How to Manage Diabetes

My father-in-law has diabetes so he should know how to manage his eating habit to control blood glucose or sugar.  For person with diabetes, the total amount of carbohydrates consumed each day should be monitored carefully as well as the total fat consumption. In all different components of nutrition, carbohydrates have the most influence on blood sugar levels, that’s why I see to eat that we monitor every plate given to my daddy.

I ensure that his plate contains plenty of vegetables, fruits, meat and other proteins like nuts, dairy products, and grains/cereals. Of course, it is important to maintain a healthy weight by eating the right amount of calories.  Excess calories may result in excess fat and excess weight.  Dietitian can help to determine the right amount of serving sizes need depending to your body. Also, avoid sugary foods because it is high in fats and calories, need to eat in moderation.  When eating sugar, be sure to check your blood sugar and talk with your physician on how to adjust your insulin. 

If you have diabetes, don’t worry, you can still enjoy your favorite foods as long as you monitor carbs, calories and other dietary components and always keep a regular check on your blood glucose levels.  Also, you should have regular exercise and take medicines if necessary.

How to Prevent Heat Stroke

Summer is approaching here in the Philippines that’s why Department of Health (DOH) warns the public of the possible illnesses during this summer.  One of the common illnesses during summer season according to DOH is heat stroke aside from skin disease due to very hot climate nowadays. 

Heat stroke is a heat related disorder and is the one of the most dangerous disorder because it is often put the victim’s lives in danger so it is important to protect yourself against heat stroke. It is a disease due to an environmental exposure to heat which results a high body temperature which can exceed to 40 degree or higher. Some symptoms of heat stroke are red and flushed skin without sweating, seizure, headache, rapid pulse and unconsciousness.

Here are some tips to prevent heat stroke.

• Always drink a plenty of water to keep yourself hydrated.  It is recommended to drink eight or more glasses of water per day during normal weather conditions and twice that during high heat temperature. 

• Wear loose fitting dress or cotton clothing during excessive heat to aid your body in breathing.

• Find a place where there is plenty of airspace which helps your body to naturally cool itself.  Stay in the shaded and wide open area will help your body rid itself of heat through sweating.  If your inside your house, always open windows, or use a fan or air-conditioning during heat season.

• Limit yourself from sun exposure.  If you go outside, make sure to have umbrella to protect yourself from the sun or stay in the shaded area if you feel yourself getting warm. 

Recurrent Yeast Infection

Yeast infection is cause by candida albicans fungus. This fungus is normally resides in the vagina but if it is overgrowth it can cause yeast infection. Symptoms of yeast infection include vaginal itching, thick and cheese cottage discharge, pain during sex, redness and swelling of vagina and vulva and rash in the vagina. It is usually treated with antifungal medicines that comes from tablet, cream, ointment or suppositories that are inserted into the vagina.  Avoid douches and always wear cotton underwear to avoid recurrent yeast infection.  Also, change tampons, napkin or pads often during menstruation and prevent hot tubs and hot baths.

About five percent of women have repeated yeast infection four or more in one year.  So it is important to point out actual cause of yeast infection because women who have recurrent yeast infection may be at risk.  Some common causes of recurrent yeast infection are pregnancy, hormonal disorder, weak immune system, birth control pills and diabetes.  Excess sugar in the blood and urine may cause overgrowth of yeast.  Other reason is taking antibiotic to treat different infection but kill good bacteria which may cause overgrowth of yeast infection.  It is necessary to seek medical advice to have proper treatment for the causes of yeast infection.

MMR and Varicella Vaccine (MMRV)

My daughter had been vaccinated with MMRV last week.  During her childhood, she has no MMR and varicella that’s why we use the catch up schedule to have her complete immunization.  Her second booster will be after 2 or 3 months. I feel nervous of the side effects of MMR and Varicella vaccine but I want also to have protection against these diseases including mumps, measles, rubella and chicken pox. I read some articles that MMR is linked to autism but according to nhs.uk news there is no evidence between MMR and autism.

According to Wikipedia, MMRV vaccine combines the attenuated virus MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine with the addition of chickenpox vaccine or varicella vaccine (V stands for varicella).  The MMRV vaccine is typically given to children between 1 and 2 years of age.  The second injection or the booster will be given at the age of 4 to 6 years of age.

MMR is a combined vaccine that protects against measles, mumps and rubella.  It is given as a single injection into the muscle of the thigh or upper arm.  The first vaccine for MMR is usually given at 13 months old.

Varicella (chickenpox) vaccine provides protection against the varicella zoster that causes the chickenpox.  Varicella vaccine given to 12 to 15 months old while the second injection will be 4 to 6 years old.

Asthma and Allergy Medicine

My 5 years old daughter diagnosed that she has asthma due to allergy since she have persistent cold and cough.  The following are the list of medicine.

• Co-Amoxiclav, AmoClav . She has to take 2.5 ml twice a day for 7 days. It is antibacterial medicine and it is a white-cream colored, raspberry flavored homogeneous powder for suspension.
•  Loratadine Phenylephrine HCI Loraped is anti-allergy, blocks the action of naturally occurring histamine, a substance that causes allergic symptoms.  Phenylephrine HCI, a nasal decongestant, clears obstructed air passages and nasal sinuses due to congestion making breathing easier and reduces postnasal drip.
• Pred 10 Suspension.  Prednisone is a biologically inert glucocorticoid which is converted to prednisone in the liver.  It has the same chemical relationship to prednisolone as cortisone has to hydrocortisone.
• Meptin.  It is used for the relief of dyspnea and other symptoms caused by respiratory obstructive disturbance in the following disease: bronchial asthma, chronic bronchitis and pulmonary emphysema.

 
The mentioned medicine such as loratadine phenylephrine HCI, Pred 10 and Meptin are to be taken twice a day for 5 days.  She will have follow up check after five days and if there is no improvement, she have an x-ray for better evaluation of her cold and cough.  I just hope that she will get better when taking these medicines. 

Points on How to Improve your Life

I receive an email from my friend and it is very inspiring that’s why I would like to share it with others.  The following are from the book of Dr. Randy Pausch.  He died of pancreatic cancer in 2008 and wrote a book entitled “ The last lecture”.

Personality:

1. Don't compare your life to others'. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
2.  Don't have negative thoughts of things you cannot control. Instead invest your energy in the positive present moment.
3.  Don't over do; keep your limits.
4.  Don't take yourself so seriously; no one else does.
5.  Don't waste your precious energy on gossip.
6.  Dream more while you are awake.
7.  Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
8.  Forget issues of the past. Don't remind your partner of his/her mistakes of the past. That will ruin your present happiness.
9.  Life is too short to waste time hating anyone. Don't hate others.
10.  Make peace with your past so it won't spoil the present.
11.  No one is in charge of your happiness except you.
12.  Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn. 
13.  Problems are simply part of the curriculum that appear and fade away like algebra class but the lessons you learn will last a lifetime.
14.  Smile and laugh more
15.  You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.

Community:

1. Call your family often.
2.  Each day give something good to others.
3.  Forgive everyone for everything.
4.  Spend time with people over the age of 70 &; under the age of 6.
5.  Try to make at least three people smile each day.
6.  What other people think of you is none of your business.
7.  Your job will not take care of you when you are sick. Your family and friends will. Stay in touch.

Life:

1. Put GOD first in anything and everything that you think, say and do.
2. GOD heals everything.
3.  Do the right things.
4.  However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
5.  No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
6.  The best is yet to come.
7.  Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.
8.  When you awake alive in the morning, thank GOD for it 
9.  If you know GOD you will always be happy. So, be happy.

Bleeding during Pregnancy

Some woman experience bleeding during pregnancy, it can be normal or it can be an alarming situation.  My cousin is experiencing bleeding that’s why I decided to write this article. Of course, her doctor advice her to have bed rest to help prevent pregnancy complications.

Bleeding during pregnancy can be common during first trimester of pregnancy but it should also take seriously because it can be an indication of impending miscarriage or a problem that needs prompt treatment.

Some causes of bleeding during pregnancy for the first trimester includes, cervical cancer, ectopic pregnancy, implantation bleeding, molar pregnancy, sign of miscarriage and some cervical infections. For second and third trimester bleeding during pregnancy can be due to placenta previa, plancental abruption, premature opening of the cervix, miscarriage, preterm labor and uterine rupture. It is important to report to your physician any bleeding during pregnancy.  Describe the amount of blood passed as well as the appearance of blood to properly evaluate the causes of your bleeding.

During trimester, weeks 25 through 40, if your bleeding is accompanied by abdominal pain and have any amount of bleeding before 37 weeks, contact your physician because it can be a sign of impeding labor.

Tonsillitis Treatment and Prevention

Good hygiene is always the prevention for all the bacteria and viruses in our surrounding so it is important to teach our kids to proper hygiene such as the importance of hand washing.  Tonsillitis is an inflammation of tonsils caused by virus or bacteria and parasites.  It spread through the air in droplets when an infected person breathes coughs or sneezes.  The main symptom of tonsillitis is sore throat and tonsil looks swollen and red as well as fever. Doctors will determine if you have tonsillitis if you have red and swollen tonsils with spot or sores and he may do rapid strep test along with a throat culture to show whether your tonsillitis is caused by streptococcus bacteria and to provide proper treatment.

If your tonsillitis is caused by virus, it will go away on its own. You can gargling with salt water and drinking warm tea to ease the pain. But if your tonsillitis is caused by strep bacteria, you need to take antibiotic to control spread of bacteria and prevent from serious illness.

For tonsillitis prevention, always prevent yourself from close contact with other who are sick and always requires yourself to wash your hand especially when there are people who appear sick.  Avoid sharing toothbrushes and other eating utensils. Prevent smoking around your child.  In addition, always carry disposable wipes and hand sanitizer to clean hands and

If you have tonsillitis symptoms, it is advised to visit your doctor for proper treatment because uncured tonsillitis can cause complications such as ear and sinus infection, pockets of infection outside the tonsil. Also, it can cause rheumatic fever.

Subchorionic Hematoma Symptoms and Treatment

My friend who is four weeks pregnant was diagnosed that she has subchorionic hematoma in her pregnancy. Her doctor told her that she might have miscarriage that’s why she should not be stress and be careful.  Aside from this, she also takes vitamins and some medicine.

Subchorionic Hematoma is also known as blot clot in the placenta and uterus.  It is also a gathering of blood between placenta and uterus.  Doctors nowadays can be easily identify subchorionic hematoma with the help of ultrasound technology. One of the symptoms of SCH is vaginal bleeding during early pregnancy. During ultrasound scan, the doctor or radiologist will find the fetus and assess it.  A clot that appears like a black mass within a uterus is seen if there is SCH. 

Since there is not formal treatment for SCH, doctors have different approach in case of SCH.  Some used the wait and see approach while other use medication such as estrogen and progesterone therapy as aid in pregnancy.  Also, some suggest refraining from sexual intercourse and bed rest during pregnancy. Other suggests continuing their everyday activities. 

The statistics of pregnancy loss or miscarriage with a SCH is low such as 1 to 3%.  This percentage is related to large blood clot.  Most pregnancies with SCH are not progress without complication since it can be resolves on their own by 20 weeks of pregnancy.  Of course, plenty of fluids and adequate rest should be recommended because dehydration can cause the uterus contract irritating your baby and clot.

Of course, in case of placental abruption that’s when the placenta tears away from the uterus, a medical attention is required. Pregnant women with SCH often experience intermittent periods of vaginal bleeding during her pregnancy, tampon and sexual intercourse should be avoided during bleeding or spotting period.

If you experience any symptoms of SCH, doctor should be contacted for proper diagnosis.

Avoid Overeating to Prevent Overweight

One reason for being obese or overweight is overeating. Some people may not have control on foods they eat. Eating becomes their habit to avoid stresses in life and to avoid their emotions. And it’s too late to realize that they are overweight. And because of their food habit, they have the hard time to reduce the food intake. But I believe that in order to break this habit, one must have the self discipline in your eating. Consider the following tips to avoid overeating.

• Drink a glass of water or enjoy a cup of soup before eating. In this way, you may reduce the amount of food you eventually eat.
•  Eat more frequent meals often than three large meals but don’t empty your stomach for five hours because your appetite will stay throughout the day.
• Don’t buy large packages of food to avoid temptation. Just a small serving for your food cravings.
• Put only one serving size in your plate. Never place the food container in your table to control your urge to eat too much. You can use smaller plate so that the portion of food is makes large in relationship of the size of the plate.
• Avoid overeating when you are down, stress, angry or depressed.  Keep yourself busy with something productive. Also, you may talk to your family and friends.
• Don’t eat junk food or high calorie food instead eats fruits when you feel like eating.

Other problems associated with overeating aside from obesity are high blood pressure, cholesterol stroke, and heart attack.

So better watch out your eating habits. 

Cure Cold Naturally

Nowadays, weather is changing due to climate change.  Sometimes too hot climate are experiencing then a sudden wind and cold weather most especially here in the Philippines, that’s why you can see everywhere that children will catch cold easily.  For me, as much as possible I would like to rely on natural remedies because unlike over the counter medicine, there is always a side effect since it is a synthetic drug.

A cold is characterized when someone is sneezing, coughing, sore throat, and has runny nose and congestion.  Colds cannot be cure but it will always have a ways to treat it easily and fight the infection.  Strengthening the immune system is the best way to speed up recovery against cold.  Taking vitamin C and zinc is one way to relieve symptoms as well as enough rest. Zinc helps to shorten the duration of cold.

Drinking plenty of fluids such as water and juices is other way to break up the mucus in the chest and restore breathing.  Try to drink at least 8 to 10 glasses everyday. Also sipping hot drinks and hot soups such as hot chicken soup or hot beverages will thins mucus quickly and relieve congestion. Placing humidifier near you is an effective remedy. In addition, make a habit of washing hand to prevent of catching cold.

Painful Boil Remedy

This is the first time that I have a boil; at first I thought that it is only insect bite such as mosquito or ant bite.  I apply petroleum jelly but there is no improvement that’s why I google it and I found it that it is like a boil so I can’t believe it at first.  I observed for the following days, it is very painful, sore and swelling so I decided to take mefenamic acid for anti inflammatory purposes and as a pain reliever.  It is started as reddened tender area at my buttocks and as day passes it becomes firm and hard. I know that mefenamic acid is not a solution for this boil, I just take it once since it is not recommended.

I apply hot compresses by soaking cotton with hot water and apply it in the area of the boil. I noticed that there is small pus coming out of the boil, according to my husband these pus are the head of the boil, it should come out so that it can be healed. I really hate this boil aside from being painful, it is very embarrassing since I was not be able to sit properly and I have to change bandage every now and then.
Thanks to my husband’s cousin Daisy who recommended to take antibiotic, Cloxacilline I don’t need to wait to come out the boil’s head completely because after three days of taking cloxacilline and hot compresses, the boil heals in his own and no head anymore