Health Tips

How does diabetes cause kidney disease?

When our bodies digest the protein we eat, the process creates waste products. In the kidneys, millions of tiny blood vessels (capillaries) with even tinier holes in them act as filters. As blood flows through the blood vessels, small molecules such as waste products squeeze through the holes. These waste products become part of the urine. Useful substances, such as protein and red blood cells, are too big to pass through the holes in the filter and stay in the blood.

Diabetes can damage this system. High levels of blood sugar make the kidneys filter too much blood. All this extra work is hard on the filters. After many years, they start to leak. Useful protein is lost in the urine. Having small amounts of protein in the urine is called microalbuminuria.

When kidney disease is diagnosed early, (during microalbuminuria), several treatments may keep kidney disease from getting worse. Having larger amounts is called macroalbuminuria. When kidney disease is caught later (during macroalbuminuria), end-stage renal disease, or ESRD, usually follows.
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The most important thing to those with diabetes is the start of living a healthy lifestyle which can lead to weight loss. Weight loss will help with the various statistics that you are monitoring after diagnosed with diabetes. Of course, weight loss also lowers the risk of other diseases like the ever-dreaded heart disease. The bottom line is, if you are overweight, you need to significantly change the way you have been eating and start doing exercise.

Healthy diet coupled with fair amount exercise are important part of weight loss. Dieting can be a daunting task for almost anyone. With diabetes, it is very important to monitor the food you eat to keep your glucose level within the normal range. If you are planning to lose weight, please do it the correct way. Do not go the yo-yo dieting way because it is dangerous with diabetes.

The correct way to lose weight is lower your caloric intake to 500 calories under what you need to maintain your weight. (3500 calories equal to a pound) Staying away from fatty and oily food is important. You should pay close attention in preparing your food, unless you have a professional to give you a diet plan which is highly recommended. With preparation, you can reduce hundreds of unwanted calories which can successfully lead to weight loss.
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Diabetic retinopathy is a general term for all disorders of the retina caused by diabetes. There are two major types of retinopathy: nonproliferative and proliferative.

Nonproliferative retinopathy is the most common form of retinopathy. In nonproliferative retinopathy, capillaries in the back of the eye balloon and form pouches. Nonproliferative retinopathy can move through three stages (mild, moderate, and severe), as more and more blood vessels become blocked. Although retinopathy does not usually cause vision loss at this stage, the capillary walls may lose their ability to control the passage of substances between the blood and the retina.

Fluid can leak into the part of the eye where focusing occurs, the macula. When the macula swells with fluid, a condition called macula edema, vision blurs and can be lost entirely. Although nonproliferative retinopathy usually does not require treatment, macular edema must be treated, but fortunately treatment is usually effective at stopping and sometimes reversing vision loss.
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You may have heard that diabetes causes eye problems and may lead to blindness. People with diabetes do have a higher risk of blindness than people without diabetes.

But most people who have diabetes have nothing more than minor eye disorders. You can keep minor problems minor. And if you do develop a major problem, there are treatments that often work well if you begin them right away.

Eyesight Insight
To understand what happens in eye disorders, it helps to understand how the eye works. The eye is a ball covered with a tough outer membrane. The covering in front is clear and curved. This curved area is the cornea, which focuses light while protecting the eye.
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When the cancer diagnosis has been given, a person is forced to face their own mortality. Knowledge is power, and learning about how to deal with your diagnosis or what to expect with treatments can help you cope with it easier. Ask your doctor questions.

Write down questions as you think of them since they often escape us later. Ask your doctor to explain things you do not understand and write down information.

Welcome support from family, friends, and loved ones. They are in your life because they care about you so let them know when you need an ear to vent, someone to help, or a word of encouragement.
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What triggers asthma attacks? If you have asthma, then shouldn’t you know the answer?

Asthma is a chronic lung condition characterized by difficulty in breathing. People with asthma have extra sensitive and/or hyper-responsive airways. During an asthma attack, the airways become irritated and react by narrowing and constricting, causing increased resistance, and obstructing the flow of the air passages to and from the lungs.

The words “trigger factors,” and “triggers” of asthma are used to describe the things that can cause an attack in someone who already has asthma.
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Cancer. It has touched our lives in some form. It is not a pleasant subject, but knowledge is power, and cancer is often preventable. Nearly one half of the male population in our nation will develop cancer.

Over 75% of cancers in males develop after the age of 55; however it can strike at any given time. It is the second leading cause of death in the United States, behind heart disease.

According to the American Cancer Society, approximately 1/3 of all cancer related deaths in our nation can be prevented with healthier diets, cardio activity at least three times per week, regular check ups with a physician, and avoiding unhealthy habits such as smoking and poor diet.
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The most common type of cancer that strikes men ages 15 to 40 is testicular cancer. Keep in mind, all types of cancer can strike at any age.

Some male babies are born with it or can develop it if their testicle does not descend from the abdomen. Studies indicate that it can also peak at age 75. Other causes include genetics and ethnicity.

Caucasian men are almost twice as likely to develop it than African American. It is the most common type of cancer to begin for no known reason (e.g. no family history). However, it also has best prognosis of any cancer when detected and treated early.
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Smoking is the largest cause of primary lung cancer, which is the leading cause of cancer related deaths. Therefore, smoking is the most preventable cause of death. It also contributes to illnesses including heart attack, emphysema, and stroke.

Side affects include nervousness, depression, and high cholesterol as it robs the body of good cholesterol.

It is never too late to quit. Studies show that when smokers quit, they add years to their life. The body immediately begins to repair itself with oxygenated blood.

Cold turkey is not always the best route for success. The sudden stop increases withdraw symptoms such as irritation and increased appetite. Learning by trial and error is one way to learn what works best for you.
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The leading cause of cancer deaths among both males and females in our nation is lung cancer. It accounts for almost 1/3 of cancer related deaths and claims more lives than colon and breast cancer combined. Smoking is the leading preventable cause of lung cancer. It contributes to more than 85% of lung cancer deaths. Environmental agents such as second hand smoke inhaled by nonsmokers also contributes to lung cancer deaths.

Occupational risks for developing lung cancer include coal mining, sandblasting , and working with building materials and insulation that may contain asbestos.

DNA also contributes to cancer; therefore, those with higher risk should avoid smoking and other etiologic factors. Primary lung cancers develop in the bronchus. These can
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