Effect Of Diabetes In India

Most of today's population suffer from blood sugar or diabetes. Diabetes has now become a common household name. But what is the solution to curb this 'silent killer' disease. The need for a solution is dire. This is the time, we need organisations that can provide innovative solutions. Quick-fixes might not be possible, but bit by bit solutions will be created, refined and implemented. Change will come, but it will come slowly. And the model for this change would have to be a very Indian model, replicable maybe across the world, but very ‘India-specific’ in terms of implementation and design. One may counter this argument by saying that there’s nothing ‘Indian’ about managing a disease – and people may want to know what we mean by an ‘Indian’ solution – is it better or worse? When we say 'Indian Solution' it means the solution would be reachable to the majority of population – the masses. Solutions may be crude, they may have 60-70 percent reliability, but they will need to benefit the nation overall. Any business which wants to create solution for managing diabetes will do extremely well, if they can manage to serve the scale. Ultra-low cost solutions on a humungous scale will dominate – however, how does anyone start? The problem is classic – if you have scale, you can lower the cost; but till you get scale, you may be compelled to keep prices high – and as a result it will be tough to scale.

The Scale of the problem

• Diabetes is amongst the largest and fastest growing diseases in India (40-50 M people; $30 Bn cost burden)

• 70 percent of the cost is because of complications due to lack of proper management of the disease

Why should diabetes be a key concern?

• Diabetes restricts the lifespan both in urban and rural population. There is considerable loss in potentially productive years (35 - 64) of life. Hence there is need for devising appropriate strategies for their proper control and management.

• The cost structure of diabetes to society is enormous and run into thousands of crores of rupees, if we take into account the direct costs to people with illness, their families, indirect costs to society, due to reduced productivity; and intangible costs, such as compromised quality of life. In other words, the overall increase in GDP and life expectancy through reduction in mortality due to diabetes can be quite substantial.

• It is estimated that overall prevalence of diabetes is 62.47 per 1,000 people in India.

• Some of the major reasons for high morbidity and mortality on account of this disease are low awareness of risk factors, the near absence of technical competence at different levels of health facilities and high treatment costs.

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Did You Know About These 10 Pains You Should Never Ignore?

More or less everyone of us get affected by some or other type of pain in his or her lifetime. Some pains come mysteriously, lingers for a while and disappears minutes after arriving. Few pains and aches can be ignored, but, there are some pains which indicate that there is something seriously wrong going on in your body for which you must consult a doctor. Not that you need to worry about each and every pain, but, some pains are there which you really need to take care of. Here, you'll come to know, which pains you can simply treat with a painkiller and which ones you should never ignore.

1. An aching jaw and chest – Do you know that pain in chest, arm, shoulder, armpit, abdomen and jaw are some symptoms of getting a heart attack. So, if you find that you have mysterious jaw pain along with aching shoulders, stop what you are doing and seek medical help immediately. You may not realise it then, but your quick call may be your saving grace.

2. Pain in the lower back – Thanks to the computer, with so many of us slogging away at them, backaches are really common these days. Lower back pains are the most common back pain that people complain of. It shouldn't be ignored as it may be an indication of kidney troubles – it can be a kidney stone, an infected kidney or even a severe UTI. So, never ignore back pains because even if your kidneys are working fine, these pains can become chronic if left untreated for a longer period of time.

3. Severe abdominal pain – A severe abdominal pain can indicate many things as it is a home to many organs. It could be a problem with your kidneys, uterus, lungs or worse, an appendicitis attack. Sometimes it can be because of pancreatic or an infected gall bladder. A swollen liver can also give you abdominal pain, which is because you have contracted Hepatitis C.

4. Pain in the calf muscles -  If you are having a calf pain without working out, it may be an indication of Deep Vein Thrombosis, or clots in veins that are putting pressure on proper blood circulation. So, don't ignore this mysterious pain, it can be life threatening.

5. Burning in the hands and feet – If you're having a burning sensation and a strange tingling more often in your hands and feet without really sitting in a folded position, it can mean you have peripheral neuropathy. That means that there has been some nerve damage in your body and the loss of sensation and burning in your hands and feet are just a sign. The cause could be alcohol abuse, dehydration, diabetes or shingles. In any case, getting this checked immediately is highly advised.

6. Vague, Unexplained aches – An ache in some part of the body means that there is some problem in that local area. But, sometimes people find they have unexplained pain throughout their body. It can be a sign of Fibromyalgia. It affects more women than men. It can be a headache, a back pain or even aching legs. So, if you're experiencing multitude of pains recently, then, don't ignore and get checked immediately.

7. Testicular pain – Testicular pain can be symptom of hernia, cancer, testicular torsion, or just an infection. So, don't ignore, if you have pain in one of your testicles. Seek medical assistance as soon as possible, if you don't want your testicle to get amputed.

8. Severe headaches – Have you experienced headache that descends suddenly and feels more like a thunderclap? Don't ignore this; this is a sign that you may be having TIA or Transient Ischemic Attack. This means that one of your arteries is blocked which can lead to a stroke, if left untreated.

9. Pain in Pelvis – Are you noticing that you are having pelvic pain during intercourse? In fact, it is a good idea to never ignore any pain during sex. But this pelvic pain can be PID, which is a bacterial infection that is causing inflammation in uterus and fallopian tubes. However, even cysts can cause pelvic pains, as can uterine cancer. So, don't ignore any pain in the pelvic region.

10. Aching joints – We hear of everyone telling that with age, joints will start to ache. However if you find that the ache has appeared too mysteriously, it could mean you have osteoarthritis, hepatitis or rheumatoid arthritis.

If a pain persists more than two days, then, get it checked by your doctor immediately. A simple pain can be a messenger of some serious ailment. So, never ignore any pain, even it's a small one.

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Do You Suffer From These Tell-Tale Symptoms Of Asthma?

These days Asthma has become a common disease. But, before we start discussing about Asthma, we all should first know, what is asthma and how it is caused. Asthma is a condition that affects the airways, the small narrow tubes that carry air in and out of the lungs.  A person with asthma when comes in contact that irritates their airway (pollen, dust and pollutants), the muscles around the lining tighten making them narrower and that results inflammation. At times, a sticky mucus or phlegm builds up which results in further blockage.

Asthma symptoms may not be the same with everybody. One may not have all the symptoms at one go while others may have different symptoms at different times. The symptoms may vary from one attack to another – being mild during one and severe during another. Also, some people suffering from Asthma might have no symptoms for extended periods, interrupted by periodic symptoms known as “asthmatic attack.” Others may have asthma symptoms everyday. In addition, some people have asthmatic attacks only while exercising or with a viral infection such as flu/cold. In general, mild asthma attacks are more common than severe attacks. For the mild attacks it takes a few minutes or hours for the air passage to clear up, but severe attacks long for last and require immediate medical assistance. Thus it is extremely crucial to detect, recognize and treat even mildest asthma symptom to prevent severe latter episodes and keep the condition under better control.

• Common Asthma symptoms include -
• Wheezing, which is a squeaky or whistling sound that happens when one breathes.
• Coughing especially in the night or in early morning, making it hard to sleep.
• Shortness of breath while exercising.
• Chest pain/tightness which is painful and it feels like something is squeezing or sitting on the chest.

The early signs of Asthma can serve as precursors or warning signs to stop an attack or prevent from getting worse. These early symptoms start much before the well-known symptoms and can be indicative that your condition could worsen. They are not severe enough to deter one's daily activities.

• Early warning signs of Asthma are -
• Shortness of breath
• Frequent cough, especially at night
• Wheezing
• Tiredness
• Extremely moody/grouchy
• Signs of a cold or allergies
• Lung function alterations as measured on a peak flow meter
• Trouble while sleeping

If you have any of the above symptoms, then visit a doctor.

An asthmatic attack occurs when the muscle bands of the airway are triggered to tighten. This episode is called 'bronchospasm.' During an attack, the lining of the air passages become inflamed or swell in size and the cell lining produces thicker and more mucus than normal. All of these result in breathing difficulty, coughing, wheezing, difficulty in performing normal day to day activities and shortness of breath. Other symptoms are:

• Rapid breathing
• Continuous coughing
• Difficulty in talking
• Severe chest pain
• Wheezing while breathing in and out
• Pale sweaty face
• Anxiety and panic attacks
• Tightened chest and neck muscles, callled retractions
• Blue fingernail or lips

If not treated on time, severity of the attack can rapidly escalate. Without immediate treatment like an asthma inhaler or a bronchodilator, breathing can be more laboured and reading on a peak flow meter will probably be less than 50%. Under this condition immediately get transferred to a hospital. Withdrawal of wheezing is often mistaken as a sign of improvement and many fail to get prompt emergency care. Unfortunately if one doesn’t receive adequate treatment, eventually difficulty in speaking and development of a bluish color around the lips can be observed. This change in color is known as cyanosis and indicates lower oxygen levels in the blood. If still the patient is not treated, consciousness is lost and death occurs.

The usual symptoms like wheezing, shortness of breath does not happen to everyone. Sometimes individuals may have unusual symptoms which might not be even related to asthma. These symptoms include-

• Sighing
• Fatigue
• Rapid breathing
• Exercise induced Asthma – inability to exercise properly
• Nighttime Asthma – difficulty in sleeping
• Lack of concentration
• Anxiety
• Chronic cough without wheezing

It is important to bear in mind that symptoms of asthma can be mistaken for an ailment in themselves or for some other disease. The best method to diagnose this condition is to have a talk with a doctor for prescribed medication to prevent and treat Asthma effectively.

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Solve Children Dental Issues

When it comes to the health of our children, there are no compromises. All health issues of children are well-noticed by parents, but what about dental issues! If you want your child to get a perfect set of teeth, there are a few child-related dental issues that you should be aware of. Your responsibility doesn't end with assisting your child in brushing, flossing and rinsing, but, also to identify if your child may be doing something unintentionally to ruin the chances for having that perfect smile you wish for them.

Children like enjoying their life, eating lots of junks and sweets, but they are not bothered about taking care of their teeth. They have to be reminded about brushing their teeth twice a day especially after a sweet treat. For a child, dental check-up is essential regularly and as a parent, one should be aware of the different kinds of dental issues they could possibly have. Some of the dental problems a child can have are -

• Thrusting of tongue
• Decay of teeth
• Bad breath
• Sucking of thumb
• Dental erosion
• Malocclusion
• Sensitive teeth                                                                                 

One of the common dental problems in kids is caused by pushing the gums out with the tongue and thumb sucking. While swallowing food, tongue is placed in the wrong position which leads to misaligned teeth due to pressure brought on them. At times, it leads to speech problems and over-biting as well.

Top 5 dental issues that affect children:

Tooth decay – Tooth decay is caused due to plaque accumulation. The teeth get coated with a sticky film, formed due to a combination of acid and bacteria, thus causing dental caries and cavities. Tiny holes are formed in teeth due to enamel eroding and bacteria enter the teeth leading to extra teeth sensitivity while eating and drinking and toothache, especially when pus is formed.

Bad breath – Adults and children can both suffer from bad breath. This is a dental issue which is very annoying and is termed as halitosis. This condition is caused due to diseases and infection of the gums. In kids the principal offenders are cavities in teeth, gums and food problems.

Misaligned teeth – Children generally have the tendency to suck their gums. As a parent, you should ensure that thumb sucking should not continue beyond five years of age as it could lead to dental issues. Teeth gradually start protruding and get misaligned and abnormal formation takes place in lower and upper jaws.

Periodontitis, Gingivitis, Acid erosion – Periodontitis is a gum disease or gum infection that starts right from the time plaque accumulates. The condition returns within 24 hours even after brushing teeth. Tartar is later formed on which flossing and brushing doesn't have any effect and only dental cleaning is the answer. Gingivitis is caused due to gingival inflammation and when ignored leads to gum tissue invasion, bad breath, inflamed and tender gums, tissue and tooth loss, etc. Acid erosion is another term used for tooth erosion caused due to consumption of excessive carbonated drinks and sweet treats and in turn leads to enamel eroding.

Teeth sensitivity and discolouration – Teeth get thinner leading to teeth sensitivity and discolouration. When teeth are sensitive, a lot of discomfort is caused while eating and drinking. Malocclusion is a dental condition caused due to misaligned teeth leading to poor bites.

Children should be well-trained by their parents to take care of their teeth and to keep brushing and flossing regularly. Also, dentist consultation is necessary to teach kids all about the importance of oral hygiene.

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Pimples – Get To Know All About Them

A clean and clear face is a dream for all of us. But if you are gifted with an oily skin, then you will realize the fact that clean and clear face is really a distant dream. One of the major reasons for the same is the number of pimples on your face. Yes, pimples can make your face look dull and full of scars. If you wish to avoid looking dull then you should know all about pimples and try to get a cure for them. Contrary to the popular belief, skin care products might not always cure your pimple problems.

Common causes of Pimples

Here are some of the common causes of pimples listed for you to know:

• Hereditary
• Certain medicinal reactions
• Chemical make up
• Increased hormones during teenage years
• Birth control pills
• Various hormonal changes during pregnancy

Types of pimples

Here are certain types of pimples that you should be aware of so that you know when to contact your doctor and when to take care of them on your own:

• Blackheads: Also known as "Open Comedo", these are clearly visible and appear on the skin. Normally, they are black in colour and appear on the nose and the surrounding areas.
• Whiteheads: These are known as "Closed Comedo" and are small in size. They normally remain under the skin. These are also flesh-coloured papules.
• Papules: These are small, solid, round bumps that normally rise from the skin. They are mostly pink in color.
• Pustules: These are type of pimples which are clearly visible. They are full of pus and the base is red in colour. Most importantly they have pus on the top.
• Nodules: These are large papules and are mainly painful. These papules are entrenched deep in the skin.
• Cysts: These type of pimples are clearly visible on the face. They are pus-filled, painful and causes scars.

Curing pimples

There are some simple ways to cure pimples. Here are some of them:

• Cleansing: Try to cleanse your face twice a day. Use a good face wash for the same or you can prepare your own face wash. You can go for herbal skin care products for better results.
• Exfoliating: It is very important to scrub your face at least twice a week. This will help you remove the dead cells and will help you remove the chances of pimple formation. It will also clear the pores.
• Toning: Once you are done with exfoliating, you should definitely ensure good toning of your skin. A toner will help you reduce the size of the pores and will help you stop pimple formation. So, invest in a good toner!
• Moisturising: Ensure that you moisturise your skin regularly. This will help you keep your skin hydrated. If you have an oily skin, then you can use a water based moisturiser.
• Medication: If you are suffering from immense pimple problem, then you will have to take suggestions of a dermatologist. You should go for the prescribed medication religiously rather than skin care products. This will help you keep your pimples in control.

Few natural home remedies for a pimple-free skin

• Apply lemon juice with groundnut oil on your pimple ridden face for 30 minutes and rinse thoroughly to get a wonderful face.
• Mix lemon juice and sandalwood powder. Then apply the paste and wash after some time.
• Mix 3 teaspoon of honey and 1 teaspoon of cinnamon powder. Apply the paste overnight which helps reducing skin irritations.

Hope now you can easily deal with your pimples!

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What Are The Benefits Of Healthbuddy Herbal Virgin Coconut Oil?

Of late, we hear a lot about different types of oil which are great for our health and skin like the rice bran oil, soyabean oil, almond oil, olive oil etc. But, it should be noted that no oil can match the benefits of virgin coconut oil. Healthbuddy has come up with Healthbuddy Herbal Virgin Coconut Oil in order to provide people with the best quality coconut oil. The virgin coconut oil is extracted from fresh coconut without taking help of chemical processes. As a result, it is said to be "mother of all oils".

Here are some of the benefits of Healthbuddy Herbal Virgin Coconut Oil:

Pure and fresh: The oil is extracted from fresh coconuts without any chemical processes. As a result it is the purest form of oil. Moreover, it is fresh. So, it has greater health benefits and is extremely good for your skin and hair compared to the other coconut oil options available in the market. As it is pure and fresh, the oil will help in hair growth. It also adds to the beauty of the skin as it is better than the chemical loaded creams and lotions.

Rich in various nutrients and vitamins: Healthbuddy Herbal Virgin Coconut Oil is rich in nutrients like proteins, vitamins, antioxidants, etc. It is rich in Vitamin C and Vitamin E and thus it slows down the ageing process. It should also be noted that due to these nutrients, it can be an ideal massage oil for babies. It also has a cooling effect on the body. With so many nutrients and vitamins in it, this oil serves as a great health substitute.

Lauric acid: Healthbuddy Herbal Virgin Coconut Oil is rich in lauric acid. This has qualities which is similar to mother's milk. Thus, it confirms the disease fighting ability of the coconut oil. It is an excellent nutraceutical as well.

Controls and reduces various health diseases: You will be surprised to note that virgin coconut oil helps to lower blood cholesterol. Apart from this, it reduces blood sugar level, controls blood pressure as well as thyroid. It also increases metabolism rate and also has a longer shelf life. You will be surprised to note that it can be a medication for AIDS. This oil also protects the skin from different types of infections caused by bacteria, fungi as well as viruses. It also prevents dandruff and hair loss. Apart from this, it provides immunity against a horde of diseases commonly prevalent in the world these days.

Other benefits: It is a non-greasy and non-staining oil. It is widely used in lotions, creams, soaps, and lip balms. It is better in taste and fragrance when compared to ordinary coconut oil. Moreover the Healthbuddy Herbal Virgin Coconut Oil does not go rancid easily. It assures best of life and beauty to your skin. Apart from this, it also helps to slow down the ageing process.

Now that you know the benefits of Healthbuddy Herbal Virgin Coconut Oil, it will encourage you to buy this one and utilize its goodness. So, what are you waiting for? Use this oil to get lovely tresses and glowing skin. Massage your skin and hair with this oil and see them improve.

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14 Everyday Food Habits For Better Health

Food habits are a very important and vital part of one's life. Our health and entire life cycle depends on what we eat. As well said “Health is wealth”, so, to maintain our health, we must concentrate on healthy food habits. To change food habits is the most difficult thing to change. Also, it is the most popular thing to try to change. Here are some everyday food habits that you can follow to ensure a better health.

• Replace sodas with water – This is an easy transition actually. An obvious advantage of consuming water than soda, is that you intake less sugar and thus you do less damage to your teeth. Also by consuming less sugar, you keep a check on your obesity.

• Replace sweet snacks with vegetables, fruit and nuts -  Instead of indulging into cookies and cakes, you can try to have apples, bananas, blueberries and in the nuts department cashews, almonds and peanuts. But remember to have just a handful of these two nuts, not a big bowl. These nuts pack a lot of fat.

• Eat more fibre – Eating fibre can lower the risk of diabetes and heart disease. It also helps you with weight loss as high-fibre food often takes longer time to chew which gives your body time to register when you are full. Overeating therefore becomes less likely and the fibre also makes you feel full longer. You can find a good amount of fibre in beans, fruits and raw vegetables.

• Eliminate temptations in your environment – You can change your environment to change yourself wherever you find the possibility. If you don't have unhealthy food in your home and cubicle, the temptations to have them will be quite a bit smaller. And one of the best ways to change a habit is to replace it. Think about what you can throw out and what healthier option you can replace it with.

• Cook and bring your own meals to work –  Outside food contains extra fat and sugar. So try to cook at home. When you cook for yourself, you know and you have control on what you are putting into your body.

• Avoid the buffet – When you eat in a buffet, you have the tendency to eat more. When you eat in a buffet be aware and little careful on how much you eat.

• Be careful with your plate-size – You'll probably habitually want to fill the plate. If you are using a big plate you run the risk of eating too big servings.

• Eat a healthy breakfast – It's the most important meal of the day. Don't forget to keep it healthy too. There are benefits of eating a healthy breakfast: you are more likely to consume more vitamins and minerals and less fat and cholesterol, to have better concentration and be more productive during the morning, to control your weight better and to have lower cholesterol.

• Eat slower – It takes about 20 minutes for your brain to register that you are full. That's because your stomach needs to begin stretching before it starts to produce the hormones that tells your brain that you are full. By slowing down your eating your brain can stop you before you eat unnecessarily much. Eating slower can also help prevent digestion problems and generally makes you feel less stressed.

• Don't eat and drive – Just like talking on the cell phone while driving is dangerous, it is also dangerous for you and your fellow motorist to eat and drink while driving. Sit down at a table while eating.

• Use a grocery list – Try to stick to buying just what you've written down. A written list can decrease the need of impulse buying which often results in more unhealthy foods in the grocery bag.

• Shop when you are full – Like using a written shopping list, this is useful for limiting impulse buying. You are likely to shop for anything when you are hungry. Also, when you go shopping hungry it seems to increase the craving for junk food.

• Get enough sleep – If you're not getting enough sleep your hormonal signals may change and increase your appetite. In one study sleep was restricted to four hours for one night. The next day the results among the participants were a 24% increase in hunger and 23% in appetite.

• Be conscious of what you eat – Last, but not the least, try thinking before you eat anything instead of just going along with your normal routine. Think about what you should eat and plan at least a little instead of just gulping down something unhealthy while thinking of everything else except what you are eating. Be aware of what you put into yourself. Do some research on what is more or less healthy. Take control of what you eat.

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