How to Treat Diabetic Foot Ulcers: Effective Methods & Prevention Tips!
If you have diabetes, it is important to keep your blood glucose levels under control. When diabetes is not managed properly, it can put your health at risk, particularly your feet. Due to poor blood circulation and compromised immunity, nerve damage can occur, leading to ulcers or open wounds on the foot. This condition is known as Diabetic Foot Ulcer.Treatment of Diabetic Foot Ulcers to promote healing and prevent complications like infections and amputation.Debridement: This involves the removal of dead, damaged, or infected tissue from the ulcer, which promotes new tissue growth and reduces the risk of infection. Debridement should be performed by a healthcare professional.Infection Control: Diabetic Foot Ulcers are more prone to infection due to poor blood flow and immunity. In such cases, a bacterial culture should be conducted, and the appropriate antibiotics should be prescribed to control the infection.Offloading: Offloading refers to reducing the pressure on the area of the foot with ulcers to prevent further wounds or infections. There are special diabetic shoes available in the market that help distribute weight away from the ulcerated area, reducing pressure.Maintaining Moisture Around the Wound: Moisture helps cell movement, prevents dryness of the tissue around the wound, reduces pain, and promotes healing.Revascularization: High blood glucose can lead to poor blood circulation and damaged blood vessels. Procedures like angioplasty or bypass surgery may be performed to restore blood flow to the affected area.In addition to these treatments, controlling your blood sugar through dietary changes and physical activity is crucial to staying healthy. Proper foot care, including regular checks for injuries and wearing diabetes-friendly footwear, is also essential.Source:- 1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5793889/ 2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3508111/
Lack of Sleep: Causes and How it affects our health!
Lack of sleep is a common yet frequently overlooked health problem that we hear people complaining about. At one time, sleep was considered an inactive phase in which the body and the brain rest from the day’s activities. But scientists have found that the brain goes through different patterns of activity throughout the sleep cycle and even it is sometimes more active when we are asleep.Sleep loss in adults is generally referred to sleep of shorter duration (less than 7 to 8 hours per night). Feeling sleepy during the day, depressed mood and poor memory are a few symptoms of sleep loss.We need sleep to maintain proper body functions and health. In fact we sleep each night as a means of restoring our bodies and minds.The 2 major causes of lack of sleep are:Lifestyle/ occupational like shift jobs, prolonged working hours, irregular sleep schedules, jet lags, etcSleep disorders like insomnia, sleep disordered breathing, etc.How does lack of sleep affect our health?The data proves that lack of sleep can lead to:Obesity: When a person sleeps less than 7 hours, he/ she tends to be more obese. In fact the shorter the duration of sleep the greater the obesity.Diabetes and Impaired glucose tolerance: People who sleep for 5 hours or less are more at risk of diabetes.Cardiovascular disease and hypertension: Sleep loss and sleep complaints are associated with heart attacks and stroke. The conditions responsible for this could be high blood pressure, sympathetic hyperactivity or impaired glucose tolerance.Anxiety, Depression and Alcohol use: Sleep loss is associated with adverse effects on mood and behavior. Adults with severe sleep loss report mental distress, symptoms of depression, anxiety and alcohol use.Here we have seen how important a good duration of sleep is. So, remember to sleep longer or take a short nap in between (no more than 2 hours).Source:- 1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK19960/pdf/Bookshelf_NBK19960.pdf 2. https://sleep.hms.harvard.edu/education-training/public-education/sleep-and-health-education-program/sleep-health-education-47
Daily Foods You Should Avoid If You Have Kidney Stones!
Do you have kidney stones, and could it be that you’re eating these 5 foods daily? Instead of treating kidney stones, they might be causing more to form.5 Foods to Avoid in Your Daily Diet If You Have Kidney StonesSalt: Salt contains sodium, and when there’s too much sodium in your body, calcium starts to build up in your urine. This calcium combines with other chemicals like oxalate or phosphorus, forming kidney stones. So, reduce salt intake, especially from outside or packaged foods.Spinach: Spinach is high in oxalate, which combines with calcium in the kidneys to form stones. Reduce your intake of oxalate-rich vegetables like beets, okra, or leafy greens.Animal Protein: Non-veg foods like red meat, chicken, eggs, and pork are often eaten for protein, but they raise uric acid levels in your body, increasing the chances of kidney stones. When uric acid levels rise, citrate decreases, and citrate helps prevent kidney stones.Cold Drinks: Whether it’s Coca-Cola, Fanta, Pepsi, or Mountain Dew, all cold drinks are high in phosphate, which binds with calcium in the kidneys to form stones.Chocolates and Dry Fruits: Chocolates and dry fruits like cashews, almonds, and dates are high in oxalate, which combines with calcium in the kidneys to form calcium oxalate stones.Remember, not all foods are healthy all the time. Some foods you consider healthy might actually harm you. If you have kidney stones or any other issue, consult your doctor or dietician to create a proper diet plan.Source:-1. https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/urologic-diseases/kidney-stones/eating-diet-nutrition 2. https://www.health.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0033/429729/diet-kidney-stones.pdf
Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH): Effective medications to treat the symptoms!
Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH), or an enlarged prostate gland, is a common condition in older men. It can lead to various urinary problems such as frequent urination, a weak stream, or difficulty urinating. There are several medications available to treat these symptoms. Let's learn about them:1. Alpha-blockersAlpha-blockers relax the muscles in the prostate and bladder, making urination easier. These drugs also help with other symptoms of BPH. The most commonly used drugs are Alpha-blockers:TamsulosinAlfuzosinDoxazosinThese medications are also useful for high blood pressure as they help lower blood pressure.2. 5-alpha reductase inhibitorsThese medications reduce the hormones that cause the prostate to grow, thus limiting the size of the prostate. This improves symptoms. The most common drugs are:FinasterideDutasterideIt may take some time, sometimes even months, for these medications to show their effect.3. Combination DrugsSometimes, doctors prescribe a combination of Alpha-blockers and 5-alpha reductase inhibitors, as this combination can provide greater relief from symptoms. It is good for men whose symptoms are very severe and whose prostate is significantly enlarged.Always consult your doctor about your medications to ensure you receive the correct treatment.If you are experiencing persistent difficulty urinating or frequent nighttime urination, do not ignore it. Consult a doctor as soon as possible.Source:- 1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK481490/ 2. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6202296/
BPH: Treatment options when Lifestyle Changes and Medications do not work!
Most men stop getting taller around age 18, but after 40, their prostate glands often begin to grow. About 50 percent of men aged 51 to 60 and up to 90 percent of men older than 80 are affected by this Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH).Before surgery, the two ways that can help to treat BPH are:A combination of lifestyle changes like Exercising, Preventing dribbing and avoiding fluids in the evening hoursCertain medications like Uroxatral, Flomax, Avodart, Proscar and Cialis.In a few months, you will get to know if these lifestyle changes or these medicines are working for you or not.What happens if the lifestyle changes and medicines don't work in treating BPH?When other lines of treatment are not effective in treating the BPH symptoms, and if the enlarged prostate keeps causing medical problems such as urinary tract infections, surgery may be the best option.Which is the most common form of surgery for BPH?Transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) is considered to be the standard surgical approach for BPH. This procedure involves inserting a resectoscope (a thin tube) into the urethra (the tube from which the pee comes out) and guiding it through to the prostate. This resectoscope has a tiny camera and an electrical loop that is used to remove prostate tissue mechanically. At the same time the loop produces heat, which quickly seals off the blood vessels. This procedure, TURP, takes about 90 minutes and is done under local or general anesthesia.Transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) is effective in about 85% to 90% of men.Transurethral electrovaporization (TUEVP), transurethral vaporesection (TUVRP) and plasmakinetic enucleation of the prostate (PkEP) are some other variations of TURP which have similar outcomes.Source:- 1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK481492/#:~:text=Surgery can very effectively reduce,such as urinary tract infections. 2. http://www.health.harvard.eduwww.health.harvard.edu/mens-health/treatment-for-an-enlarged-prostate#:~:text=If you have a large,some less invasive than others.
What is UTI?
UTI is a type of infection that can occur anywhere in your urinary system, including your urinary tract. It happens when bacteria enter your body through the urinary tract and reach the kidneys, bladder, ureters, or urethra.Can Men Get UTI?Yes, men can get UTI, but the risk is much lower compared to females. In men, UTI most commonly occurs in the bladder (where urine is stored) and the urethra (the tube that carries urine out of the body).How Do Men Get UTI and What are the Causes?The main cause of UTI in men is Escherichia coli (E. coli) bacteria, which is commonly found in our intestines. This bacteria can enter the male urinary tract due to poor hygiene, sexual activity, or even during regular toilet use. The E. coli bacteria have tiny hair-like structures that help them stick to the walls of the urinary tract, where they start to grow in large numbers, causing inflammation in the urinary tract and making it difficult to urinate.When urine doesn’t flow properly, the infection worsens. To fight the infection, your immune system sends white blood cells to the infected area, which leads to symptoms like burning during urination, frequent urination, or bad-smelling urine.UTI Other causes include:Enlarged prostate: Can obstruct urine flow, leading to infection.Kidney stones: Stones can cause blockages, making UTIs more likely.Diabetes: Weakens the immune system, increasing the risk.Catheter use: Prolonged catheter use can introduce bacteria.Weak immune system: Makes men more susceptible to infections.4 Symptoms of UTI in MenUTI symptoms in men include these 4 symptomsBurning sensation during urinationFrequent urge to urinateCloudy or foul-smelling urinePain or discomfort in the lower abdomenIf you experience any of these symptoms, it is important to consult a healthcare provider for proper diagnosis and treatment.Prevention of UTI in MenPractice good hygiene: Maintain cleanliness, especially after toilet use or sexual activity.Stay hydrated: Drinking plenty of water helps flush out bacteria from the urinary system.Avoid holding in urine: Holding in urine for long periods can promote bacterial growth.ConclusionUTIs are less common in men, but they can occur, especially if risk factors like poor hygiene, an enlarged prostate, or diabetes are present. Good hygiene, staying hydrated, and recognizing symptoms early are key to preventing UTIs. If symptoms appear, seek medical advice promptly.Source:- 1. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/8123739_Urinary_tract_infection_in_men 2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK436013/
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