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Healthcuring is a health blog that is dedicated to providing the best information on health, fitness, weight loss, and beauty tips.

Depression is Curable December 29, 2009

Filed under: Diseases & Conditions, Health — healthcuring @ 5:06 am
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People who receive right treatment improve and live happily in their lives. Depression treatments include meditation, and talk therapy, etc.
Treatment for depression is as real as the disease in itself. However, depression can affect anyone irrespective of age, sex and gender.
Recovery rates for depression is higher as compared to other diseases such as heart disease. With early intervention, 60-80 % of patients can recover. So, don’t let depression overpower you — there is hope, help and dreams for everyone. Follow the three steps outlined below and save your life or others you know:
Step 1: Check out the signs and symptoms of depression:
  • Persistent sadness, emptiness
  • Hopelessness, pessimism
  • Guilt feeling, worthlessness
  • Low energy, fatigue
  • Low concentration, inaccurate decision-making
  • Appetite or weight changes
  • Thoughts of death or suicide
Step 2: Get help
See the doctor. Let the doctor physically examine you to rule out other possible symptoms for the disease. Let the doctor physically diagnose for the problem. Depending upon the severity of problems, treatments are available such as medication, psychotherapy, etc.
Step 3: Right treatment
Depressed people who get the right treatment at the right time improve quickly and enjoy their life normally. Treatment such as medication, talk therapy, etc are very effective — so go for it and stay fit, always.
Get your mom a plastic spoon
 

How to Get Rid of Depression Easily? December 24, 2009

Filed under: Diseases & Conditions, Health — healthcuring @ 5:57 pm
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Don’t let depression overpower your thoughts and dreams in life. Though medication and other therapeutic methods can help — personal initiative is one of the most important factors in fighting with the problem.

Depression can be of different kinds based on its severity. Emotional depression is very common, however, in severe conditions it could take the shape of a disorder. In severe condition, the most common symptoms include — depressed mood, guilt feelings, low self-esteem, disturbed sleep or appetite, etc. When the problem becomes chronic, it leads to substantial impairment in an individual’s ability to take his or her responsibilities. However, in worst condition, it could lead to suicide.

Some Eye Opening Facts:

  • Depression affects approximately 121 million people across the world
  • It is one of the common causes of disability worldwide
  • With early therapeutic intervention, 60-80 % of patients can recover
  • Only 25% or less have access to effective treatments

Keys to Recover From Depression

RESPONSIBILITY: Take responsibility in life rather than blaming yourself or others for your depression

COURAGE: Stigma sometimes causes more problems than depression itself. Build courage inside you and overcome stigma and other problems.

EMPOWERMENT: Empower your inner self through education, advocacy and optimism. Educate yourself more about depression and related problems, if any.

VISION: Don’t let depression overpower your vision. Create your own vision and achieve success in life.

EMPATHY: Depression not only affects an individual, it affects the family and social environments as well. Develp empathy for others in life.

YOU: You are the key responsible person for everything in life. So, look at the bright side of life and refresh your mind and inner-self so that you could thrive yourself best in life.

 

Diabetes types, symptoms and management November 19, 2009

Filed under: Diseases & Conditions — healthcuring @ 6:20 pm
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Diabetes is one of the most common problems in the world. However, research studies have found that women are more susceptible to this disease than men. In addition, the chances of heart failure in young diabetic women are more than diabetic men.

What causes diabetes?

There are two kinds of diabetes: Type 1 diabetes, which is also known as Insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM). This kind of problem occurs when the pancreas does not stops producing insulin or a very little insulin is produced. The insulin producing beta cells, which is present in the pancreas is attacked by the immune system, and ceases to produce insulin.
Insulin is important for our body, as it uses sugar to produce energy. Type 1 diabetes are found in approximately 10 per cent of the people.

Type 2 diabetes: This is a non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) and approximately 90 per cent of people suffer from Type 2. The problem occurs when either the pancreas does not produce insulin or the insulin is not used effectively. However, there is a third kind of diabetes called gestational diabetes that occurs during pregnancy. Women suffering from this kind of diabetes may suffer from Type 2 diabetes later in their life times.

Symptoms of diabetes

In both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes, symptoms are quite similar as blood sugar level goes high due to the absence or less production of insulin. However, in case of Type 1 diabetes, the pancreas stops producing insulin due to an autoimmune response and as a result, the body cells don’t get glucose to produce ATP (Adenosine Triphosphate). Some of the common symptoms include: nausea and vomiting. In the latter stage, the patient suffers from ketoacidosis – the body starts using muscle tissue and fat for producing energy and weight loss is the result.

In case of Type 2 diabetes, patients suffer from various problems including: increased fatigue, polydispia, polyuria, weight loss, vision problem, and poor wound healing.

What is the cure?

There is no medicine to cure diabetes completely, however, it can definitely be controlled. Healthy food, exercise and control over sugar are some of the best ways to control diabetes effectively. However, patients are given insulin to control blood sugar

 

World Diabetes Day: A Global Awareness Campaign November 18, 2009

Filed under: Diseases & Conditions, Health — healthcuring @ 3:42 pm
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November 14 is celebrated as “World Diabetes Day.” It is a global awareness movement of the diabetes world. It was first initiated in 1991 by the International diabetes federation (IDF) and the WHO to aware people in response to the alarming rise in diabetes all across the globe. In 2007, United Nations marked the Day for the first time and now it is an official United Nations World Health Day.

World Diabetes Day is a global movement that focuses on a specific feature chosen by the International Diabetes Federation each year. While, the theme campaign runs all through the year, it is celebrated on 14 November to mark the birthday of two great scientists: Frederick Banting and Charles Best who discovered insulin in 1922.

The 2007-2008 World Diabetes, theme is Diabetes in Children and Adolescents. It is the most chronic disease especially in children. Type 1 diabetes is more prevalent in children, but recent studies have revealed that Type 2 diabetes is also found in children and adolescents.

World Diabetes Day is celebrated all over the world every year. Almost 200 member associations in 160 countries take part in the campaign and aware people from the chronic diseases. Federation members, organizations, NGOs, hospitals and companies together perform activities including:

· Television and sports program
· Public Information meeting
· Diabetes workshops and exhibitions
· Press conferences
· Poster and Leaflet campaign

The World Diabetes Day logo: It is a blue circle that signifies positive ness. It also symbolizes life and health. Since the color blue is the color of the sky and unites the nation worldwide. Moreover, blue color also reflects the color of the United Nations flag.

 

Foot care: For people suffering from diabetes November 5, 2009

Filed under: Beauty tips, Diseases & Conditions, Health — healthcuring @ 5:22 am
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People who suffer from diabetes often face foot problems. Diabetes can severely damage nerves. As a result, people with foot injury or pressure do not feel pain earlier until severe damage or infection develops.

Diabetes makes the body more susceptible to the injury, as it reduces the ability to fight infections. Damage to blood vessels occurs when blood and oxygen supply is checked to the feet region. This causes small sores or breaks in the skin – this may become deep skin ulcers. In severe cases, affected limbs may need to be ampulated.

If you have diabetes then you should take the following precautions:

1.    Control blood sugar

2.    Get a foot exam by a qualified doctor at least twice a year.

3.    Check and take care of your feet.

Instructions:

1.    Check your feet carefully – the top, sides, heels, and between the toes.

2.    Wash your feet with lukewarm water and soap. Do not use strong soaps.

3.    Dry your feet, particularly between toes. Infection can develop in moist areas.

4.    In order to keep the skin soft, use skin lotion, petroleum jelly, lanolin or oil.

How to trim foot nails?

If your toenails are not trimmed correctly, you may suffer from foot sore or ulcer. Following are the safest steps for trimming nails:

1.    Soak your feet in lukewarm water.

2.    Cut the nail straight across

3.    Avoid sitting or standing at one place for long periods of time.

4.    Stop smoking cigarettes, as it decreases blood flow to the feet.

Tips on shoes:

When you go outside, wear shoes to protect your feet from injury. Otherwise, in case of minor cuts, you will not feel the pain.

1.     Check the inside of your shoes for rough areas that may cause skin infection.

2.     Change your shoes every 5 hours of wearing them

3.     Wear comfortable, well fitting shoes that have plenty of room in them.

4.     Wear shoes that are made up of canvas, leather, or suede

5.     Do not wear shoes with pointed or open toes

 

Heart attack: How vulnerable are women? November 3, 2009

Filed under: Diseases & Conditions, Health — healthcuring @ 3:09 pm
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After breast cancer, heart attack is a  major cause of death in women. However, overweight women and those with high cholesterol level are more vulnerable to heart attack. Some research data suggests that women after menopause also become susceptible to heart disease. But today, young women are facing this problem, which is of great concern for doctors and the researchers. Women also experience heart pain during acute myocardial infraction (AMI). It is a condition in which there is a rapid development of myocardial necrosis due to the imbalance between supply of oxygen and the demand of myocardium.

Chest pain and discomfort are the most common symptoms of heart attack in men and women. A research matter published by the National Institute of Health revealed that chest pain is the most common sign of heart attack in women.

However, there are other symptoms found in women who suffer from heart diseases. Following are the symptoms women experience before heart attack:

· Shortness of breath
· Unusual tiredness or fatigue
· Sleep disturbance
· Pain in the neck, jaw, chest and other body parts

What are the risk factors associated with heart attack in women? Following are some of the most common risk factors mentioned:

· Overweight or obese
· Smoking
· High Cholesterol level and High Blood Pressure (HBP)
· Stress
· Diabetes

 

Breast cancer: The agony and varied perceptions towards it October 23, 2009

Filed under: Diseases & Conditions — healthcuring @ 8:53 am
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With October being breast cancer month, it is inevitable to take a holistic approach to fight against cancer that most women are suffering from. A frame shift of mind-body connection is important to cope with the disease better.

Breast cancer today is very common in women. You can find many women who have had this problem in their lives and are disease free now. However, there are others who are haunted by the disease. The agony and the social perception towards the disease often create a drastic situation for those who are suffering from breast cancer.

Breast cancer incorporates concepts such as tumor dormancy, tumor homeostasis, etc. You cannot isolate it or compartmentalize it as a solo disease. It also leads to various changes in the genetic and immune system. These changes are not unidirectional; it can be reversible and may push a patient towards more dangerous state or towards a state of stillness. In the latter stage, the cancer remains in the dormant state and may not harm all through the lifetime.

Scientifically, it has been analyzed that negative emotions have severely bad consequences for patients suffering from breast cancer. Therefore, it is important to think over the body-mind connection and how it can change the whole scenario of a person’s life. Therefore, positive attitude towards life is very important. If one is suffering from this disease, the only outcome is to fight with the disease in the right spirit.

 

Glaucoma: A Silent Eye Disease July 30, 2009

Filed under: Diseases & Conditions, Health — healthcuring @ 3:28 pm
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Glaucoma is one of the severe eye diseases, which cannot be recognized in early stages. By the time glaucoma is detected, the patient has already suffered extensive peripheral vision damage. Learn more about the disease, symptoms and management practices.

Glaucoma is one of the main causes of blindness all across the world. There are two types of Glaucoma: Chronic or Primary Open-angle Glaucoma (POAG) and Closed or Acute Angle-closure Glaucoma. Type 1 is more common and it is generally painless. However, in type 2, the intra ocular pressure increases very rapidly due to sudden and severe block of fluid drainage within the eye. This condition needs to be treated quickly otherwise blindness may occur.

Symptoms of Glaucoma:

  1. Inability to adjust the eyes to dark rooms such as theaters
  2. Poor night vision
  3. Frequent changes in eyeglass prescription
  4. Gradual loss of peripheral vision
  5. Blurred vision
  6. Feel of a blind area in the eye
  7. Seeing rainbow colored halos around lights
  8. Severe eye pain, facial pain, nausea, vomiting
  9. Red eye

Who Is At Risk of Glaucoma?

  1. Your age is 45 years or, above
  2. You have a family history of Glaucoma
  3. You have health problems such as diabetes, hypertension, or thyroid disease
  4. You suffer from Myopia or near sightedness
  5. You are a long-term steroid user
  6. You have had ocular trauma or intra ocular surgery in the past

What Is The Cure For Glaucoma?

There is no cure for Glaucoma, however, the eye disease can be controlled so that further damage to the optic nerve can be slowed or halted. This can only be done through disciplined and regular treatment from an ophthalmologist. The treatment of Glaucoma is life-long.

Management of Glaucoma

Timely treatment may help save your eyes. The treatment measures may include medical management, surgical management, or management by lasers. However, surgical management includes a procedure where an opening is made to create a new drainage pathway for the fluid to leave the eye easily.

Management by lasers includes: procedures such as trabeculoplasty in which laser is used to pull open the trabecular meshwork drainage area. Moreover, iridotomy is a procedure in which a tiny hole is made in the iris, which allows the fluid to flow more freely. And Cyclophotocoagulation is a treatment method in which a laser beam treats areas of ciliary body, which reduces the production of fluid.

Some Important Tips for Glaucoma Patients

There is no proven way to prevent Glaucoma. However, frequent monitoring, and regular check-ups can help detect the disease in its early stages.

  1. Take your medicine exactly as prescribed. Use the right drop at the right time in the right way.
  2. Try to schedule time for taking medication around daily routines such as waking, mealtime and bedtime.
  3. Drinking large quantities of water on empty stomach early morning should be stopped. This habit temporarily increases the intra ocular pressure.
  4. Don’t let Glaucoma limit your life. You can continue with what you were doing before Glaucoma was diagnosed. You can make mew plans and start new ventures.

It is rightly said that prevention is better than cure, which is true for Glaucoma. Take precautions and always consult with a doctor if you find any symptoms mentioned above. Early detection is always better for any disease, so keep all the above points in mind and see the beautiful world with your glittering eyes.

 

Some Essential Tests For Women July 22, 2009

Filed under: Diseases & Conditions, Health — healthcuring @ 5:16 pm
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Be proactive – never compromise with your health especially when you are a woman. Some must-to-do tests for women are inevitable. Keep track of your health problems and safety, always.

Though, no one likes taking tests but, when it comes to your health, you should always come forward. Its all for your safety – why allow a disease to crop up. Since prevention is better than cure, you need to take care of your health in advance. Below are some of the important tests given:

PAP SMEAR: It is also called as Pap test, cervical smear test – and it is done to detect cervical cancer. It tests a swab of cells from your cervix. It is advisable for women to go for this test within 3 years of onset of sexual activity.

BONE MINERAL DENSITY TEST: This test is done to check if there is any risk of osteoporosis. This test should be done after menopause because various physiological changes take place during and after menopause.

MAMMOGRAM: This test is done to detect diseases related to breast in women. It is an X-ray photograph of the breast. Women with some breast history should go for this kind of test.

STD TEST: Women who have sexual activity with multiple partners should go for this test. The test examines the vaginal culture. When you find some vaginal discharge with bad odor – it is the right time to get this test done.

 

Snoring: an awful problem July 20, 2009

Filed under: Diseases & Conditions, Health — healthcuring @ 3:03 pm
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Snoring or sleep apnea is one of the worst problems that many people face. This problem not only disturbs the person who is suffering from this disease rather it effects other persons who sleep in the same room. Why such horrible sounds come out of the nose or mouth? Well, people with sleep apnea when sleep their tongues fall back into the throat and blocks air passage and also makes breathing difficult.

Snoring is a symptom of health problems – A new study reported by CBS News medical correspondent Elizabeth Kaledin revealed that snoring is one of the main symptoms of sleep apnea. “It’s given us the best evidence that we have that sleep apnea is a likely cause of stroke,” says Dr. Varind Somers of the Mayo Clinic.

In the new research, it has also been revealed that snoring can cause high blood pressure. The reason is deprivation of oxygen during breathing and that increases the blood pressure level to 220/140, as against normal BP of 120/80.

Some home remedies for snoring or sleep apnea

Lose weight: If you are fat, then it is important for you to lose weight. Overweight is the most common cause of sleep apnea. Control your food habit and exercise daily in order to tone up your body muscles.

Use nasal strips: nasal strip can help you breathe in a better way.

Treat nasal congestion: People with nasal allergies and deviated septum suffer from snoring, as the septum limits the airflow through the nose. As a result, you breathe from your mouth. Therefore, do not use an oral or spray decongestant regularly for 3 days or more. In case of problems, you can definitely ask your doctor for advice and treatment.

Avoid consuming alcohols and sedatives: If you take alcohol then limit it and don not take it at least 4 hours before you go to sleep. Consumption of alcohol, sedatives and hypnotics depress the CNS (Central Nervous System) and causes excessive muscle relaxation. So, if you stop breathing due to sleep apnea, it takes longer for you to breathe again due to alcohol, sedatives and hypnotics.