The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates over 422 million diabetics worldwide, and the rates of diagnosis in younger and younger patients in on the rise. Diabetes is characterized as a worldwide health epidemic, which results when the pancreas either cannot produce adequate insulin or when the body is unable to utilize insulin production to safely regulate blood sugar. Diabetes of all types requires immediate management to control hyperglycemia (increased blood sugar) otherwise damage is imminent to several body tissues, organs, systems, nerves and blood vessels. Uncontrolled diabetes can also cause loss of limbs, kidney failure, heart attack, stroke, blindness, and fatality. Here are the most prevalent (i.e., type 2 diabetes) and lesser known types of diabetes: 1. Type I diabetes Type 1 diabetes, or insulin dependant diabetes, is a form of autoimmune disease that impedes the bodily production of insulin for healthy blood glucose. Type 1 diabetes actually prompts the body to attack the insulin producing beta cells within the pancreas, which is why it falls under the autoimmune condition category. While type I diabetes is most often diagnosed in child patients (and referred to as juvenile diabetes for this reason), symptoms have been known to crop up in older patients as well.

Eype 2 diabetes is a metabolic condition that impedes the metabolization of glucose (or carbohydrate sugars) for energy. In the case of type II diabetes specifically, the patient’s body is usually insulin resistant, meaning it either doesn’t respond to the insulin hormone, which is responsible for sugar regulation, or the body produces inadequate levels of insulin to maintain proper energy. To repair these issues, your doctor may prescribe certain diabetes therapies or medications to manage fluctuations in glucose levels, and to reduce diabetes symptoms (i.e., increased urination, unquenchable thirst, weight loss, appetite increase, vision issues, slow healing wounds and infections, and chronic fatigue). There is no cure for type 2 diabetes, however, the following treatments will help reduce symptoms and regulate blood glucose levels: 1. Metformin Also known as Glumetza, this oral medication is taken by type 2 diabetics in order to help reduce glucose production within the liver. While metformin has been known to cause digestive upset (i.e., diarrhea and nausea), it does significantly boost insulin utilization in most diabetes patients, so they can use insulin effectively. 2. SGLT2 inhibitors This oral antihyperglycemic type of medication is meant to aid the body’s elimination of blood sugar via the urine, so it’s not stored by kidneys and reabsorbed into the bloodstream.

Millions of people today are going through life suffering from breathing conditions. Many senior health issues are related to the inability to breathe properly on their own without the assistance of oxygen. Many lung diseases, like COPD which comprises more than one specific disorder are common in older adults. Oxygen is generally prescribed for these disorders, often times to be used as needed, but there are some people who are required to use oxygen on a full time basis: Portable oxygen concentrators (or POCs) are a type of device used to deliver oxygen to persons who have breathing related conditions. Some people who have a lower than normal oxygen concentration in the blood will use this medical device to help replace the oxygen. 1. POCs aid COPD These machines can not be bought over the counter. They must be prescribed by a doctor after a thorough medical evaluation. The oxygen concentrators will filter the surrounding air, compress it to the right density, the deliver purified oxygen of medical quality to deliver it to a delivery system in pulse doses, or a continuous stream to patients. This greatly enhances the quality of life for the senior adult with COPD, or other breathing disorders.

One of the most common ailments of people of all ages is nasal congestion. This includes sinus pain, swollen nasal passages, watery eyes, mucus buildup, minor headache, and a hoarse voice. From children to older adults, the symptoms can be minor or severe, and cause varying degrees of discomfort. There may be a runny nose, or nasal discharge, but not with everyone. This ailment should be treated immediately, or it could cause other problems. Although there are many ways to treat this condition, the best treatment is by using ingredients already in the home: 1. Inhale steam Nasal congestion treatments could involve gargling, inhaling mists, or drinking herbal teas. All of these treatments can be done with home remedies. Apple cider vinegar is a natural treatment for nasal congestion that helps break up the congestion, and quickly clears a stuffy nose. The potassium in this decongestant helps to dry up a runny nose. Steam inhalation is another popular home remedy that instantly relieves nasal congestion. Working as a natural expectorant, it clears congestion, and lubricates the respiratory tract irritation. 2. Saline spray Saline spray solutions are ideal for nasal irrigation to help wash away some of the mucus and irritants that build up in the nasal passage.

Gastric cancer is characterized as cancer that forms within the cells of the stomach lining. To date, the National Institutes of Health claim that gastric cancer is the fourth most prevalent cancer on a global basis. Gastric cancer spread, or metastasis, in one of 3 ways—either via the bloodstream and blood vessels, lymphatic system, or through bodily tissues to other nearby organs and tissues. GTelltale symptoms of gastric cancer in the early stages may present as stomach pain, chronic indigestion or bloat, vomiting or nausea, lack of appetite, difficulty swallowing, and even jaundice or yellowing of the skin and eyes. In order to treat gastric cancer, a combination of treatments are typically recommended, including: 1. Chemo and radiation Chemotherapy and radiation are often first line recommended treatments used to impede cancer cell growth. Chemo is a cancer drug therapy that’s administered to patients orally or intravenously. Whereas, radiation employs intense x-ray radiation to destroy cancer cells. It’s administered either internally (via needle and catheter) or externally (using intense x-ray beams directe at a cancerous area of the body). 2. Targeted cancer therapy Targeted cancer therapy treats cancer by targeting cancer with exterior substances (i.e., multikinase inhibitor that or monoclonal antibodies) to first pinpoint, and then seek and destroy cancerous cells.

The exact definition of amyloidosis is that it is a rare disease that occurs when an abnormal protein called amyloid builds up in a person’s organs. The protein is produced in the bone marrow and can be deposited into many different tissues throughout the body. Since the substance is produced in the body and then affects the body it can also be called autoimmune amyloidosis. The major organs that are usually affected are the heart, kidneys, liver , digestive tracts, nervous system, and the spleen. In some cases the disease can be so severe that can cause life threatening organ failure. You have to treat the symptoms of this disease because there is no cure. A part of treating the symptoms is just trying to limit the production of amyloid protein build up. In most cases when it comes to this disease the symptoms are usually not seen until the disease is in the advanced stages. The symptoms also depend on which organ is being affected as well, but may include shortness of breath, diarrhea with blood, constipation, an enlarged tongue, an irregular heartbeat, thickening or skin color changes, weight loss, numbness or tingling in the hands and feet, and difficulty swallowing.

Did you know that a shocking 9.4 percent of individuals in the U.S. live with diabetes type 1 or diabetes type 2 every day? While modern medicine (i.e., insulin shots) help many manage their condition safely and effectively, patients must be diligent to keep blood glucose levels within a safe range. This often means making several lifestyle changes as well as adhering closely to doctor-prescribed treatments. Here are five realities linked to living with diabetes: 1. Needles are no fun Having diabetes type 2 or type 1 often requires numerous tests daily to monitor blood sugar levels. This means pricking your finger or jabbing yourself with a needle a few times a day (even up to 10 times daily) is a common occurrence. This can mean pain, bruising, tissue lumps, tender fingertips, and getting used to self administering injections multiple times per day to the point where you feel like a bit of a lab rat. 2. Insulin pumps According to research from the American Diabetes Association, roughly 400,000 U.S. diabetes patients wear an insulin pump. The insulin pump is a device that automatically provides insulin on an as-need basis to prevent diabetic ketoacidosis. Pumps are often worn by patients with diabetes type 1, in which the body can’t produce adequate insulin levels.

Lung cancer is a disease that does not often cause any symptoms in the early stages. With all cancers, early detection will improve the treatment outcomes, but they signs of lung cancer may go overlooked. One of the most common contributing factors of lung cancer is cigarette smoking. These have come with cancer warnings since the middle of the last century. Some symptoms that indicate the onset of lung cancer include a persistent cough that worsens. Additional symptoms may include blood in the sputum, hoarseness, weight loss, and chest pain that worsens when taking deep breaths. The following lesser known symptoms may be confusing, but are related to lung cancer: 1. Upper back and shoulder pain Upper back or shoulder pain are uncommon symptoms of lung cancer that may go unnoticed. Pain in the shoulder can come from pressure from a tumor on the phrenic nerve inside the lungs, or it can relate to the spread of the cancer to the bones and joints. A type of cancer called pancoast tumors grow in the lung’s upper region, and spread to tissues in the shoulder. 2. Facial swelling Swelling in the face and neck can be the result of tumors that put pressure of blood vessels where fluids can not travel efficiently through the body, and build up causing the swelling.

Heartburn is a common condition where patients experience a burning sensation in their throat and chest. This sensation is caused by acid in the stomach that is forced back up into the esophagus, the pipe responsible for transporting food from the mouth to the stomach, which can be caused because of several factors. Although heartburn generally has faint aptness on overall health, it can be extremely uncomfortable in severe cases. Below are a few useful tips for heartburn prevention. Tips for preventing heartburn include the following: 1. Diet changes The foods that we eat are among the biggest contributors to acid reflux or Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GRED). If you experience heartburn after eating any of the following foods, it is wise to steer clear from them as much as you can. 2. Avoid fried or fatty foods Foods like fried chicken, deep fried veggies, and high-fat meats cause heartburn because they are typically much harder to digest, allowing the stomach to empty much slower. Furthermore, eating fatty, greasy, and fried foods prevents the lower esophageal sphincter from fully contracting, creating an entrance for stomach acids to travel upward. 3. Alcoholic beverages All types of alcohol seem to aggravate or worsen heartburn symptoms.

Living with severe asthma and other breathing issues (i.e., COPD, long COVID, and chronic allergies) can be challenging, especially when it comes to triggers such as pollution, allergic triggers, or stress. Symptoms like wheezing, shortness of breath, coughing, and chest tightness can significantly impact one’s quality of life. It is a well-established fact that vaccines play a crucial role in treating numerous respiratory and breathing disorders. Among the respiratory conditions that benefit from vaccines are Influenza, Pneumonia, Whooping Cough, Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), and Tuberculosis, among others. Interestingly, the common cold, which is highly prevalent, remains without a vaccine. Notable vaccine manufacturers, including Novovax, Fluarix Quadrivalent, Vaxelis, Infanrix, Kinrix, Pediarix, Pentacel, and others, produce these immunizations. Also, to help alleviate some of these symptoms of breathing issues, incorporating natural remedies and detoxifying drinks into your daily routine can make a significant difference. Here are five detoxifying drinks that can help cleanse your lungs and improve your breathing: 1. Ginger and turmeric infused water or tea Ginger and turmeric are two potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant spices that have been used for centuries in traditional medicine. Ginger can help to reduce inflammation in the airways, and turmeric can aid in reducing oxidative stress in the lungs.