Simple Health Cures

   Type 2 diabetes Alzheimer’s caught my attention when I was reading about nasal insulin spray. It was on the market for a short wile, but diabetics did not warm up to it, so it was taken off the market again.

But researchers at the National Veteran’s Administration Hospital had been looking at Alzheimer’s dementia patients and the low levels of insulin found un their brains. The researchers decided to try giving those patients doses of nasal insulin spray, hoping it wold reach their brains without causing high insulin levels in the blood.

The result were very encouraging. Memory and thinking skills were improved for a while in many of the Alzheimer’s patients, most in those who had mild levels of dementia. Of course, lots more studies will have to be done before nasal insulin spray is prescribed for Alzheimer’s dementia.

Looking For The Connection:

Statistics show that having type 2 diabetes double your risk for Alzheimer’s dementia. That is not the same as vascular dementia, which is often the result of hardening and narrowing of arteries, strokes and heart disease.

The steps from diabetes to vascular dementia are easy to follow since diabetes damages blood vessels, increasing the risk of heart disease, strokes and vascular disease as we age. But what about Alzheimer’s dementia?

When older diabetics with mental ability decline were tested, they had brain changes that look like both Alzheimer’s and vascular dementia. The cause seems to be the long- term effects on brain cells of their inability to use sugar and respond to insulin.

Increased mild cognitive impairment ( called MCI) seems to be the stage between normal aging and Alzheimer’s dementia. There is a lot of interest in the pathways to Alzheimer because of the statistics.

If there a connection between Alzheimer’s and diabetes we need to know it. On Dr. Oz’s website there is an article titled “ Alzheimer- brain form of diabetes?” The writer explains that in Alzheimer’s the brain’s ability to use sugar is reduced. it is insulin that helps the brain take up sugar. Since insulin is not as effective with Alzheimer’s, brain cells begin to starve.

In type 2 diabetic Alzheimer’s the pancreas is pumping out insulin, more than is being used because of insulin resistance. There are high levels of sugar and of insulin in your blood. The damage they cause leads to poor circulation from blood vessel hardening and weakening.

In patients with early Alzheimer’s the brain demonstrates resistance to insulin, and it starts with the sections that control memory and personality. Insulin resistance gets serious in the brain because insulin helps make neurotransmitters that are needed for neurons to talk to each other.

And your brain actually makes its own insulin, the same kind that is made in your pancreas. When that insulin isn’t being used it causes inflammatory response in your brain’s blood vessels.

Another problem for Alzheimer’s patients is the presence of brain plaques. They are formed by a protein called beta amyloid. Type 2 diabetes interferes with the breakdown of this protein, and it builds up, becoming one of the telltale signs of Alzheimer’s dementia.

What Is Going On With Mortality Rates?

Heart disease and cancer statistics are down, but Alzheimer’s, diabetes and Parkinson’s have gone up. Until 198 diabetes as a cause of death was including, but since then it has gone up steadily.

That’s in spite of improvements in medical treatment and understanding of this disease. That kind of rise in death rates does not seem to point to a genetic cause but to an environmental one.

Right now one in ten people over 20 years old has diabetes. One in four people over 65 know that have it. And the World Health Organization thinks that there is a huge who have type 2 diabetes and don’t know it.

Alzheimer’s dementia is ranked the sixth leading cause of death. One in eight people over 65 has it, and half the people over 85 do. And there seem to be strong parallels between the mortality rates of both Alzheimer’s and type 2 diabetes, and increased exposure to nitrates, nitrites and nitrosamines. But the correction has not become an accepted fact.

Type 2 Diabetes Alzheimer’s Fighting Back:

What else can you do? You can manage your type 2 diabetes, keeping your blood sugar well controlled. Take the medications you’ve been given for cholesterol and blood pressure too. Exercise for at least 30 minutes a day and eat healthy foods:

- Walnuts slow the aging of the brain with an antioxidants called luteolin, It may reduce memory deficits and inflammation of the brain too. You can also find luteolin in olive oil, peppers and celery.

- Berries, blueberries juice has improved memory and depression in trails. It can slow aging and increase signal ability in your brain.

- Fish rich in omega-3 such as wild salmon slows cognitive decline. It also has B12 which may actually protect you against Alzheimer’s.

- Coffee and tea may prevent Alzheimer’s and improve your brain’s function.

- Spinach and other green leafy vegetables have Vitamin C and E which have been shown to increase and protect brain function.

If you exercise your mind it keeps those brain cells agile. There is proof that brain games help people stay sharper as they age. And physical exercise is always a great idea.

And if have begun problems with cognitive decline, all those things will help you too. It becomes more important to manage your sleep, because it is too easy to get your sleep cycle messed up in early Alzheimer’s. And if you have pain, restless leg syndrome, or depression get some help for those too.

Type 2 diabetes Alzheimer’s dementia may have many causes, and nothing explains all the complications of Alzheimer’s or of type 2 diabetes for that matter. We may watch with interest and even hope as researchers dig into the mysteries of our body’s systems, but we must live today. We can find joy in our creative outlets and our friends and family. It’s still the secret of living with type 2 diabetes,

   Senior health should be a concern to all of us because none of us can escape the effects of aging. The senior population is increasing steadily. Today there are around 50 million seniors in the United States. By 2036 there will be over 80 millions. In 1940 someone at the age of 65 could plan on living another 14 years. Today a 65 years old can expect to live 20 more years. The point here is that senior health care has made it possible for the elderly to live longer. Although it is certainly wonderful that seniors are living longer live, problems have arisen as it pertains to the financial burden it has created.

   A recent study suggested that over 13 million senior are financially unprepared for retirement. 9 out of 10 seniors rely on social security for support. It is believed that 50% of seniors have no private person option and over 30% do not have saving sufficient enough to cover their needs. those seniors having to file bankruptcy due to skyrocketing medical debt is on the rise. Today the majority of seniors depend on the medicare program for health coverage. This program is pertinent to senior health and without most seniors would have no senior health coverage at all.

   However, the number of seniors on Medicare is increasing at an alarming rate. Less than a decade ago only 40 millions seniors were receiving medicare. Today that number has risen to 48 million. This year has many concerned because the first of nearly 80 million baby boomers begin entering the senior class and many will enter the medicare ranks. This year with the arrival of the baby boomers it is estimated that medicare spending to preserve senior health will rise to 929 billion or 19% of the United States federal spending budget. At this rate, by the year 2030, medicare could be in big trouble.

   Beyond the medical costs associated with senior health there are the problems seniors face with simply growing old. Medicare does not pay for all medical costs and therefore seniors must pay remainder out of pocket or with supplemental insurance. As we grow older our bodies begin to fail us. We become more at risk for disease. It is no wonder that over 6 million seniors suffer from depression and only 10% will ever receive treatment. This effects senior health incredibly. Seniors are often afflicted with health concerns like osteoporosis, dementia, depression, diabetes, high blood pressure, cancer, heart disease and arthritis. Many have outlived their spouse, children and no longer have the social support system they once enjoyed. However,better senior health opportunities are out there.

   It is important that seniors are encouraged to not give up on life. They need the social support system that is often lost in the shuffle because their children lead busy lives. Seniors need to stay proactive and engage in as many activities as possible to get the social support they need. It is also vital that seniors follow a proper diet and exercise. Seniors should exercise 3-5 times per week, 30 minutes per event. This is a very good for disease prevention. It will allow the senior to feel good about themselves and provide them with more energy and enthusiasm.

   Seniors are living longer. Sure the cost of living longer is going to be enhanced, but seniors can still live happy in their twilight years. With exercise, diet, regular screenings, and a proper social support system in place they can be some of the best years of theirs lives.

   What is relaxation?

   In common terminology, relaxation means that we leave ourselves free of tension. Relaxing mind may mean that the mind is not under stress or active. In today’s lifestyle, this looks difficult, Isn’t it? Now a days, most of us believe to be being under stress during most of the week and relax only on the weekends. This is considered the common way of life. Is this the right way of living? Is living a relaxed life all the time not our right? Let us reclaim it.

   Bad Stress-

   If you ask anyone that why is he/she under stress most of the week, what answer do you expect to get? I have so much work to do, deadlines to meet, tasks to be completed, prepare for the new launch etc. Don’t you think that something like this will be the response?

   Let us discuss why most of us are stressed all the time. At some time in our life, while we are chasing the dreams we lose our habit of sitting back and reflecting. We begin giving auto responses. If we are held up in a traffic jam, our response is either to worry about the work ahead, or blame the system or some such negative thought. Not many of us think- All right. If the traffic is not moving, let me relax, listen to some good music or go back to some childhood memories, remember good friends, let me make the best use of the time to relax and enjoy life. Not many of us respond in this way. We respond in stressed way whenever we come across any similar situation. This habit is taking a big toll on our quality of life.

   Stress- A Way Of Life

    We have taken stress as a way of life. Very few of us think about why they are trying to work at such  a hectic pace and if ultimately, we are going to leave this world with a lot of incomplete work, why not at least work in a relaxed way? What is the use of working so much, if we kill all the joy. In search of a better tomorrow, we kill the present. Isn’t it?

   Stressed work environment, stressed family life, no time to just walk around doing nothing but watch the nature….Why? It is as if we want to achieve most in the shortest possible time and therefore have no time to relax working non stop all the week is a way of life for a large majority. The increase in cardiac attacks, depression etc, are all the results of the stressed lifestyle. When we get stressed, we look around for the latest stress busters, latest therapies etc, to counter the stress. And then then by the time the week ends, we again go out somewhere to relax. Sometimes holidays also tire, don’t they?

   Why not lead a relaxed life all through the week? Why not work in a relaxed frame of mind? Why get stressed? Reflection about our own life is very essential if we want to reclaim our right to live peacefully.

   I believe there is no such thing as a bad smile or a good frown. Here’s the deal, both are contagious and can spread like a Missouri Storms.

   “The most wasted of all days is one with laughter”- e.e Cummings

   I know, what do I have to smile about? God gave us the amazing power to change our attitude quicker than a hiccup. We must have the desire to use this gift to our advantage. It could start with a smile. Even a forced smile encourages the body to release the hormone, serotonin, to the brain which makes us feel better by stifling feelings of depression and stress. Think what a real smile can do for you and everyone around you.

   Having trouble finding that happy place where smiles and laughter’s is created? Grab your journal and take a minute to write down a hand full of those moments. We all have them. My number one has to be the sound of a baby laughing uncontrollably. You tube is full of this wonderment caught on video and I was fortunate enough to have raised a bunch of happy babies filled with this same laughter.

   Laughter is the best medicine. How many times have we heard this? A lot, because it’s true. The endorphins released can be compared to those released during sex.  These endorphins slow down the aging process and aid in our overall wellness. Unfortunately, studies have shown that adults laugh a fraction of the amount that children do. Blame it on whatever you want, it is still just an excuse. We were created out of love and joy, to spread love and joy. Start today, you owe it to yourself and others. you might be that kind smile that lights up the room that keeps a distraught person from doing something that they and others might regret.

   Another belief of mine is that an honest smile opens closed doors and hearts. It’s awesome that we were given this kind of power over others. Try it sometime. Give someone who appears to need a little lift an honest compliment and a smile and watch the magic. It’s a total rush and very addicting. Yes, it might take you out of your comfort zone and it might require change but it could possibly add years to your life and the lives of others close to you and make these the best years of your life. So let’s start building the best you today, it could just be a giggle away.

   Diabetes and its complications can be life altering. It can become very strenuous and taxing to live with health problems caused by diabetes. Short term complications will turn into long term complications. Please do think it won’t happen to you because it will. Then is no and if and buts. You will have a life of complications.

   Here is a list of complication you will have as a diabetic:

   1. Heart Disease

   2. neuropathy

   3. Disease of eyes

   4. Peripheral vascular disease

   5. Atherosclerosis

   6. Diabetic retinopathy

   7. Diabetic nephropathy

   8. Sexual dysfunctions

   9. Tuberculosis

   10. Adhesive capsulizes

   11. Depression

   12. Dementia

   13. Loss of your limbs

   14. Kidney Failure

   15. Sleep Apnea

    16. High Cholesterol

    17.   Breathing disorders

   Here is just a few complication you will have if you do not take your diabetes Serious!! I can’t understand why someone will not take their diabetes serious. But there are millions of people thinks it won’t happen to them. Well I am telling you it will!!! Open Your Eyes Up!!! Now…

   Let us face the truth, smoking will not do you any good. It will only give you cancer and it is a good way to burn your money, almost literally. But how does one person really stop smoking and where should one person begin? Kicking the habit is very difficult and understandably, one needs guidance on top of determination and will. In this articles, we will show you several ways to stop smoking. These are simple strategies that should make quitting easier for you,

   Strategies 1: Understand the Reality

   Before you even begin quitting, you need to understand why it seems so hard to stop smoking. Cigarettes have a chemical known as nicotine. This is the very substance that make that body physically addicted to cigarettes and tobacco. If you stop abruptly, your body will significantly crave for this substances and  might cause some behavior changes. It is therefore important that your quitting plan is methodological so you can reduce the possibility of a relapse.

   The second thing that makes it difficult to quit is the stress and the change in environment and habit. You may be always frequenting a spot where you smoke and you also spend this time with your friends. Quitting means you will avoid the areas where smokers hang out and this can cause loneliness, depression, and anxiety. It causes you to be alienated and this can make you smoke again. Managing this stress is a key to quit successfully.

   Strategies 2: Develop a Mantra:

   The first step to stop smoking is to have a mantra of positive outcome. Having these benefits and goals in mind will keep you motivated and will remind you of your purpose all the time. Sit back and think of these benefits and you will realize how important it is to achieve your goal of quitting. Examples of these are:

   1. I will be healthier

   2. I will reduce the risk of cancer and cardiovascular diseases

   3. I will reduce my expense in vices

   4. People around me will be happier

   5. I am making a contribution to the environment

   Strategies 3: The Game Plan:

   Once you have the mantra, develop a game plan that works. Start by setting a date when you will quit. Next, have a tracker where you can list you current cigarette consumption. This is where you will list all the cigarettes you smoked in a day so you can keep track of your progress. Next, you need to tell your family and friends that you plan to stop or quit. This will make it easier for you to keep your promise since people around you are expecting you to stop. The last thing to do is to find an alternative that will help you forget about smoking and turn your dull moments meaningful. You can start in sports or exercising  everyday. These activities will make you think twice before you light up that cigarette stick again.

   Curiously enough, we are all under the impression that survival is an instinct and humans will not do anything that will shorten longevity. However, many people continuously engage themselves in bad habits and practices. Some people just choose to stop taking care of their health. Maybe some of these are due to depression. This, of course, is understandable because the person is not in a healthy mental state. These people have lost their will to live. What we will discuss through are bad causes of why a person would stop taking care of their health unconsciously. Once these not causes are identified, we can definitely find a solution.

   It Is A Learned Habit:

   Simply put, some people have been eating bad foods for so many years that they no longer care whether these foods pose serious health risk or not. Just imagine a family that has been eating fried foods all along, a family that never really had consciousness about what they eat. Definitely, the children will grow up believing that what they eat is healthy. Other things to consider as far as habit is concerned are practices such as the smoking and excessive drinking. A person who has never really been so conscious about his habits may unknowingly be committing serious offenses against their health. Smoking, for one, is a really bad habit that is really difficult to break.

   Problematic Circumstances:

   Not all individuals live in an ideal world. Sometimes, we get into situations in which our choices are limited to what we can get. People stop taking care of their health simply because there are no healthy foods to buy in the market. There are some areas in which vegetables are no longer in good condition so they no longer look palatable.

   In some cases, people disregard their health because they do not have the luxury of time. Many people have to juggle multiple jobs in one day on top of taking care of domestic responsibilities. Sadly, the most important thing is neglected health. You will observe that these busy people do not exercise, do not eat healthy foods, and they develop bad habits such as drinking too much coffee a day and smoke.

   The Herding Mentality:

   All too common, many of our decision are heavily influenced by what is considered as normal. We look at what other people do and if a lot are doing something, we normally consider it as healthy and correct. A lot of times our habits are based on what we see. This is also highly impacted by the advertisements and the commercials we see on television. We make decisions based on what a majority of people does and this, sadly, is attributed to ignorance. Lack of knowledge about an eating habit or a bad practice can lead us to stop taking care of our health. If we will only take the time to learn what our habits can do to our health. Maybe a lot of us will start thinking twice.

   Diabetes is a physical disease which effects the immune system. that is why it is also called an auto immune disease. However the effects of diabetes are not limited to the human body alone. There are far reaching implications on the human mind as well. These are classified as psychological characteristics of people suffering from type 1 diabetes.

   The three main problems are eating disorders, depression and dementia. There is also a possibility that the person suffering from diabetes never gets these psychological troubles if he has a good support system and healthy attitude. However many people when first diagnosed with diabetes will show some effects of depression. Here is what they go through.

   Denial is a natural jump. If you told you are diabetic you will say that you are not sick. You don’t have any problem. Once you get over the denial you begin to feel angry. Anger is directed at your own human feelings. You feel mad at your body for giving up on you. Without realising that you have been ill treating it yourself.

   Depression comes next with some people needing professional counseling to get over it as well. Eventually the person understands what is happening and tries to deal with it. Acceptance of his condition is what leads to management of diabetes.

   Depression can strike everyone, however diabetics are at a greater risk. Interestingly individuals with depression are also at a greater risk of developing diabetes. Depression is a serious medical condition that affects thoughts, feelings and the ability to function in everyday life. It may result from abnormal functioning of the brain.

   Studies indicate that depression may be triggered by stress, difficult life events, side effects of medication and other environmental factors. It can therefore limit the energy needed to keep focused on treatment of other disorders like diabetes.

   At any given time, most people with diabetes do not have depression. However studies show that people with diabetes are at a greater risk of going into depression than people without diabetes. The stress of daily management of diabetes can build. It may isolate a diabetic from his surroundings and friends due to all the extra work of diabetes management.

   If a diabetic person faces complications like nerve damage or has trouble keeping blood sugar levels low, he may feel like he is losing control of his diabetes. Depression can get a person into a various cycle. It can block and hinder good diabetes self-care. Depression drains energy from a person and even a basic task like regular blood sugar level testing can appear like too much to handle.

   This may result in anxiety, resulting in difficulty in maintaining a good diet, which will effect blood sugar levels. Besides this other mental disorders like bipolar disorder, manic depressive illness, and anxiety disorders may also occur in diabetics.

   Fortunately depression is curable in two simple steps. Spotting depression is the first step and getting help is the second step towards curing depression. The symptoms of depression include change in sleeping patterns, change in appetite, loss of energy, trouble concentrating and nervousness. If you have two or more of these symptoms its time to get help.

   Diabetes and its complications can be life altering. It can become very strenuous and taxing to live with health problems caused by diabetes. Short term complications can happen quickly such as hypoglycemia, hyperglycemia, ketoacidosis and hyper-osmolar syndrome.

   Long term complications such as heart disease, kidney disease, neuropathy, disease of the eyes, peripheral vascular disease and more can seriously compromise the diabetic person.

   Some of the complications arising due to diabetes are as follows:

   Atherosclerosis: In simple words it translates to hardening of arteries, which can lead to coronary arterial disease, peripheral arterial disease, a stroke or a heart attack.

   Diabetic Retinopathy: It is an eye disease without any early symptoms and warning and can lead to loss of vision.

   Diabetic Nephropathy: It is a kidney disease again without any early symptoms and can lead to kidney failure.

   Diabetic Neuropathy: It is a nerve disease, which affect internal organs and cause loss of sensation especially in the feet.

   Sexual Dysfunction: and yeast infections in the genital areas, which may lead to a loss in sexual intercourse.

   Risk of Tuberculosis: It is increased due to uncontrolled hyperglycemia and since tuberculosis is an airborne disease it is difficult to protect a diabetic from contracting it.

   Adhesive Capsulitis: Also known as “Frozen Shoulder” it is a condition in which the individual loses mobility in the shoulder joint over a period of time and it is a very painful condition to live with.

   Depression: And diabetes go hand in hand to make the individual’s life miserable.

   Loss of Limbs is another complication of Diabetes.

   Although the above mentioned complications arising due to diabetes are overwhelming, there is a lot that one can do to protect oneself through blood glucose control, exercise and diet.