carbon monoxide and cancer-causing chemicals are root causes of developing lung cancer and heart disease. If you're still wondering if in fact there are negative health risks by smoking hookah, then perhaps the following points can give you a better perspective.
By Sheetal Mandora
Last Updated: 9/13/2011
Does Diabetes Cause Memory Loss? Memory loss has long been associated with Alzheimer's disease, but can the body's inability to process insulin lead to memory loss? This article explains the relation between memory loss and diabetes.
Diabetes affects almost 346 million people worldwide, and the number is expected to grow by 100 million by the year 2020. Annually it affects more than 23.9 million people in the US alone. It is a disease which progresses by damaging major blood vessels, thereby causing irreparable damage to several organs in the body. This silent killer causes many complications in the body, but there has been a lot of speculation about whether it affects the memory of a person affected by it or not.
The Link Between Diabetes and Memory Loss
Most of us know that diabetes is a condition in which the body is unable to produce the hormone insulin, which converts the sugar in the body into energy. According to leading medical experts, diabetes can be a cause of memory loss due to its ability to affect blood vessels of the brain and the body. Its various side effects of diabetes can also hamper one's learning and reasoning abilities if not controlled in time.
According to a recent study, experts found that people who are in the pre-diabetes stage or can't process blood sugar normally are at a risk of suffering from poor memory or memory loss. Research has also shown that diabetes increases the risk of Alzheimer's disease, compared to those who do not suffer from diabetes. However, according to new research printed in the Medical Journal of American Academy of Neurology, 2009, experts have suggested that people suffering from both diseases (Diabetes and Alzheimer's) will have memory loss at a slower rate than those with only Alzheimer's alone.
Amazingly, this suggestion was proven right when a very fascinating study was conducted. In the study, almost 608 people suffering from mild to moderate Alzheimer's were observed by researchers for over four years. Their reasoning and thinking skills were tested twice a year, and 63 people from 608 were diabetic. Before the study, people with and without diabetes had secured the same scores in various cognition tests. Over a period of six months it was found that the rate of cell damage in those with Alzheimer's and diabetes was less than those with only Alzheimer's. The reason for this is still not clear.
Diabetes and Memory Loss in the Elderly
Along with other complications, diabetes is seen as a potential cause for memory loss in the elderly. A team headed by Vera Novak, MD, PhD, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC) researched for 5 years and identified that diabetes is a prime cause for chronic inflammation of the brain in the elderly. This inflammation affects blood vessels and gradually weakens major brain tissues. It starts by affecting the gray matter which affects decision-making, reasoning capabilities and makes the individual unable to perform the simplest of tasks. Medical experts believe that from the age of 65, an average person's brain starts to shrink about one percent every year, but for a diabetic patient the number can be as high as 12%.
Dealing with Diabetes
There is no known cure available for the disease, but the complications can be kept under control if people follow some basic steps.
By Kulbhushaan Raghuvanshi
Published: 11/21/2011
Memory Loss Causes Mild memory problems are quite common among a large section of the population today. The causes of memory loss can range from nutritional deficiency or stress and anxiety to some serious conditions, like, tumors and neurodegenerative diseases. To know more about memory loss causes, read on.
Memory can be termed as the ability to store and recall information. The whole process of storing, processing and recalling information is a complex mechanism which can be divided into three stages, namely, encoding, storage and retrieval. Everyday we encounter a number of sensory stimuli or information, which are received and processed by the human brain in order to store them. This stage is called encoding, which is followed by the second stage, i.e. storage, which involves retaining the processed information. The final stage of memory is the act of recalling this stored information, which is known as retrieval.
The entire process of storing, processing and recalling information is mainly regulated by our brain, that can be divided into three main parts, namely forebrain, midbrain and hindbrain. The largest part of the brain is cerebrum, which is the center of memory, intelligence, emotion, personality and ability to feel. Different parts of the brain are concerned with regulating specific functions as well as receiving, processing and storing information or sensory impulses received from the sensory organs. Memory can be classified into two forms, short-term memory and long-term memory. Short term memory enables one to recall information only for a short duration, while long-term memory can store a large amount of information for a significantly long time period, sometimes for the entire lifetime. But this ability of the brain can be impaired by a number of factors.
What Causes Memory Loss?
The natural process of aging involves a gradual and slow deterioration of the ability of the brain to learn and store new information due to loss of brain cells. But, it does not bring about a significant loss of memory during a short interval. The process of aging usually causes loss of short-term memory or the ability to recall events that have occurred recently as well as to learn new things. But, certain factors, like, stress, alcohol or drug abuse and some medical conditions can also bring about considerable loss of memory that can interfere with day-to-day activities.
Stress
Stress is a state of mental or emotional strain or fatigue. This indicates that the brain or human mind is subject to a lot of work, more than it can handle. So, stress basically involves overworking of the brain, which results in mental fatigue. In order to overcome this situation, the brain needs to rest and slow down. Stress affects memory and learning ability of an individual. This is the reason why we fail to recall or learn new things when we are mentally stressed. To prevent stress related loss of memory and learning ability, one has to address the factors that increase stress and anxiety and deal with them.
Depression and Anxiety
Like stress, depression and anxiety too have a negative impact on memory. They not only impair memory but can also affect physical and mental well-being of an individual.
Head Injury
As our brain is the main site for storing, processing and recalling information, any physical injury to this part can cause mild to major loss of memory. The extent to which head injury can affect memory depends on the severity of damage to the brain. Severe injury to the head can even result in permanent loss of memory.
Dementia
Dementia is a disorder associated with cognitive ability and it is more commonly found in older population but this does not mean that it cannot happen to young adults. Apart from memory, dementia can affect other cognitive abilities, like, attention, problem solving ability and language. The personality of the sufferer may change significantly and he or she may not be able to carry out even simple day-to-day activities at the later stages of dementia. However, some cases of dementia are reversible with proper treatment.
Drug and Alcohol Abuse
Excessive consumption of alcohol and drug addiction can adversely affect both mental and physical well-being of individuals. Drug and alcohol abuse are often major contributory factors for a number of problems related to mental health. They can impair normal functioning of the nervous system, which in the long run may result in memory loss. In the short run, drug and alcohol abuse causes a state of intoxication which is associated with temporary loss of memory.
Brain Tumors
Brain tumors can impair the functioning of a particular part of the brain where they develop. So, if a tumor develops in the part of the brain which is associated with memory, then it can affect memory to a great extent. Tumors can be both benign and malignant. The benign tumors remain confined to the particular area of origination and do not pervade other places, while the malignant ones can spread rapidly, pervading the surrounding healthy tissues.
Alzheimer's Disease
Alzheimer's disease is one of the most common types of dementia or degenerative diseases. The most common symptom of this condition is loss of memory and cognitive abilities. Initially, the sufferer develops forgetfulness about recent events but their long-term memory remain intact. However, gradually over a period of time, the disease also affects their long-term memory.
Other Causes
Some other causes of memory loss are epilepsy, strokes, infections and neurodegenerative diseases. Multiple sclerosis and Parkinson's disease are noteworthy neurodegenerative diseases that affect human memory. Epilepsy seizures generally cause a temporary loss of memory, while the extent of damage caused by stokes depends on its severity. Infection of the brain, as happens in case of encephalitis and meningitis, can cause inflammation of the brain tissues and the sufferer may experience memory loss. Memory loss can also happen in case of infections such as tuberculosis, HIV, herpes, syphilis, etc. which affects the core of the brain and causes serious problems. Thyroid dysfunction can also contribute to this situation. However, in many instances, mild forgetfulness can be a side effect of some medications too.
It is essential to identify the exact short-term memory loss causes, so that they can be addressed properly to prevent permanent loss of memory. Apart from the above mentioned diseases and disorders, memory can get impaired temporarily due to lack of proper nutrition or nourishment. Like other organs, the brain also needs all the vital nutrients including vitamins, especially vitamin B and C to perform its activities smoothly. Therefore, eating a healthy and balanced diet can play a crucial role in improving memory. Also important is to drink plenty of water to flush out the toxins from the body, regular exercise and to reduce or avoid consumption of alcohol and smoking. As far as stress is concerned, one can take the help of stress relief techniques, like, yoga and meditation that can ensure overall mental and physical well-being.
By Chandramita Bora
Last Updated: 12/15/2011
Short Term Memory Loss Symptoms The loss of memory can be a scary experience. It is imperative that short term memory loss symptoms should be recognized in time, as they can be an indicative of a brain or spinal cord disorder.
Before going into the details, let me just tell you something about memory and the brain. Since the IQ of every person is different (some may have higher IQ, some may have lower IQ), and the functioning of memory and causes of and symptoms of its loss may vary from person to person. (Functioning of conscious brain is also different as no two personalities are same). So it has been very difficult for researchers to pin-point the exact nature of symptoms. In the following extract, I have tried to explore the causes, symptoms, and treatment for this condition.
Causes
By Vipul Lovekar
Last Updated: 9/28/2011
Memory Loss in Young Adults Memory loss in young adults comprises certain types, knowledge of which is very important. In the following article, you won't only learn the types, but also the causes, the symptoms, and the treatment. Also called 'amnesia', let us see what exactly we mean by memory loss, and how it can be prevented, and treated. Read on...
Memory loss; a term that we are well-aware of, since perhaps the earliest stages of life. We've heard of it from parents, read it in books, and seen it in countless movies. Among all these, movies have taken us closest to the subject, yet, not technically. A person not remembering his past, after an accident, or after a shocking event, is cliché now. However, have you ever wondered what causes short-term memory loss in young adults? Or even a long-term one for that matter? No, right? But then, now you will. Listed below are the causes, the symptoms, and the treatment for this condition. As mentioned before, the condition is also known as 'amnesia'. However, before all those details, and unending information, let us read a little about types of amnesia that can occur in young adults. You can also use the 'index', to directly go to a topic of your choice.
Index
☛ Anterograde Amnesia
Anterograde amnesia is one of the most common types of amnesia in young adults. In this, the brain's ability to store and retain information, or knowledge, reduces. Gradually, this leads to memory loss. Young adults who suffer from this type, have difficulty remembering the recent or immediate past. Usually, we get to see this type in cases of Alzheimer's and dementia.
☛ Retrograde Amnesia
Retrograde amnesia is another type. It usually occurs after trauma to the brain, like a head injury or an accident. Something that has caused external harm to the brain. In this type of amnesia, the person will not remember most of his/her life, before the occurring of this amnesia. This is what we usually get to see in movies. Memories of life before the incident are washed away.
☛ Transient Global Amnesia
Transient global amnesia is a form of memory loss that is seen very rarely. In this type, the ability, or rather capability of the brain to form new memories diminishes, and events of the recent past may seem blurred. This is a form of 'temporary loss' of all memory. It isn't permanent though. Sometimes, you can remember what you had completely forgotten earlier.
Top
Causes
☛ Psychogenic Amnesia
Psychogenic amnesia is a form of amnesia that occurs due to psychological reasons, that mostly rise from impactful incidents in life. A life-threatening event, or a stressful life, can lead to this form of memory loss in people. Usually the reasons are criminal behavior, depression or schizophrenia. Most of the time, this kind of memory loss is short-term, but in some cases it can also be long-term.
☛ Encephalitis and Meningitis
Another cause is a brain infection. Encephalitis is a common brain infection, in which we see a little inflammation of the brain. Another one is 'meningitis', in which we see inflammation of the brain, as well as the spinal cord covering. The worst part about these infections, is their capacity to do permanent damage. However, the duration of memory loss will depend on other factors too, such as the severity of the infection, and the damage it has already done.
☛ External Injury
An external injury is when the brain suffers from some trauma, like in an accident. In this case, the brain gets injured internally and/or externally, and that too, many times! This is said to lead to memory loss at a young age. Mostly, in this case, the memory loss is short-term, and doesn't stay for long. The patient usually does not remember how he met with an accident, but slowly it all does come back. This can also termed, or called 'traumatic brain injury'.
☛ Drugs
Many prescription drugs such as barbiturates, digoxin, isoniazid, tricyclic antidepressants, bromide, methyldopa, diuretics and aminophylline, can lead to memory loss in young adults. Some recreational drugs that can lead to memory loss are cocaine, PSP and LSD. If a young adult is suffering from this condition due to any of these drugs, the chances of improvement are high. The situation might improve once he stops taking these drugs.
☛ Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome
Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome is actually a deficiency of Vitamin B1, and another cause for memory loss. Two of the major reasons that lead to this deficiency are; extreme malnourishment, and/or addiction to alcohol, i.e alcoholism. If amnesia is not treated in its earlier stages, it can also lead to 'dementia'. People who suffer from this deficiency, can suffer memory loss episodes for a lifetime. Recovery can be difficult. This is one of the most dangerous causes of long-term loss.
Top
Symptoms
The symptoms of memory loss in younger adults, are almost the same as memory loss symptoms in other age groups. The most basic symptom is the inability to 'remember'; all the other symptoms being offshoots of this one particular problem. The symptoms also depend a lot on the intensity and severity of the illness. So, the short-term memory loss symptoms may differ a little from the long-term ones.
☛ Problem with Directions
People who are suffering from amnesia always have a problem with directions. They forget how they reached a particular place, or how they are supposed to leave and reach another. The basic problem is to 'store' the information, and use it again. Memory loss can always make a person forget general directions like 'left' and 'right'.
☛ Loss of Words
Young adults who are suffering from memory loss, also forget right usage of words, and the appropriate words, one is supposed to use in a particular sentence. They might want to say something for a very long time, but just then, they will not remember a word they had in mind all along. They might not remember the lyrics of a song they have just heard, or the name of a particular place they just spoke about.
☛ Forgetting Positions and Engagements
Memory loss in young adults may also result in forgetting positions. You might think you kept a certain thing somewhere, and just can't find it there anymore. Things you use everyday, like your car keys, or the place where you keep the remote control. Another symptom is forgetting engagements, such as meetings decided a day or two earlier, or the time of these meetings, or the person you are supposed to meet even.
☛ Mood Swings
Another symptom is existence of mood swings, and fluctuating behavioral patterns. A young adult who is suffering from memory loss may seem angry one minute, and may suddenly calm down the next minute. There may be episodes of depression, or sudden euphoria as well. Sometimes, a person may feel anxiety due to unknown reasons, and then suddenly feel alright in sometime again, due to unknown reasons.
☛ Inability to Perform
Memory loss also leads to the inability to perform. This means that a person might find it difficult to perform a certain task, that he has performed regularly. He might suddenly start facing certain problems now. Sometimes, this happens when you have a fixed schedule, but can't remember certain things in them, you usually follow everyday. For example, a person might suddenly find it difficult to cook, or to play a certain game.
Top
Treatment
☛ Foods
Certain foods play a very important role in the treatment for memory loss. It has been proven in some studies, that foods rich in powerful antioxidants can help, even in severe cases. Plums, red grapes, most of the berries, brussels, onions and broccoli, are a few foods high in antioxidants. Foods rich in Vitamin B are also advised to help in the treatment of memory loss. Another helpful food type, is the list of foods that contain omega 3 essential fatty acids. These contain nutrients that help in the maintenance of the brain.
☛ Exercises
There are certain memory improvement exercises that can help in treating memory loss. These are usually advised by the doctors to help the brain retain more memory, and to improve the ability of remembering. The person may have to strictly stick to the routine he followed before the illness struck. Someone might be needed to keep a check on that. Apart from this, doctors may even ask the person to write down everything, such as names and numbers of people, to help the patient improve his capacity to store information.
☛ Medicines
The treatment for memory loss may also include medicines prescribed by a doctor; to help improve the present condition, and functioning of the brain. People suffering from memory loss at times suffer from hallucinations, and delusions which can be treated with medicines. Other medication may consist of medicines such as Donepezil (Aricept), Intravenous Immunoglobulin (IVIg), Memantine (Akatinol), Selegeline (Eldepryl), Gingko Biloba, Nootropics, Alpha-tocopherol Galantamine (Reminyl), Tacrine (Cognex), Rivastigmine (Exelon), Neo Tropin, B-secretase inhibitors, Vitamin B, Clioquinol, and some cholesterol lowering agents.
☛ Giving Up on Addictions
Giving up on addictions is also a part of the memory loss treatment. This treatment, has to be dealt with a lot of care. Addictions can cause certain unwanted problems in it. Smoking and alcoholism will not only reduce the effects of the treatment, they will also create problems in the proper functioning of the brain, which is of utmost importance while dealing with memory loss.
Top
Memory loss in young adults can be treated with certain medicines and surgeries, but it is very difficult to ascertain the exact treatment, as it differs in every case. I hope this information on the types, the symptoms, the causes, and the treatment, cleared all the questions you had regarding this illness. Sometimes, you can't avoid this happening to you, but sometimes, you can. If you see any of the symptoms mentioned above, consult your doctor as soon as possible. Take Care!
By Neha Joshi
Last Updated: 2/28/2012
Nursing Care Plans for Diabetes Diabetes is undoubtedly one of the major health threats in the United States. A diabetic patient needs constant monitoring and care. The role of nursing care of diabetes is extremely crucial in this regard. This article will guide you on some basic instructions on a diabetes nursing care plan. Read on to know more about nursing care of diabetes.
"Peter is a retired lawyer who lives with his wife in an apartment owned by them, in North America. Recently, Peter got a heart attack due to severe diabetes. He was admitted in a nearby hospital because his wife's own health problems prevented her from taking care of her husband. However, the nursing home had some excellent nurses and Janice was one of them. The care, love and discipline Janice displayed in treating Peter, gradually improved his health. Nowadays, Peter can be seen on his regular morning walks along with his wife, laughing and smiling happily. They can't help but thank the nursing home, for having excellent staff like Janice."
The story highlights the importance of nursing care in a beautiful manner. The effort that the nursing home has taken in imparting the necessary skills to Janice, is evident when the patient returns home satisfied with the quality of her work. Don't take my words for granted, a good nurse is as important as a good doctor is and this should not be ignored at any cost. Let's discuss some guidelines for the nursing care plans for diabetes. Diabetes is usually of two types - Type 1 diabetes or Insulin dependent diabetes mellitus and Type 2 diabetes or non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus.
Tips for Nurses
Monitoring the Patients
Within 7 days of admission to the hospital, all patients should have a mandatory urine test. On being tested positive, the diabetic cases must be referred to senior doctors or the respective doctors in charge. The areas that should be monitored by the nurses are glucose monitoring using blood glucose monitors, high or low blood pressure check ups, skin and foot care tests and dietary programs of the patient. In case the person is tested negative in the urine tests and he is still not recovering from other related symptoms of diabetes, he should be rechecked after few days or weeks.
Dealing with High Blood Pressure
Every patient has different history of past medical complications and so the blood pressure readings can vary significantly. If the patients with high blood pressure have a long history of drugs or smoking, they must be asked to quit. One can take the necessary help from hospital authorities, in order to stop the person from smoking. Report to the doctors regularly, about the blood pressure readings of the patient. Every patient has set targets for the blood pressure. If a patient has reached normal blood pressure readings, then consult the doctors and make the necessary changes in his nursing care plans.
Diet and Diabetes
The diet for a diabetic patient should be carefully planned. The nurse should monitor, that the patient is only eating food that is helpful in recovering him faster. Food such as potatoes, cereals and rice are an important part of diabetic diet and must be encouraged. All new patients must be consulted with a dietitian, before going for their dietary plans. The basal metabolic index for every patient must be tracked on a monthly basis and a record of the same must be kept for regular reference.
Managing the Medicines
The drugs and medicines should only be given by nurses, if they have been recommended by the doctor. Before giving the medicine to the patient, just as a precautionary measure, the nurse should check that the patient is taking the right medicines. Insulin dosage must be carefully administered by the nurse. Insulin medicines must be stored in refrigerators and must be taken out 20 minutes before they have to be given to the patient. The nurse should take care that the injection locations don't repeat daily. As different sites will have varied absorption ability, it is preferable to change the sites occasionally. A record of the different sites where the injections are given to the patient, must be maintained. For patients that have problems like hypoglycemia chronic fatigue the nurse should be ready to face emergency situations, where the patient may show symptoms of dizziness and extreme fatigue. The nurse should be aware of the possible problems that a diabetic patient may face.
Other Guideposts For Nurses
The nurse can be a good source of information for the patient and also is his care taker. The nurse can advise and instruct the patients about exercises that are useful in diabetes. Exercises as we all know, can show improvements in blood pressure charts, reduce the risks of cardiovascular diseases and enhance the mental state of the patient. Take care, that problems like continence and urinary tract infections (UTI) are not able to affect the patient and increase the complications. Also, gestational diabetes nursing care should be handled as an important issue, as it affects the mother during the time of embryo formation. The patient affected from gestational diabetes should be assisted constantly.
Good care requires planning and carefully analyzing the symptoms of the patient. A charming and friendly attitude with the patient is necessary, so that the patient gets the emotional support and can recover from the disease as early as possible. Nursing care plans for diabetes are meant to achieve holistic health for the patient. Its ultimate objective is to make the patient feel that with proper care and guidance, diabetes care can be provided effectively.
By Kundan Pandey
Last Updated: 1/4/2012
Early Signs of Diabetes Diabetes is a commonly reported chronic disease that can be treated, but cannot be cured. Its early signs are usually mild; however, it progresses to a life-threatening condition (if left untreated).
Diabetes is a chronic ailment, characterized by an increased sugar level in the blood. It is caused due to abnormal metabolism of the hormone insulin, which is secreted by the beta cells of the pancreas. Insulin regulates the metabolic process of sugar in the body. It induces the body cells to take up glucose from the blood, for using it as a source of energy. This function of insulin is disturbed in a diabetic patient. Hence, sugar remains in the blood, resulting in high blood glucose level (hyperglycemia) and associated symptoms.
Three Types of Diabetes
It is estimated that about 8.3 percent Americans have diabetes. In fact, it is identified as one of the leading causes of death, after cancer and heart disease. Diabetes is classified into three major types, depending upon the etiology, viz. type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes and gestational diabetes. While the health effects accompanied with high blood sugar remain the same, actual symptoms differ slightly according the type of diabetes. Hence, to get a better understanding about the same, a brief explanation about the three diabetes types is given below.
Type 1 Diabetes
About 10-15 percent of diabetes patients are diagnosed with this type. Type 1 diabetes is caused due to damage of beta cells of the pancreas, which results in little or no production of insulin. Previously, it was thought to affect only children and hence, it is referred to as juvenile diabetes or childhood diabetes. Since a patient of type 1 diabetes requires insulin injections daily, it is also known as insulin-dependent diabetes.
Type 2 Diabetes
In contrary to the type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes is known as insulin-independent diabetes or adult-onset diabetes. It is the most common type of diabetes, accounting to about 85-90 percent of all the cases. In this diabetes type, either the body cells do not respond properly to insulin (though hormone secretion is normal) or there is insufficient insulin. It is often associated with obesity and a less active lifestyle.
Gestational Diabetes
This form of diabetes is similar to type 2 diabetes, but occurs exclusively in pregnant women. Also known as carbohydrate intolerance, it is caused either due to hormonal changes or shortage of insulin during pregnancy. Usually, the sugar level becomes normal or near normal after the birth of the baby. In case, the symptoms persist then there is a high chance of developing type 2 diabetes in a later period.
Early Signs and Symptoms of Diabetes
A few symptoms of diabetes are manifested in the early stage (or prediabetes phase). Hence, about one-third of people who have diabetes remain unaware of the high blood sugar level. When the early signs of diabetes are present, they are often confused with symptoms of other health problems. Let's look into some of the warming signs of diabetes.
In case, a person experiences any of the above mentioned warning signs, he/she should go for blood glucose test right away. Seeking advice from a health specialist for proper diagnosis is necessary. Doing so will help in delaying the onset or even control this chronic ailment. The doctor may suggest lifestyle changes and diet modification to keep the blood sugar level under control.
Remember that an untreated diabetes can lead to serious health problems such as diabetic retinopathy (eye disease), diabetic neuropathy (nerve damage), kidney disease and kidney failure. Impotency in men and vaginal dryness in women afflicted with type 2 diabetes are also not uncommon. Along with changes in the lifestyle and diet, regular checking of blood sugar is a must. This helps in confirming, whether the treatment approaches are working or not.
By Ningthoujam Sandhyarani
Last Updated: 8/23/2011
Diabetic Foot Pain Symptoms Diabetes can result in excruciating foot pain caused by the damage to the nerves and problems in circulation. Read on to know more about the causes and diabetic foot pain symptoms.
The occurrence of diabetes can result in very high blood sugar levels, also known as hyperglycemia, which not only hinders the body's ability to fight infection but can also result in damaged nerves, kidneys and blood vessels. One of the most common complications associated with diabetes is excruciating foot pain. This diabetes symptom can be attributed to nerve damage that occurs due to the disease and the resulting poor circulation of blood. Although this may start out as a mild tingling sensation in the hands and feet, it can gradually grow to become quite painful as the disease progresses. In fact it is observed that among the 16 million people affected by diabetes, 25% may develop diabetic foot pain symptoms. Here are some of the common causes and symptoms of diabetic foot problems, along with measures to control this disorder.
Diabetic Foot Pain Causes
Peripheral Neuropathy: Peripheral neuropathy is a type of diabetic neuropathy that affects the nerves. There are three types of peripheral neuropathy which include sensory, motor, and autonomic neuropathy. A large percentage of pain that diabetic patients complain of is due to sensory neuropathy. This can show up as "sensitive pain," where just touching the skin or covering your feet with a sheet in bed could be painful or result in numbness in the feet. Similarly, motor neuropathy can result in nerves in the muscles being affected by the disease making the muscles feel weak and achy. Autonomic neuropathy results in dry, stiff, cracked skin and painful calluses. Bacterial and fungal infection could be more likely an additional source of pain and concern.
Circulation Problems: Circulation problems in the feet may cause intense pain. This is due to the effect of high blood sugar in the arteries, capillaries and veins. When the arteries are blocked by the same fatty deposits in diabetes, thus thickening the artery walls, calcium deposits are formed. This results in partial or totally blocking of the blood flow to the feet. Hence, due to the tissues starving for oxygen, there is extreme pain in the foot.
Infection: Diabetics are more susceptible to fungal and bacterial infections of the foot due to the change in nutrition and other medical changes brought about by the onset of the disease. As rising blood sugar levels pose a threat to a person's immune system, so does this condition increase the risk of contracting infection.
Muscle and Joint Pain: Another common source of foot pain in diabetics involves the muscles and the joints. Due to the muscles being affected, the tendons become stiff and begin to contract. This process can not only result in pain in the muscle and joint pain, but also create problems in balancing oneself while walking.
Signs and Symptoms
Foot pain caused by type 1 diabetes, also known as diabetes mellitus, can manifest itself in many ways. These include:
Though there is no permanent cure for diabetes, as of now, this condition can be controlled with the help of medication. There are several over-the counter drugs available that can help soothe the pain. NSAIDs and painkillers are prescribed to reduce the pain and inflammation. The doctor may also advice the patient to take rest and reduce foot movement during painful spells.
Although foot pain and diabetes do go hand in hand, these painful symptoms can be combated by careful monitoring of blood sugar levels and consistent examination of the feet. This can prevent problems from starting, and help correct problems that have begun. For people who complain of diabetic foot pain it is important to have it evaluated by your physician and introduce the appropriate diabetic foot care. Although oral medication is known to be helpful, the best course of action is to maintain a healthy lifestyle and eat a well-balanced diabetic diet to maintain healthy blood sugar levels.
By Parul Solanki
Last Updated: 3/26/2012
Pathophysiology of Diabetes Mellitus Studies conducted on the pathophysiology of diabetes mellitus suggested that abnormal metabolism of insulin hormone is the primary cause for the development of this complex syndrome. Even though the etiologies and triggering factors of the three types of diabetes mellitus are different, they cause nearly the same symptoms and complications.
Diabetes mellitus (DM) or simply diabetes, is a chronic health condition in which the body either fails to produce sufficient amounts of insulin or it responds abnormally to insulin. Commonly referred to as a syndrome, diabetes is classified into three types, namely, Type 1 diabetes, Type 2 diabetes, and Gestational diabetes. The ultimate outcome for all three types of diabetes is high blood glucose level. The pathophysiology of diabetes mellitus is very complex, as this ailment is characterized by different etiologies while sharing similar signs, symptoms, and complications.
Diabetes Mellitus: Pathophysiology
The pathophysiology of all types of diabetes is related to the hormone insulin, which is secreted by the beta cells of the pancreas. In a healthy person, insulin is produced in response to the increased level of glucose in the bloodstream, and its major role is to control glucose concentration in the blood. What insulin does is, allowing the body cells and tissues to use glucose as a main energy source. Also, this hormone is responsible for conversion of glucose to glycogen for storage in the muscles and liver cells. This way, sugar level is maintained at a near stable amount.
In a diabetic person, there is an abnormal metabolism of insulin hormone. The actual reason for this malfunction differs according to the type of diabetes. Whatever the cause is, the body cells and tissues do not make use of glucose from the blood, resulting in elevated blood glucose (a typical symptom of diabetes called hyperglycemia). This condition is also exacerbated by the conversion of stored glycogen to glucose, i.e., increased hepatic glucose production. Over a period of time, high glucose level in the bloodstream can lead to severe complications, such as eye disorders, cardiovascular diseases, kidney damage, and nerve problems.
In Type 1 diabetes, the pancreas cannot synthesize enough amounts of insulin as required by the body. The pathophysiology of Type 1 diabetes mellitus suggests that it is an autoimmune disease, wherein the body's own immune system generates secretion of substances that attack the beta cells of the pancreas. Consequently, the pancreas secretes little or no insulin. Type 1 diabetes is more common among children and young adults (around 20 years). Since it is common among young individuals and insulin hormone is used for treatment, Type 1 diabetes is also referred to as Juvenile Diabetes or Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus (IDDM).
In case of Type 2 diabetes mellitus, the insulin hormone secreted by the beta cells is normal or slightly lower than the ideal amount. However, the body cells are not responding to insulin as they do in a healthy person. Since the body cells and tissues are resistant to insulin, they do not absorb glucose, instead it remains in the bloodstream. Thus, the Type 2 diabetes is also characterized by elevated blood sugar. It is commonly manifested by middle-aged adults (above 40 years). As insulin is not necessary for treatment of Type 2 diabetes, it is known as Non-insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus (NIIDM) or Adult Onset Diabetes.
The third type of diabetes is called Gestational diabetes. As the term clearly suggests, it is exhibited by pregnant women. Over here, high level of blood glucose is caused by hormonal fluctuations during pregnancy. Usually, the sugar concentration returns to normal after the baby is born. However, there are also instances, in which it remains high even after childbirth. This is an indication for increased risks of developing diabetes in the near future.
As already mentioned, the symptoms and effects of all the three forms of diabetes are similar. The noticeable symptoms include increased thirst (polydipsia), increased urination (polyuria), and increased appetite (polyphagia). Other diabetes signs and symptoms include excessive fatigue, presence of sugar in the urine (glycosuria), body irritation, unexplained weight loss, and dehydration. Elevated blood sugar and glycosuria are interrelated; when sugar amount in the blood is abnormally high, the reabsorption by proximal convoluted tubule is reduced, thereby retaining some glucose in the urine.
Diabetes Mellitus: Diagnosis and Treatment
Regarding the definition of diabetes mellitus, it is often described as a fasting blood glucose level of 126 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL) or more. As per statistics, Type 2 diabetes is the most commonly occurring type, in comparison to the other two forms of diabetes mellitus. Early and correct detection of the diabetes is necessary to prevent severe health effects. After diagnosis, the physician prescribes appropriate medication for treatment of diabetes, which may include insulin injections or oral insulin medicines, depending upon the type of diabetes mellitus.
In addition to the therapeutic intervention, healthy lifestyle modifications, especially in terms of diet and exercises are recommended for effective management of diabetes symptoms and long-term effects. Since it is a global health issue, studies regarding the diabetes mellitus pathophysiology are currently in progress in order to minimize its associated health effects, and also, to treat it effectively.
By Ningthoujam Sandhyarani
Last Updated: 11/16/2011
Dry Mouth and Diabetes Dry mouth is among the many symptoms of diabetes and it is common among diabetics for a variety of reasons. Here's a look into some of its causes, the symptoms associated with this condition, as well as some simple treatment measures for it.
The main cause of a dry mouth is the lack of saliva to keep it moist. You may have noticed at several times, that when your mouth is dry due to various reasons, you are neither able to speak clearly nor eat well. Thus, saliva helps with clear speech and with the ability to bite and chew one's food well, thereby aiding the digestion process. These are not the only functions of the saliva. It keeps harmful bacteria at bay and thus prevents the possibility of developing an infection in the mouth. It clears the acids that are produced by plaque. Though one of the most ignored part of our daily hygiene routine, oral health is of utmost importance, and diabetes may affect oral health. Yes, dry mouth and diabetes are related. Here's why, and what you can do to treat it.
Causes
Dry mouth may be a warning sign of diabetes, but is not the only symptom that indicates this condition. It is, however, common in those suffering from type 1 diabetes. Why does dry mouth occur as a result of diabetes? It may be due to any of the following reasons:
Though the condition itself is a sign or a symptom, there are other signs that are associated with dry mouth caused due to diabetes.
This condition is fortunately treatable, with some of the following tips mentioned below.
Disclaimer: This Buzzle article is for informative purposes only and does not, in any way, intend to replace the advice of a medical expert.
By Puja Lalwani
Last Updated: 1/27/2012
Is Diabetes Hereditary? Diabetes is a condition that develops when the body is not able to produce or use the stored glucose in the body. The following article will cover some facts related to its possible hereditary nature...
Diabetes is the sweet disease that can lead to many health problems including heart diseases, stroke and even gout. Diabetes is becoming a very common disease not only in the Western world, but also in developing countries. Researchers are searching for answers that lead to concrete causes of diabetes. Many times, it is seen that diabetes runs in families.
What is Diabetes?
It is a condition that develops when the body is not able to produce or use the stored glucose in the body. This causes the blood sugar or glucose levels in the body to rise. When sugar or starchy foods are eaten they are broken down into glucose. This glucose is then converted into energy by the body with the help of insulin. This is a hormone produced by the pancreas. If there is an insufficient amount of insulin in the body, it will lead to improper absorption of glucose by the body. Thus, the level of glucose in the blood rises leading to increase in blood sugar level.
There are two types of diabetes that can affect people. Type 1 diabetes, also called juvenile onset or insulin dependent diabetes and Type 2 diabetes, or adult onset or non-insulin dependent diabetes are the two types. Type 1 diabetes affects children and young adults, as their body does not produce any insulin. Thus, making them dependent on insulin injections for survival. Type 2 diabetes occurs in people over 40 and those who are obese, have a family history of diabetes and unhealthy lifestyle.
Is There a Genetic Risk in Developing Diabetes?
Diabetes is a disease that is commonly seen in adults as well as children and young adults these days. Most of the time, if one or both or the parents have diabetes, their children seem to develop diabetes during some time of their life. This is very common and people often think diabetes runs in their families.
Hereditary Risk for Type 1 Diabetes
Genes are passed on from parents to their children. Of these genes, when the child inherits the gene for Type 1 diabetes, he or she may develop it at some point of their life. However, if these genes are absent, a person will not develop type 1 diabetes. Statistically speaking, if both parents have type 1 diabetes, there is 30% chance the child develop type 1 diabetes. If it is just the mother with type 1 diabetes, there is 4% chance that offspring born before she was 25 years will have type 1 diabetes. If the mother crossed 25 years of age, there is just 1% chance the child will develop diabetes. In case of the father, there is 6% chance his child will develop diabetes.
Hereditary Risk for Type 2 Diabetes
In case of type 2 diabetes, there is no specific genetic pattern. Therefore, the chances of developing diabetes depends on the number of people in your family with the condition. Also, presence of other genetic disorders, like Down's syndrome, increase the risk of developing diabetes. However, it has been estimated, if both parents suffer from type 2 diabetes, there is 75% chance their child may develop it too.
It has been found by American Diabetes Association that if there is an individual whose mother has Type 1 diabetes, then the risk of developing diabetes in her child is 1 in 25. And if the individual was born before his/her mother was 25 years old, then the risk of developing juvenile diabetes is 1 in 100. If the father has Type 1 diabetes, the chances of the individual developing diabetes is 1 in 17. In case either of the parent has Type 2 diabetes before they turn 50, the chances of the individual developing diabetes is 1 in 7. If the either of the parent develops it after they turn 50, the risk of diabetes is 1 in 13.
Is Gestational Diabetes Hereditary?
There is another type of diabetes called gestational diabetes that develops in women during pregnancy. This diabetes affects 2 to 7% of pregnant women. This occurs because during pregnancy, the body is busy with the different hormones secreted for development of the fetus. During this time, the body requires more insulin to keep the blood glucose levels in check. However, if a woman's pancreas fail to deliver the required amount of insulin, it may lead to a rise in blood sugar levels. This will lead to gestational diabetes. The symptoms of gestational diabetes disappear once the baby is born. However, it can develop again when the woman gets pregnant again and is a sign that the woman is at a high risk of developing diabetes later in life. This brings one to the question is gestational diabetes hereditary or not.
According to researchers, they do not have the exact cause for gestational diabetes during pregnancy. However, it is thought that hormones from the placenta play a role in developing gestational diabetes. It is said, the placental hormones may prevent insulin to act and therefore, lead to high blood sugar levels. Also, women who are overweight or those who do not follow a healthy lifestyle, may develop gestational diabetes. Women with a history or family of diabetics too may come under the risk of developing hyperglycemia.
Other Factors that Play a Role in Developing Diabetes
Other than genes, there are other factors that can contribute to development of diabetes. Some of the risk factors for type 1 diabetes include vitamin D deficiency, underlying autoimmune diseases, exposure to certain viruses like Coxsackievirus, Epstein-Barr virus, enterovirus, etc. Risk factors for type 2 diabetes include obesity, inactive physical life, age, unhealthy diet, age, damage to pancreas, hormonal disorders, certain medications and excess sugar intake.
Therefore, as you must have understood by now, it is very difficult to answer if diabetes is a hereditary disease. A combination of genetic and environmental factors play a major role in developing diabetes. You need to do is maintain a healthy lifestyle and follow a strict diet and exercise routine, especially if you have diabetes running in your family.
By Batul Nafisa Baxamusa
Last Updated: 3/15/2012
Diabetic Coma Every year, the number of people suffering from diabetes is increasing at a high rate. If not taken proper care of, a person suffering from diabetes (hypoglycemia or hyperglycemia) may suffer from diabetic coma.
Enlarge Image
Diabetic coma is a medical condition where, a patient suffering from diabetes loses his/her consciousness as a result of imbalance in blood sugar level. A patient suffering from very low blood sugar (known as severe hypoglycemia) or very high blood sugar (known as severe hyperglycemia) can get into the diabetic coma.
Conditions Responsible
As mentioned above, diabetic coma can be a result of either hyperglycemia or hypoglycemia in combination with dehydration and fatigue. In all the cases, a patient loses consciousness (coma) due to the effect of hyperglycemia/hypoglycemia on brain cells. Glucose is one of the most important elements for a human body that helps in keeping metabolism in proper condition. If glucose level in blood drops beyond normal (hypoglycemia) or is higher than maximum glucose level, it hinders normal metabolism of body and brain cells start malfunctioning. This condition results in variance in osmotic pressure on the cells causing dehydration and other conditions like electrolyte imbalance. This condition can be reversed if patient is treated before it is too late.
Symptoms
How Does Diabetes Affect the Body Diabetes is mainly of two types, type 1 and type 2 diabetes. It causes an increase in blood sugar level, which in turn can have several serious consequences.
Diabetes usually refers to diabetes mellitus, a condition characterized by high blood sugar level. The rise in the level of blood sugar or glucose can be due to a deficiency insulin, or a failure of the body cells to respond to insulin. Insulin is the hormone secreted by the beta cell of the islets of Langerhans found in the pancreas, and it facilitates the absorption of glucose by the body cells from the bloodstream. A deficiency of insulin, or the inability of the body cells to respond to insulin causes the level of blood sugar to rise, as the body cells cannot absorb and utilize glucose effectively. Diabetes and an abnormally high level of blood glucose level can affect the various organs of the body and their functions, which over a period of time can lead to several complications.
Types of Diabetes
It is mainly of three types, type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes and gestational diabetes. Out of these, type 2 diabetes is the most common type of diabetes. Type 1 diabetes is caused by the failure of the body to produce enough insulin. On the other hand, type 2 diabetes is characterized by the inability of the body cells to use or respond to insulin properly. This condition is termed as insulin resistance. Sometimes, along with insulin resistance, insulin insufficiency may also be associated with type 2 diabetes. Gestational diabetes is the diabetes that develops during pregnancy in a woman, who never had diabetes before. Irrespective of the type, it leads to a rise in the blood sugar level, which can ultimately affect several parts of the body to cause a number of health problems. Below here is a brief account of the effects of type 2 diabetes and type 1 diabetes on the body.
Effects of Diabetes on the Body
It is one of the major health concerns of the world, and almost everyone knows that it causes the level of blood sugar to rise. The effects of type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes on the body are similar, as both the conditions increase the level of sugar in blood or cause hyperglycemia. A rise in blood sugar level can cause increased thirst and urination, extreme hunger, fatigue, weight loss and blurred vision. In the long run, high level of blood sugar can affect the entire body, and several important organs like, the eyes, kidneys and even the coronary arteries.
Kidneys
It can lead to a condition, known as diabetic nephropathy. It is a kidney disease, where the tiny blood vessels of the kidney get damaged. As a result, they fail to filter waste materials from the blood. This can eventually cause kidney failure or kidneys diseases, and accumulation of fluids and waste products in the body. Eventually, this condition can necessitate dialysis or kidney transplantation.
Eyes
Diabetes and high level of blood sugar can also affect the blood vessels of the eyes to cause diabetic retinopathy. It can cause expansion of the blood vessels of the eye to the extent that they collapse. New blood vessels often develop, but majority of them are defective and so, fail to contain the blood. Bursting of blood vessels in the eyes can cause blurred vision, glaucoma and even blindness.
Coronary Arteries
It can significantly increase the risk for coronary artery disease, heart disease and cardiovascular diseases. Narrowing or hardening of the arteries, heart attack, stroke and high blood pressure are some of the conditions that people with diabetes are more likely to encounter.
Nerves
It is one of the major causes of neuropathy or nerve damage. This is known as diabetic neuropathy. Presence of excess sugar in blood can damage the wall of the blood vessels, and the covering of the nerves, especially in the legs and the feet. This can cause nerve damage, which can manifest in several symptoms including, tingling and numbness in the legs, hands and feet, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, urinary problems, constipation and sexual dysfunction.
Skin, Bones and Feet
People with diabetes are more likely to suffer from skin conditions like, fungal and bacterial infections along with bone and joint problems like, osteoporosis. The nerve and blood vessel damage caused by the condition can eventually lead to several foot problems as well. It can cause loss of sensation in the feet. Even minor injuries to the feet like, blisters, sores and cuts can become serious infections, as the feet may not be receiving enough oxygen and blood to heal promptly. A severe infection can sometimes necessitate foot or leg amputation.
Apart from the above mentioned health problems, untreated or uncontrolled diabetes can cause diabetic acidosis. Diabetic acidosis is the condition where ketones accumulate in the body. When the cells fail to absorb and utilize glucose, they turn to fats to derive energy. Breakdown of fats generates ketones as byproducts, which if accumulate in a large amount can increase acidity of blood and the tissues. This can lead to serious complications, if not treated immediately. The treatment includes both medications and lifestyle modifications. Effective management of diabetes is possible only when medications are combined with a proper diabetic diet, weight control and regular exercises or physical activities.
By Chandramita Bora
Published: 7/12/2010
Etiology of Diabetes The etiology of diabetes means the cause or the exact causative factor that leads to the onset of this condition. Given below are details regarding the same...
Diabetes mellitus is one of the most commonly seen conditions. The statistics of diabetes in the United States are alarming to say the least - nearly 7.8% of the population suffers from this type of diabetes. However, diabetes is of two types, type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes, both of which differ in their etiologies.
Etiology of Type 1 Diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is also known as childhood diabetes, insulin dependent diabetes mellitus, or juvenile diabetes. This is a type of diabetes mellitus that occurs due to the autoimmune destruction of the insulin producing beta cells of the pancreas. The exact etiology of diabetes mellitus of this kind is not fully understood. It is said that immunological factors, along with genetic and environmental factors are the cause behind childhood diabetes symptoms. This is in fact a polygenic disease, that is, many different genes contribute to its expression. The strongest gene, IDDM1, is located in the MHC class II region on chromosome number 6, at staining region 6p21. This is believed to be responsible for the histocompatibility disorder that is characteristic of type 1 insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas that display improper antigens to T cells. The etiology of diabetes can also include strong environmental factors, as it has been seen that this strongly influences the expression of type 1 diabetes.
Etiology of Type 2 Diabetes
Diabetes mellitus that affects people in adulthood is known as type 2 diabetes, or non-insulin dependent diabetes or adult onset diabetes. This is a disorder that is characterized by high levels of glucose in the blood that occurs due to an increase in the resistance of the body to insulin. There are many factors that can lead to diabetes mellitus, or at least that can exacerbate this type of diabetes. These factors include obesity (around 55 percent of type 2 diabetes patients are obese at diagnosis), high blood pressure, elevated cholesterol along with hyperlipidemia and with the condition often termed metabolic syndrome. Other causes include acromegaly, Cushing's syndrome, thyrotoxicosis, pheochromocytoma, chronic pancreatitis and the use of certain drugs. Additional factors found to increase the risk of type 2 diabetes include aging and a diet that is high in fats along with a sedentary lifestyle. Chronic obesity leads to increased insulin resistance that can develop into type 2 diabetes, most likely because adipose tissue especially that in the abdominal region and around internal organs could be a source of several chemical signals to other tissues like hormones and cytokines.
There is also a possibly strong inheritable genetic connection in type 2 diabetes. It has been seen that having relatives that have type 2 diabetes increases the risk of developing type 2 diabetes substantially. In addition, there is also a mutation to the Islet Amyloid Polypeptide gene that results in an earlier onset, which is a more severe, form of diabetes. However, environmental factors like diet, weight and lifestyle play a large part in the development of type 2 diabetes, in addition to any genetic component.
There are also many medications that can lead to the chronic onset and development of diabetes. These include atypical anti-psychotic drugs, beta blockers, calcium channel blockers, corticosteroids, phenothiazines, fluoroquinones, somatropin, protease inhibitors, thiazide diuretics, etc. There are different mechanisms by which these drugs can lead to an increase in the insulin resistance in the body.
Diabetes mellitus is a serious condition that affects practically every organ and system in the body. Furthermore, high levels of glucose in the blood increases the susceptibility of a person to contract an infection and also delays wound healing. Hence, a person who is suffering from diabetes mellitus must make all possible efforts and lifestyle changes so as to keep his blood sugar levels in check.
By Dr. Sumaiya Khan
Published: 5/7/2010
Normal Range Blood Sugar Levels Diabetic or not, you would definitely want to keep a tab on your sugar level. But do you know what is your normal blood sugar range? Read on to find out..
Diabetes is one of the most life-threatening diseases in the world today. The number of people falling prey to this disease is increasing exponentially. However, more and more people are becoming aware of this dreadful disease, thanks to the various diabetes awareness initiatives. People are willing to undergo blood sugar test to keep a close check on diabetes. Though, your lab technician would be more than happy to interpret your test results for you, it would be better if you equip yourself with the basic knowledge about your blood sugar, especially your normal blood sugar count.
Factors Affecting Blood Sugar Level
Blood sugar can be defined as the amount of glucose present in the body at any given point of time. Diabetes is a metabolic disorder, resulting in abnormal production of sugar due to inability of the body to produce sufficient amount of insulin. The normal blood sugar levels may vary from person to person depending upon several factors such as:
Blood sugar shows considerable deviations throughout the day. Normally, blood sugar is tested on an empty stomach, preferably in the morning. The normal blood sugar level at this time should be somewhere between 80 to 120 mg/dl (milligrams per deciliter). After meals, there is a gradual increase in the sugar level. Two hours after meal, normal range for blood sugar is about 120 to 160 mg/dl. The sugar level drops slightly during bedtime. Normal blood sugar level tested at this time should fall between 100 to 140 mg/dl.
Any deviation from the normal range of blood sugar levels calls for medical intervention. If the blood sugar exceeds the upper limit of the normal range, it is an indication of diabetes. Repetitive blood glucose tests are necessary to affirm this possibility.
If you are already a diabetic, you should refer to the blood sugar levels for diabetics, which are as follows.
Type 1
Test Time
Children
Adults
Before meals
4 to 8 mmol/l
4 to 7 mmol/l
2 hours after meals
under 10 mmols/l
under 9 mmols/l
Those suffering from type 2 diabetes have about 4 to 7 mmol/l glucose in their blood before meals and below 8.5 mmol/l a couple of hours after meals. Blood glucose levels of about 5.6 to 7 mmol/l after 8 hours of fasting are indicative of impaired glucose tolerance, which is often a precursor to diabetes.
However, there are other conditions as well that influence the level of sugar in the blood. These include pregnancy, lactation, fasting, severe injuries and indulging in binge eating. Other factors that contribute in temporary elevation of the blood sugar level are physical exertion and certain ongoing medical treatments. Undergoing for more blood sugar tests is the only way to identify the cause of rise in the sugar level. If all the other conditions are eliminated, your physician may begin medical prognosis for diabetes.
Controlling Blood Sugar Levels
If you are diagnosed with diabetes, your physician will prescribe you an appropriate treatment for diabetes. Along with that, you will have to make some changes in your lifestyle to control the sugar level in your blood. Even if you are not diagnosed with it, it is always better to take efforts to control your sugar level so as to prevent diabetes. Following are the tips to control blood sugar level.
By Ashwini Kulkarni Sule
Last Updated: 8/23/2011
Chart for Blood Sugar Levels To produce energy, our body uses blood sugar. Maintaining normal levels of sugar in the blood is essential to lead a healthy life. Using the chart for blood sugar levels and learning to monitor the same, one can stay fit and fine.
Blood sugar, also known as glucose is present in our bloodstream. Glucose is our body's primary source of energy, produced by digesting the sugar and starch in carbohydrates. The enzymes and bile in the digestive system break down the carbohydrates in these foods into glucose. The small intestine absorbs glucose into the bloodstream. In the blood, glucose combines with insulin, a hormone excreted by the pancreas, to provide energy to perform physical and mental activities. To find out the normal, high and low glucose levels, let's take a look at the chart for blood sugar levels.
The normal range of the blood sugar level maintained by the body for its smooth functioning is about 70 to 150 mg/dL. It is normal for the sugar level to fluctuate throughout the day. Glucose levels are the lowest in the mornings, and mostly tend to rise for a couple of hours after meals, depending on the volume of carbohydrates consumed. Our body has an excellent mechanism to regulate normal blood sugar levels, in case of a dip. Extra glucose is stored in the liver as glycogen, easily reabsorbing itself in the bloodstream, when the sugar levels drop.
Blood Sugar Levels Chart
Normally, the blood sugar levels are tested on an empty stomach, usually after a gap of six to eight hours after having the last meal. This is known as fasting blood sugar level. The following chart is based on the average blood sugar measurements of a normal healthy adult taken after fasting.
Category
Minimum Value
Maximum Value
Normal
70 mg/dL
100 mg/dL
Pre Diabetes
101 mg/dL
126 mg/dL
Established Diabetes
more than 126 mg/dL
-
Here is another table showing the average blood sugar levels of a normal healthy adult, 2 hours after eating a meal.
Category
Minimum Value
Maximum Value
Normal
70 mg/dL
less than 140 mg/dL
Pre Diabetes
141 mg/dL
200 mg/dL
Established Diabetes
more than 200 mg/dL
-
How is Blood Sugar Measured?
Blood glucose testing is done to screen healthy, asymptomatic individuals for diabetes. Glucose in the blood is measured as whole blood serum, also known as plasma. An increase or decrease in the blood sugar levels in the human body can lead to, either hyperglycemia or hypoglycemia, respectively. Most people with hyperglycemia are diagnosed with diabetes. Blood glucose test is conducted to monitor glucose levels in individuals. It can be measured on a fasting basis, randomly, post prandial (after a meal), and/or as part of an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT/GTT). According to the American Diabetes Association, blood sugar should ideally be measured using the fasting glucose or the OGTT which may help diagnose diabetes. However, it is advisable that the test be done at least twice, at different times, to confirm diabetes.
It is common for pregnant women to be screened for gestational diabetes anywhere between the 24th and 28th week of pregnancy. Gestational diabetes is a temporary form of hyperglycemia (high sugar level). An oral glucose tolerance test is done to ascertain whether a pregnant women is suffering from gestational diabetes. The urine glucose test is another method for monitoring blood sugar levels in the body. It is done using the urinalysis, mostly as a part of a physical or prenatal checkup. The urine glucose test also helps to diagnose urinary tract infection. If a pregnant women is diagnosed with gestational diabetes, then her fasting blood sugar levels is greater than 95 mg/dL and her blood sugar readings before meals ranges from 140 mg/dL to 200 mg/dL.
Diabetics can monitor their own blood glucose levels, several times in a day, to record the levels of sugar in their blood. Many home testing kits are available in medical stores and can be bought on medical prescriptions. The method to test blood sugar using home kits is fairly simple and straightforward. A drop of blood taken from the pricked finger is placed onto a glucose strip, which is then inserted into the glucose meter; a small machine that provides a digital record as well as a readout of the blood glucose level. The test is completed in about 30 seconds. Most kits also come with charts, where one can record the sugar level changes. These charts have proved to be very useful to doctors, while determining the need for oral medication or insulin.
Controlling Blood Sugar
Keeping blood sugar levels in check is not that difficult. Diet plays a prominent role in maintaining normal glucose levels. A lower intake of sugar and refined carbohydrates, such as white flour, bread, and white rice is generally advised, as a preventive measure for diabetes. Eating smaller meals at regular intervals with a diet rich in protein and fiber will help regulate glucose levels in the blood. People suffering from diabetes are advised to follow a diabetic diet plan, which will help control sugar. Regular and moderate physical activity can also keep a check on a person's weight, enabling him/her to regulate sugar levels.
Using the above chart as a reference, one can check blood sugar levels regularly to stay fit and healthy. Sugar levels may vary, as per the meals taken and activity done. However, on an average, it should range between normal levels, to keep diseases associated with high and low blood sugar at bay.
By Loveleena Rajeev
Last Updated: 11/30/2011
Glucose Intolerance Symptoms Are you glucose intolerant? Do you have abnormal levels of insulin in your body? Here are some symptoms to help you find out.
Glucose intolerance is a more common problem than most people think. Hence, it is essential to know whether you have sugar intolerance so that the problem may be diagnosed in the early stages and steps can be taken to see that it is not exacerbated. Here's an article on glucose intolerance and its symptoms.
Glucose intolerance is very commonly referred to as pre-diabetes or impaired glucose tolerance (IGT). According to a report by World Health Organization, "IGT denotes a state of increased risk of progressing to diabetes, although it was also noted that many would revert to normal. It is a not clinical entity but rather a risk factor for future diabetes and adverse outcomes. IGT is associated with impaired insulin secretion and impaired suppression of hepatic glucose output. Studies suggest that IGT is associated with muscle insulin resistance and defective insulin secretion, resulting in less efficient disposal of the glucose load in the blood. This term was introduced to remove the stigma of diabetes from the other terms in use at the time to denote the range between 'normal' and diabetes. The increased risk of cardiovascular disease in people with IGT was also recognized."
Normally when a person eats food, the glucose levels in the blood increase due to carbohydrates and sugar consumption. The pancreas produce a hormone known as 'insulin' which helps in absorbing the glucose in the blood and turn it into energy. Thus, a while after eating, your glucose levels will come down to normal. In a person who is glucose intolerant, there is a problem of either the under-production of insulin (that results in less glucose absorption by cells) or the over-production of insulin into the blood stream (that makes the cells immune to insulin, resulting in non-absorption of glucose, again). Hence, even a while after eating, the blood sugar levels stay higher than what is supposed to be good for the body. Such a situation need not necessarily be diabetes.
The difference between glucose intolerance and full-blown diabetes is that the blood sugar levels of a glucose intolerant are high, but not high enough to make him a diabetic. According to Wikipedia, sugar intolerance or pre-diabetes is 'America's largest health-care epidemic', affecting about 57 million Americans. A person with these symptoms risks not only the eventuality of getting type 2 diabetes, but also runs the risk of suffering from some cardiovascular disease, unless the intolerance is effectively taken care of.
Symptoms
So if you had sugar intolerance, how would you know? Here are some common symptoms to help you diagnose whether you are suffering from this problem. If you notice any of these symptoms, it does not necessarily imply that you are glucose intolerant, but you ought to get a check-up done from a doctor, just in case. The doctor will ask you to take a blood test in order to confirm if there is any problem. So here are some symptoms of pre-diabetes.
By Arjun Kulkarni
Last Updated: 12/16/2011
Definition AIDS (acquired immune deficiency syndrome)
is the final and most serious stage of HIV disease, which causes severe damage to the immune system.
Symptoms The symptoms of AIDS are primarily the result of infections that do not normally develop in individuals with healthy immune systems. These are called opportunistic infections.
People with AIDS have had their immune system depleted by HIV and are very susceptible to these opportunistic infections. Common symptoms are fevers, sweats (particularly at night), swollen lymph glands, chills, weakness, and weight loss.
See the signs and tests section below for a list of common opportunistic infections and major symptoms associated with them.
Note: Initial infection with HIV may produce no symptoms. Some people, however, do experience flu-like symptoms with fever, rash, sore throat, and swollen lymph nodes, usually 2 weeks after contracting the virus. Some people with HIV infection remain without symptoms for years between the time they are exposed to the virus and when they develop AIDS.
Causes & Risk Factors AIDS is the fifth leading cause of death among people aged 25 - 44 in the United States, down from number one in 1995. About 25 million people worldwide have died from this infection since the start of the epidemic, and in 2006, there were approximately 40 million people around the world living with HIV/AIDS.
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) causes AIDS. The virus attacks the immune system and leaves the body vulnerable to a variety of life-threatening infections and cancers.
Common bacteria, yeast, parasites, and viruses that ordinarily do not cause serious disease in people with healthy immune systems can cause fatal illnesses in people with AIDS.
HIV has been found in saliva, tears, nervous system tissue and spinal fluid, blood, semen (including pre-seminal fluid, which is the liquid that comes out prior to ejaculation), vaginal fluid, and breast milk. However, only blood, semen, vaginal secretions, and breast milk generally transmit infection to others.
The virus can be transmitted:
HIV infection is not spread by casual contact such as hugging, by touching items previously touched by a person infected with the virus, during participation in sports, or by mosquitoes.
It is NOT transmitted to a person who DONATES blood or organs. Those who donate organs are never in direct contact with those who receive them. Likewise, a person who donates blood is not in contact with the person receiving it. In all these procedures, sterile needles and instruments are used.
However, HIV can be transmitted to a person RECEIVING blood or organs from an infected donor. To reduce this risk, blood banks and organ donor programs screen donors, blood, and tissues thoroughly.
People at highest risk for getting HIV include:
Acute HIV infection progresses over time (usually a few weeks to months) to asymptomatic HIV infection (no symptoms) and then to early symptomatic HIV infection. Later, it progresses to AIDS (advanced HIV infection with CD4 T-cell count below 200 cells/mm3 ).
Almost all people infected with HIV, if not treated, will develop AIDS. There is a small group of patients who develop AIDS very slowly, or never at all. These patients are called nonprogressors, and many seem to have a genetic difference that prevents the virus from damaging their immune system.
Tests & Diagnostics The following is a list of AIDS-related infections and cancers that people with AIDS may get as their CD4 count decreases. In the past, having AIDS was defined as having HIV infection and getting one of these additional diseases. Today, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, a person may also be diagnosed as having AIDS if they have a CD4 cell count below 200, even if they don't have an opportunistic infection.
AIDS may also be diagnosed if a person develops one of the opportunistic infections and cancers that occur more commonly in people with HIV infection. These infections are unusual in people with a healthy immune system.
CD4 cells are a type of immune cell. They are also called "T cells" or "helper cells."
Many other illnesses and corresponding symptoms may develop in addition to those listed here.
Common with CD4 count below 350 cells/mcl:
Treatments There is no cure for AIDS at this time. However, a variety of treatments are available that can help keep symptoms at bay and improve the quality of life of those who have already developed symptoms.
Antiretroviral therapy suppresses the replication of the HIV virus in the body. A combination of several antiretroviral agents, termed highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), has been highly effective in reducing the number of HIV particles in the blood stream, as measured by the viral load (how much virus is found in the blood). Preventing the virus from replicating can help the immune system recover from the HIV infection and improve T-cell counts.
HAART is not a cure for HIV, and people on HAART with suppressed levels of HIV can still transmit the virus to others through sex or sharing of needles. But HAART has been enormously effective for the past 10 years. There is good evidence that if the levels of HIV remain suppressed and the CD4 count remains high (above 200 cells/mcl), life can be significantly prolonged and improved.
However, HIV may become resistant to HAART in patients who do not take their medications on schedule every day. Genetic tests are now available to determine whether a particular HIV strain is resistant to a particular drug. This information may be useful in determining the best drug combination for each individual, and adjusting the drug regimen if it starts to fail. These tests should be performed any time a treatment strategy begins to fail, and prior to starting therapy.
When HIV becomes resistant to HAART, other drug combinations must be used to try to suppress the resistant strain of HIV. There are a variety of new drugs on the market for the treatment of drug-resistant HIV.
Treatment with HAART has complications. HAART is a collection of different medications, each with its own side effects. Some common side effects are nausea, headache, weakness, malaise (a general sick feeling), and fat accumulation on the back ("buffalo hump") and abdomen. When used for a long time, these medications increase the risk of heart attack, perhaps by increasing the levels of fat and glucose in the blood.
Any doctor prescribing HAART should carefully watch the patient for possible side effects associated with the combination of medications the patient takes. In addition, routine blood tests measuring CD4 counts and HIV viral load (a blood test that measures how much virus is in the blood) should be taken every 3 - 6 months. The goal is to get the CD4 count as close to normal as possible, and to suppress the HIV amount of virus in the blood to an undetectable level.
Other antiviral medications are being investigated. In addition, growth factors that stimulate cell growth, such as erthythropoetin (Epogen) and filgrastim (G-CSF or Neupogen) are sometimes used to treat anemia and low white blood cell counts associated with AIDS.
Medications are also used to prevent opportunistic infections (such as Pneumocystis jiroveci pneumonia) if the CD4 count is low enough. This keeps AIDS patients healthier for longer periods of time. Opportunistic infections are treated when they happen.
Alternative Therapies Joining support groups where members share common experiences and problems can often help the emotional stress of devastating illnesses. See AIDS - support group.
Complications When a person is infected with HIV, the virus slowly begins to destroy that person's immune system. How fast this occurs differs in each individual. Treatment with HAART can help slow or halt the destruction of the immune system.
Once the immune system is severely damaged, that person has AIDS, and is now susceptible to infections and cancers that most healthy adults would not get. However, antiretroviral treatment can still be very effective, even at that stage of illness.
Prevention 1. See the article on safe sex to learn how to reduce the chance of acquiring or spreading HIV, and other sexually transmitted diseases.
2. Do not use injected drugs. If IV drugs are used, do not share needles or syringes. Many communities now have needle exchange programs, where you can get rid of used syringes and get new, sterile ones for free. These programs can also provide referrals to addiction treatment.
3. Avoid contact with another person's blood. Protective clothing, masks, and goggles may be appropriate when caring for people who are injured.
4. Anyone who tests positive for HIV can pass the disease to others and should not donate blood, plasma, body organs, or sperm. An infected person should tell any prospective sexual partner about their HIV-positive status. They should not exchange body fluids during sexual activity, and should use whatever preventive measures (such as condoms) will give the partner the most protection.
5. HIV-positive women who wish to become pregnant should seek counseling about the risk to unborn children, and medical advances that may help prevent the fetus from becoming infected. Use of certain medications can dramatically reduce the chances that the baby will become infected during pregnancy.
6. Mothers who are HIV-positive should not breast feed their babies.
7. Safe-sex practices, such as latex condoms, are highly effective in preventing HIV transmission. HOWEVER, there remains a risk of acquiring the infection even with the use of condoms. Abstinence is the only sure way to prevent sexual transmission of HIV.
The riskiest sexual behavior is unprotected receptive anal intercourse -- the least risky sexual behavior is receiving oral sex. Performing oral sex on a man is associated with some risk of HIV transmission, but this is less risky than unprotected vaginal intercourse. Female-to-male transmission of the virus is much less likely than male-to-female transmission. Performing oral sex on a woman who does not have her period carries low risk of transmission.
HIV-positive patients who are taking anti-retroviral medications are less likely to transmit the virus. For example, pregnant women who are on effective treatment at the time of delivery, and who have undetectable viral loads, give HIV to the infant less than 1% of the time, compared with about 20% of the time if medications are not used.
The US blood supply is among the safest in the world. Nearly all people infected with HIV through blood transfusions received those transfusions before 1985, the year HIV testing began for all donated blood. In 2000, according to the American Red Cross, the risk of infection with HIV through a blood transfusion or blood products was 1 in 2,135,000 in the United States.
If you believe you have been exposed to HIV, seek medical attention IMMEDIATELY. There is some evidence that an immediate course of antiviral drugs can reduce the chances that you will be infected. This is called post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP), and has been used to treat health care workers injured by needlesticks, to prevent transmission.
There is less information available about how effective PEP is for people exposed to HIV through sexual activity or IV drug use. However, if you believe you have been exposed, you should discuss the possibility with a knowledgeable specialist (check local AIDS organizations for the latest information) as soon as possible. Anyone who has been raped should be offered PEP and should consider its potential risks and benefits.
The act of inhaling and exhaling the fumes of burning tobacco in cigars, cigarettes or pipes is called smoking. Originally it was started by Native Americans and was practiced in rituals and for medicinal purposes. But slowly it spread to other parts of the World and by the end of 19th century the use was widespread all over the earth. There are various methods of smoking. They are cigarette, cigar, smoking, pipe, hookah or shisha. Today the habit is so rampant that many Governments have come down heavily on tobacco manufacturers and sellers in the form of heavy taxation for tobacco and tobacco products. This is because there are numerous harmful health effects of smoking. But, why does one smoke? Some of the possible answers are discussed below.
Causes of Smoking
Many studies among smokers have established the fact that depression is one of the main reasons for people indulging in this act. The habit is less prevalent among people not having depression problems. One of the studies also indicates that people acquire this habit at the young age and become addicted. Actually, children derive this habit from elders especially from their parents, by seeing them smoke in their house or when used by the parents themselves for procuring the cigarettes. Smoking in movies is the main reason for adolescents acquiring this habit.
The smokers derive an imaginary pleasure of relaxation in smoking. Quitting this habit depends on the mental strength of the person. Among the depressed smokers the percentage of quitters is less. Nicotine, one of the components is mainly responsible for the addiction to this habit. It has been established that people get addicted to nicotine within five months of smoking. According to studies nicotine is more addictive than caffeine or ethanol.
Studies on Smoking
In 1964, a committee appointed by the U.S. Public Health Service concluded in its report that smoking is a serious health hazard. The Surgeon General's Advisory Committee drew the attention of the world to the dangers of smoking. It concluded, according to the study conducted over a decade, that the chances of a smoker getting lung cancer are significantly more than a non-smoker.
The factors such as the number of years the person has smoked and at what age he started are also very important for the smoker contracting the disease. The effects of smoking have been taken so seriously by the governments around the world that they have made it compulsory to have statutory warnings like "smoking is injurious to health" or "smoking kills" on all packs so that the new users get warned.
Effects of Smoking
Tobacco smoke contains a substance called nicotine, a poisonous alkoid. It also has substances such as carbon monoxide, acrolien, ammonia, prussic acid, aldehydes and tar. Tobacco contains about 4000 chemicals which when heated produce a lot of substances that cause irreparable damages to the health.
A cigarette burns at 700° C at the tip and at 60° C at the butts. This heat breaks down the tobacco stuffed inside to produce various toxins. When a cigarette burns the residues are concentrated towards the butt. To avoid excess inhaling of tobacco products, the concept of filters were introduced by the manufacturers, and an impression that filter cigarettes are harmless was created. But it has been proved that filters cannot altogether stop the substances getting inside. However the intake will be reduced by the quality of filter.
Diseases Caused by Smoking
Smoking affects lung and causes lung cancer. Its harmful effects do not end there. Cancer and some other illness such as heart diseases, stroke and other cardiovascular diseases are caused by the act. The risks associated with the use of oral contraceptives, and occupational hazards such as the use of asbestos sheets, are increased by the harmful effects of smoking.
Pipe and cigar users do not normally inhale much, which may not cause lung cancer but they run the risk of developing mouth cancer. In the case of pregnant women, smoking is doubly dangerous as it affects the child in the womb. The nicotine in tobacco reduces the blood flow and thereby the flow of oxygen and nutrients to the unborn baby gets reduced causing, sometimes, the death of the baby itself.
Studies have shown, one in two chain smokers die and half of these chain smokers never cross their middle age. Nicotine and carbon monoxide, together cause increase in heart rate, blood pressure and put strain on the blood vessels and heart. Smoking also causes a number of cardiovascular diseases that includes heart attacks and strokes.
Cigarettes contain tar like substances that coat the lungs like soot in chimneys. In just 20 days, a smoker breathes in about one full cup (215 g) of tar. Thus, reducing the air carrying capacity of the lungs. The carbon monoxide decreases the oxygen levels reaching the brain, muscles and body tissues. Thus, causing the heart to pump harder and faster.
Smokers tend to suffer from many lung ailments that include emphysema (slow rotting of the lung tissue), bronchitis, chronic obstructive lung disease (COPD) and finally heart failure. Smokers are 10 times more likely to develop lung cancer than non-smokers. Studies also show that 1 in every 5 deaths due to heart disease is due to smoking. This is because smoking tends to cause blockage of blood vessels by fat deposits that affects the functioning of the heart.
It is not just lung cancer, but smoking cigarettes can also cause cancers such as acute myeloid cancer, cervix cancer, bladder cancer, stomach cancer, cancer of the mouth, cancer of the throat, cancer of the uterus and many other deadly cancers.
Passive Smoking
The dangers of smoking are not confined to the smoker himself. The non-smoker person by his side is also affected by the act. This is called passive smoking, i.e. inhaling the cigarette smoke of others. It is also known as environmental or secondhand smoking.
According to the study released, the signs for cardiovascular diseases are higher in people subjected to, secondhand smoking. It is confirmed in many studies that exposure to secondhand smoke causes lung cancer, heart diseases, heart attacks and breast cancer in the case of young women The risks, a passive smoker is exposed, have led to the ban of smoking in public and work places, in many countries.
Whether it is active or passive smoking, it has several harmful health effects. The bottom line is, it is harmful to health and 'SMOKING KILLS". It is time to say no to tobacco and no to smoking, if you love your life and your family.
By Jayashree Pakhare
Last Updated: 12/8/2011
By Poushali Ganguly
Dangers of Smoking Smokers never become old simply because they die younger! Taking in those first few puffs of smoke as a teenager is never a conscious decision. The initial choice of smoking is made when the implications of tobacco use and its addiction are not very clear. Here's an article that tells you how you could be putting yourself in danger by smoking.
Do you think a single drag of smoke would cost you not more than a few quick bucks? Think again... If you add up all future health expenses to it, then you'll realize that it actually may cost you a huge fortune.
Now let's closely examine what happens when you slowly inhale smoke... It enters your respiratory system and causes irritation to the delicate mucosal lining in the lungs. This is because the cigarette smoke consists of a mixture of toxic chemicals like carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide and nicotine that can severely harm your respiratory system. The lung's defense mechanism instantly tries to throw these toxic fumes out of the body. And hence you start coughing! You continue to inhale smoke further until it paralyzes the protective lining and crumples your lungs and then your immune system. Now... the cough disappears and the toxic gases travel through your blood to other body systems.
Once nicotine enters the liver, it starts acting like a drug and stimulates the secretion of blood glucose. At the same time, it acts on the brain causing an increase in heart rate and blood pressure. It stays in the blood for quite some time before it's excreted by the kidney and liver. You can see how just one drag of smoke has the capacity to not only compromise your immunity but also make way for foreign bodies like bacteria, viruses, and the like thus inviting a host of illnesses.
How good does that feel! Not to mention that this euphoria wears off within minutes wanting you to smoke more and more, to retain that effect.
Here, you are! Hooked... helpless... and how...
... smokers suffer from such direct damage on a daily basis with each passing cigarette.
Smoking Kills
It should be noted that cigarettes affect not only the lungs, but also most of the vital organs of the body including the brain and the heart. There is hardly any system in the human body which is not affected by smoking.
Cardiovascular Diseases
Cigarette smoking is one of the major risk factors for hypertension and fatal heart attacks. The chemicals in the smoke develop atherosclerosis and lower supply of oxygen to the heart leading to cardiovascular diseases. However, there's still a glimmer of hope given that the damage already caused due to the smoke can be reversed.
Once you quit smoking successfully, the risk of developing a heart disease or stroke is the same as you never smoked. This is not to say that you should wait longer to quit the habit until you are completely smoke-dried.
Stroke and Gangrene
The effect of smoking in causing stroke and brain hemorrhage is due to deposition of plaque in blood vessels. This causes narrowing of blood vessels and reduced blood circulation that may lead to stroke and paralysis. Smoking may also cause gangrene due to clogged arteries.
Lung Disorders
The toxins in smoke can cause lung disorders like emphysema, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, bronchitis, and significant reduction in lung functioning. This is because the alveolar sacs in the bronchioles that are functional in oxygen and carbon dioxide exchange are damaged.
Smoker's cough is a common symptom that develops as the defense system tries to expel the chemicals accumulated in the air passage and lungs. Gradually, the respiratory system becomes more prone to infections due to lowered immunity.
Other Effects
Nicotine affects the bones, joints and muscles of the body. A single cigarette contains about 9 mg of nicotine, most of which is burnt off and 1 mg enters your body with each cigarette that you smoke. This small amount of nicotine can cause severe harm to your body. It causes osteopenia, osteoporosis, and hence increased chances of fractures and tissue injuries. Smoking may cause loss of taste, bad breath, dental caries, stained teeth, mouth sores and receding gums. Dry mouth and loss of appetite are some signs of addiction to smoking.
Infertility
Smoking impacts women's health by causing infertility, miscarriages, complicated pregnancies and early menopause. Smoking during pregnancy and breastfeeding can have hazardous effects on the baby in early childhood and also as they grow up. Smoking is also known to cause sperm abnormalities leading to infertility in men.
Stats
√ About 33% of male adult population (global) smokes.
√ Time cut down from one's lifespan is approximately equal to the time indulged in smoking.
√ Every minute, seven people die of tobacco use.
√ 49 known carcinogenic compounds and 4000 other toxins are contained in a single cigarette.
√ More than 90% of lung cancer deaths are due to cigarette smoking.
√ The cost that smokers impose on US economy is more than $193 billion a year.
The effects of smoking are increased by manifold due to the gateway effects. Two important gateways are children choosing to smoke due to their parents; and the second gateway is that these puffs lead to many other addictions, even drug abuse. Medical costs incurred from the tobacco-related illnesses and complicated pregnancies could be the direct costs affecting the national economy. Lower work-efficiency, dropping of earnings, higher medical expenses, early retirement (if ever) put an additional burden on the growth and economy.
A common notion ~ 'Smoking is a great stress-buster and helps me unwind.'
The fact ~ 'Smoking kills' slowly & miserably. It's invariably nothing but planning a surprise suicide encounter for later.'
So next time you see a warning on a pack of cigarettes which says, 'SMOKING KILLS', you know How!
By Dr. Maisie M
Last Updated: 4/6/2012
How does Smoking Affect the Respiratory System In spite of the statutory warning, a number of people continue to smoke cigarettes. Besides causing irreversible damage to their own bodies, they pollute the air around and foster passive smoking. The effects of smoking on the respiratory system are formidable.
The oxygen content in the atmosphere is vital to all living organisms. The quality of oxygen dictates the working of the metabolism, nutrient burn-down and energy release. The latter is critical to growth, reproduction and the very sustenance of life. The breathing in of oxygen and release of carbon from food during metabolism is accomplished through the respiratory system. The system works like an apparatus to handle and process the inhalation of oxygen and exhalation of water vapor and carbon dioxide.
Function of the Respiratory System
The respiratory system comprises the nasal cavity, larynx, trachea, bronchi, throat and the lungs. Normally, the oxygen from the air is inhaled through the nose and guided towards the lungs, via the nasal cavity. The layer of tiny hair in the nose keeps dust and foreign bodies from reaching the lungs. The oxygen travels through the nose to the pharynx and enter the passage for air thereafter.
From the trachea, the air is taken to the bronchi, bronchioles and finally the alveoli. The alveoli have capillaries. While this process is in action, another intricate system within the human anatomy conducts a simultaneous task. The blood that leaves the heart chambers with impure blood passes through the alveoli, exchanging the carbon dioxide concentrated blood for that charged with oxygen. This energized blood then rejuvenates every cell in the body.
Effects of Smoking on the Respiratory System
The addiction for tobacco is actually one related to the nicotine and tar content in the tobacco. The craving only gets more aggravated with indulgence and becomes very painful, emotionally and physically, when an attempt is made to give it up. Nevertheless, the damage caused by the habit has far-reaching effects and even after going through smoking cessation withdrawals, it takes the respiratory tract years to totally rehabilitate.
Smoking cigarettes causes cancer of the mouth and throat and lung cancer. Research reveals that it also causes chronic bronchitis and makes breathing difficult. Women smoking cigarettes during pregnancy are known to have miscarriages and premature deliveries. Governments around the world are trying to implement the smoking ban and encourage citizens to give up the vice. The statutory warning: 'Cigarette smoking is Injurious to health' accompanies every cigarette pack and is supposed to work as a motivator to stop smoking.
One breath comprises a complete inhalation and exhalation. The lungs are never completely empty; there is always some air retained within. An adult normally takes 16 breaths per minute when awake and anything between six and eight when asleep. The chest cavity is a protective frame around the two lungs and heart. The internal movements around breathing contribute towards the health of the respiratory system. The quality of the air you breathe and the working of the associated, processing organs are affected by allergies, cold and flu viruses, bacterial infections and pneumonia. The condition of this vital system further deteriorates with smoking and pollution. No artificial structure or machines can ever replace the respiratory system.
What Happens When you Smoke
- Smoking introduces tar particles into the respiratory system and not only stains the teeth and fingernails, but also leaves a residue on the delicate lung tissue. Carcinogen benzopyrene in tar is a cancer trigger.
- Although carbon monoxide is an odorless gas, it is fatal for inhalation because it replaces vital oxygen in the blood. Since it binds with hemoglobin faster and better than oxygen, the result is a reduced quantity of oxygen reaching important organs like the heart and brain.
- Hydrogen cyanide is another toxic substance that enters the respiratory system through smoking. It damages the lung-clearance-system and facilitates the build up of hydrocarbons, nitrous oxides and oxidizing agents within the lungs. The reactive chemicals damage the blood vessels and the heart, leading towards heart disease and stroke.
- The tender linings of the nasal and tracheal passage get irritated easily due to the hot smoke of tobacco. Hence it is common for smokers to suffer frequent throat inflammation.
- Hair-like cilia along the nasal passage and trachea get clogged due to the 4000 harmful chemicals produced by the combustion of tobacco, causing the cilia to lose their fluidity. It has been observed that smoking one cigarette can impede the fluidity of cilia by up to 20 minutes.
- This lack of fluidity causes mucus build-up and irritation along the throat, leading to what is termed as 'smoker's cough'.
- Tar contained in most cigarettes is a sticky substance and forms a lining along the nasal and tracheal passage damaging the cilia. Tar also sticks to the tender surface of the alveoli in the lungs reducing it's surface contact with blood vessels.
By Gaynor Borade
Last Updated: 1/25/2012
Passive Smoking - Harmful Effects of Secondhand Smoke You need not be an active smoker to experience the harmful effects of smoke from a cigarette, cigar, or pipe. Breathing in the smoke of other active smokers is enough to cause you serious damage.
Enlarge Image
Breathing of smoke caused by someone else is known as passive smoking. It is also known as involuntary smoking or secondhand smoking. Secondhand smoke is also called environmental tobacco smoke (ETS).
In passive smoking, the person is forced to breathe 'sidestream smoke' from the burning tip of a cigarette / cigar / pipe, and 'mainstream' smoke which is inhaled and then exhaled by the active smoker.
Today secondhand smoke is one of the major sources of indoor air pollution.
Who is at Risk?
Every passive smoker is at risk with exposure to environmental tobacco smoke. ETS causes the maximum damage to fetuses, infants, and small children by damaging their developing organs, mainly the lungs and brain.
Fetus and the Newborn
Pregnant women who smoke are advised to quit the habit. Smoking causes them much less harm than is caused to the developing fetus. Birth defects such as cleft lip and palate combined with a low birth weight have been noticed in cases of mothers smoking. With the mother continuing smoking even after giving birth, the production of milk is reduced. The chances of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) too increases due to maternal smoking.
A Child
Secondhand smoke and children are a lethal combination. Children are affected the most by it, especially when it happens at home.
All the organs of a child are in the developmental stage, and breathing in smoke can mainly impair proper development of their lungs and brain. Children exposed constantly to secondhand smoke tend to develop childhood asthma which could get worse with further exposure.
Sinusitis, cystic fibrosis, and chronic respiratory diseases get worse when a suffering child is forced into passive smoking. Other diseases that are caused due to passive smoking and can be very difficult for small children to cope with are bronchitis and pneumonia.
Many children exposed to secondhand smoke develop an infection in the middle ear. The inhaled smoke irritates the eustachian tube that connects the back of the nose to the middle ear. This irritation causes a swelling and obstruction, which causes an imbalance of pressure equalization in the middle ear. This causes fluid retention and infection in the middle ear which is very painful for the child. If diagnosed and treated in time it is totally curable, but if treatment is delayed, it could even lead to a permanent reduction in hearing.
Involuntary inhalation of secondhand smoke can have a variety of immediate effects. They are:
-- Cough
-- Nausea
-- Headache
-- Eye irritation
-- Sore throat
-- Dizziness
-- Difficulty in breathing in those already suffering from asthma
Long term involuntary smoking increases the risk of smoking-related disease. A person exposed to involuntary smoking over a period of time could be infected by one or more of the following diseases.
-- Lung Cancer
-- Ischemic heart disease
-- Harmful effect on the cardiovascular system, increasing the chances of a heart attack
There is absolutely no risk-free level of exposure to secondhand smoke. Even short exposures to passive smoking could cause the blood platelets to get stickier, damaging the lining of blood vessels, decreasing coronary flow velocity reserves, and reducing heart rate variability, all potentially increasing the risk of heart attack.
Reducing the Risk
If you are a smoker, there are many ways in which you can help prevent others around you from passive smoking.
Stop smoking. This is the best advise. It will not just benefit you, but everyone around you. If it is difficult (which it will be), consult your physician who could help.
If you do not intend giving up cigarette smoking, don't do it at home. Whenever you feel the urge to smoke, go outside the house where nobody will be at risk of your secondhand smoke.
Never smoke in the car.
Smoking in public places is banned almost everywhere, but even if it is allowed don't smoke where there is a large concentration of people. You could be causing someone unintentional harm.
By Kevin Mathias
Cause and Effect of Smoking There are many factors that lead people to take up smoking, and there are hundreds of ways in which this habit could harm an individual.
Since a young age we are told about the many harmful effects of smoking and why we should stay away from it, but as we grow older we find that a majority of people are addicted to it and beyond redemption. This stems from the fact that cigarettes are a huge source of revenue for the Government, and try as they may, they cannot cover up the fact that cigarettes provide huge income for them. It is for this reason alone, that smoking will never be banned by the Government, in spite of so many people getting afflicted by its effects.
Lung cancer and mouth cancer are some of the biggest dangers of smoking, and one single cigarette contains thousands of harmful chemicals. There are very few people who can actually recognize the dangers involved, and quit it altogether. Even though approximately 450,000 people die due to it every single year in the United States alone, the number of smokers just keeps rising and people do not stop doing it.
Smoking Cigarettes
When we speak of it, we generally refer to cigarettes, but there are many other substances that are smoked that are dangerous to the human body as well. As we all know, cigarettes contain the very harmful substance known as nicotine, and this causes irreversible damage in the long run. To get to the bottom of potential causes, one needs to understand the basic psychology behind people taking up this habit. The problems of teen and women smoking cigarettes is also something that needs to be addressed in a responsible manner.
Here are some of the most commonly seen causes.
- Peer pressure. This is the single biggest reason why teenagers start with it.
- Feelings of stress and fatigue. The nicotine certainly makes one feel relaxed, but this comes at a painful price of addiction.
- Growing up in a house or environment where people regularly smoke.
- Experiencing a total lack of discouragement against smoking.
- Ignorance about all the associated disadvantages and risks.
- The blood pressure and the heart rate rise.
- The person may experience dizziness and nausea for a short or long period of time after smoking the cigarette.
- The person will experience a considerably lower appetite.
- The sense of taste and smell of the individual will be affected as well.
- The individuals eyes will start watering.
- The blood circulation in the body will be negatively affected.
- Chronic coughing and shortness of breath will often be experienced.
- The cigarettes will leave a yellow stain on the fingers and teeth of the person, and a black stain on the lips of the person.
- The immune system of the individual will be weakened.
- The overall fitness and stamina of the individual will be weakened.
- The person will appear older due to the appearance of more wrinkles and lines on the face.
- Increased risk of various diseases and disorders like heart attacks, coronary disorders, different kinds of cancer, respiratory tract infections, ulcers in the stomach, peripheral vascular disease and emphysema.
Here are some facts and statistics related to deaths that should be a cause for alarm for any smoker.
- 90% of lung cancer cases are caused by smoking.
- People who smoke are 20 times more likely to contract some form of cancer.
- Around 25% of adults in the US are smokers, and around 30% of high school students are smokers.
- Secondhand smoke causes around 3000 deaths annually in the US.
There is so much more to learn about this topic, and most of these factors are beyond the realms of this article. This is a very vast and insinuating issue, and this is something that almost everyone has an opinion on.
By Rahul Thadani
Last Updated: 9/26/2011
Nicotine Side Effects Nicotine is a poisonous alkaloid that is widely used in cigarettes and other tobacco products. It is also used as a drug in nicotine replacement therapy, which helps the individuals trying to quit smoking. But overdose, as well as long-term use of nicotine as a drug and smoking cigarette can cause some serious side effects. Read on to find out more.
Nicotine is the main compound found in tobacco products and cigarettes. It is a poisonous alkaloid found in several species of plants belonging to the family of nightshade or Solanaceae. Apart from being an active ingredient in tobacco products, nicotine is also used as a drug in nicotine replacement therapy. Nicotine is highly addictive in nature and it can bring about a change in the level of chemicals in the brain like dopamine and norepinephrine to alter mood and increase alertness. When smoked, nicotine enters the lungs, from where it is absorbed by the bloodstream. Blood carries nicotine throughout the body, including the brain. This can give rise to several complications or side effects, which are discussed below.
Side Effects of Nicotine
Nicotine can affect several parts of the body, as it is carried by the bloodstream to different organs. The side effects can be classified into short-term effects and long-term effects.
- The short-term side effects include, an increase in the heart rate and blood pressure, and narrowing or constriction of the blood vessels.
- Apart from these, excessive nicotine intake can cause gastrointestinal problems like nausea, diarrhea, dyspepsia and flatulence.
- As nicotine directly affects the brain and the nervous system, it can lead to sleep disturbances or insomnia, irritability, dizziness, headache and abnormal dreams, especially in case of long-term intoxication.
- Prolonged use of nicotine can result in coronary artery or cardiovascular diseases, and significantly increase the risk for strokes.
- Excessive or overuse of nicotine is the leading cause for several types of cancer including oral cancer and cancer of the lung, esophagus and larynx.
- Some other side effects are insulin resistance, jaw pain, vision problems and decreased appetite.
- Asthma patients reportedly suffer from bronchospasms which makes respiration laborious.
Apart from being the main ingredient in tobacco products, nicotine is also used as a drug, especially in nicotine replacement therapy. In other words, nicotine is used to help people trying to quit smoking by minimizing nicotine withdrawal symptoms. For nicotine replacement therapy, nicotine is available as nicotine gum, lozenges, nicotine patch, nicotine inhaler and spray. These products provide nicotine in a very small dose, as compared to cigarette smoking, in an attempt to control the withdrawal symptoms.
Side Effects of Nicotine Replacement Products
Nicotine replacement products can also cause some serious side effects, if used excessively and for a prolonged time period. The first obvious side effect of nicotine gum, lozenges, patch or inhalers is that, they too can lead to addiction or dependence. Many times it has been observed that individuals taking nicotine replacement therapy to quit or stop smoking, eventually end up getting addicted to these products.
- Chewing nicotine gum can cause sleeping problems, muscle and joint pain, diarrhea, gum inflammation, hair loss and dry mouth. If not used in the right way, it can cause nausea, dizziness and vomiting.
- Nicotine lozenges can cause a funny and prickly sensation in the mouth. Sometimes severe allergic reactions can also follow, which would require immediate medical attention.
- Likewise, side effects patch can include vivid dreams, anxiety, diarrhea, headache, nausea and dizziness, excessive sweating, sleeping problems, as well as redness and itching or burning sensation at the place where it is applied.
- Nicotine inhalers can cause nervousness or anxiety, headache, cough, runny nose, diarrhea, indigestion, muscle and jaw pain. Sometimes, severe allergic reactions like hives or skin rash, breathing difficulty, tightness in the chest and swelling of the face, lips or throat can occur, with the use of nicotine patch and inhalers.
- Nicotine sprays on the other hand cause side effects like irritation of the nose and mouth, constipation, cough, change in taste and smell, headache, nosebleed, runny or stuffy nose and sinus irritation.
- Nicotine can have adverse side effects in pregnancy. Low birth weight, decreased blood flow to the placenta, preterm labor, various birth defects, and an increased risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) in newborns have been attributed to the use of nicotine during pregnancy. Therefore, pregnant women are strictly advised to avoid smoking. They are also suggested to try some other ways to quit smoking, before using nicotine replacement products.
By Chandramita Bora
Last Updated: 2/27/2012
Diseases Caused by Tobacco Use of tobacco, either by chewing or smoking, can lead to increased risk of various health hazards. Take a look at the detailed information about the diseases caused by tobacco and few ways that would help you to quit this unhealthy habit.
Are you aware that various chemicals present in tobacco can lead to numerous health problems? There are more than 4000 harmful chemicals like nicotine, tar, formaldehyde, benzene, carbon monoxide and hydrogen cyanide in tobacco smoke. Due to its high content of nicotine, tobacco becomes addictive. Once you get addicted to chewing or smoking tobacco, it is very difficult to get rid of it. Some people become addicted to relieve stress, tensions and depression; while others may, for the sake of enjoyment and thrill. Whatever might be the reason for this addiction, effects of cigarette smoking and chewing tobacco are certainly very hazardous to your health.
Ill Effects Due to Consumption of Tobacco
Some people have the habit of chewing tobacco frequently, while most people practice cigarette smoking. Both the forms of tobacco use cause many dangerous health problems. In the United States, the use of tobacco accounts for one in five deaths from lung cancer, cardiovascular and respiratory diseases.
Heart Diseases
Tobacco smoke increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases. It consists of a high amount of carbon monoxide, which decreases the level of oxygen in the blood. Vital organs like the brain, heart and lungs are deprived of sufficient oxygen, which affects their functioning. People addicted to smoking are at a greater risk of high blood pressure, heart attack, aortic aneurysm, blood clots, hemorrhages and other cardiovascular diseases.
Tobacco smoking increases the levels of triglycerides and clotting factors and reduces the levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol in the blood, leading to coronary heart diseases, stroke, cerebrovascular diseases and atherosclerotic peripheral vascular diseases.
Lung Cancer
It is the leading cause of lung cancer. Smoking accounts for about 80% cases of lung cancer. In addition, smoking also increases the risk of cancer of other body organs like mouth, esophagus, pancreas, stomach, kidneys, bladder and cervix.
Oral Ailments
Chewing tobacco increases the risk of oral health problems such as periodontal disease, mouth ulcers, candidiasis, oral lesions, oral leukoplakia, gingivitis, brown staining and sticky tar deposits on the teeth, tooth decay, tooth abrasion, altered taste and bad breath. It can also lead to lip cancer, sore throat as well as a burning sensation on the tongue and lips.
Other Complaints
Chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPD) such as chronic bronchitis and emphysema can also result from smoking. Some other diseases that are caused by tobacco are peptic ulcers, asthma, pneumonia, diabetes, cataracts, acute myeloid leukemia, chest infections and tuberculosis. Due to smoking, the level of vitamin A in the body is reduced, which can lead to early aging.
Pregnancy Problems
Using tobacco during pregnancy causes hazardous effects on the health of both, the pregnant woman and her baby. There is an increased risk of miscarriages as well as pregnancy-related complications like ectopic pregnancy, bleeding and premature birth. There is also a possibility of low birth weight baby or stillbirth.
Passive Effect
People, especially infants and children, who come in contact with the smokers may also suffer from the passive effects of smoking. They may become more susceptible to respiratory problems like asthma and various infections of the throat and nose. There is also a higher risk of sudden infant death syndrome.
Few ways that can be tried for quitting this habit are hypnosis, acupuncture, filters, low-level laser therapy (cold laser therapy), smoking deterrents, electronic cigarettes, herbs and supplements, quit-smoking medications (e.g., Chantix, Zyban), Cold Turkey therapy, etc.
The effects of chewing and smoking tobacco are life-threatening. In order to prevent the diseases, you should stay away from these unhealthy habits. It's never too late to quit smoking and stop tobacco use and a strong willpower will help you to do so. Always remember, there should be no compromise, when health is concerned. Respect your beautiful life.
By Reshma Jirage
Last Updated: 5/31/2012
Is Hookah Bad for You Is hookah bad for you, just as smoking cigarettes are? Why are more and more young people smoking hookah these days? Are there any health risks we should be aware of? Find the answers to these questions in the following article...
During the 15th century, hookah was created in India. Hookah was looked upon as a status symbol for many Indian aristocrats and gentry. It quickly became a great tradition and still is, followed by Jats, Rajputs, Bishnois and many more. Later on, it was sent out to Middle East and spread throughout Iran, Turkey, and Egypt. Considered to bring pleasure while smoking with the water pipe, hookah is still part of many cultures around the world. Hookah is also known as "narghile", "shisha" and "goza" around the world. And today, it has become a visible part of the western culture as well, as many hookah lounges are being introduced to young men and women. Although hookahs are a different kind of smoking activity (besides cigarettes) and they don't have the same type of tobacco as cigarettes do as well.
A more new concept for the West, complete truth is still not out yet. What we are talking about here are the health risks that smoking hookah brings. Can it cause lung cancer? Does it have the similar harmful effects of smoking like cigarettes? Or worse? People who smoke hookah tend to claim that it is less risky than cigarettes. But how can we be completely sure if smoking hookah is safer or just plain safe? Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) suggests that just like cigarettes, even hookah smoking can increase risk of cancer in its users. Which is why, to understand what happens when we smoke hookah, we have collected the following information for you.
Hookah - A New Trend in the West
According to the CDC, smoking hookah is quickly becoming a new fad among the youth. As the west is a huge melting pot, more and more Middle Eastern restaurants and shops are facilitating artistically-designed hookah to the public. The hookah, similar to any water pipe, is stuffed with shisha (flavored tobacco) and can be smoked legally. Also, some of the restaurants and lounges lure people with exotic belly dancers performing while they're there. This gains incredible popularity for introducing the youth to 400 year old traditional practice of offering hookah and drinks. Restaurants in Miami, Los Angeles, Seattle, New York, and other states have elegant settings and ambiance for its patrons to obtain this "addiction". But do people realize that in order to experience this new fad, are they thinking of the health risks or just going with the flow?
Can We Defend Smoking Hookah?
People who have become regular users of hookah, try to defend it as much as possible. Yes, enough research and studies have not been done on the harmful effects of smoking, but we can't just rule out the fact altogether. For some, due to misleading facts on the Internet and by other hookah promoters, hookah is a healthier alternative to smoking cigarettes. Considered to give a unique kind of high, more and more people are becoming accustomed to it.
According to the Nicotine Dependence Center, Richard D. Hurt, M.D. says "hookah smoking is not safer than cigarette smoking". So what puts hookah in a questionable position? The tobacco is made specially, it then gets heated on the smoke chamber, and the smoke then passes through the water. You draw the smoke through the rubber hose and from the mouthpiece, and you get to enjoy a unique style of smoking. The tobacco is a bit toxic in the hookah pipe as the water doesn't filter the toxins out of the smoke. A person can in fact inhale more tobacco smoke from hookah than smoking cigarettes. The reason behind it is that in hookah, a person generally tends to inhale large volume of smoke (in one session) than cigarettes. A session of hookah can last up to an hour or more; so you do the math.
Dangers of Smoking Hookah
CDC compiled a list of 12 possible side effects of smoking hookah and came up with the conclusion that it can lead its users to nicotine dependency and increase their risk of getting lung cancer. The presence of carbon monoxide and cancer-causing chemicals are root causes of developing lung cancer and heart disease. If you're still wondering if in fact there are negative health risks by smoking hookah, then perhaps the following points can give you a better perspective.
- Similar to cigarette smoking, there are various health risks which include lung and oral cancers, heart troubles, emphysema, shortness of breath, chronic cough, and other illnesses.
- Apart from carbon monoxide and cancer-causing chemicals such as carcinogens, the smoke from the hookah also contains tar and heavy metals.
- Now comes the part whether pregnant women can be affected by it or not. Yes, as smoking cigarettes is harmful for the mother-to-be and her unborn baby, smoking hookah while pregnant (or passive smoking) may result in low birth weight babies.
- Smoking hookah on a regular basis can also be connected to secondhand smoke; an unknown fact for many users.
- Some hookah bars and lounges don't necessarily clean the pipes properly. This can be a possible risk of spreading infectious diseases.
By Sheetal Mandora
Last Updated: 9/13/2011
Does Diabetes Cause Memory Loss? Memory loss has long been associated with Alzheimer's disease, but can the body's inability to process insulin lead to memory loss? This article explains the relation between memory loss and diabetes.
Diabetes affects almost 346 million people worldwide, and the number is expected to grow by 100 million by the year 2020. Annually it affects more than 23.9 million people in the US alone. It is a disease which progresses by damaging major blood vessels, thereby causing irreparable damage to several organs in the body. This silent killer causes many complications in the body, but there has been a lot of speculation about whether it affects the memory of a person affected by it or not.
The Link Between Diabetes and Memory Loss
Most of us know that diabetes is a condition in which the body is unable to produce the hormone insulin, which converts the sugar in the body into energy. According to leading medical experts, diabetes can be a cause of memory loss due to its ability to affect blood vessels of the brain and the body. Its various side effects of diabetes can also hamper one's learning and reasoning abilities if not controlled in time.
According to a recent study, experts found that people who are in the pre-diabetes stage or can't process blood sugar normally are at a risk of suffering from poor memory or memory loss. Research has also shown that diabetes increases the risk of Alzheimer's disease, compared to those who do not suffer from diabetes. However, according to new research printed in the Medical Journal of American Academy of Neurology, 2009, experts have suggested that people suffering from both diseases (Diabetes and Alzheimer's) will have memory loss at a slower rate than those with only Alzheimer's alone.
Amazingly, this suggestion was proven right when a very fascinating study was conducted. In the study, almost 608 people suffering from mild to moderate Alzheimer's were observed by researchers for over four years. Their reasoning and thinking skills were tested twice a year, and 63 people from 608 were diabetic. Before the study, people with and without diabetes had secured the same scores in various cognition tests. Over a period of six months it was found that the rate of cell damage in those with Alzheimer's and diabetes was less than those with only Alzheimer's. The reason for this is still not clear.
Diabetes and Memory Loss in the Elderly
Along with other complications, diabetes is seen as a potential cause for memory loss in the elderly. A team headed by Vera Novak, MD, PhD, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC) researched for 5 years and identified that diabetes is a prime cause for chronic inflammation of the brain in the elderly. This inflammation affects blood vessels and gradually weakens major brain tissues. It starts by affecting the gray matter which affects decision-making, reasoning capabilities and makes the individual unable to perform the simplest of tasks. Medical experts believe that from the age of 65, an average person's brain starts to shrink about one percent every year, but for a diabetic patient the number can be as high as 12%.
Dealing with Diabetes
There is no known cure available for the disease, but the complications can be kept under control if people follow some basic steps.
- Keep a check on blood sugar levels on a regular basis and never miss out on a doctor's appointments.
- Good diabetes management means exercising regularly and eating healthy. Stay away from alcohol, and fattening and sugary foods.
- People suffering from diabetes should take their medication at regular intervals and eat everything in moderation.
- Stress is also a potential cause for diabetes, so be stress free and try to do things which make you happy and relaxed.
By Kulbhushaan Raghuvanshi
Published: 11/21/2011
Memory Loss Causes Mild memory problems are quite common among a large section of the population today. The causes of memory loss can range from nutritional deficiency or stress and anxiety to some serious conditions, like, tumors and neurodegenerative diseases. To know more about memory loss causes, read on.
Memory can be termed as the ability to store and recall information. The whole process of storing, processing and recalling information is a complex mechanism which can be divided into three stages, namely, encoding, storage and retrieval. Everyday we encounter a number of sensory stimuli or information, which are received and processed by the human brain in order to store them. This stage is called encoding, which is followed by the second stage, i.e. storage, which involves retaining the processed information. The final stage of memory is the act of recalling this stored information, which is known as retrieval.
The entire process of storing, processing and recalling information is mainly regulated by our brain, that can be divided into three main parts, namely forebrain, midbrain and hindbrain. The largest part of the brain is cerebrum, which is the center of memory, intelligence, emotion, personality and ability to feel. Different parts of the brain are concerned with regulating specific functions as well as receiving, processing and storing information or sensory impulses received from the sensory organs. Memory can be classified into two forms, short-term memory and long-term memory. Short term memory enables one to recall information only for a short duration, while long-term memory can store a large amount of information for a significantly long time period, sometimes for the entire lifetime. But this ability of the brain can be impaired by a number of factors.
What Causes Memory Loss?
The natural process of aging involves a gradual and slow deterioration of the ability of the brain to learn and store new information due to loss of brain cells. But, it does not bring about a significant loss of memory during a short interval. The process of aging usually causes loss of short-term memory or the ability to recall events that have occurred recently as well as to learn new things. But, certain factors, like, stress, alcohol or drug abuse and some medical conditions can also bring about considerable loss of memory that can interfere with day-to-day activities.
Stress
Stress is a state of mental or emotional strain or fatigue. This indicates that the brain or human mind is subject to a lot of work, more than it can handle. So, stress basically involves overworking of the brain, which results in mental fatigue. In order to overcome this situation, the brain needs to rest and slow down. Stress affects memory and learning ability of an individual. This is the reason why we fail to recall or learn new things when we are mentally stressed. To prevent stress related loss of memory and learning ability, one has to address the factors that increase stress and anxiety and deal with them.
Depression and Anxiety
Like stress, depression and anxiety too have a negative impact on memory. They not only impair memory but can also affect physical and mental well-being of an individual.
Head Injury
As our brain is the main site for storing, processing and recalling information, any physical injury to this part can cause mild to major loss of memory. The extent to which head injury can affect memory depends on the severity of damage to the brain. Severe injury to the head can even result in permanent loss of memory.
Dementia
Dementia is a disorder associated with cognitive ability and it is more commonly found in older population but this does not mean that it cannot happen to young adults. Apart from memory, dementia can affect other cognitive abilities, like, attention, problem solving ability and language. The personality of the sufferer may change significantly and he or she may not be able to carry out even simple day-to-day activities at the later stages of dementia. However, some cases of dementia are reversible with proper treatment.
Drug and Alcohol Abuse
Excessive consumption of alcohol and drug addiction can adversely affect both mental and physical well-being of individuals. Drug and alcohol abuse are often major contributory factors for a number of problems related to mental health. They can impair normal functioning of the nervous system, which in the long run may result in memory loss. In the short run, drug and alcohol abuse causes a state of intoxication which is associated with temporary loss of memory.
Brain Tumors
Brain tumors can impair the functioning of a particular part of the brain where they develop. So, if a tumor develops in the part of the brain which is associated with memory, then it can affect memory to a great extent. Tumors can be both benign and malignant. The benign tumors remain confined to the particular area of origination and do not pervade other places, while the malignant ones can spread rapidly, pervading the surrounding healthy tissues.
Alzheimer's Disease
Alzheimer's disease is one of the most common types of dementia or degenerative diseases. The most common symptom of this condition is loss of memory and cognitive abilities. Initially, the sufferer develops forgetfulness about recent events but their long-term memory remain intact. However, gradually over a period of time, the disease also affects their long-term memory.
Other Causes
Some other causes of memory loss are epilepsy, strokes, infections and neurodegenerative diseases. Multiple sclerosis and Parkinson's disease are noteworthy neurodegenerative diseases that affect human memory. Epilepsy seizures generally cause a temporary loss of memory, while the extent of damage caused by stokes depends on its severity. Infection of the brain, as happens in case of encephalitis and meningitis, can cause inflammation of the brain tissues and the sufferer may experience memory loss. Memory loss can also happen in case of infections such as tuberculosis, HIV, herpes, syphilis, etc. which affects the core of the brain and causes serious problems. Thyroid dysfunction can also contribute to this situation. However, in many instances, mild forgetfulness can be a side effect of some medications too.
It is essential to identify the exact short-term memory loss causes, so that they can be addressed properly to prevent permanent loss of memory. Apart from the above mentioned diseases and disorders, memory can get impaired temporarily due to lack of proper nutrition or nourishment. Like other organs, the brain also needs all the vital nutrients including vitamins, especially vitamin B and C to perform its activities smoothly. Therefore, eating a healthy and balanced diet can play a crucial role in improving memory. Also important is to drink plenty of water to flush out the toxins from the body, regular exercise and to reduce or avoid consumption of alcohol and smoking. As far as stress is concerned, one can take the help of stress relief techniques, like, yoga and meditation that can ensure overall mental and physical well-being.
By Chandramita Bora
Last Updated: 12/15/2011
Short Term Memory Loss Symptoms The loss of memory can be a scary experience. It is imperative that short term memory loss symptoms should be recognized in time, as they can be an indicative of a brain or spinal cord disorder.
Before going into the details, let me just tell you something about memory and the brain. Since the IQ of every person is different (some may have higher IQ, some may have lower IQ), and the functioning of memory and causes of and symptoms of its loss may vary from person to person. (Functioning of conscious brain is also different as no two personalities are same). So it has been very difficult for researchers to pin-point the exact nature of symptoms. In the following extract, I have tried to explore the causes, symptoms, and treatment for this condition.
Causes
- Anxiety and Depression: Anxiety and depression can cause chemical imbalance in the brain, which severely stresses the memory. Concentration is also affected, leading to this condition.
- Alzheimer's Disease: It is a very common cause for memory loss in older people. Alzheimer's disease leads to long-term memory loss as well.
- Mental Trauma: The brain naturally tries to suppress any traumatic experience. The central nervous system tries to erase some painful memories which sometimes leads to this condition.
- Brain Injury: Any injury to the frontal lobe of the brain can lead to short term memory loss.
- Substance Abuse: Over consumption of alcohol or having drugs like marijuana can lead to short term memory loss.
- Dementia: This disease is progressive in nature. Dementia is characterized by incoherent thoughts and mental confusion.
- Vision Impairment: As I have said before, symptoms can vary from person to person. Vision impairment is such a symptom which may not be experienced by all, but when it does happen, be alarmed that it can be associated to memory loss.
- Diminished Cognitive Ability: Cognition is psychological result of the perception, learning and reasoning. Experience of diminished cognitive ability is a symptom which can be very traumatic.
- Impaired Muscular Coordination: This condition is most frequently seen in disorders of the brain and spinal cord. Impaired muscular coordination should not be taken lightly and you must immediately notify the doctor.
- Mind Games: There are many games and brain exercises that can help you sharpen your memory (like trying memorize a list of items and remember them after a break of five minutes). They must be played as often as possible.
- Medication and Psychiatric Drugs: There are many drugs that can help improve your memory, but they have to be taken as prescribed by the doctor. After all, these drugs are directly affecting your central nervous system, so do take care while taking them. The person who is experiencing short term memory loss may suffer from many psychiatric problems as well. In such a case, his medication may involve psychiatric drugs.
- Is my memory loss short term or long term?
- How significant is my memory loss?
- Am I having Alzheimer's Disease?
- What are the medical problems that I can experience?
- How will i know whether my memory loss is getting worse?
By Vipul Lovekar
Last Updated: 9/28/2011
Memory Loss in Young Adults Memory loss in young adults comprises certain types, knowledge of which is very important. In the following article, you won't only learn the types, but also the causes, the symptoms, and the treatment. Also called 'amnesia', let us see what exactly we mean by memory loss, and how it can be prevented, and treated. Read on...
Memory loss; a term that we are well-aware of, since perhaps the earliest stages of life. We've heard of it from parents, read it in books, and seen it in countless movies. Among all these, movies have taken us closest to the subject, yet, not technically. A person not remembering his past, after an accident, or after a shocking event, is cliché now. However, have you ever wondered what causes short-term memory loss in young adults? Or even a long-term one for that matter? No, right? But then, now you will. Listed below are the causes, the symptoms, and the treatment for this condition. As mentioned before, the condition is also known as 'amnesia'. However, before all those details, and unending information, let us read a little about types of amnesia that can occur in young adults. You can also use the 'index', to directly go to a topic of your choice.
Index
- Types of Memory Loss
- List of Causes
- List of Symptoms
- Treatment
☛ Anterograde Amnesia
Anterograde amnesia is one of the most common types of amnesia in young adults. In this, the brain's ability to store and retain information, or knowledge, reduces. Gradually, this leads to memory loss. Young adults who suffer from this type, have difficulty remembering the recent or immediate past. Usually, we get to see this type in cases of Alzheimer's and dementia.
☛ Retrograde Amnesia
Retrograde amnesia is another type. It usually occurs after trauma to the brain, like a head injury or an accident. Something that has caused external harm to the brain. In this type of amnesia, the person will not remember most of his/her life, before the occurring of this amnesia. This is what we usually get to see in movies. Memories of life before the incident are washed away.
☛ Transient Global Amnesia
Transient global amnesia is a form of memory loss that is seen very rarely. In this type, the ability, or rather capability of the brain to form new memories diminishes, and events of the recent past may seem blurred. This is a form of 'temporary loss' of all memory. It isn't permanent though. Sometimes, you can remember what you had completely forgotten earlier.
Top
Causes
☛ Psychogenic Amnesia
Psychogenic amnesia is a form of amnesia that occurs due to psychological reasons, that mostly rise from impactful incidents in life. A life-threatening event, or a stressful life, can lead to this form of memory loss in people. Usually the reasons are criminal behavior, depression or schizophrenia. Most of the time, this kind of memory loss is short-term, but in some cases it can also be long-term.
☛ Encephalitis and Meningitis
Another cause is a brain infection. Encephalitis is a common brain infection, in which we see a little inflammation of the brain. Another one is 'meningitis', in which we see inflammation of the brain, as well as the spinal cord covering. The worst part about these infections, is their capacity to do permanent damage. However, the duration of memory loss will depend on other factors too, such as the severity of the infection, and the damage it has already done.
☛ External Injury
An external injury is when the brain suffers from some trauma, like in an accident. In this case, the brain gets injured internally and/or externally, and that too, many times! This is said to lead to memory loss at a young age. Mostly, in this case, the memory loss is short-term, and doesn't stay for long. The patient usually does not remember how he met with an accident, but slowly it all does come back. This can also termed, or called 'traumatic brain injury'.
☛ Drugs
Many prescription drugs such as barbiturates, digoxin, isoniazid, tricyclic antidepressants, bromide, methyldopa, diuretics and aminophylline, can lead to memory loss in young adults. Some recreational drugs that can lead to memory loss are cocaine, PSP and LSD. If a young adult is suffering from this condition due to any of these drugs, the chances of improvement are high. The situation might improve once he stops taking these drugs.
☛ Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome
Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome is actually a deficiency of Vitamin B1, and another cause for memory loss. Two of the major reasons that lead to this deficiency are; extreme malnourishment, and/or addiction to alcohol, i.e alcoholism. If amnesia is not treated in its earlier stages, it can also lead to 'dementia'. People who suffer from this deficiency, can suffer memory loss episodes for a lifetime. Recovery can be difficult. This is one of the most dangerous causes of long-term loss.
Top
Symptoms
The symptoms of memory loss in younger adults, are almost the same as memory loss symptoms in other age groups. The most basic symptom is the inability to 'remember'; all the other symptoms being offshoots of this one particular problem. The symptoms also depend a lot on the intensity and severity of the illness. So, the short-term memory loss symptoms may differ a little from the long-term ones.
☛ Problem with Directions
People who are suffering from amnesia always have a problem with directions. They forget how they reached a particular place, or how they are supposed to leave and reach another. The basic problem is to 'store' the information, and use it again. Memory loss can always make a person forget general directions like 'left' and 'right'.
☛ Loss of Words
Young adults who are suffering from memory loss, also forget right usage of words, and the appropriate words, one is supposed to use in a particular sentence. They might want to say something for a very long time, but just then, they will not remember a word they had in mind all along. They might not remember the lyrics of a song they have just heard, or the name of a particular place they just spoke about.
☛ Forgetting Positions and Engagements
Memory loss in young adults may also result in forgetting positions. You might think you kept a certain thing somewhere, and just can't find it there anymore. Things you use everyday, like your car keys, or the place where you keep the remote control. Another symptom is forgetting engagements, such as meetings decided a day or two earlier, or the time of these meetings, or the person you are supposed to meet even.
☛ Mood Swings
Another symptom is existence of mood swings, and fluctuating behavioral patterns. A young adult who is suffering from memory loss may seem angry one minute, and may suddenly calm down the next minute. There may be episodes of depression, or sudden euphoria as well. Sometimes, a person may feel anxiety due to unknown reasons, and then suddenly feel alright in sometime again, due to unknown reasons.
☛ Inability to Perform
Memory loss also leads to the inability to perform. This means that a person might find it difficult to perform a certain task, that he has performed regularly. He might suddenly start facing certain problems now. Sometimes, this happens when you have a fixed schedule, but can't remember certain things in them, you usually follow everyday. For example, a person might suddenly find it difficult to cook, or to play a certain game.
Top
Treatment
☛ Foods
Certain foods play a very important role in the treatment for memory loss. It has been proven in some studies, that foods rich in powerful antioxidants can help, even in severe cases. Plums, red grapes, most of the berries, brussels, onions and broccoli, are a few foods high in antioxidants. Foods rich in Vitamin B are also advised to help in the treatment of memory loss. Another helpful food type, is the list of foods that contain omega 3 essential fatty acids. These contain nutrients that help in the maintenance of the brain.
☛ Exercises
There are certain memory improvement exercises that can help in treating memory loss. These are usually advised by the doctors to help the brain retain more memory, and to improve the ability of remembering. The person may have to strictly stick to the routine he followed before the illness struck. Someone might be needed to keep a check on that. Apart from this, doctors may even ask the person to write down everything, such as names and numbers of people, to help the patient improve his capacity to store information.
☛ Medicines
The treatment for memory loss may also include medicines prescribed by a doctor; to help improve the present condition, and functioning of the brain. People suffering from memory loss at times suffer from hallucinations, and delusions which can be treated with medicines. Other medication may consist of medicines such as Donepezil (Aricept), Intravenous Immunoglobulin (IVIg), Memantine (Akatinol), Selegeline (Eldepryl), Gingko Biloba, Nootropics, Alpha-tocopherol Galantamine (Reminyl), Tacrine (Cognex), Rivastigmine (Exelon), Neo Tropin, B-secretase inhibitors, Vitamin B, Clioquinol, and some cholesterol lowering agents.
☛ Giving Up on Addictions
Giving up on addictions is also a part of the memory loss treatment. This treatment, has to be dealt with a lot of care. Addictions can cause certain unwanted problems in it. Smoking and alcoholism will not only reduce the effects of the treatment, they will also create problems in the proper functioning of the brain, which is of utmost importance while dealing with memory loss.
Top
Memory loss in young adults can be treated with certain medicines and surgeries, but it is very difficult to ascertain the exact treatment, as it differs in every case. I hope this information on the types, the symptoms, the causes, and the treatment, cleared all the questions you had regarding this illness. Sometimes, you can't avoid this happening to you, but sometimes, you can. If you see any of the symptoms mentioned above, consult your doctor as soon as possible. Take Care!
By Neha Joshi
Last Updated: 2/28/2012
Nursing Care Plans for Diabetes Diabetes is undoubtedly one of the major health threats in the United States. A diabetic patient needs constant monitoring and care. The role of nursing care of diabetes is extremely crucial in this regard. This article will guide you on some basic instructions on a diabetes nursing care plan. Read on to know more about nursing care of diabetes.
"Peter is a retired lawyer who lives with his wife in an apartment owned by them, in North America. Recently, Peter got a heart attack due to severe diabetes. He was admitted in a nearby hospital because his wife's own health problems prevented her from taking care of her husband. However, the nursing home had some excellent nurses and Janice was one of them. The care, love and discipline Janice displayed in treating Peter, gradually improved his health. Nowadays, Peter can be seen on his regular morning walks along with his wife, laughing and smiling happily. They can't help but thank the nursing home, for having excellent staff like Janice."
The story highlights the importance of nursing care in a beautiful manner. The effort that the nursing home has taken in imparting the necessary skills to Janice, is evident when the patient returns home satisfied with the quality of her work. Don't take my words for granted, a good nurse is as important as a good doctor is and this should not be ignored at any cost. Let's discuss some guidelines for the nursing care plans for diabetes. Diabetes is usually of two types - Type 1 diabetes or Insulin dependent diabetes mellitus and Type 2 diabetes or non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus.
Tips for Nurses
Monitoring the Patients
Within 7 days of admission to the hospital, all patients should have a mandatory urine test. On being tested positive, the diabetic cases must be referred to senior doctors or the respective doctors in charge. The areas that should be monitored by the nurses are glucose monitoring using blood glucose monitors, high or low blood pressure check ups, skin and foot care tests and dietary programs of the patient. In case the person is tested negative in the urine tests and he is still not recovering from other related symptoms of diabetes, he should be rechecked after few days or weeks.
Dealing with High Blood Pressure
Every patient has different history of past medical complications and so the blood pressure readings can vary significantly. If the patients with high blood pressure have a long history of drugs or smoking, they must be asked to quit. One can take the necessary help from hospital authorities, in order to stop the person from smoking. Report to the doctors regularly, about the blood pressure readings of the patient. Every patient has set targets for the blood pressure. If a patient has reached normal blood pressure readings, then consult the doctors and make the necessary changes in his nursing care plans.
Diet and Diabetes
The diet for a diabetic patient should be carefully planned. The nurse should monitor, that the patient is only eating food that is helpful in recovering him faster. Food such as potatoes, cereals and rice are an important part of diabetic diet and must be encouraged. All new patients must be consulted with a dietitian, before going for their dietary plans. The basal metabolic index for every patient must be tracked on a monthly basis and a record of the same must be kept for regular reference.
Managing the Medicines
The drugs and medicines should only be given by nurses, if they have been recommended by the doctor. Before giving the medicine to the patient, just as a precautionary measure, the nurse should check that the patient is taking the right medicines. Insulin dosage must be carefully administered by the nurse. Insulin medicines must be stored in refrigerators and must be taken out 20 minutes before they have to be given to the patient. The nurse should take care that the injection locations don't repeat daily. As different sites will have varied absorption ability, it is preferable to change the sites occasionally. A record of the different sites where the injections are given to the patient, must be maintained. For patients that have problems like hypoglycemia chronic fatigue the nurse should be ready to face emergency situations, where the patient may show symptoms of dizziness and extreme fatigue. The nurse should be aware of the possible problems that a diabetic patient may face.
Other Guideposts For Nurses
The nurse can be a good source of information for the patient and also is his care taker. The nurse can advise and instruct the patients about exercises that are useful in diabetes. Exercises as we all know, can show improvements in blood pressure charts, reduce the risks of cardiovascular diseases and enhance the mental state of the patient. Take care, that problems like continence and urinary tract infections (UTI) are not able to affect the patient and increase the complications. Also, gestational diabetes nursing care should be handled as an important issue, as it affects the mother during the time of embryo formation. The patient affected from gestational diabetes should be assisted constantly.
Good care requires planning and carefully analyzing the symptoms of the patient. A charming and friendly attitude with the patient is necessary, so that the patient gets the emotional support and can recover from the disease as early as possible. Nursing care plans for diabetes are meant to achieve holistic health for the patient. Its ultimate objective is to make the patient feel that with proper care and guidance, diabetes care can be provided effectively.
By Kundan Pandey
Last Updated: 1/4/2012
Early Signs of Diabetes Diabetes is a commonly reported chronic disease that can be treated, but cannot be cured. Its early signs are usually mild; however, it progresses to a life-threatening condition (if left untreated).
Diabetes is a chronic ailment, characterized by an increased sugar level in the blood. It is caused due to abnormal metabolism of the hormone insulin, which is secreted by the beta cells of the pancreas. Insulin regulates the metabolic process of sugar in the body. It induces the body cells to take up glucose from the blood, for using it as a source of energy. This function of insulin is disturbed in a diabetic patient. Hence, sugar remains in the blood, resulting in high blood glucose level (hyperglycemia) and associated symptoms.
Three Types of Diabetes
It is estimated that about 8.3 percent Americans have diabetes. In fact, it is identified as one of the leading causes of death, after cancer and heart disease. Diabetes is classified into three major types, depending upon the etiology, viz. type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes and gestational diabetes. While the health effects accompanied with high blood sugar remain the same, actual symptoms differ slightly according the type of diabetes. Hence, to get a better understanding about the same, a brief explanation about the three diabetes types is given below.
Type 1 Diabetes
About 10-15 percent of diabetes patients are diagnosed with this type. Type 1 diabetes is caused due to damage of beta cells of the pancreas, which results in little or no production of insulin. Previously, it was thought to affect only children and hence, it is referred to as juvenile diabetes or childhood diabetes. Since a patient of type 1 diabetes requires insulin injections daily, it is also known as insulin-dependent diabetes.
Type 2 Diabetes
In contrary to the type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes is known as insulin-independent diabetes or adult-onset diabetes. It is the most common type of diabetes, accounting to about 85-90 percent of all the cases. In this diabetes type, either the body cells do not respond properly to insulin (though hormone secretion is normal) or there is insufficient insulin. It is often associated with obesity and a less active lifestyle.
Gestational Diabetes
This form of diabetes is similar to type 2 diabetes, but occurs exclusively in pregnant women. Also known as carbohydrate intolerance, it is caused either due to hormonal changes or shortage of insulin during pregnancy. Usually, the sugar level becomes normal or near normal after the birth of the baby. In case, the symptoms persist then there is a high chance of developing type 2 diabetes in a later period.
Early Signs and Symptoms of Diabetes
A few symptoms of diabetes are manifested in the early stage (or prediabetes phase). Hence, about one-third of people who have diabetes remain unaware of the high blood sugar level. When the early signs of diabetes are present, they are often confused with symptoms of other health problems. Let's look into some of the warming signs of diabetes.
- A common sign exhibited in the early stages of type 1 and type 2 diabetes is frequent urination (polyuria). Since the glucose in the blood increases above the normal level, filtration by kidneys is incomplete. This also hampers water absorption by the kidneys, resulting in frequent urination.
- Due to increase in the frequency of urination, the body losses excessive fluid. Ultimately, dehydration occurs, causing increased thirst (polydipsia). If one is drinking more fluid than the usual amount, and the number of urination is increased, either type 1 or type 2 diabetes is suspected.
- Another warning sign of type 1 and type 2 diabetes is increased appetite. One of the functions of insulin is stimulating hunger. Since, the body starts secreting more insulin to lower glucose level in the bloodstream, it is obvious to experience increased hunger (polyphagia).
- A patient who is in the prediabetes stage suffers from unusual weight loss, even without trying. This is caused due to excessive loss of sugar in the urine. The body starts using muscular proteins and fats as its source of energy, resulting in weight loss. This symptom is typical of type 1 diabetes.
- In a person with prediabetes, excess sugar is found in the blood and not in the cells. As the body cells are deprived of the main energy source - glucose, the patient feels increased fatigue at most of the time. Physical ability is lowered and the patient gets tired very easily.
- Vision problem is reported in patients of type 2 diabetes. Increase in the blood sugar levels leads to change in the shape of the eye lenses. Over time, this results in poor focusing power and blurred vision in patients.
- A type 2 diabetic patient suffers from frequent yeast and skin infections. Unchecked high sugar brings about damage to the nerves, causing neuropathy symptoms (numbness in the extremities). In addition, cuts and wounds take longer period to heal.
In case, a person experiences any of the above mentioned warning signs, he/she should go for blood glucose test right away. Seeking advice from a health specialist for proper diagnosis is necessary. Doing so will help in delaying the onset or even control this chronic ailment. The doctor may suggest lifestyle changes and diet modification to keep the blood sugar level under control.
Remember that an untreated diabetes can lead to serious health problems such as diabetic retinopathy (eye disease), diabetic neuropathy (nerve damage), kidney disease and kidney failure. Impotency in men and vaginal dryness in women afflicted with type 2 diabetes are also not uncommon. Along with changes in the lifestyle and diet, regular checking of blood sugar is a must. This helps in confirming, whether the treatment approaches are working or not.
By Ningthoujam Sandhyarani
Last Updated: 8/23/2011
Diabetic Foot Pain Symptoms Diabetes can result in excruciating foot pain caused by the damage to the nerves and problems in circulation. Read on to know more about the causes and diabetic foot pain symptoms.
The occurrence of diabetes can result in very high blood sugar levels, also known as hyperglycemia, which not only hinders the body's ability to fight infection but can also result in damaged nerves, kidneys and blood vessels. One of the most common complications associated with diabetes is excruciating foot pain. This diabetes symptom can be attributed to nerve damage that occurs due to the disease and the resulting poor circulation of blood. Although this may start out as a mild tingling sensation in the hands and feet, it can gradually grow to become quite painful as the disease progresses. In fact it is observed that among the 16 million people affected by diabetes, 25% may develop diabetic foot pain symptoms. Here are some of the common causes and symptoms of diabetic foot problems, along with measures to control this disorder.
Diabetic Foot Pain Causes
Peripheral Neuropathy: Peripheral neuropathy is a type of diabetic neuropathy that affects the nerves. There are three types of peripheral neuropathy which include sensory, motor, and autonomic neuropathy. A large percentage of pain that diabetic patients complain of is due to sensory neuropathy. This can show up as "sensitive pain," where just touching the skin or covering your feet with a sheet in bed could be painful or result in numbness in the feet. Similarly, motor neuropathy can result in nerves in the muscles being affected by the disease making the muscles feel weak and achy. Autonomic neuropathy results in dry, stiff, cracked skin and painful calluses. Bacterial and fungal infection could be more likely an additional source of pain and concern.
Circulation Problems: Circulation problems in the feet may cause intense pain. This is due to the effect of high blood sugar in the arteries, capillaries and veins. When the arteries are blocked by the same fatty deposits in diabetes, thus thickening the artery walls, calcium deposits are formed. This results in partial or totally blocking of the blood flow to the feet. Hence, due to the tissues starving for oxygen, there is extreme pain in the foot.
Infection: Diabetics are more susceptible to fungal and bacterial infections of the foot due to the change in nutrition and other medical changes brought about by the onset of the disease. As rising blood sugar levels pose a threat to a person's immune system, so does this condition increase the risk of contracting infection.
Muscle and Joint Pain: Another common source of foot pain in diabetics involves the muscles and the joints. Due to the muscles being affected, the tendons become stiff and begin to contract. This process can not only result in pain in the muscle and joint pain, but also create problems in balancing oneself while walking.
Signs and Symptoms
Foot pain caused by type 1 diabetes, also known as diabetes mellitus, can manifest itself in many ways. These include:
- A burning or having a constant sensation of heat felt in one's feet. This includes a stabbing, tingling or burning pain in the feet.
- Swelling and redness of the feet or legs due to infection.
- Achy and weak muscles in the thighs, feet and shin.
- Motor neuropathy may trigger walking imbalances or a limp. This causes the foot to repeatedly rub against the inside of the shoes resulting in the formation of calluses, inflamed skin and diabetic foot ulcers.
- A diabetic's sweating mechanism is altered when autonomic neuropathy occurs. As a result, dry, thickened toenails and cuticles are commonly observed.
- Fungal and bacterial infection causing fever and chills.
- Numbness in the feet can be a sign of nerve damage from diabetes.
Though there is no permanent cure for diabetes, as of now, this condition can be controlled with the help of medication. There are several over-the counter drugs available that can help soothe the pain. NSAIDs and painkillers are prescribed to reduce the pain and inflammation. The doctor may also advice the patient to take rest and reduce foot movement during painful spells.
Although foot pain and diabetes do go hand in hand, these painful symptoms can be combated by careful monitoring of blood sugar levels and consistent examination of the feet. This can prevent problems from starting, and help correct problems that have begun. For people who complain of diabetic foot pain it is important to have it evaluated by your physician and introduce the appropriate diabetic foot care. Although oral medication is known to be helpful, the best course of action is to maintain a healthy lifestyle and eat a well-balanced diabetic diet to maintain healthy blood sugar levels.
By Parul Solanki
Last Updated: 3/26/2012
Pathophysiology of Diabetes Mellitus Studies conducted on the pathophysiology of diabetes mellitus suggested that abnormal metabolism of insulin hormone is the primary cause for the development of this complex syndrome. Even though the etiologies and triggering factors of the three types of diabetes mellitus are different, they cause nearly the same symptoms and complications.
Diabetes mellitus (DM) or simply diabetes, is a chronic health condition in which the body either fails to produce sufficient amounts of insulin or it responds abnormally to insulin. Commonly referred to as a syndrome, diabetes is classified into three types, namely, Type 1 diabetes, Type 2 diabetes, and Gestational diabetes. The ultimate outcome for all three types of diabetes is high blood glucose level. The pathophysiology of diabetes mellitus is very complex, as this ailment is characterized by different etiologies while sharing similar signs, symptoms, and complications.
Diabetes Mellitus: Pathophysiology
The pathophysiology of all types of diabetes is related to the hormone insulin, which is secreted by the beta cells of the pancreas. In a healthy person, insulin is produced in response to the increased level of glucose in the bloodstream, and its major role is to control glucose concentration in the blood. What insulin does is, allowing the body cells and tissues to use glucose as a main energy source. Also, this hormone is responsible for conversion of glucose to glycogen for storage in the muscles and liver cells. This way, sugar level is maintained at a near stable amount.
In a diabetic person, there is an abnormal metabolism of insulin hormone. The actual reason for this malfunction differs according to the type of diabetes. Whatever the cause is, the body cells and tissues do not make use of glucose from the blood, resulting in elevated blood glucose (a typical symptom of diabetes called hyperglycemia). This condition is also exacerbated by the conversion of stored glycogen to glucose, i.e., increased hepatic glucose production. Over a period of time, high glucose level in the bloodstream can lead to severe complications, such as eye disorders, cardiovascular diseases, kidney damage, and nerve problems.
In Type 1 diabetes, the pancreas cannot synthesize enough amounts of insulin as required by the body. The pathophysiology of Type 1 diabetes mellitus suggests that it is an autoimmune disease, wherein the body's own immune system generates secretion of substances that attack the beta cells of the pancreas. Consequently, the pancreas secretes little or no insulin. Type 1 diabetes is more common among children and young adults (around 20 years). Since it is common among young individuals and insulin hormone is used for treatment, Type 1 diabetes is also referred to as Juvenile Diabetes or Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus (IDDM).
In case of Type 2 diabetes mellitus, the insulin hormone secreted by the beta cells is normal or slightly lower than the ideal amount. However, the body cells are not responding to insulin as they do in a healthy person. Since the body cells and tissues are resistant to insulin, they do not absorb glucose, instead it remains in the bloodstream. Thus, the Type 2 diabetes is also characterized by elevated blood sugar. It is commonly manifested by middle-aged adults (above 40 years). As insulin is not necessary for treatment of Type 2 diabetes, it is known as Non-insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus (NIIDM) or Adult Onset Diabetes.
The third type of diabetes is called Gestational diabetes. As the term clearly suggests, it is exhibited by pregnant women. Over here, high level of blood glucose is caused by hormonal fluctuations during pregnancy. Usually, the sugar concentration returns to normal after the baby is born. However, there are also instances, in which it remains high even after childbirth. This is an indication for increased risks of developing diabetes in the near future.
As already mentioned, the symptoms and effects of all the three forms of diabetes are similar. The noticeable symptoms include increased thirst (polydipsia), increased urination (polyuria), and increased appetite (polyphagia). Other diabetes signs and symptoms include excessive fatigue, presence of sugar in the urine (glycosuria), body irritation, unexplained weight loss, and dehydration. Elevated blood sugar and glycosuria are interrelated; when sugar amount in the blood is abnormally high, the reabsorption by proximal convoluted tubule is reduced, thereby retaining some glucose in the urine.
Diabetes Mellitus: Diagnosis and Treatment
Regarding the definition of diabetes mellitus, it is often described as a fasting blood glucose level of 126 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL) or more. As per statistics, Type 2 diabetes is the most commonly occurring type, in comparison to the other two forms of diabetes mellitus. Early and correct detection of the diabetes is necessary to prevent severe health effects. After diagnosis, the physician prescribes appropriate medication for treatment of diabetes, which may include insulin injections or oral insulin medicines, depending upon the type of diabetes mellitus.
In addition to the therapeutic intervention, healthy lifestyle modifications, especially in terms of diet and exercises are recommended for effective management of diabetes symptoms and long-term effects. Since it is a global health issue, studies regarding the diabetes mellitus pathophysiology are currently in progress in order to minimize its associated health effects, and also, to treat it effectively.
By Ningthoujam Sandhyarani
Last Updated: 11/16/2011
Dry Mouth and Diabetes Dry mouth is among the many symptoms of diabetes and it is common among diabetics for a variety of reasons. Here's a look into some of its causes, the symptoms associated with this condition, as well as some simple treatment measures for it.
The main cause of a dry mouth is the lack of saliva to keep it moist. You may have noticed at several times, that when your mouth is dry due to various reasons, you are neither able to speak clearly nor eat well. Thus, saliva helps with clear speech and with the ability to bite and chew one's food well, thereby aiding the digestion process. These are not the only functions of the saliva. It keeps harmful bacteria at bay and thus prevents the possibility of developing an infection in the mouth. It clears the acids that are produced by plaque. Though one of the most ignored part of our daily hygiene routine, oral health is of utmost importance, and diabetes may affect oral health. Yes, dry mouth and diabetes are related. Here's why, and what you can do to treat it.
Causes
Dry mouth may be a warning sign of diabetes, but is not the only symptom that indicates this condition. It is, however, common in those suffering from type 1 diabetes. Why does dry mouth occur as a result of diabetes? It may be due to any of the following reasons:
- Side Effect of Medication: Dry mouth may be caused as a side effect of medication that is being consumed to keep the diabetes in control. Also, several patients take medicines to keep a control on their blood pressure and to prevent heart disease that may be triggered by diabetes. These are also known to cause dry mouth in patients.
- Dehydration: Diabetics are prone to dehydration, and one of the effects of this is dryness of the mouth.
- Kidney Problems: Even kidney problems may be a result of diabetes, thereby throwing the level of hydration in the body off balance. Dry mouth can then be an effect of this condition.
- Persistently High Blood Sugar Levels: High blood sugar levels or hyperglycemia also tend to affect the body in many ways, one of them being dry mouth.
Though the condition itself is a sign or a symptom, there are other signs that are associated with dry mouth caused due to diabetes.
- Increasing Number of Cavities: A person experiencing a dry mouth due to diabetes may discover the increasing presence of dental cavities in places least susceptible to them.
- Irritation on Corners of the Mouth: The corners or the edges of the mouth may become dry, and begin to appear slightly white, causing irritation. This condition is known as Cheilitis.
- Gingivitis: Inflammation of the gums or gingivitis is another symptom associated with this condition that occurs as a result of diabetes.
- Yeast Infection: Persons suffering from diabetes may develop a yeast infection on the tongue.
- Mouth Sores: Mouth sores are another sign of dry mouth and thus, diabetes.
This condition is fortunately treatable, with some of the following tips mentioned below.
- Use Toothpastes that Contain Fluoride: There are some toothpastes that have been made especially to treat dry mouth. Try to get hold of one of these. If you aren't able to do so, you should always use a toothpaste that contains fluoride.
- Consume Food Low in Salt and Sugar: Avoid eating foods that are rich in sugar, as well as in salt. The sugars make the mouth more susceptible to cavities, while the salt results in dehydration. Also stay away from citrus juices.
- Drink Lots of Water: Keep drinking water often to prevent your mouth from going dry.
- Clean After Every Meal: After every meal, ensure that you wash and rinse your mouth thoroughly. Even before sleeping, ensure that you have brushed well.
- Clean Dentures/Braces (If Wearing) Thoroughly: If you wear dentures, remove them and brush them thoroughly after every meal. If you wear braces, ensure that you thoroughly clean your mouth after every meal.
- Use Mouthwash without Alcohol: Do not use a mouthwash with alcohol as a treatment for dry mouth due to diabetes.
- Keep your Lips Moisturized: Doing so with the use of a non-flavored lip balm will help prevent the irritation at the corners of the mouth.
- Use a Saliva Substitute: In extreme cases, you may use a substitute for saliva, such as a gel. This is a temporary solution to the problem of dry mouth. Use this only after consulting with your doctor.
Disclaimer: This Buzzle article is for informative purposes only and does not, in any way, intend to replace the advice of a medical expert.
By Puja Lalwani
Last Updated: 1/27/2012
Is Diabetes Hereditary? Diabetes is a condition that develops when the body is not able to produce or use the stored glucose in the body. The following article will cover some facts related to its possible hereditary nature...
Diabetes is the sweet disease that can lead to many health problems including heart diseases, stroke and even gout. Diabetes is becoming a very common disease not only in the Western world, but also in developing countries. Researchers are searching for answers that lead to concrete causes of diabetes. Many times, it is seen that diabetes runs in families.
What is Diabetes?
It is a condition that develops when the body is not able to produce or use the stored glucose in the body. This causes the blood sugar or glucose levels in the body to rise. When sugar or starchy foods are eaten they are broken down into glucose. This glucose is then converted into energy by the body with the help of insulin. This is a hormone produced by the pancreas. If there is an insufficient amount of insulin in the body, it will lead to improper absorption of glucose by the body. Thus, the level of glucose in the blood rises leading to increase in blood sugar level.
There are two types of diabetes that can affect people. Type 1 diabetes, also called juvenile onset or insulin dependent diabetes and Type 2 diabetes, or adult onset or non-insulin dependent diabetes are the two types. Type 1 diabetes affects children and young adults, as their body does not produce any insulin. Thus, making them dependent on insulin injections for survival. Type 2 diabetes occurs in people over 40 and those who are obese, have a family history of diabetes and unhealthy lifestyle.
Is There a Genetic Risk in Developing Diabetes?
Diabetes is a disease that is commonly seen in adults as well as children and young adults these days. Most of the time, if one or both or the parents have diabetes, their children seem to develop diabetes during some time of their life. This is very common and people often think diabetes runs in their families.
Hereditary Risk for Type 1 Diabetes
Genes are passed on from parents to their children. Of these genes, when the child inherits the gene for Type 1 diabetes, he or she may develop it at some point of their life. However, if these genes are absent, a person will not develop type 1 diabetes. Statistically speaking, if both parents have type 1 diabetes, there is 30% chance the child develop type 1 diabetes. If it is just the mother with type 1 diabetes, there is 4% chance that offspring born before she was 25 years will have type 1 diabetes. If the mother crossed 25 years of age, there is just 1% chance the child will develop diabetes. In case of the father, there is 6% chance his child will develop diabetes.
Hereditary Risk for Type 2 Diabetes
In case of type 2 diabetes, there is no specific genetic pattern. Therefore, the chances of developing diabetes depends on the number of people in your family with the condition. Also, presence of other genetic disorders, like Down's syndrome, increase the risk of developing diabetes. However, it has been estimated, if both parents suffer from type 2 diabetes, there is 75% chance their child may develop it too.
It has been found by American Diabetes Association that if there is an individual whose mother has Type 1 diabetes, then the risk of developing diabetes in her child is 1 in 25. And if the individual was born before his/her mother was 25 years old, then the risk of developing juvenile diabetes is 1 in 100. If the father has Type 1 diabetes, the chances of the individual developing diabetes is 1 in 17. In case either of the parent has Type 2 diabetes before they turn 50, the chances of the individual developing diabetes is 1 in 7. If the either of the parent develops it after they turn 50, the risk of diabetes is 1 in 13.
Is Gestational Diabetes Hereditary?
There is another type of diabetes called gestational diabetes that develops in women during pregnancy. This diabetes affects 2 to 7% of pregnant women. This occurs because during pregnancy, the body is busy with the different hormones secreted for development of the fetus. During this time, the body requires more insulin to keep the blood glucose levels in check. However, if a woman's pancreas fail to deliver the required amount of insulin, it may lead to a rise in blood sugar levels. This will lead to gestational diabetes. The symptoms of gestational diabetes disappear once the baby is born. However, it can develop again when the woman gets pregnant again and is a sign that the woman is at a high risk of developing diabetes later in life. This brings one to the question is gestational diabetes hereditary or not.
According to researchers, they do not have the exact cause for gestational diabetes during pregnancy. However, it is thought that hormones from the placenta play a role in developing gestational diabetes. It is said, the placental hormones may prevent insulin to act and therefore, lead to high blood sugar levels. Also, women who are overweight or those who do not follow a healthy lifestyle, may develop gestational diabetes. Women with a history or family of diabetics too may come under the risk of developing hyperglycemia.
Other Factors that Play a Role in Developing Diabetes
Other than genes, there are other factors that can contribute to development of diabetes. Some of the risk factors for type 1 diabetes include vitamin D deficiency, underlying autoimmune diseases, exposure to certain viruses like Coxsackievirus, Epstein-Barr virus, enterovirus, etc. Risk factors for type 2 diabetes include obesity, inactive physical life, age, unhealthy diet, age, damage to pancreas, hormonal disorders, certain medications and excess sugar intake.
Therefore, as you must have understood by now, it is very difficult to answer if diabetes is a hereditary disease. A combination of genetic and environmental factors play a major role in developing diabetes. You need to do is maintain a healthy lifestyle and follow a strict diet and exercise routine, especially if you have diabetes running in your family.
By Batul Nafisa Baxamusa
Last Updated: 3/15/2012
Diabetic Coma Every year, the number of people suffering from diabetes is increasing at a high rate. If not taken proper care of, a person suffering from diabetes (hypoglycemia or hyperglycemia) may suffer from diabetic coma.
Enlarge Image
Diabetic coma is a medical condition where, a patient suffering from diabetes loses his/her consciousness as a result of imbalance in blood sugar level. A patient suffering from very low blood sugar (known as severe hypoglycemia) or very high blood sugar (known as severe hyperglycemia) can get into the diabetic coma.
Conditions Responsible
- Severe hypoglycemia, as mentioned above, is a medical condition where patient suffering from low blood sugar level becomes unconscious. This condition is reversible and can be brought under control by following a treatment regimen strictly and eating/drinking something (carbohydrates) immediately after the patient experiences the symptoms of diabetic coma.
- If patient is experiencing dehydration and has severe hyperglycemia, it can lead to diabetic coma (also known as nonketotic hyperosmolar coma).
- If patient is undergoing physical fatigue and experiencing dehydration along with severe hyperglycemia, it can lead to diabetic coma (this condition is also called advanced diabetic ketoacidosis (ADK) in which the patient's condition starts worsening and after about 35 hours the patient may get into coma if not treated).
As mentioned above, diabetic coma can be a result of either hyperglycemia or hypoglycemia in combination with dehydration and fatigue. In all the cases, a patient loses consciousness (coma) due to the effect of hyperglycemia/hypoglycemia on brain cells. Glucose is one of the most important elements for a human body that helps in keeping metabolism in proper condition. If glucose level in blood drops beyond normal (hypoglycemia) or is higher than maximum glucose level, it hinders normal metabolism of body and brain cells start malfunctioning. This condition results in variance in osmotic pressure on the cells causing dehydration and other conditions like electrolyte imbalance. This condition can be reversed if patient is treated before it is too late.
Symptoms
- Patient with high blood sugar may experience dehydration condition, frequent vomiting and/or urination, queasiness, dryness of mouth and shortness in breathing (deep breathing). The patient may also experience increase in thirst.
- Patient with low blood sugar may experience physical fatigue, increase in hunger, increase in sweating, sudden shivers, etc.
- Patient may experience pain in abdominal area.
- If severe hypoglycemia leads to diabetic coma, the treatment used for this condition involves raising of blood sugar with the help of medical glucose that can be injected into a patient's body.
- Advanced Diabetic Ketoacidosis and Nonketotic Hyperosmolar coma treatment involves constant supply of saline and medical solution which can help in filling up the loss of the body fluids during vomiting in the earlier stage of DKA in combination with right dosages of insulin. The treatment may vary based on the patient's medical condition and severity of the diabetic coma.
- Your physician will decide the course of treatment that needs to be followed based on your condition.
- If the patient is conscious and experiencing symptoms of diabetic coma, immediately tell the doctor. If the patient has lost consciousness, then immediately take him/her to a doctor (Delay in treatment may lead to acidosis or advanced diabetic ketoacidosis). Extreme delay in medical help can also lead to death.
- If possible, try to find out sugar levels in blood (either ask the patient if he/she is still conscious or use glucose meter). If the patient is suffering from hypoglycemia, then it will be dangerous to give him/her insulin in such case. Patient suffering from hypoglycemia should be given something to eat/drink which will help in restoring blood sugar level immediately. Be careful not to give anything to eat/drink to a patient suffering from hyperglycemia.
- If you are confused about the patient's condition and don't know what to do to keep the patient in conscious state, please do not give patient anything except for water.
- In case the cause of diabetic coma (hypoglycemia or hyperglycemia) is unknown, do not give insulin to the patient, it can be very dangerous.
- Consult your physician regularly and follow treatment regimen strictly prescribed by your physician.
- Keep your blood glucose level under check.
- Regular exercise can help you keep glucose levels under check (excess exercise can create problems for people suffering from hypoglycemia).
- If possible, wear a medical bracelet/necklace or carry a medical card in your wallet that identifies you as a diabetic patient, this can be of great help.
- Try to teach people around you what they should do if there is an emergency.
How Does Diabetes Affect the Body Diabetes is mainly of two types, type 1 and type 2 diabetes. It causes an increase in blood sugar level, which in turn can have several serious consequences.
Diabetes usually refers to diabetes mellitus, a condition characterized by high blood sugar level. The rise in the level of blood sugar or glucose can be due to a deficiency insulin, or a failure of the body cells to respond to insulin. Insulin is the hormone secreted by the beta cell of the islets of Langerhans found in the pancreas, and it facilitates the absorption of glucose by the body cells from the bloodstream. A deficiency of insulin, or the inability of the body cells to respond to insulin causes the level of blood sugar to rise, as the body cells cannot absorb and utilize glucose effectively. Diabetes and an abnormally high level of blood glucose level can affect the various organs of the body and their functions, which over a period of time can lead to several complications.
Types of Diabetes
It is mainly of three types, type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes and gestational diabetes. Out of these, type 2 diabetes is the most common type of diabetes. Type 1 diabetes is caused by the failure of the body to produce enough insulin. On the other hand, type 2 diabetes is characterized by the inability of the body cells to use or respond to insulin properly. This condition is termed as insulin resistance. Sometimes, along with insulin resistance, insulin insufficiency may also be associated with type 2 diabetes. Gestational diabetes is the diabetes that develops during pregnancy in a woman, who never had diabetes before. Irrespective of the type, it leads to a rise in the blood sugar level, which can ultimately affect several parts of the body to cause a number of health problems. Below here is a brief account of the effects of type 2 diabetes and type 1 diabetes on the body.
Effects of Diabetes on the Body
It is one of the major health concerns of the world, and almost everyone knows that it causes the level of blood sugar to rise. The effects of type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes on the body are similar, as both the conditions increase the level of sugar in blood or cause hyperglycemia. A rise in blood sugar level can cause increased thirst and urination, extreme hunger, fatigue, weight loss and blurred vision. In the long run, high level of blood sugar can affect the entire body, and several important organs like, the eyes, kidneys and even the coronary arteries.
Kidneys
It can lead to a condition, known as diabetic nephropathy. It is a kidney disease, where the tiny blood vessels of the kidney get damaged. As a result, they fail to filter waste materials from the blood. This can eventually cause kidney failure or kidneys diseases, and accumulation of fluids and waste products in the body. Eventually, this condition can necessitate dialysis or kidney transplantation.
Eyes
Diabetes and high level of blood sugar can also affect the blood vessels of the eyes to cause diabetic retinopathy. It can cause expansion of the blood vessels of the eye to the extent that they collapse. New blood vessels often develop, but majority of them are defective and so, fail to contain the blood. Bursting of blood vessels in the eyes can cause blurred vision, glaucoma and even blindness.
Coronary Arteries
It can significantly increase the risk for coronary artery disease, heart disease and cardiovascular diseases. Narrowing or hardening of the arteries, heart attack, stroke and high blood pressure are some of the conditions that people with diabetes are more likely to encounter.
Nerves
It is one of the major causes of neuropathy or nerve damage. This is known as diabetic neuropathy. Presence of excess sugar in blood can damage the wall of the blood vessels, and the covering of the nerves, especially in the legs and the feet. This can cause nerve damage, which can manifest in several symptoms including, tingling and numbness in the legs, hands and feet, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, urinary problems, constipation and sexual dysfunction.
Skin, Bones and Feet
People with diabetes are more likely to suffer from skin conditions like, fungal and bacterial infections along with bone and joint problems like, osteoporosis. The nerve and blood vessel damage caused by the condition can eventually lead to several foot problems as well. It can cause loss of sensation in the feet. Even minor injuries to the feet like, blisters, sores and cuts can become serious infections, as the feet may not be receiving enough oxygen and blood to heal promptly. A severe infection can sometimes necessitate foot or leg amputation.
Apart from the above mentioned health problems, untreated or uncontrolled diabetes can cause diabetic acidosis. Diabetic acidosis is the condition where ketones accumulate in the body. When the cells fail to absorb and utilize glucose, they turn to fats to derive energy. Breakdown of fats generates ketones as byproducts, which if accumulate in a large amount can increase acidity of blood and the tissues. This can lead to serious complications, if not treated immediately. The treatment includes both medications and lifestyle modifications. Effective management of diabetes is possible only when medications are combined with a proper diabetic diet, weight control and regular exercises or physical activities.
By Chandramita Bora
Published: 7/12/2010
Etiology of Diabetes The etiology of diabetes means the cause or the exact causative factor that leads to the onset of this condition. Given below are details regarding the same...
Diabetes mellitus is one of the most commonly seen conditions. The statistics of diabetes in the United States are alarming to say the least - nearly 7.8% of the population suffers from this type of diabetes. However, diabetes is of two types, type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes, both of which differ in their etiologies.
Etiology of Type 1 Diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is also known as childhood diabetes, insulin dependent diabetes mellitus, or juvenile diabetes. This is a type of diabetes mellitus that occurs due to the autoimmune destruction of the insulin producing beta cells of the pancreas. The exact etiology of diabetes mellitus of this kind is not fully understood. It is said that immunological factors, along with genetic and environmental factors are the cause behind childhood diabetes symptoms. This is in fact a polygenic disease, that is, many different genes contribute to its expression. The strongest gene, IDDM1, is located in the MHC class II region on chromosome number 6, at staining region 6p21. This is believed to be responsible for the histocompatibility disorder that is characteristic of type 1 insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas that display improper antigens to T cells. The etiology of diabetes can also include strong environmental factors, as it has been seen that this strongly influences the expression of type 1 diabetes.
Etiology of Type 2 Diabetes
Diabetes mellitus that affects people in adulthood is known as type 2 diabetes, or non-insulin dependent diabetes or adult onset diabetes. This is a disorder that is characterized by high levels of glucose in the blood that occurs due to an increase in the resistance of the body to insulin. There are many factors that can lead to diabetes mellitus, or at least that can exacerbate this type of diabetes. These factors include obesity (around 55 percent of type 2 diabetes patients are obese at diagnosis), high blood pressure, elevated cholesterol along with hyperlipidemia and with the condition often termed metabolic syndrome. Other causes include acromegaly, Cushing's syndrome, thyrotoxicosis, pheochromocytoma, chronic pancreatitis and the use of certain drugs. Additional factors found to increase the risk of type 2 diabetes include aging and a diet that is high in fats along with a sedentary lifestyle. Chronic obesity leads to increased insulin resistance that can develop into type 2 diabetes, most likely because adipose tissue especially that in the abdominal region and around internal organs could be a source of several chemical signals to other tissues like hormones and cytokines.
There is also a possibly strong inheritable genetic connection in type 2 diabetes. It has been seen that having relatives that have type 2 diabetes increases the risk of developing type 2 diabetes substantially. In addition, there is also a mutation to the Islet Amyloid Polypeptide gene that results in an earlier onset, which is a more severe, form of diabetes. However, environmental factors like diet, weight and lifestyle play a large part in the development of type 2 diabetes, in addition to any genetic component.
There are also many medications that can lead to the chronic onset and development of diabetes. These include atypical anti-psychotic drugs, beta blockers, calcium channel blockers, corticosteroids, phenothiazines, fluoroquinones, somatropin, protease inhibitors, thiazide diuretics, etc. There are different mechanisms by which these drugs can lead to an increase in the insulin resistance in the body.
Diabetes mellitus is a serious condition that affects practically every organ and system in the body. Furthermore, high levels of glucose in the blood increases the susceptibility of a person to contract an infection and also delays wound healing. Hence, a person who is suffering from diabetes mellitus must make all possible efforts and lifestyle changes so as to keep his blood sugar levels in check.
By Dr. Sumaiya Khan
Published: 5/7/2010
Normal Range Blood Sugar Levels Diabetic or not, you would definitely want to keep a tab on your sugar level. But do you know what is your normal blood sugar range? Read on to find out..
Diabetes is one of the most life-threatening diseases in the world today. The number of people falling prey to this disease is increasing exponentially. However, more and more people are becoming aware of this dreadful disease, thanks to the various diabetes awareness initiatives. People are willing to undergo blood sugar test to keep a close check on diabetes. Though, your lab technician would be more than happy to interpret your test results for you, it would be better if you equip yourself with the basic knowledge about your blood sugar, especially your normal blood sugar count.
Factors Affecting Blood Sugar Level
Blood sugar can be defined as the amount of glucose present in the body at any given point of time. Diabetes is a metabolic disorder, resulting in abnormal production of sugar due to inability of the body to produce sufficient amount of insulin. The normal blood sugar levels may vary from person to person depending upon several factors such as:
- Age
- Sex
- Body composition
- Lifestyle
Blood sugar shows considerable deviations throughout the day. Normally, blood sugar is tested on an empty stomach, preferably in the morning. The normal blood sugar level at this time should be somewhere between 80 to 120 mg/dl (milligrams per deciliter). After meals, there is a gradual increase in the sugar level. Two hours after meal, normal range for blood sugar is about 120 to 160 mg/dl. The sugar level drops slightly during bedtime. Normal blood sugar level tested at this time should fall between 100 to 140 mg/dl.
Any deviation from the normal range of blood sugar levels calls for medical intervention. If the blood sugar exceeds the upper limit of the normal range, it is an indication of diabetes. Repetitive blood glucose tests are necessary to affirm this possibility.
If you are already a diabetic, you should refer to the blood sugar levels for diabetics, which are as follows.
Type 1
Test Time
Children
Adults
Before meals
4 to 8 mmol/l
4 to 7 mmol/l
2 hours after meals
under 10 mmols/l
under 9 mmols/l
Those suffering from type 2 diabetes have about 4 to 7 mmol/l glucose in their blood before meals and below 8.5 mmol/l a couple of hours after meals. Blood glucose levels of about 5.6 to 7 mmol/l after 8 hours of fasting are indicative of impaired glucose tolerance, which is often a precursor to diabetes.
However, there are other conditions as well that influence the level of sugar in the blood. These include pregnancy, lactation, fasting, severe injuries and indulging in binge eating. Other factors that contribute in temporary elevation of the blood sugar level are physical exertion and certain ongoing medical treatments. Undergoing for more blood sugar tests is the only way to identify the cause of rise in the sugar level. If all the other conditions are eliminated, your physician may begin medical prognosis for diabetes.
Controlling Blood Sugar Levels
If you are diagnosed with diabetes, your physician will prescribe you an appropriate treatment for diabetes. Along with that, you will have to make some changes in your lifestyle to control the sugar level in your blood. Even if you are not diagnosed with it, it is always better to take efforts to control your sugar level so as to prevent diabetes. Following are the tips to control blood sugar level.
- Have an active and healthy lifestyle
- Avoid smoking or drinking
- Eat nutritious and healthy diet only
- Do not skip meals
By Ashwini Kulkarni Sule
Last Updated: 8/23/2011
Chart for Blood Sugar Levels To produce energy, our body uses blood sugar. Maintaining normal levels of sugar in the blood is essential to lead a healthy life. Using the chart for blood sugar levels and learning to monitor the same, one can stay fit and fine.
Blood sugar, also known as glucose is present in our bloodstream. Glucose is our body's primary source of energy, produced by digesting the sugar and starch in carbohydrates. The enzymes and bile in the digestive system break down the carbohydrates in these foods into glucose. The small intestine absorbs glucose into the bloodstream. In the blood, glucose combines with insulin, a hormone excreted by the pancreas, to provide energy to perform physical and mental activities. To find out the normal, high and low glucose levels, let's take a look at the chart for blood sugar levels.
The normal range of the blood sugar level maintained by the body for its smooth functioning is about 70 to 150 mg/dL. It is normal for the sugar level to fluctuate throughout the day. Glucose levels are the lowest in the mornings, and mostly tend to rise for a couple of hours after meals, depending on the volume of carbohydrates consumed. Our body has an excellent mechanism to regulate normal blood sugar levels, in case of a dip. Extra glucose is stored in the liver as glycogen, easily reabsorbing itself in the bloodstream, when the sugar levels drop.
Blood Sugar Levels Chart
Normally, the blood sugar levels are tested on an empty stomach, usually after a gap of six to eight hours after having the last meal. This is known as fasting blood sugar level. The following chart is based on the average blood sugar measurements of a normal healthy adult taken after fasting.
Category
Minimum Value
Maximum Value
Normal
70 mg/dL
100 mg/dL
Pre Diabetes
101 mg/dL
126 mg/dL
Established Diabetes
more than 126 mg/dL
-
Here is another table showing the average blood sugar levels of a normal healthy adult, 2 hours after eating a meal.
Category
Minimum Value
Maximum Value
Normal
70 mg/dL
less than 140 mg/dL
Pre Diabetes
141 mg/dL
200 mg/dL
Established Diabetes
more than 200 mg/dL
-
How is Blood Sugar Measured?
Blood glucose testing is done to screen healthy, asymptomatic individuals for diabetes. Glucose in the blood is measured as whole blood serum, also known as plasma. An increase or decrease in the blood sugar levels in the human body can lead to, either hyperglycemia or hypoglycemia, respectively. Most people with hyperglycemia are diagnosed with diabetes. Blood glucose test is conducted to monitor glucose levels in individuals. It can be measured on a fasting basis, randomly, post prandial (after a meal), and/or as part of an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT/GTT). According to the American Diabetes Association, blood sugar should ideally be measured using the fasting glucose or the OGTT which may help diagnose diabetes. However, it is advisable that the test be done at least twice, at different times, to confirm diabetes.
It is common for pregnant women to be screened for gestational diabetes anywhere between the 24th and 28th week of pregnancy. Gestational diabetes is a temporary form of hyperglycemia (high sugar level). An oral glucose tolerance test is done to ascertain whether a pregnant women is suffering from gestational diabetes. The urine glucose test is another method for monitoring blood sugar levels in the body. It is done using the urinalysis, mostly as a part of a physical or prenatal checkup. The urine glucose test also helps to diagnose urinary tract infection. If a pregnant women is diagnosed with gestational diabetes, then her fasting blood sugar levels is greater than 95 mg/dL and her blood sugar readings before meals ranges from 140 mg/dL to 200 mg/dL.
Diabetics can monitor their own blood glucose levels, several times in a day, to record the levels of sugar in their blood. Many home testing kits are available in medical stores and can be bought on medical prescriptions. The method to test blood sugar using home kits is fairly simple and straightforward. A drop of blood taken from the pricked finger is placed onto a glucose strip, which is then inserted into the glucose meter; a small machine that provides a digital record as well as a readout of the blood glucose level. The test is completed in about 30 seconds. Most kits also come with charts, where one can record the sugar level changes. These charts have proved to be very useful to doctors, while determining the need for oral medication or insulin.
Controlling Blood Sugar
Keeping blood sugar levels in check is not that difficult. Diet plays a prominent role in maintaining normal glucose levels. A lower intake of sugar and refined carbohydrates, such as white flour, bread, and white rice is generally advised, as a preventive measure for diabetes. Eating smaller meals at regular intervals with a diet rich in protein and fiber will help regulate glucose levels in the blood. People suffering from diabetes are advised to follow a diabetic diet plan, which will help control sugar. Regular and moderate physical activity can also keep a check on a person's weight, enabling him/her to regulate sugar levels.
Using the above chart as a reference, one can check blood sugar levels regularly to stay fit and healthy. Sugar levels may vary, as per the meals taken and activity done. However, on an average, it should range between normal levels, to keep diseases associated with high and low blood sugar at bay.
By Loveleena Rajeev
Last Updated: 11/30/2011
Glucose Intolerance Symptoms Are you glucose intolerant? Do you have abnormal levels of insulin in your body? Here are some symptoms to help you find out.
Glucose intolerance is a more common problem than most people think. Hence, it is essential to know whether you have sugar intolerance so that the problem may be diagnosed in the early stages and steps can be taken to see that it is not exacerbated. Here's an article on glucose intolerance and its symptoms.
Glucose intolerance is very commonly referred to as pre-diabetes or impaired glucose tolerance (IGT). According to a report by World Health Organization, "IGT denotes a state of increased risk of progressing to diabetes, although it was also noted that many would revert to normal. It is a not clinical entity but rather a risk factor for future diabetes and adverse outcomes. IGT is associated with impaired insulin secretion and impaired suppression of hepatic glucose output. Studies suggest that IGT is associated with muscle insulin resistance and defective insulin secretion, resulting in less efficient disposal of the glucose load in the blood. This term was introduced to remove the stigma of diabetes from the other terms in use at the time to denote the range between 'normal' and diabetes. The increased risk of cardiovascular disease in people with IGT was also recognized."
Normally when a person eats food, the glucose levels in the blood increase due to carbohydrates and sugar consumption. The pancreas produce a hormone known as 'insulin' which helps in absorbing the glucose in the blood and turn it into energy. Thus, a while after eating, your glucose levels will come down to normal. In a person who is glucose intolerant, there is a problem of either the under-production of insulin (that results in less glucose absorption by cells) or the over-production of insulin into the blood stream (that makes the cells immune to insulin, resulting in non-absorption of glucose, again). Hence, even a while after eating, the blood sugar levels stay higher than what is supposed to be good for the body. Such a situation need not necessarily be diabetes.
The difference between glucose intolerance and full-blown diabetes is that the blood sugar levels of a glucose intolerant are high, but not high enough to make him a diabetic. According to Wikipedia, sugar intolerance or pre-diabetes is 'America's largest health-care epidemic', affecting about 57 million Americans. A person with these symptoms risks not only the eventuality of getting type 2 diabetes, but also runs the risk of suffering from some cardiovascular disease, unless the intolerance is effectively taken care of.
Symptoms
So if you had sugar intolerance, how would you know? Here are some common symptoms to help you diagnose whether you are suffering from this problem. If you notice any of these symptoms, it does not necessarily imply that you are glucose intolerant, but you ought to get a check-up done from a doctor, just in case. The doctor will ask you to take a blood test in order to confirm if there is any problem. So here are some symptoms of pre-diabetes.
- Constantly feeling thirsty
- Frequent urination
- Insulin resistance
- Dark patches on skin, itching, rashes
- Tingling in the limbs
- Rapid weight loss or weight gain
- Excessive hunger
- Muscle cramping
- Fatigue
- Blurred vision
- Irritability
- Anxiety
- Headaches
- Inability to focus
- Bloating
- Increased blood pressure
- Depression
- Lethargy
- Constant itching of external genitalia
- Blurred vision
- Erectile dysfunction (in men)
- Vaginal dryness and premature menopause (in women)
By Arjun Kulkarni
Last Updated: 12/16/2011
Definition AIDS (acquired immune deficiency syndrome)
is the final and most serious stage of HIV disease, which causes severe damage to the immune system.
Symptoms The symptoms of AIDS are primarily the result of infections that do not normally develop in individuals with healthy immune systems. These are called opportunistic infections.
People with AIDS have had their immune system depleted by HIV and are very susceptible to these opportunistic infections. Common symptoms are fevers, sweats (particularly at night), swollen lymph glands, chills, weakness, and weight loss.
See the signs and tests section below for a list of common opportunistic infections and major symptoms associated with them.
Note: Initial infection with HIV may produce no symptoms. Some people, however, do experience flu-like symptoms with fever, rash, sore throat, and swollen lymph nodes, usually 2 weeks after contracting the virus. Some people with HIV infection remain without symptoms for years between the time they are exposed to the virus and when they develop AIDS.
Causes & Risk Factors AIDS is the fifth leading cause of death among people aged 25 - 44 in the United States, down from number one in 1995. About 25 million people worldwide have died from this infection since the start of the epidemic, and in 2006, there were approximately 40 million people around the world living with HIV/AIDS.
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) causes AIDS. The virus attacks the immune system and leaves the body vulnerable to a variety of life-threatening infections and cancers.
Common bacteria, yeast, parasites, and viruses that ordinarily do not cause serious disease in people with healthy immune systems can cause fatal illnesses in people with AIDS.
HIV has been found in saliva, tears, nervous system tissue and spinal fluid, blood, semen (including pre-seminal fluid, which is the liquid that comes out prior to ejaculation), vaginal fluid, and breast milk. However, only blood, semen, vaginal secretions, and breast milk generally transmit infection to others.
The virus can be transmitted:
- Through sexual contact -- including oral, vaginal, and anal sex
- Through blood -- via blood transfusions (now extremely rare in the US) or needle sharing
- From mother to child -- a pregnant woman can transmit the virus to her fetus through their shared blood circulation, or a nursing mother can transmit it to her baby in her breast milk
HIV infection is not spread by casual contact such as hugging, by touching items previously touched by a person infected with the virus, during participation in sports, or by mosquitoes.
It is NOT transmitted to a person who DONATES blood or organs. Those who donate organs are never in direct contact with those who receive them. Likewise, a person who donates blood is not in contact with the person receiving it. In all these procedures, sterile needles and instruments are used.
However, HIV can be transmitted to a person RECEIVING blood or organs from an infected donor. To reduce this risk, blood banks and organ donor programs screen donors, blood, and tissues thoroughly.
People at highest risk for getting HIV include:
- Injection drug users who share needles
- Infants born to mothers with HIV who didn't receive HIV therapy during pregnancy
- People engaging in unprotected sex
- People who received blood transfusions or clotting products between 1977 and 1985 (prior to when screening for the virus became standard practice)
- Sexual partners of those who participate in high-risk activities (such as injuection drug use or anal sex)
Acute HIV infection progresses over time (usually a few weeks to months) to asymptomatic HIV infection (no symptoms) and then to early symptomatic HIV infection. Later, it progresses to AIDS (advanced HIV infection with CD4 T-cell count below 200 cells/mm3 ).
Almost all people infected with HIV, if not treated, will develop AIDS. There is a small group of patients who develop AIDS very slowly, or never at all. These patients are called nonprogressors, and many seem to have a genetic difference that prevents the virus from damaging their immune system.
Tests & Diagnostics The following is a list of AIDS-related infections and cancers that people with AIDS may get as their CD4 count decreases. In the past, having AIDS was defined as having HIV infection and getting one of these additional diseases. Today, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, a person may also be diagnosed as having AIDS if they have a CD4 cell count below 200, even if they don't have an opportunistic infection.
AIDS may also be diagnosed if a person develops one of the opportunistic infections and cancers that occur more commonly in people with HIV infection. These infections are unusual in people with a healthy immune system.
CD4 cells are a type of immune cell. They are also called "T cells" or "helper cells."
Many other illnesses and corresponding symptoms may develop in addition to those listed here.
Common with CD4 count below 350 cells/mcl:
- Herpes simplex virus -- causes ulcers/small blisters in the mouth or genitals, happens more frequently and usually much more severely in an HIV-infected person than in someone without HIV infection
- Tuberculosis -- infection by the tuberculosis bacteria that mostly affects the lungs, but can affect other organs such as the bowel, lining of the heart or lungs, brain, or lining of the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord)
- Oral or vaginal thrush -- yeast infection of the mouth or vagina
- Herpes zoster (shingles) -- ulcers/small blisters over a patch of skin, caused by reactivation of the varicella zoster virus
- Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma -- cancer of the lymph nodes
- Kaposi's sarcoma -- cancer of the skin, lungs, and bowel, associated with a herpes virus (HHV-8). Can happen at any CD4 count, but is more likely to happen at lower CD4 counts, and is more common in men than in women
- Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia, "PCP pneumonia," now called Pneumocystis jiroveci pneumonia
- Candida esophagitis -- painful yeast infection of the esophagus
- Bacillary angiomatosis -- skin lesions caused by a bacteria called Bartonella, which may be acquired from cat scratches
- Cryptococcal meningitis -- fungal infection of the lining of the brain
- AIDS dementia -- worsening and slowing of mental function, caused by HIV itself
- Toxoplasma encephalitis -- infection of the brain by a parasite, called Toxoplasma gondi, which is frequently found in cat feces; causes lesions (sores) in the brain
- Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy -- a viral disease of the brain caused by a virus (called the JC virus) that results in a severe decline in mental and physical functions
- Wasting syndrome -- extreme weight loss and loss of appetite, caused by HIV itself
- Cryptosporidium diarrhea -- Extreme diarrhea caused by one of the parasites that affect the gastrointestinal tract
- Mycobacterium avium -- a blood infection by a bacterium related to tuberculosis
- Cytomegalovirus infection -- a viral infection that can affect almost any organ system, especially the large bowel and the eyes
Treatments There is no cure for AIDS at this time. However, a variety of treatments are available that can help keep symptoms at bay and improve the quality of life of those who have already developed symptoms.
Antiretroviral therapy suppresses the replication of the HIV virus in the body. A combination of several antiretroviral agents, termed highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), has been highly effective in reducing the number of HIV particles in the blood stream, as measured by the viral load (how much virus is found in the blood). Preventing the virus from replicating can help the immune system recover from the HIV infection and improve T-cell counts.
HAART is not a cure for HIV, and people on HAART with suppressed levels of HIV can still transmit the virus to others through sex or sharing of needles. But HAART has been enormously effective for the past 10 years. There is good evidence that if the levels of HIV remain suppressed and the CD4 count remains high (above 200 cells/mcl), life can be significantly prolonged and improved.
However, HIV may become resistant to HAART in patients who do not take their medications on schedule every day. Genetic tests are now available to determine whether a particular HIV strain is resistant to a particular drug. This information may be useful in determining the best drug combination for each individual, and adjusting the drug regimen if it starts to fail. These tests should be performed any time a treatment strategy begins to fail, and prior to starting therapy.
When HIV becomes resistant to HAART, other drug combinations must be used to try to suppress the resistant strain of HIV. There are a variety of new drugs on the market for the treatment of drug-resistant HIV.
Treatment with HAART has complications. HAART is a collection of different medications, each with its own side effects. Some common side effects are nausea, headache, weakness, malaise (a general sick feeling), and fat accumulation on the back ("buffalo hump") and abdomen. When used for a long time, these medications increase the risk of heart attack, perhaps by increasing the levels of fat and glucose in the blood.
Any doctor prescribing HAART should carefully watch the patient for possible side effects associated with the combination of medications the patient takes. In addition, routine blood tests measuring CD4 counts and HIV viral load (a blood test that measures how much virus is in the blood) should be taken every 3 - 6 months. The goal is to get the CD4 count as close to normal as possible, and to suppress the HIV amount of virus in the blood to an undetectable level.
Other antiviral medications are being investigated. In addition, growth factors that stimulate cell growth, such as erthythropoetin (Epogen) and filgrastim (G-CSF or Neupogen) are sometimes used to treat anemia and low white blood cell counts associated with AIDS.
Medications are also used to prevent opportunistic infections (such as Pneumocystis jiroveci pneumonia) if the CD4 count is low enough. This keeps AIDS patients healthier for longer periods of time. Opportunistic infections are treated when they happen.
Alternative Therapies Joining support groups where members share common experiences and problems can often help the emotional stress of devastating illnesses. See AIDS - support group.
Complications When a person is infected with HIV, the virus slowly begins to destroy that person's immune system. How fast this occurs differs in each individual. Treatment with HAART can help slow or halt the destruction of the immune system.
Once the immune system is severely damaged, that person has AIDS, and is now susceptible to infections and cancers that most healthy adults would not get. However, antiretroviral treatment can still be very effective, even at that stage of illness.
Prevention 1. See the article on safe sex to learn how to reduce the chance of acquiring or spreading HIV, and other sexually transmitted diseases.
2. Do not use injected drugs. If IV drugs are used, do not share needles or syringes. Many communities now have needle exchange programs, where you can get rid of used syringes and get new, sterile ones for free. These programs can also provide referrals to addiction treatment.
3. Avoid contact with another person's blood. Protective clothing, masks, and goggles may be appropriate when caring for people who are injured.
4. Anyone who tests positive for HIV can pass the disease to others and should not donate blood, plasma, body organs, or sperm. An infected person should tell any prospective sexual partner about their HIV-positive status. They should not exchange body fluids during sexual activity, and should use whatever preventive measures (such as condoms) will give the partner the most protection.
5. HIV-positive women who wish to become pregnant should seek counseling about the risk to unborn children, and medical advances that may help prevent the fetus from becoming infected. Use of certain medications can dramatically reduce the chances that the baby will become infected during pregnancy.
6. Mothers who are HIV-positive should not breast feed their babies.
7. Safe-sex practices, such as latex condoms, are highly effective in preventing HIV transmission. HOWEVER, there remains a risk of acquiring the infection even with the use of condoms. Abstinence is the only sure way to prevent sexual transmission of HIV.
The riskiest sexual behavior is unprotected receptive anal intercourse -- the least risky sexual behavior is receiving oral sex. Performing oral sex on a man is associated with some risk of HIV transmission, but this is less risky than unprotected vaginal intercourse. Female-to-male transmission of the virus is much less likely than male-to-female transmission. Performing oral sex on a woman who does not have her period carries low risk of transmission.
HIV-positive patients who are taking anti-retroviral medications are less likely to transmit the virus. For example, pregnant women who are on effective treatment at the time of delivery, and who have undetectable viral loads, give HIV to the infant less than 1% of the time, compared with about 20% of the time if medications are not used.
The US blood supply is among the safest in the world. Nearly all people infected with HIV through blood transfusions received those transfusions before 1985, the year HIV testing began for all donated blood. In 2000, according to the American Red Cross, the risk of infection with HIV through a blood transfusion or blood products was 1 in 2,135,000 in the United States.
If you believe you have been exposed to HIV, seek medical attention IMMEDIATELY. There is some evidence that an immediate course of antiviral drugs can reduce the chances that you will be infected. This is called post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP), and has been used to treat health care workers injured by needlesticks, to prevent transmission.
There is less information available about how effective PEP is for people exposed to HIV through sexual activity or IV drug use. However, if you believe you have been exposed, you should discuss the possibility with a knowledgeable specialist (check local AIDS organizations for the latest information) as soon as possible. Anyone who has been raped should be offered PEP and should consider its potential risks and benefits.
