Diabetes mellitus, or simply diabetes, is a metabolic disorder. Metabolism is a set of organic processes that keep on going inside the body without you being aware of them. These processes are necessary for maintaining life.  The one involved in diabetes relates to the conversion of sugar content of food into glycogen, the form in which energy is stored in the body. Stored energy is broken down into glucose when needed by the body.

Diabetes is a metabolic disturbance caused by two different factors, both related to insulin. Insulin, a hormone secreted by the pancreas, regulates storage of glycogen in the liver and speeds up oxidation of sugar in cells. Diabetes type II is the development of insulin resistance despite there being an adequate supply of insulin. Diabetes type I is the inadequacy of insulin due to pancreatic disorder. The bottom line is that there is an increase in the blood sugar level, while some of the excess sugar is passed off through urine.

Diabetes is characterized by several symptoms, such as an increased frequency of urination, increased urine output and an increase in thirst and hunger. Many times, these symptoms may also be due to another condition and not related to diabetes mellitus. This is a rare form of diabetes known as diabetes insipidus, which results from a deficiency of vasopressin (hormone secreted by the pituitary gland, which regulates the kidneys) and is characterized by chronic excretion of a large amount of pale dilute urine, resulting in dehydration and excessive thirst. The difference is that the urine does not contain glucose, and the condition is not marked by high blood sugar.

The normal blood sugar level is between 70 and 110 mg/dl. If the sugar level becomes less than 70 ml/dl, it is characterized as low blood sugar or hypoglycemia, whereas if it goes above 110 mg/dl, it is high blood sugar or hyperglycemia. Untreated diabetes mellitus eventually leads to a cessation of glucose breakdown by the body, and the body starts using fat and protein for meeting its energy needs, resulting in excessive weight loss.

What actually starts as harmless symptoms, that is, increased urination, thirst and hunger, can potentially lead to adult blindness, gangrene, and amputation (due to infections caused by slow healing of wounds). Untreated diabetes eventually leads to kidney failure and death.

The key to controlling and treating diabetes lies in cutting down on refined carbohydrates and eating smaller meals at regular intervals. Eat lots of plant foods, avoid sugary drinks, and choose unprocessed or minimally processed fats. The best diabetes management is eating a healthy balanced diet and involving oneself in regular physical activity.

Studies have shown that it is also possible to reverse type 2 diabetes and at times, control type 1 diabetes with the help of natural resources. For detailed information on how to achieve this, you can check our diabetes guide.

Hypothyroidism occurs when our thyroid gland does not produce enough thyroid hormone.  The thyroid is one of the biggest glands of our endocrine glands.  This controls the amount of energy our body uses up.

Research has shown that when the thyroid is not producing enough hormones, a person may notice that their sinuses seem to be “acting” up to.  Remember that a hypothyroid disease can cause such a problem.

When your thyroid is not functioning properly your metabolism is not burning enough energy which does not let all the bad bacteria to get out of your body and will lead to a sinus infection.

People who suffer from chronic headaches, sinus infections, migraines, sore throats, etc. may not even know that they are suffering from a hypothyroid.  This can be a silent disease.

It would be very important to talk to your doctor about any possibility of hypothyroidism if you are suffering from chronic sinus infections.

But not only can this cause sinus infections, sinus infections can lead to other problems. This could include snoring.

As explained in our snoring program before, it is valuable to know about why sinus infections may cause snoring.

Any type of sinus infections can lead to a blockage in our nasal cavities.  This causes the tonsils, palate, and uvula to bounce off of each other and cause vibrations.

Not only can this lead to sinus infections, but also weight gain.  It is hard to lose weight when you have an under acting thyroid and most people think it is because their diet and exercise are not good enough.  No, it may very well be because your metabolism is too low.

So if you are suffering from snoring and unknown weight gain, I  highly recommend the Stop Snoring guide, and the Weight Loss Breeze programs!

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There are two types of diabetes:

• Diabetes Type 1 – In this type of diabetes, our pancreas stop producing insulin. Diabetes 1 is less common as Diabetes Type 2.
• Diabetes Type 2 – In this condition, typically pancreas do produce sufficient amount of insulin, but our body cells fail to use insulin in proper manner. Most of the diabetic patients worldwide suffer from Diabetes Types 2. Figures show that nearly 90% of diabetics have Diabetes Type 2.

As of now, there is no cure for Diabetes Type 1. However, by taking certain precautionary measures, patients that have been diagnosed with this type of diabetes can prevent heart failure.

• Adhere to a diabetic diet
• Exercise regularly
• Check your blood sugar levels at regular intervals
• Follow the instructions if taking insulin injections
• Visit your doctor regularly

Diabetic patients are at increased risk to cardiovascular diseases. The risk increases by manifold if the diabetic patient also has high cholesterol.

Cholesterol is a lipid substance that our body requires for various functions, such as to produce hormones and maintain cell membrane. Our body produces the amount of cholesterol it requires. The problem of high cholesterol develops because of consumption of unhealthy food.

High cholesterol contributes to the development of plaques in our arteries. Plaques, in turn, reduce the capacity of our arteries to transfer blood efficiently. Insufficient blood flow puts high cholesterol patients at heightened risk to various fatal diseases, including heart-attack, stroke, dementia, and Alzheimer’s.

High triglycerides level – a lipid substance like cholesterol – increases the risk of diabetes. As a matter of fact, experts consider high triglycerides level as a warning for diabetes.

High cholesterol does not cause the symptoms by itself and its presence, typically, goes unnoticed till a serious health condition strikes. That is why it is imperative that those who are diabetic should regularly have their cholesterol levels checked. It is necessary to keep both, diabetes and high cholesterol, under control. Natural health remedies are available that researches shows are more efficient in controlling diabetes and high cholesterol than convention treatments.

If you are suffering from diabetes or cholesterol, or both, it is recommended that you check out our Defeat Diabetes Guide and Beat Cholesterol Guide to minimize your risk to cardiovascular and other diseases.

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Acid reflux and Its Symptoms

Acid reflux is a health condition in which the stomach acid regurgitates into the esophagus.

Common symptoms attached with this condition are:

• Heartburn
• Chest pain
• Hoarseness
• Vomiting
• Dysphagia (problem in swallowing food)

Asthma and Its Symptoms

Asthma is a health condition that affects the airways that carry air to and from lungs. In asthma the airways become inflamed or swollen, which in turn, makes them sensitive to certain triggers.

Common symptoms of asthma include:

• Coughing
• Recurring periods of wheezing (a whistling sound as the person breaths)
• Shortness of breath
• Chest tightness
• Restless sleep

How Acid Reflux and Asthma Could Be Related

A plausible reason for link between the two is that in asthmatic patients there is a considerable pressure change in the chest, which in turn, may cause the gastric acids to regurgitate into esophagus, triggering acid reflux.

On the other hand, when in acid reflux the stomach acids move upwards they may irritate the lungs and worsen the condition of the individual who is asthmatic.  

In studies done to better understand the relation between these two, stomach acids were injected in the esophagus of asthma patients and it was found that the entry of stomach acids into the esophagus of asthma patients worsen their condition. Also, it is often found that treating acid reflux helps in alleviating the symptoms of asthma.

More research is needed to establish a concrete association between these two diseases, but as of now, experts does believe a link between the two diseases exists. It is understood that asthma may worsen the symptoms of acid reflux, which is basically a lifestyle disease, and vice-versa.

If you or someone close to you is suffering from acid reflux then you may like to explore alternate options to treat this condition. Natural health remedies for acid reflux are known to be more effective than conventional treatment, which basically focuses on alleviating the symptoms, rather than addressing the root cause of the problem.

To learn more on how to treat acid reflux naturally, check out our all new treating acid reflux guide.

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So, next time if you find yourself tossing and turning on bed or are unable to get proper sleep for a few days at stretch, beware! You might be becoming insomniac.

Insomnia and psychotic disorders go hand-in-hand. Insomnia can lead to psychotic disorders and vice-versa. Do not consider your lack-of-sleep a trivial issue – chronic insomnia puts you at an increased risk to depression, various other psychotic disorders, and heart diseases.

What is Insomnia?

Insomnia, in simplest term is a sleeping disorder in which the individual experiences inadequate sleep or has trouble sleep. Insomnia can involve:

• Trouble falling asleep
• Trouble staying asleep, i.e., waking up frequently in night
• Less sleep, i.e., waking up too early
• Feeling un-refreshed after a night’s sleep

Symptoms of Insomnia

 There are several symptoms associated with this sleeping disorder.

• Difficulty falling asleep
• Awakening during night
• Getting up earlier than desired in the morning
• Feeling tired or un-refreshed after waking in the morning
• Feeling fatigue or sleepy during the day
• Having difficulty in focusing or concentrating
• Feeling uncoordinated
• Mood swings
• Headaches
• Gastrointestinal symptoms

Types of Insomnia

There are two types of insomnia, chronic insomnia and acute insomnia. While, in chronic (long-term) insomnia, an individual experiences one or more symptoms of insomnia for 3 or more nights a week for a month or more, in acute (short-term) insomnia the symptoms last for shorter period.

Acute insomnia can be cured without medicines by making positive lifestyle changes and adopting good bedtime habits. If you are suffering from this type of insomnia, avoid substances that aggravate insomnia. Examples of such substances include:

• Tobacco, caffeine, and other stimulants – It is best to avoid these substances all together if you are having difficulty getting proper sleep. If you can’t or don’t want to stop consuming these insomnia-aggravating substances, at least don’t take them before bedtime.
• Alcohol – Alcoholic drink(s) may help you fall asleep, but it deprives you from deep sleep.
• Certain OTC drugs and/or prescribed medicines - Certain medicines may contribute to disruption of sleep cycle and insomnia. If you are taking medicines, consult your doctor to ensure that they are not the cause or contributor to insomnia.

In addition to above, try to get some exercise daily. But do not over exert yourself or exercise before your bedtime, as this may prove counter-productive and worsen your sleeping disorder.  Further, by practicing good bedtime habits you can improve the quantity, as well as the quality of your sleep. Good bedtime habits include, following a routine that helps you relax before going to sleep, and sleeping and waking at the same time every day.

To treat acute insomnia, consult your doctor. He/she may recommend counseling or medicines. If your doctor prescribes you medicines for the treatment, ensure that you talk to him/her about the benefits and side-effects of the prescribed drugs. Certain insomnia medicines may come with undesirable side-effects.

Whether you are suffering from acute or chronic insomnia, it is best to avoid substances that contribute to insomnia and bad bedtime habits. Remember, while the effect of drugs only last till you take them, the benefits behavioral changes can last a lifetime. To learn more about to treat insomnia naturally, without any side-effects, check out our better sleep guide.

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And by 2025, this figure is expected to touch 380 million. Diabetes is nothing short of a modern epidemic – one from which even children and young adults are not safe.

Largely, diabetes is considered as a lifestyle disease, a culmination of various wrong choices related to eating and lifestyle that we make through our life.

Types of diabetes

There are three main types of diabetes:

• Diabetes Type 1 – In this condition, our pancreas stop producing insulin. Diabetes Type 1 is also sometime referred as Insulin Dependent Diabetes, as in this condition the patient needs to daily take insulin injections.
• Diabetes Type 2 - This is the most common type of Diabetes. In this condition, typically, the pancreas produce sufficient amount of insulin, but for some unknown reasons the body cells fail to use insulin properly.
• Gestational Diabetes - This kind of diabetes is acquired by women during pregnancy. Studies show that while gestational diabetes usually disappears after the birth of the baby, nearly 50% of women who had gestational diabetes develop Diabetes 2 within next 5-10 years.

Symptoms of diabetes

It is imperative that diabetes is controlled early and for this you need to be aware of its symptoms. Diabetes can be controlled naturally, as well as by using allopathic medications, and often diabetic patients go on to live fairly normal life. Do not make the mistake of taking diabetes lightly, if left untreated for long, diabetes can prove to be fatal.

Here are the common symptoms of diabetes:

• Constant fatigue - In diabetes, body cells fail to metabolize glucose, a food component that provides energy. As a result, diabetics constantly feel tired.
• Constant thirst - As body cells fail to metabolize glucose properly, it enters our bloodstream. Consequently, our brain signals the body to get rid of excessive glucose and the body tries to flush out excessive glucose by passing it through the kidneys with water. Result is the body loses water too fast and the patient feels the need to replenish water all the time.
• Excessive Urination - This too occurs because body needs signal from the brain to remove excessive glucose from the blood, which, in turn, occurs because body cells are not able to metabolize glucose properly.
• Increased Hunger - Body cells fail to metabolize glucose properly, which is required for energy. As a result, the patient feels the need to eat more.
• Weight Fluctuation - Typically, diabetic patients experience weight loss. Loss of water, excretion of glucose into the urine, and metabolism of body fat and protein contribute to weight loss in diabetics. In some cases, diabetic patients may experience weight gain, which occurs due to excessive food intake.

Risk factors for diabetes

There are various risk factors for diabetes; some are in our control, while others are not.

Here are the common risk factors for diabetes:

• Family History and Genetics - People who have a family history of diabetes are at increased risk to this health condition.
• Age - People who are old are at increased risk to diabetes.
• Obesity - Greater your weight, greater the risk of acquiring diabetes, especially Diabetes Type 2.
• Unhealthy Diet - Those who eat junk and processed food are more likely to develop diabetes.
• Sedentary Lifestyle – Physical inactivity contributes to obesity, which, in turn, is the biggest contributor to diabetes.

Whatever the cause of diabetes, this health condition can be effectively controlled using natural health remedies. And if you are someone who is at greater risk to diabetes, or is pre-diabetic (a health condition in which blood sugar levels are high, but not so high to be diagnosed as diabetes) then adopt the natural health remedies to ensure you don’t acquire diabetes.

Read our all new diabetes guide to learn more on the natural health remedies that help you win the battle against this modern epidemic.

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• high triglycerides levels
• high cholesterol levels
• high LDL (Low Density Lipoprotein) levels

Rosuvastatin is used in over 150 countries and is sold under different brand names. New researches show that this drug could also be useful in treatment of cardiovascular diseases.

New Indication for Rosuvastatin are approved

Latest studies show that Rosuvastatin can reduce the chances of heart attack, stroke, and other vascular complications in patients with elevated C-reactive protein but no other risk factors.

The FDA finally approved Rosuvastatin in 2010, after it was proved that Rosuvastatin can reduce the chances of stroke and heart attack, and is also viable in treatment of vasoconstriction in patients, who do not have a heart disease.

The new indication mean that Rosuvastatin can be used for treatment of elderly, who have an elevated high-sensitivity C-reactive protein level (in excess of 2 mg/L), and presence of at least one additional cardiovascular risk factor, such as low HDL-C, high blood pressure, smoking, or a family history of heart disease at young age.

Side-effects of Rosuvastatin

Rosuvastatin has various side-effects, some of which are serious. Mentioned below are some side-effects of this drug:

• Pancreatitis
• Muscle pain
• Joint pain
• Fatigue
•  Unexplained changes in the amount of urine you produce
• Urinary tract infection
• Dyspepsia
• Diarrhea
• Sore throat
• Headache
• Memory loss
• Swelling in feet or hands

If you are using this drug and face any of the above symptoms, it will be best if you consult your doctor.

Natural health remedies for lowering cholesterol

Allopathic medications in general come with a baggage of side-effects, which can range from mild to severe. That is the reason why today, more and more people are moving towards Naturopathy for treatment of various health ailments.

Researches show that natural health remedies, such as eating a balanced diet, regular exercise, and making positive changes in the lifestyle help immensely in lowering blood pressure and prevention of various heart diseases.

Natural health remedies for high cholesterol are safe, effective, and free from side-effects. If you wish to learn more about how to lower cholesterol naturally, check out our cholesterol guide.

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Well… you may be tempted to believe that your partner’s loud snoring helps in keeping the house safe from intruders at night, but the claim that snoring is good for house safety is yet to be proven. What has been proven though is that snoring is not good for health and may cause sleep apnea and hypertension. And these two are pretty serious health conditions… ones you wouldn’t want your loved ones to suffer with.

The good news is snoring can be treated naturally and doesn’t require expensive medical attention.

Why snoring occurs? 

Snoring occurs due to a blockage in the airway when we breathe. The most common cause of snoring is the vibration of the soft tissue at the top of the throat when we breathe while sleeping. 

There are many factors that contribute to snoring. There are some factors of snoring about which we cannot do much. Some of these factors are: heredity, enlarged adenoids, a cleft palate, a narrow throat, and other physical attributes. Also, people who are older tend to snore more. The reason being, as we grow older the muscle tone tends to decrease and this contributes to snoring. Further, certain health conditions, such as cold or sinus infection may also contribute to snoring.

Other factors that contribute to snoring and which are in our control include: sleep posture, alcohol intake, weight, smoking, and lack of physical activity.

 Lying on your back contributes to snoring, as in this posture airways become more constricted. Also, alcohol, smoking, and certain medications contribute to snoring. Further, people who are overweight tend to snore more because airways are more constricted. Researches also show that individuals who do not do much physical activity are more likely to snore than physically active people.

Snoring and other health issues

Do not dismiss snoring as a little irritant – something which others complain, while you sleep blissfully. See if for what it is – a potential health damaging condition.

Constant snoring can lead to sleep apnea, a condition in which you have one or more pauses in breathing while sleeping. Sleep apnea not only result in poor sleep quality, making you feel tired and sleepy during daytime, but is also known to contribute to obesity and diabetes. Further, snoring can also cause high blood pressure, which contributes to the development of heart attack and various kidney diseases.

Natural remedies to cure snoring

Studies show that natural remedies are more successful in curing snoring than conventional treatments. Moreover, natural remedies are free of side-effects.

If you or your partner snores, try the following natural remedies:

• Stop smoking.
• Avoid caffeine and alcohol intake before going to bed.
• Sleep on the side.
• Eat yogurt daily.
• Do some physical activity in daytime.
• Lose the extra weight.

To learn more on how to stop snoring and lose weight, see our stop snoring and weight loss guides.

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• Type I – In this condition the patient needs supplemental insulin.
• Type II – In this condition the patient needs to take oral tablets. 

In both the conditions, efficient diabetes management can be achieved by maintaining a healthy diet. Between the two types, Type II is preventable and there is no need to press the panic button if you or someone close to you has been diagnosed with Diabetes Type II disorder. 

When dealing with diabetes the key is to create and adhere to an eating plan that tells you when to eat, what to eat, and how to eat. Remember, the focus should be on taking healthy food intake at regular intervals and not starve yourself. Denying yourself essential nutrients will not help you a bit, instead will create new problems.  

Typically, most of us take three heavy meals a day. Discard this habit. Instead eat five or six light meals every day. One meal you cannot afford to miss is breakfast. Also, keep a tab on the number of calories you take each day. For instance, if you have eaten a heavy lunch, then eat salads in dinner. 

One technique that helps you eat less is eating slowly. Did you know that the human brain takes approximately 20 minutes to decide if the consumed quantity is enough? Yes… that is right. Chew more to eat less.  

Now that we have seen the benefits of eating slowly, let’s take a look at what constitute a healthy diet: 

• 50% of green and red vegetables
• 25% of starch carbohydrates, such as bread, rice, whole grain, potato, and pasta
• 25% of proteins.

Ensure that your meals have the right proportion of vegetables, carbohydrates, and proteins in it. Also, minimize the intake of sugar by using sugar supplements. If you occasionally must have sweets or chocolates, take them in smaller proportions. 

Red meats, saturated, and trans-fats (hydrogenated oils) are a big NO-NO for diabetes patient. But there is no need to worry; healthy alternatives are available. Instead of red meats eat salmon and tuna. Similarly, replace saturated and trans-fats food with olive oil, avocados, and nuts – all of them are healthy source of fats. 

Two tips that you need to keep in mind while on diabetes diet are: 

• Replace junk, packaged, and other unhealthy food in the house with vegetables and fruits. Remember, if it is not there, you cannot eat it.
• Avoid comfort eating. Always eat when you are hungry and not when craving kicks in.  

If you are interested in knowing more about how to eat right each time or need pointers on how to control and treat diabetes, check our diabetes guide.

• Consumption of red meat, fatty foods, and eggs in huge quantity
• Obesity
• Lack of physical activity

Excess of cholesterol is bad; more so for heart. High blood cholesterol levels increases the risk of heart-related diseases. This happens because bad cholesterol, known as Low Density Lipoprotein (LDL) congests our arteries, hindering the smooth flow of blood within the body. Exercise is a natural way through which we can prevent such a situation from developing.

Regular exercise reduces the risk of developing heart-related diseases by:

• Reducing the level of triglycerides in the blood.
• Increasing the level of good cholesterol, known as High Density Lipoprotein (HDL) in the blood.

Are you wondering how does exercising affect the bad cholesterol levels (LDL), the prime target of conventional high cholesterol treatments?  The affect of exercise on LDL is indirect. Regular exercise helps in body weight reduction and substantial decrease in body weight which, in turn, can lead to drop in LDL levels.

What kind of exercise regime you follow is not really important; the stress should be given to the duration of the physical activity and its frequency. You can take up any form of physical activity, one that suits and interest you most, such as jogging, walking, or weight training. Even everyday activities, such as gardening or cycling are also beneficial. The key is not to go over the top while exercising but setting a pace with which you are comfortable. Overstressing oneself while exercising is counterproductive, as you are likely to end up with joint pain or muscle tear.

Most fitness experts are of the view that three essential components of any exercise regime are: duration, frequency, and intensity.  But when you exercise regularly for substantial time continuously, say 40-45 minutes the intensity of the regime becomes inconsequential. For instance, 15 minutes of intensive weight training is equivalent to 50 minutes of brisk walk.

Although the entire process is yet to be fully understood, it has been established beyond doubt that regular exercise, effective diet management, and weight loss collectively help in the reversal of cholesterol transportation from the blood back to the liver and out of body.

Combination of regular exercise and correct diet plan can help you immensely in tackling the issue of high cholesterol. By correctly doing both you can reduce cholesterol levels without taking any medication.

If you are interested to know more on this issue or want to find out which exercises are best for you then refer our cholesterol guide for information.