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Question by hearts33: Asthma: What are some ways to control a cough for a child with asthma?
My niece is staying with us and has asthma and has started coughing. It was a last minute decision and she didn’t have her inhaler with her. She’s sleeping and just starting to cough, but I don’t want to let that go because it could throw her into an attack.

Best answer:

Answer by Kunisaki S
That’s a bit difficult, especially since she usually uses an inhaler. I suppose you don’t know what causes the attacks? If you do, keep her away from that. And keep her warm, cold air may induce asthma attacks. Hope that helps!

What do you think? Answer below!

Question by kas493: Is it possible to be on hormonal birth control with an overactive thyroid caused by Graves disease?
I am a 20 year old female who was diagnosed with Grave’s disease 4 years ago. My gynecologist told me I was not eligible for hormonal birth control because of my thyroid disease. I plan on asking my endocrinologist my next appointment. Could my endo overrule my gyno in this situation?

Best answer:

Answer by Lisa A
You can take birth control pills. Just be prepared for them to affect your thyroid levels. You will need to have your medication adjusted. Get your thyroid tested a month after starting on the pill. Have your medication adjusted. Repeat every month until you are totally stable again.

What do you think? Answer below!

The concept of a diet is simple enough, but the follow through is what tortures most people. What\’s the hardest part about dieting? Hunger ! Intense hunger and cravings causes many people to cave in when they see a plate of cookies tormenting them while they are on their diet.

Two of the main reasons that we find it hard to lose weight is because of the fat that is absorbed in our body and because we get hungry. If we eat a good meal then everything we eat instantly turns to fat. If we eat only small portions or “rabbit food” then we get hungry and\’need to eat more. It\’s a vicious circle that many dieters face everyday.

Dieting is much easier once you learn to control hunger throughout the day. Over the past decade, a variety of products have come to market to control hunger. One popular way many dieters are suppressing their appetites is by drinking protein shakes as replacement meals. The more protein you take in, the more fat your body will burn.

The question to ask today is, do any safe appetite suppressants exist? About 10 years ago there was a national epidemic of people dying because of taking a popular appetite suppressant that caused major health issues. However, there are indeed safe and practical alternatives to these dangerous hunger control supplements.

Fibers

Do you know that there are several types of foods which are rich in fiber? If you eat such foods frequently, suppressing your appetite and getting rid of hunger would be as easy as pie for you, since fiber keeps you full for a long time. Besides, fiber-rich foods also keep you from gaining weight by maintaining your normal blood sugar level. One such food is the good old apple.

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Yet another fiber-rich food is legumes and nuts. Whenever I feel hungry, I often eat grams, black beans, peas, soybeans, groundnuts, etc., of course in raw forms. They are not only a good and easy way to keep hunger away for a considerable period of time but also helpful in weight loss, since they too are rich in protein content just like eggs.

Hoodia Gordonii

What is the best appetite suppressant on the market today?\’ This is a question that millions of us ask ourselves every day. The best appetite suppressants are ones that contain natural antioxidants. Don\’t settle for less when your health depends on the results.

Right now, one of the most trusted herbal appetite suppressants is the supplement made from Hoodia. Not only is it able to prevent you from binge eating because of its appetite reduction mechanism, it also makes you feel full. When taken properly, hunger control is possible, and your weight loss goals can be achieved with less pain.

A natural appetite suppressant without any bad side effects is what every dieter hopes for. This is a way to control your appetite without having to resort to drugs. It is possible for you to use hoodia while on a calorie controlled diet. It is always advisable to drink plenty of fresh water and to exercise regularly. Strong appetite suppressants are formulated to suppress the appetite while increasing an individual\’s metabolism helping to burn more calories.

So appetite suppressants are currently the most effective diet remedies to prevent you gaining weight again. Some appetite suppressants are addictive, and their effect tends to wear off if used over an extended time, such that people need to take larger doses to produce the same result, which in turn increases the risk of addiction, which in turn increases other risks.

Most natural appetite suppressants are usually considered safer, although it is important to remember that the overuse of even the most natural, unprocessed product can still have serious side effects.

Exercise

Exercise can also help you control your appetite and weight, and it has a number of other positive health effects. Exercise and eating the right foods are instrumental as well, but if you are hungry all of the time you will likely eat more than you should.

To get the best weight loss results this medication is used in combination with a well planned diet and exercise to reduce weight. Never have there been so numerous weight loss remedies and appetite suppressants available and these tablets are employed for the short-term management of weight collectively with suitable diet and physical exercise.

Even so, to maximize the impact they could have, exercise, a healthy diet and not pigging out on your preferred foods can go a long way in bolstering the effects of taking them. When used in conjunction with a sensible diet and exercise program, it can help you lose weight more quickly.

When it comes to losing weight, it is easier said than it is to do… If you think thin and take on that very positive attitude prior to your weight loss efforts, you will have won half the battle.

There are many ways for you to manage diabetes. Numerous individuals who are first recognized have a period of time where they may be in denial. Although Type II diabetes has become a little bit of a nationwide epidemic, numerous people refuse in order to think which they might possibly have this kind of condition. Perhaps they aren’t overweight or don’t consume a great deal of sweets. These are only two precursors to diabetes. Many people that are not really overweight or who carry out not consume a great deal of sugars have got also already been clinically determined to have Kind II diabetes. This strikes everyone. And there are also a few indications that it could be an inherited disorder. When you have an initial degree relative who may have diabetic issues, there is a really good chance which you may end up with this particular disorder. You should provide this issue to be able to the particular attention of the doctor thus he or your woman may do several basic blood tests to determine if you are at risk for diabetes.

You can control diabetes. In the event that a person are generally diagnosed with Type II diabetes, one of the first issues a person require in order to do is in order to get a blood sugar monitor so that you can hold a record of your blood sugar levels. Your doctor can want you to do this several times a day, particularly after you eat. You will also, most likely, be prescribed certain medications. You should take them as directed. You will also be given diet suggestions.

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Perhaps you, like a great many other Americans, have lately been diagnosed along with diabetes. Diabetes can be a life threatening condition and will cause a variety of complications in people with this illness. If you or a family member has recently been diagnosed with diabetes, be aware that you can control diabetes. By maintaining your weight, subsequent the instructions of your own doctor and having your own medicine, as nicely because watching your diet, it is possible to eliminate the complications that often occur in someone with this condition.

Many individuals who have Sort II diabetic issues are non compliant. This means that they will carry out not really get their medicine, keep track of their own blood sugar levels and consume all the actual wrong things. You can control diabetes if a person merely comply with your doctor’s instructions.

One of the best things a person can carry out to control diabetes is by getting conscious associated with the Glycemic Index that is given to certain carbohydrates. Individuals with Type II diabetes are warned to remain apart coming from carbohydrates. Diabetics have a difficult time breaking down the sugars and also starches as well as ingesting them into their own system. Certain carbohydrates have got greater blood sugar levels levels that takes all of them lengthier break down. By being aware of which carbohydrates rank high in the glycemic index is just one method to monitor the glycerin, which is the particular amount of carbs and glucose in the blood. It is imperative for a diabetic in order to keep track of their particular glycemia.

You can control diabetes if you take your prescribed medication, monitor your blood sugars, become aware of carbohydrates that are full of the gylcemic index and keep an eye on your glycemia, which is the concentration of glucose in the blood. By complying with medication, screening and diet, a person may keep your own diabetes in check.

‘BEETIS REMIX
Video Rating: 4 / 5

Dr. Steven Edelman and dietitian Lorena Drago discuss nutrition and practical ways to eat well with diabetes, at home or at your favorite restaurant. Series: Taking Control of Your Diabetes (TCOYD) [12/2008] [Health and Medicine] [Show ID: 15595]
Video Rating: 4 / 5

Useful information about Type 2 diabetes and Diet, Lifestyle, Exercise, Diabetes Education, Health Checkups and Monitoring Blood Sugars
Video Rating: 5 / 5

Thousands of people are suffering from asthma every year. If you have asthma, you should have faith and patience for asthma control.

While asthma is a chronic condition, you can still enjoy your life with asthma control program.

After diagnosing with asthma, chronic diseaseyou feel that you should make undesirable changes in your lifestyle.

Asthma changes your life but your life also improves when you follow asthma control plan and look for support networks that offer help in controlling asthma.

Remember one thing that you are not alone suffering from this chronic disease.

You should not hesitate in taking support from family members and friends for asthma control. If you take support, you can make best out of your life. There are many options you can look for when you need support and help for asthma control.

You may feel alone when you are suffering with asthma. There are many support networks available in the web. Asthma control is possible when you learn more about your disease and symptoms, asthma treatment options and finding people who you can connect with them long term.

Ten steps for asthma control:

Apart from the support you get from outside, you can control asthma by following ten steps to improve your quality of life.

1. Understand your asthma condition: You should know about your condition, symptoms and type of asthma you suffer from for asthma control. Once you know about your disease, you can take control of yourself and take decisions that you should make to improve your health.

You should go in detail and deep in finding the causes of asthma for asthma control. Find out what the symptoms that are affecting your life are and what can be done to lead a healthy life and make sure that you are going in a correct way for asthma control.

2. Avoid the triggers: When you identify your symptoms of asthma, you should avoid things that trigger your asthma. Asthma can be triggered by allergens in the environment, food, medications etc. Avoid environmental pollutants such as dust which triggers your asthma.

Avoid foods that you are allergic to and medications and drugs that cause allergy reaction leading to asthma. There is no reason to use a substance which affects your health.

3. Not sure what triggers your asthma? Find out and take action: If you are not able to find out what causes asthma, your physician can work and discover your asthma causes. Identifying the triggers is the key in asthma control.

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Once your physician discovers your asthma triggers, you can easily avoid them from your life. If environmental pollution is the cause, eliminate the dust and air borne particles from your home and take necessary precautions at the work place.

4. Taking prescribed medications: Before the disease controls you, you should control it by taking necessary medications. Medications should be followed in time and in prescribed manner to avoid worsening of the situation.

Develop a regular routine for asthma control as it is hard to remember to take medicines everyday. Routine makes your life easier.

5. Finding asthma specialist: When you have planned to take the treatment, you have to find asthma specialist who can treat asthma in well mannered way. You should be comfortable with your doctor and treatment method.

Selecting the asthma specialist is the key factor for asthma control as the treatment goes for long term because asthma is preventable but not completely curable. You should visit your asthma doctor regularly to check how well your asthma is controlled.

Even, if you have mild asthma symptoms, you should see your doctor for every six months for asthma control.

6. Obey the treatment procedure: If you have diagnosed with asthma, you should obey the treatment plan and procedure rather than going against it. Many people show lack of interest in asthma control as it is a long term process. Sometimes, you feel to avoid the treatment and live like normal person.

But, remember one thing that if you disobey to follow the treatment plan and medications, it can lead to severe illnesses and your condition worsens. You have to follow the guidance of doctor for asthma control.

Talk to your doctor about other alternatives if you find it difficult to follow a treatment program. Your doctor can suggest alternative methods so that you can live an active and normal life.

7. Find activities that you can enjoy: Even if you are suffering from asthma symptoms, you have to find the activities that can be enjoyed. The activities should not ruin your health and should not deviate from the goal of asthma control but should be of fun.

The activities can be chosen in such a way that you can get out and enjoy with others and forget about the disease you have. You can better cope with your disease when you live normal and active life.

8. Other existing conditions with asthma: when you are diagnosed with asthma, you develop depression and other related illnesses. Once depression is developed, your asthma symptoms become even worse. Your quality of life declines and you lead a poor life.

But, the good news is that there are positive treatments for depression. Cognitive behavior therapy helps to overcome depression to improve asthma symptoms.

You can share your feelings with someone who might listen your complaints and actively suggest positive solutions to wipe out the negative feelings you have in your mind.

If you have depression, you should take the treatment that can help you come out of the depression.

This is the important step in asthma control. If you don’t know whom to approach for depression treatment, you can ask your family doctor so that you can go to the correct person for the treatment.

9. Meet positive people: Talking to positive people helps to decrease negative thoughts which influence on your life. Positive people can encourage and make you feel comfortable.

So, take time and have commitment to meet positive people who have positive influence on your long term goals and objectives.

To whomsoever you are going to talk, they should know about your condition and speak to you with hope and optimism about the condition. With positive people around you, you can get out from bad times. There are several organizations you can contact for information.

Your doctor also direct you to local support groups where adults and kids can meet others going through the same phase of frustration and learning process. Together, you can share experiences with them and can have helpful tips and coping strategies.

10. Be happy: Be happy and smile whatever the condition you may have. Smile improves your outlook, productivity and well-being, whether you are suffering from the disease or not. If you think all the time about the disease, you cannot control it and instead the disease controls you.

Don’t worry constantly that you are suffering with a chronic disease, instead enjoy your life by taking medications at the scheduled timings which is the important part of asthma control.

Improving your lifestyle does not mean making complete change in your life, spending hours of time in gym and avoiding all the things you like. You can incorporate changes that will slowly help you become stronger, healthier and less stressed.

Working with health care provider and following the treatment program helps in asthma control. If you do not seek medical care or follow treatment plan for asthma control, your ability to function deteriorates.

More Asthma Articles

What Is High Blood Pressure?

High blood pressure is a condition in which there is tension, or high pressure, in the arteries.  Also known as hypertension, high blood pressure is a state in which the systolic pressure repeatedly exceeds 140 mm Hg (millimeters of mercury) with the diastolic pressure over 90.  The blood pressure reading shows the systolic pressure number on top and the diastolic pressure number on the bottom (i.e. 140/90).

The systolic pressure is equal to the pressure in the arteries when blood is being pumped forward into them as the heart contracts.  The diastolic blood pressure is the amount of pressure in the arteries when the heart relaxes after each contraction.

An increase in either the systolic blood pressure or the diastolic pressure or both may be indicative of possible health problems.  Untreated, high blood pressure can lead to heart disease, atherosclerosis or arteriosclerosis (hardening of the arteries), kidney failure, damage to the eyes, and/or stroke.

Causes of High Blood Pressure

Primary high blood pressure (also known as essential hypertension) is far more prevalent than secondary hypertension.  Essential hypertension makes up about 95% of the cases of high blood pressure, affecting around 72 million Americans.  The exact cause of primary high blood pressure is often difficult to pinpoint.  In fact, its cause is generally related to several factors combined.

Possible factors that may lead to primary high blood pressure are:

Genetic/hereditary factors – The exact gene responsible for causing high blood pressure has not yet been identified.  However, high blood pressure seems to be more prevalent among certain groups, including African Americans, than others. Excessive salt consumption Obesity Aging Kidney disease Diabetes Lack of exercise Smoking or being exposed regularly to secondhand cigarette smoke Elevated cholesterol levels Taking oral contraceptives Frequent consumption of alcoholic beverages

Symptoms of High Blood Pressure

Oftentimes, there are no noticeable symptoms of high blood pressure until it has reached the stage of causing serious complications, such as heart attack, stroke, or kidney failure.  Premature death can be a fatal consequence of untreated high blood pressure.  Thus, hypertension has been labeled “the silent killer.”  This is why it is so important to have routine checkups and periodic blood pressure screenings.  If there IS a problem with your blood pressure, it can be detected early through regular exams.

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Occasionally, uncomplicated cases of high blood pressure will produce symptoms such as headache, dizziness, blurred vision, and shortness of breath. Some people may decide to seek medical care when these symptoms appear.  They may also be encouraged to take their medications as prescribed.  On the other hand, these symptoms may go ignored or may not even appear until more serious complications arise.  

Tips to Lower High Blood Pressure

In addition to taking prescribed medications to lower high blood pressure, there are other steps which can be taken to keep blood pressure under control.  Making positive lifestyle changes can often reduce one’s blood pressure, as well.

What are some steps you can take to lower your high blood pressure?

1.  Change your diet.  Eat balanced, nutritious meals that are low in fat, cholesterol, and sodium.

2.  Give up smoking. Smoking cigarettes puts you at high risk for a number of health problems, including high blood pressure, heart disease, emphysema, and cancer.  According to the American Lung Association, more than 400,000 Americans die each year as the result of smoking-related illnesses.

3.  Avoid excessive drinking. Drinking in moderation does not seem to pose a threat to the health of one’s heart.  However, when you consume more than three alcoholic drinks per day, you are putting yourself at risk of developing high blood pressure.  Studies have shown that excessive alcohol consumption inhibits the flow of blood to and from the heart, causing the blood pressure to elevate.  The alcohol also pushes nutrient-rich blood away from the heart as it flows through the bloodstream.

4.  Exercise. Obesity and sedentary lifestyles are big contributors to high blood pressure.  By increasing the amount of physical activity you get each day, you can lower your blood pressure.

Benefits of Exercising to Control High Blood Pressure

According to Elijah Saunders, M.D., cardiologist and hypertension expert from the University of Maryland, “a great way to lower your blood pressure and combat the corrosive effects of plaque buildup is to exercise.  Studies have shown that sedentary lifestyles tend to elevate blood pressure, while regular exercise can reduce it.”

Exercise stimulates the production of a substance called “nitric oxide.”  Nitric oxide works to keep our blood vessels open, allowing the blood to flow more efficiently as the heart pumps harder during physical exertion.  Better blood flow means lower blood pressure.  The production of nitric oxide also slows down or prevents arteriosclerosis.

Regular exercise also strengthens the heart.  A stronger heart is able to pump more blood with less effort.  A more effective heart results in lower blood pressure.

Exercise leads to weight loss and weight maintenance. Obesity is one of the leading causes of high blood pressure.  In fact, obesity increases the cardiac output and blood volume, as well as arterial resistance.  Most obese people lead sedentary lifestyles.  By adopting a more active lifestyle, excess pounds can be shed, leading to a lower body mass.  In turn, the heart will not have to work as hard to supply blood throughout the body, and the blood pressure can be significantly reduced.

Any exercise is better than none.  Even taking the stairs instead of the elevator or pushing that vacuum cleaner around your house produces some benefits.  For optimum results, however, it is best to get at least 30 minutes of aerobic exercise daily.  Walking on a treadmill, dancing, bicycling, and using an elliptical trainer are good examples of aerobic exercise.

Note: Before beginning any exercise program, especially if you are obese or have other health problems, it is recommended that you consult your physician.

Dr. Steven Edelman and Dr. Ian Blumer discuss how technology is changing diabetes management. Artificial intelligence, non-invasive blood glucose testing, insulin delivery mechanisms, CGM, open and closed loop systems and developments in the formulation of medications are all areas of technological innovation that will make diabetes management more safe and effective until cures for type 1 and type 2 diabetes are found. Series: Taking Control of Your Diabetes (TCOYD) [6/2009] [Health and Medicine] [Show ID: 16598]

What is Diabetes?

Diabetes is a defect in the body’s ability to convert glucose to energy. It is caused due to insufficient production of glucose by the pancreas. In diabetes patients, the production of glucose is impaired.

What are the symptoms of Diabetes?

Patients with Type-1 diabetes usually develop symptoms over a short period of time, and the condition is often diagnosed in an emergency setting.

Symptoms of type 1 diabetes:

Increased thirst
Fatigue
Nausea
Increased urination
Weight loss in spite of increased appetite
Vomiting

However, because Type-2 diabetes develops slowly, some people with high blood sugar experience no symptoms at all.

Symptoms of type 2 diabetes:

Increased thirst
Impotence in men
Increased appetite
Increased urination
Blurred vision
Fatigue
Slow-healing infections

How to diagnose diabetes?

The diagnosis of diabetes is made by a simple blood test measuring blood glucose level. Usually blood glucose level tests are repeated on a subsequent day to confirm the diagnosis. Your health care team may also request that you have a glucose tolerance test. If two hours after taking the glucose drink your glucose level is 200 or above, you will be diagnosed as having diabetes.

How can I control diabetes?

Gather all the information about diabetes, its symptoms and causes
Check your blood glucose level regularly
If find any symptom of diabetes, visit your health care team for diagnosis of diabetes
Ask your health care team about how to check blood glucose level at home
Stop smoking
Exercise daily
Follow a healthy meal plan
Check your vision at regular intervals, If found blurred visit your health care team
Check your feet regularly for checking the occurrence of diabetes
If you are diabetic, monitor you diabetes regularly
Follow instructions of health care team strictly
Avoid sweet ingredients, use sugar free food

Can diabetes be cured?

As yet, there is no treatment for either type of diabetes, although there are many ways of keeping diabetes in control. Studies have shown that good control of blood glucose (blood sugar) is the key to avoid diabetic complications later.

What are the treatment options to cure diabetes?

Diabetes is incurable. The only option is to prevent ourselves from diabetes or to keep diabetes under control.

Is diabetes a hereditary disease?

You are at higher risk of Type 2 diabetes if you have a parent, brother or sister with diabetes.

Complications of Diabetes

If you have diabetes, you are much more likely to have a risk of stroke, heart disease, or a heart attack. In fact, 2 out of 3 people with diabetes die from stroke or heart disease. There are three conditions that make people with diabetes vulnerable to foot problems. These are vascular disease and foot deformities. About 30 percent of patients with Type 1 diabetes and 10 to 40 percent of those with Type 2 diabetes eventually will suffer from kidney failure. Diabetes also may cause damage to nerves in your body.

Nearly 1 in 3 Americans has high blood pressure and many don’t even know it. Left uncontrolled, it can have deadly consequences. Now, a new device is being tested to help people control their blood pressure using their body’s natural abilities.