According to the Mayo Clinic, type II diabetes impedes the metabolization of blood glucose, or blood sugar, which is an essential source of bodily energy, in one of two ways. For instance, some diabetics don’t produce adequate insulin for healthy blood glucose levels, while others are insulin-resistant, meaning that the bodily cells ignore the signals triggered by insulin hormone in healthy individuals so glucose remains in the bloodstream instead of moving to cells for energy. While type 2 diabetes was once a condition in adults, today higher numbers of children are being diagnosed. Symptoms of type 2 diabetes may include a combination of sudden weight loss, chronic fatigue, vision issues, uncontrollable thirst, frequent need to urinate, increase in appetite, and sores or infections that are slow to heal. While diabetes has no cure, the disease must be maintained with the following treatments: 1. Insulin medications Not all cases of type II diabetes must be controlled via medicine. However, those with severe spikes in blood glucose may be prescribed insulin to keep blood sugar levels in check. Insulin may be prescribed by oral tablet, injection, or pump to insulin levels in the body and regulate glucose levels. 2. Non-insulin medications Other medications used to control blood glucose in type 2 diabetics may include the following non-insulin type drugs:

Amyloidosis is a rare disease that occurs when the abnormal protein amyloid builds up in one’s organs. Amyloid is produced in bone marrow. Severe amyloidosis can cause organ failure leading to death. Unfortunately, symptoms of amyloidosis often do not develop until the disease is in an advanced stage. Symptoms include an enlarged tongue, difficulty swallowing, purple colored patches around the eyes, and significant weight loss. There is no cure, but treatments are available to manage the symptoms. Amyloidosis is diagnosed through a tissue biopsy and most people with the disease are over the age of 60. Most often treatment includes chemotherapy and dexamethasone to help with inflammation. Bone marrow stem cell transplants are also used, along with kidney transplants. There are three main types of amyloidosis, including: 1. Light chain AL amyloidosis This is the most common type of amyloidosis primarily affecting one’s heart, kidney, skin, nerves and liver. The abnormal antibodies that are produced attach to one’s tissues causing the organs to stop functioning as they should. When the nervous system is affected, one most often has pain, or tingling of the fingers, a burning sensation or lack of feeling in the toes and/or soles of the feet, and one may have bowel issues causing periods of both constipation and diarrhea.

If you’re anything like me, you’ve wandered around the web and found articles on weighted blankets, wondering what the big deal is. Weighted blankets have been used for decades for their therapeutic purposes and over the last couple of years they’ve made the leap to the mainstream wellness industry. They are meant to create a sensation of deep touch pressure, similar to the feeling of being held. Weighted blankets can help with mental health issues, but they are popular for patients with other health concerns. Read on to find out the benefits of weighted blankets and what to look for when shopping: 1. Insomnia Those who have suffered from insomnia know the pain of tossing and turning or waking frequently throughout the night. When slumber feels elusive, instead of reaching for an over-the-counter sleep aid, try sleeping beneath a weighted blanket. Weighted blankets give the deep touch pressure stimulation that promotes serotonin, the sleep regulating chemical. They are known to improve quality sleep and can help break the cycle of insomnia.  2. Sensory processing disorder People with sensory processing disorder are overly sensitive to stimuli in their environment. Things like sound and touch can be overwhelming and painful. It is commonly seen in developmental conditions, such as autism.

When it comes to Medicare, things can be tricky. Knowing what plan or plans to choose can be very confusing. A lot of people do not understand Medicare and what it is exactly. According to the official Medicare website, Medicare is the federal health insurance program for people who are 65 years or older, certain younger people who have disabilities, or people with End-Stage Renal Disease. There are four different parts to Medicare that everyone should know about: 1. Medicare Part A: The first part of a Medicare Plan is Medicare Part A. Part A covers inpatient hospital stays, skilled nursing facilities, hospice, and home health care. Most people do not have to pay a premium for Part A because of the Medicare tax deductions on your paycheck. However, you are charged a heavy deductible each time you go into the hospital (Medicare does pay for the first 60 days though.) 2. Medicare Part B The second aspect of a Medicare plan is Medicare Part B. Part B covers doctor visits, labs, ambulances, and other outpatient services. It also covers many preventative services such as a pap-smear and cancer screenings. These are more costly than Part A with a premium of $135.50 a month and a deductible of $185 for the year.

Migraine is a disorder, complex in nature, composed of frequent episodes of unilateral headaches. In some instances, it is characterized by sensory and visual symptoms termed as an aura. Aura arises before the head pains but could also occur during or after the migraine. The cause of a migraine is not known; however, it is thought to be genetically determined with the females being prone to frequent attacks. Other symptoms of migraines include nausea and vomiting. The following are factors that may precipitate a migraine attack 1. Cigarette smoke Nicotine, a component of tobacco, causes the narrowing of human blood vessels. This reduces the amount of blood that flows to the brain. Also, it is believed that higher levels of carbon monoxide in the serum and brain, obtained through the consumption of the products of tobacco may cause migraine. The smell given off during smoking may cause allergic reactions that lead to a migraine on some people 2. Perfumes The human nose contains many receptors. Some travel through the same path to the nervous system. Commercial fragrances have lots of chemicals in them. It’s believed that these odors cause vasoconstriction of the brain’s blood vessels leading to migraines. Olfactory irritants, transmitted by the olfactory nerves, have negative impacts such as perfume headache 3.