Chronic Diseases – Chronic Disease information to learn and live by

TYPES OF DIABETES-

The diabetes is majorly of two types Insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) which is also known as juvenile diabetes and Non-insulin-dependent Diabetes Mellitus (NIDDM). IDDM is because of the insufficiency or of deficiency of insulin where as in NIDDM the cells are unable to utilize the available insulin.

INSULIN DEPENDENT DIABETES MELLITUS- IDDM

1. IDDM is more commonly seen in children and in those who are teenagers.

2. Patients are underweight.

3. Patient is more likely to suffer from infections.

4. There will be a marked deficiency of insulin among these patients.

5. The IDDM patients remain insulin dependent for their entire life.

6. There is risk of diabetic coma if insulin is not administered at the right time.

7. IDDM accounts for about 3 – 7% of diabetic cases.

NON-INSULIN-DEPENDENT DIABETES MELLITUS- NIDDM

1. NIDDM is mostly seen in patients who crossed their 40 years of age.

2. These diabetic patients are more likely to suffer from obesity.

3. NIDDM is generally asymptomatic.

4. NIDDM is hereditary.

5. It can be treated by maintaining proper diet, exercise and oral drugs when needed.

6. In these patients chances of diabetic coma is rare.

7. NIDDM accounts for about 90-95% of diabetic cases.

WHAT IS DIABETES

Diabetes is a metabolic disorder caused due to the deficiency of the hormone insulin or the inability of the body to utilise the available amount of insulin. Insulin is produced by a gland called pancreas. Oxidization of glucose in the body is necessary in order to release energy and insulin helps in this. Because of the insufficient insulin the glucose accumulates in the blood causing the symptoms of diabetes.

MECHANISM OF DIABETES

The carbohydrates we take are digested in the intestine and the end products of this carbohydrates digestion are sugars chiefly comprising of glucose. This glucose is absorbed through the mucous membrane of intestines to enter the blood stream and this leads to an increase concentration of glucose in the blood. (more…)

Migraine is a throbbing pain which usually occurs on any one side of the head. A layman does think it is a headache. It is mainly caused because of swelling or dilation of the arteries lying outside the skull in the scalp. Migraine Headache is caused by stretching of pain nerve endings within the arterial wall. Such headaches are mostly associated with nausea, vomiting, increased sensitivity to light and noise. Sometimes few people complain of blind spot in their vision. The pain is very severe and it limits the normal activity of day to day life. (more…)

People who are at risk of migraine attack are as follows-

1. Those who suffer from eye strain due to continuous staring at work place or because of reading in bad light or sitting in wrong posture.

2. Extremes of heat due to overexposure in hot sun.

3. Extremes of sound due to being in constant high level traffic working in noisy environment.

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One must try to take high fiber diet to avoid refined, process and canned foods. High fiber diet results in improved bowel movements and helps in evacuation of stools. Thus there will be no acid and gas formation in the digestive system. One should eat regular meals consisting of whole cereals, nuts, fruits, leafy vegetables, legumes and tubers. Milk and milk products should not be taken in excess quantity as too much of them can trigger migraine headaches. Citrus fruits and their juices remove toxins from the body. Removal of toxins often helps in controlling the headaches, but however do remember to avoid citrus fruits during migraine attacks.

Lists of foods to be avoided during migraine attack are as follows-

1. Chocolate and chocolate drinks

2. Cheese (more…)

1. People usually think patients with recurrent headaches do have psychological problems. Let me tell you this is totally untrue. Headaches occur due to some bio-chemical changes in the brain. Psychological stress results in release of chemical substance and these substances may lead to headaches. However psychological problems usually do not cause headaches.

2. One of the common misconceptions is there is no cure for recurrent headaches and people should be habituated and have to learn to live with pain. The clarification for this is as follows- Headaches may not be cured forever. Most people can reduce pain and the disability of headaches through proper medical care., changes in the life styles and relaxation techniques.

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GENERALISED CAUSES OF HEADACHE-

DIET- The most common headache problems which is related to diet is excessive intake of heavy and sour articles and greens, and drinking very cold water. Poor digestion of food results in putrefaction of food inside the intestines which results in headache.

LIFE-STYLE- Suppression of natural desires, inadequate sleep during nights, sleeping during the day time, alcohol intake, talking very loudly, exposure to cold weather.

Excess of sexual activity also causes headache.

ENVIRONMENT- Unpleasant smell, facing head-winds, and exposure to dust, smoke, cold and heat can also cause headache.

PSYCHOLOGICAL- Psychological stress, excessive worry or suppression of tears can lead to headache.

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NEURALGIA-

Neuralgia is a painful physical or mental distress following the course of a nerve or its branches. Trigeminal is the 5th cranial nerve. One of the most common neuralgia is trigeminal neuralgia whose cause is unknown and it is the most painful of all the neuralgias. Recurring paroxysms of burning pain occur in one side of the face or in the ear and throat as a result of glossopharyngeal neuralgia. While the glossopharyngeal neuralgia can be cured by cutting the glossopharyngeal nerve but in the trigeminal neuralgia the trigeminal nerve inside the skull can be cut to provide permanent relief.

TEMPORAL ARTERITIS-

The region between and just above our eyes and ears is called the temple. The artery which runs across this region is called the temporal artery. (more…)

SINUS HEADACHE-

Few nasal sinuses are present very close to the brain. Inflammation caused to any of these sinuses will lead to severe headache. This is because inflammation in the sinuses will bring the oxygen level down and this in turn leads to an increase in the carbon dioxide level in the system. This leads to congestion in the tissues of the brain making them starved for oxygen and thus results in headache. (more…)

HEADACHE DUE TO ACIDITY/CONSTIPATION-
Headache due to acidity is caused mainly because of absorbing toxic products from the colon. At the time of constipation the uneliminated and undigested food gets putrefied and it releases toxic materials, acids, etc. This toxins and gases gets released into the blood and causes irritation in nerves and nerve cells mainly of head. This irritation of nerve cells inturn leads to headache. (more…)