How Asthma Affects Diabetes

Diabetes is a metabolic disorder where a person’s blood glucose levels go abnormally high on a regular basis. This is typically caused by the body’s insufficient production of insulin. In other cases, some patients do not produce insulin at all.

The common symptoms of this illness are increased urination, excessive thirst, an unreasonable hunger and a blurry vision, but more often than not, especially at the beginning, there are no symptoms at all. Indeed the big diabetes lie as it is called in nutritionists circles, is that the medical industry in not trying to reverse it, but only focuses on removing high blood glucose symptoms.

Asthma on the other hand is a condition that causes people to experience breathing difficulties. The breathing problems are caused by the inflammation of the bronchiols and the air sacs in the lungs.

When a person is having an asthma attack, his or her lungs swell up and obstruct the passage of air. The symptoms are tightening of the chest, wheezing, coughing and shortness of breath.

So, what is it like to have these two conditions at the same time?

Studies have shown that people with poorly managed diabetes can affect their lung function compared to those who have controlled and maintained their illness well. On the other hand, there are also studies that stated asthmatic people are also at a high risk of developing diabetes.

Why is this so?

Asthmatic people use steroids to reduce inflammation and clear the swelling of their airways. In other words, steroids are a vital part in this condition’s medical management.

The most common type of medication used is prednisone and cortisone. These steroids, though good for asthma are bad for your blood sugar because it makes it tough for your body’s cells to utilize insulin.

Because asthma medication affects your insulin production, asthma patients tend to experience blood sugar problems. And if their condition is not properly managed, they can easily develop type 2 diabetes, especially if they have not been living a healthy lifestyle.

Another serious issue here is the effects of asthma medication on people who are already diabetic.

Respiratory experts say that the side effects of corticosteroids can run severely on your metabolism. This is why steroids as asthma treatment is not recommended as a first option unless it is necessary, especially when the patient is suffering from other health complications as well. Doing so will make their diabetes management even more difficult.

On top of that, steroid used like prednisone can cause bloating, mood swings, insomnia, weight gain and blood sugar spikes. This ultimately becomes a huge dilemma to diabetics who are forced to deal with these annoying side effects. It makes their diabetes management a lot more difficult than it was already.

Asthmatic patients with diabetes must strictly follow their treatment guidelines and include weight management programs. It has been reported that patients who have lost weight seem to get less episodes and were required less medications. These allowed them to manage their diabetes better and led them to live more normal lives.

If you are managing asthma and diabetes at the same time, you need to learn the best ways to control them. Always ask for your doctor’s advice and strictly follow the instructions of your diabetes care team.

Meanwhile, there are a few simple ways to help prevent asthma attacks:

• Stay away from any pets or animals that have fur.
• Vacuum frequently or remove the carpets in your home.
• Do not get close to smoke, dust and pollen.
• If you are a smoke, quit this habit.
• Fight inflammation by taking omega-3 supplements or eating more foods that contain omega-3.
• Do not consume any foods that contain trans fats and omega-6.
• Maintain a healthy weight.
• Include cardio exercises at least three times a week.

Health improvements are difficult especially when you are managing a diseases like diabetes and asthma. But if you carefully listen to and follow your doctor’s advice, you will feel a change in your health soon enough.

What Causes A Heart Attack or Stroke?

What causes a heart attack or a stroke? We assume that when people suffer from that they live a harmful lifestyle. For example, they overindulge in fatty foods, or don’t get enough exercise.

But people who seem perfectly healthy experience them too.

How can a person pass a physical with flying colors, and then have a stroke or heart attack a day or two later? The answer lies within. When seemingly healthy or unhealthy people have a heart attack or stroke, the underlying issue is the same clogged arteries.

It is important to understand the difference between a heart attack and a stroke. While they may have similar symptoms and effects, they are completely different. A heart attack occurs when blood cant circulate to the heart due to plaque. Plaque is the yellowish fatty deposits that narrow or block the coronary arteries. This is called atherosclerosis. Pieces of plaque can break free and cause blood clots. The blockage keeps blood and important nutrients from the heart muscles. The muscles become damaged or die. It is also called a myocardial infarction.

Heart attacks can also be caused by a spasm in the coronary artery. This is a tightening of the artery. Cocaine and other drugs like it may cause such a spasm. The coronary artery may tear. The medical name for this is a spontaneous coronary artery dissection. A person may be susceptible to a heart attack if they go into shock. During shock, blood flow to the heart is significantly decreased. Another type of heart attack is called a coronary embolism which occurs when blood clots or tumors break free from other places in the body and travel to the heart.

When part of the brain dies due to interrupted blood flow, it is known as a stroke. It is also called a brain attack. There are two classifications of strokes: the ischemic and hemorrhagic. The ischemic stroke is caused when a clot blocks blood flow to the brain. A stroke caused by a temporary clot is a transient ischemic attack or a mini stroke.

A hemorrhagic stroke happens when a vessel bursts and bleeds, this is an aneurysm. An abnormal mass of vessels can form in the brain, and when one bursts, it is called an AVM or arteriovenous malformation. This is the second type of hemorrhagic stroke.

There are some important aspects to take into consideration when assessing your risk for a heart attack or stroke. Smoking, obesity, diabetes, and cholesterol play key roles in determining your risk factors. Family history also plays a major role for both. This means a person can be extremely health conscious, but if there is a history in their family of either, they are still at risk.

Race and gender are where the risk factors for strokes and heart attacks differ. African Americans have a higher risk of coronary artery disease and more severe cases of high blood pressure. Men are more prone to have heart attacks at an earlier age. Women during any age are more susceptible to death from a stroke.

Screening helps your health-care provider catch cardiovascular problems early on. Your doctor can get you on a regimen to lower these risk factors. They will tell you to stop smoking, eat healthier, and get more exercise. If needed, they will also prescribe medications to help you control health issues like high blood pressure and diabetes.