Thursday, April 17, 2008

Insulin Resistance

Insulin Resistance, or IR, is a condition where there is insufficient amount of insulin to produce insulin response from fat, muscle and liver cells. The cause of Insulin Resistance is still unknown, but it has an inherited component. IR can cause glucose uptake reduction, and reduces the storage of glycogen, making it not available to release into blood. Worse still, it can lead to metabolic syndrome and Type 2 Diabetes.
The common symptoms that indicate Insulin Resistance include fatigue, inability to focus, low blood sugar, bloating, sleepyness, weight gain and obesity, blood triglyceride levels increasing, high blood pressure and depression. There are many treatments available to cure Insulin Resistance. First, exercise and weight loss. Metformin/Diaformin and Diabex, types of medicine, are also commonly prescribed as a medicinal treatment for Insulin Resistance. Apart from this, IR patients can add some cinnamon to their daily diet to help them control the blood sugar. However, there are on going experiments about other possibilities of treatments for Insulin Resistance patients.

Wednesday, April 16, 2008

PCOS

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, also known as PCOS, is a disorder that affects almost 10% of women around the world. It happens to women regardless or race and nationalities. PCOS is known to be the most common hormonal disorder among women, and can cause infertility to women who are reproductively active. The main symptoms that indicate Polycystic Ovary Syndrome include weight problems, irregular ovulation and menstruation and excessive androgenic hormones. Other than that, there are some minor symptoms include excessive head hair loss (and excessive hair in other places), acne & pimples formation, obesity and depression.

PCOS often goes hand in hand with another condition called Insulin Resistance - but it is not known which comes first, or whether one is a result of the other.

What are the risks after being diagnosed with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome? Women will have a high chance of developing endometrial cancer, higher risk of getting Type II Diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, stroke, miscarriage and high blood pressure. These are quite dangerous, and life threatening. However, there are treatments available to treat PCOS. The treatments are tailored to suit different patient's needs. There are generally four categories: lowering the insulin levels, restoration of fertility, treatment of hirsutism and restoration of normal menstruation. PCOS can happen to any women regardless of age and it is advisable for all women to go for annual check ups with their gynaecologist to ensure early detection and treatment should you get infected with PCOS.

Monday, April 14, 2008

Some Facts About Fibro

Fibromyalgia is a chronic and often debilitating condition that affects the musculoskeletal system of its sufferer. Women between the ages of 20-50 are most often diagnosed with Fibromyalgia, though it can affect anyone at any age. Most people who have this syndrome report pain throughout their entire body but especially in their neck, shoulders, low back, and hips. They can also suffer from fatigue, headaches, numbness, sleep disorders, and irritable bowel problems. Any type of minor exertion can trigger or amplify their pain.
Since the cause of Fibromyalgia is unknown, patients undergo a series of examinations and tests that are more exclusionary than confirming. That is to say, known causes are eliminated as possibilities before the patient is diagnosed with Fibromyalgia. Successful treatments are only partially effective, though there have been good responses to exercise and antidepressants. Education is perhaps the most effective tool sufferers can use when learning to live with Fibromyalgia. Identifying their trigger points and best treatment plan can help them return to a more active state and improve their quality of life.