Watch out for the Warning Signs of Diabetes

Diabetes is one of the most fearful disease that causes stress and anxiety. Diabetes is the condition of an increased blood sugar level which has many complications that arise with the severity and duration. Early diagnosis and control measures can help save lives and lessen the burden of the patients. Early diagnosis means early treatment thereby preventing complications as an outcome of high sugar levels.

Early symptoms of Diabetes-The Three P’s:

The early symptoms of Diabetes is categorized in three P’s, which are Polyuria, Polydipsia and Polyphagia. Let us understand the symptoms of each category.

• Polyuria: this is a state or a condition wherein there is an increased volume of urine with an increase in urinary frequency. The normal urine output in adults is about 1.5  to 2.0 liters per day but in cases of polyuria the volume is greater than 2.5 to 3.0 liters per day.
• Polydipsia: this is a state or a condition wherein there is an excessive feeling of thirst thus; there is an increased intake of fluids. Increased intake leads to increased output of urine or polyuria. You will feel thirsty all the time or your thirst is stronger than usual and continues even after you drink.
• Polyphagia: also known as hyperphagia, it is a condition wherein there is an excessive feeling of hunger. You always feel the urge to consume food.

The other signs and symptoms commonly experienced may include the following:

• Severe weight loss
• Excessive tiredness
• Lack of interest and concentration
• A tingling sensation or numbness in the hands or feet
• Blurred vision
• Frequent infections
• Slow-healing wounds
• Vomiting and stomach pain (often mistaken as the flu)

If you experience one or two signs you should not ignore. All these signs and symptoms should be taken into more tests to make sure that diagnosis of diabetes is correct. You can do the diagnosis and confirm that you are not having diabetes. If results are confirming early precautionary measures to be implemented.

Diabetes is called Prameha in Ayurveda. Diet planning- This is the cornerstone of managing diabetes. The diabetic diet is an otherwise normal balanced diet, with a few modifications and proper spacing between food intakes. Avoid diet increasing kapha dosha such as sugar, fats, potatoes, rice.

One of the methods to heal Prameha include strenuous exercises. Regular exercise in any form is a must. Implement Yoga to reduce stress and anxiety

Remedies to be implemented with immediate effect.

• Diet planning.
• Daily exercise.
• Restrict and reduce weight.
•  Avoid sleeping during daytime.
•  Avoid smoking.
• Avoid alcohol.

Again, early diagnosis means early treatment. So, if you or your loved one has two or more of these symptoms most especially the three P’s make sure that you schedule an examination or check up with your doctor for proper diagnosis and more effective treatment.

Further reading: Jamun (Black Plum) Controls Blood Sugar levels

Jamun (Black Plum) Controls Blood Sugar levels

Jamun, Black plum , java plum, malabar plum, jambolan or jambul can help a lot in controlling blood sugar level because it contains anthocyanins, ellagic acid, hydrolysable tannins etc. Each part of the Jambul plant such as the leaves, berry and seeds can be used by those suffering from diabetes. In fact, research has shown that the fruits and seeds of this plant have hypoglycemic effects as they help reduce blood and urine sugar levels rapidly.

Jamun Controls Blood Sugar levels

The seeds, in particular, are very effective as it contains glycoside jamboline and alkaloid jambosine that regulate and control blood sugar levels. Whenever this seasonal fruit is available in the market, try to include it in your diet as it can be very effective for the pancreas. Else you can make a powder of dried seeds of Jambul fruit and eat this powder with water twice a day.

Indian Black berry or Jamun is native to India and its neighboring countries but you can find it at Asian markets and herbal shops. Ayurvedic and Unani systems of medicine use the fruit, seeds, bark, leaves etc to treat a variety of health problems. Ayurveda texts indicate that Jambolan is one of the greatest fruits.

The seeds contain the glucoside jambolin which prevents the conversion of starch into sugar and this benefits by controlling blood sugar levels. They also contain many flavonoids, phenols and are rich in protein and calcium. It is a very good source of carotene, iron, folic acid, calcium, potassium, magnesium, phosphorus.

The tree flowers with the onset of summer in March/April and bears fruit in May/June when it is hotter. The fruits’ skin is in various shades of purple, some almost black colored. It is an oblong shaped berry and the ripe berry has a deep purple flesh that colors the mouth and tongue for a few hours after it is eaten. The fruit tastes sweet and tasty with an astringent action.

Our next lane which takes pride of a jamun tree has the complete road blue with vehicles plying to and fro on the ripe fruits keep dropping . The last shower saw colorful water flowing adjacent to the road with pools of water collected and the sand also had a blue coloration.

Caution for pregnant women:

Few people advise pregnant women to avoid eating jamun as it will result in baby’s skin getting stained with small dark patches in the womb. However there is no clinical versions to support this claim.There is no harm absolutely for pregnant women to eat 8 to 10 black plums a day, why miss all the health benefits when the fruit is in season.

Top health benefits of Jamun:

• Dried seeds powder two times a day at one gram each dose could help support blood sugar.
• Fruits reduce excessive salivation
• Seeds decoction with honey prevents thirst and fatigue due to physical strain.
• Seeds decoction has anti septic activity
• For boils and other skin disorders apply some jamun seeds mixed with a little oil on the affected area.
• For Acidity, eat jamuns with black salt and roasted cumin seed powder.
• To remove body weakness, treat anemia, increase memory and remove sexual weakness, take 1 tsp each of jamun juice, honey and amla juice everyday in the morning.

Precautions while consuming Jamuns:

• Avoid eating jamuns on an empty stomach
• Never drink milk after consuming jamun.
• Do not eat them in excess as it may cause body aches and fevers.

Jamun is nature’s gift to mankind. Make best use of the natural resource– Jamun to control and regulate blood sugar levels. During off season the fruit can be consumed with the by-products like jamun seeds powder, vinegar, juices, jellies etc.

Doing Kegel exercises treat Urinary Stress Incontinence

Urinary Stress Incontinence is usually observed in women. Urine leaks for a few women when they cough, sneeze or even laugh. There will be no control over the urinary bladder. This condition is very embarrassing. Few women even avoid social gatherings when the problem is severe.

The Urine Incontinence is observed in women during pregnancy and after childbirth. Ideally the nerves, ligaments, and pelvic floor muscles work together to support your bladder and keep the urethra closed so urine doesn’t leak out. Overstretching or injury to these areas during pregnancy or childbirth can cause them to stop working properly.

Image courtesy: scienceoflife.com

Causes for Urinary Stress Incontinence

• Pregnancy
• After delivery (birth vaginally)
• Assisted Vaginal delivery ( usage of forceps)
• Prolonged pushing ( large baby)
• Obese persons
• Smokers
• Genetic predisposition(runs in the family)
• More number of vaginal deliveries
• Menopause stage , Aging
• Repeated urinary tract infection

Treatment for Urinary Stress Incontinence

The treatment options range from conservative treatment, behavior management, bladder retraining, pelvic floor therapy, medications and surgery. The success depends on the correct diagnosis in the first place.

Exercises to control Incontinence

Kegels are exercises to strengthen your pelvic floor muscles – the muscles that support your urethra, bladder, uterus, and rectum. Kegel exercises may also help reduce the risk of Anal incontinence and urge incontinence.

How to do Kegel exercises at home

Start the exercise with an empty bladder. Imagine that you’re trying to stop yourself from passing gas and trying to stop the flow of urine midstream at the same time i.e closing and drawing up of the front and back passages.

Make sure that you squeeze and lift without pulling in your tummy, squeezing your legs together, tightening your buttocks, or holding your breath. In simple words, only your pelvic floor muscles should be working.

Though you may have trouble isolating these muscles at first, it gets easier with practice. It might help to place a hand on your belly while you’re doing your Kegels to make sure that it stays relaxed.

What is the frequency and duration for Kegel exercises

Start doing Kegels a few at a time throughout the day. As your muscles starts to feel stronger, gradually increase both the number of contractions you do each day and the length of time you hold each contraction, up to ten seconds. Practice them in sets of ten and try to work up to three or four sets about three times a day.

Make Kegels a part of your daily routine. You can schedule a set in the morning, while watching TV and prior to bed time. But it really doesn’t matter when or where you do them – as long as you do them regularly.

Be patient and keep up the schedule. It may take three to six weeks of regular Kegels before you notice an improvement in bladder control.When done correctly and often enough, they can strengthen your pelvic floor muscles, giving you better control.

Precautionary measures

However in the initial stages follow some precautionary measures to avoid any embarrassment.

• Use a sanitary pad to protect your clothes from urine leaks
• Try crossing your legs and tightening your pelvic muscles or shifting your body weight to one side when you feel a sneeze or a cough coming on.
• Cut down on caffeine consumption.(results have indicated positive effect)

Ayurveda recommendations for Urinary Incontinence

Urinary incontinence is primarily a vata disorder, caused by weakness of the muscles of the bladder, especially the bladder sphincter.

Natural Home Remedy using Indian gooseberry, turmeric powder and honey:

Cut and de-seed 1 Indian gooseberry (Amla), Crush the Indian gooseberry into paste. Add a pinch of turmeric powder and 1 tsp of honey. Mix well.

Have 1 tsp of this mixture every morning for about 4 weeks.

You will feel the strengthening of prostrate muscles after duration of 4 weeks.

Natural home remedy using milk, fennel seeds and sugar:

In a glass of warm milk, add 1 tsp of crushed fennel seeds (saunf) and 2 tbsp of sugar syrup in it. Mix well and drink this every day.

To make Sugar syrup: Mix 2 tbsp of sugar in ½ glass water. Heat the sugar and water solution till it becomes a syrup.

Put an end to Snoring with Natural Home Remedies

What causes snoring ? Why does it affect only a few people ?

Snoring is the sound produced, while sleeping, due to the vibration in the respiratory structures. That is to say that the air movement gets obstructed while breathing, resulting in the sound. Snoring is associated with loud and irritating noise that causes inconvenience to the people around them and also becomes a major source of sleep distraction and irritability for the snorer as well.

Some of the causes of snoring include muscle tone of the tongue, blockage of airway, age factor, alcoholic beverages, certain medications and sheer physical exhaustion. Tonsil enlargement may also give way to snoring. For some people, the  narrowing of throat or pharynx while breathing during sleep is enough to cause vibration of soft tissues in the pharynx leading to snoring.

You will come across people snoring especially while traveling in the train. The problem is not significant or noisy for women. Either way it is embarrassing which can be minimized or ended with the right approach.

Natural Home Remedies for Snoring

Given below are few effective home remedies and natural treatment for snoring. Snoring Home Remedies mainly involve few life style changes.

Lose weight:

Losing weight is one of the best recommendations. Obese people tend to have breathing problems during sleep. Weight reduction puts an end to snoring.

Give up smoking:

Smoking causes swelling and increased nasal congestion, mucous in the throat area. It is ideal if the snorer quit smoking as it will have a huge impact.

Keep away alcohol:

Alcohol is a major reason for snoring as intake of alcohol causes relaxation in the soft tissues and muscles in the throat leading to snoring.

Sleep posture recommendations:

Ideal posture while sleeping is on the sides. This will reduce the intensity of sound created while snoring.

Elevate your head by 4-5 inches as it eases breathing and prevents tongue from rolling back. Use cushions for this. Adjustments and switching over one’s sleeping posture may also make way for the control of snoring.

Diet restrictions

Avoid heavy meals, spicy and oily foods for dinner. Such foods aggravates the problem of snoring.

Consumption of Caffeine should be reduced to overcome snoring.Excess sweets and carbonated drinks taken at dinner may lead to snoring

Ayurveda, the Science of healing recommended the following Home Remedies:

• In a glass of warm water add ½ tsp of cardamom(elaichi) powder. Mix well and consume at bed time. This will aid in proper breathing and gradually help reduce snoring.
• In a cup of warm milk add 2 tsp of turmeric (haldi) powder. Mix well and consume at bed time. Aids in having a sound sleep without snoring problems.

Follow a regular sleep routine. Sleeping at fixed times and waking up at the same time is believed to reduce snoring. Physical measures are also available like nasal strips, oral and dental appliances. These are expensive accessories.

If you are snoring even after following the home remedies it is time to consult a physician. Snoring is not a disease but causes inconvenience to your spouse and children. If not addressed in time it can lead to Sleep apnea-another sleep disorder.