Archives for March 2016

March 29, 2016 by Wade Strzinek Leave a Comment

Detecting Type 2 Diabetes

Although type 2 diabetes can be very manageable, it’s nothing to take lightly, which means it’s crucial that it’s detected as early as possible. It is estimated that 29 million Americans have diabetes, and 1 in 4 of those are unaware that they have it, according to the CDC. That means there are more than 7 million Americans who are not receiving the proper treatment, not making the proper lifestyle changes, and are at risk of serious complications. It may be hard to detect, the symptoms of diabetes – types 1 and 2 – can be fairly subtle. It’s possible to have developed type 2 diabetes and not know for years, so it’s important that you know what symptoms to look for. These are some of the more common signs of diabetes.

Increased Thirst and Frequent Urination

The excess sugar build-up in your bloodstream causes fluids to be pulled from the tissues of your body, which can cause excessive thirst and increased urination. Essentially, your body is trying to flush out the extra glucose.

Increased Hunger

In addition to extra thirst, individuals who develop type 2 diabetes may develop excessive hunger as well. Without proper insulin levels, your muscles and organs may become fatigued. When blood sugar levels drop sharply, the body may think it needs to be fed and will crave more glucose than is necessary.

Weight Loss

Despite the likely increase in food consumption, weight loss can still occur. Individuals may lose 10-20 pounds in a matter of a few months, but not in a healthy manner. The inability to properly metabolize glucose causes the body to use other means, such as protein and calories.

Fatigue

With the extra work your body is putting in to compensate for its glucose deficiency, and if cells aren’t getting the sugar they need, it can cause the individual to become tired and irritable.

Blurry Vision

Elevated blood sugar levels can cause fluid to be taken from your lenses, which may cause difficulty focusing or flashes of light to be seen.

Slow Healing

When someone is diabetic, cuts and bruises might become more difficult to heal, and their ability to fight infections could weaken.

Skin Problems

Different skin conditions, such as itching or darkened skin, may occur with diabetes. Itching may be caused by dry skin or poor circulation. Darkened skin is referred to as acanthosis nigricans and usually occurs in the neck or armpit areas – which may be a sign of insulin resistance.

These are some of the most common signs of diabetes, but you can find other symptoms and more information at www.Diabetes.org. Catching diabetes as early as possible is important to reduce the chances of complications arising from this disease. If you have any of these symptoms, it’s imperative that you see your doctor, and he or she will likely administer a diabetes test in order to check glucose levels.

Learn more about living with diabetes and how you can become a participant in one of our studies!

Filed Under: Clinical Research, Diabetes

March 15, 2016 by Wade Strzinek Leave a Comment

Back Pain Relief Through Yoga

If you are one of the ⅔ of Americans who suffer from low back pain, you understand how much of an effect it can have on your everyday life. Depending on the severity, even the most basic tasks can be a burden. Many of us spend much of the day sitting, and this can be a big factor in what’s causing your low back pain. We wake up and sit down to eat breakfast, or drink coffee. Depending on your job, you might spend most of your day sitting at your desk. The commute to and from work involves more sitting. Sitting For lunch. Sitting for dinner. You see where this is going. We spend much of the day in one position and our muscles do not get to move and stretch as often as they should, which shortens your hamstrings and iliopsoas muscles.

We’ve mentioned the benefits of yoga before, with our 5 Yoga Poses for Migraine Headaches. We’d like to tell you about 5 more yoga poses; these ones are geared toward low back pain relief. You can do all of these from home, so you don’t have to worry about spending money on a class. There are many benefits to yoga, including:

Improving posture
Eliminating muscle imbalances
Reducing stress levels
Lowering blood pressure and heart rate
Improving your physique

If you have a slipped disc, or severe back pain, be sure to consult your doctor before trying these moves or anything that involves deep forward bends.

Supine Hamstring Stretch

While on your back, bend your right knee inward toward your chest, and place a strap or rolled-up towel around the ball of your foot. Straighten your leg skyward. Push both heels outward. If your lower back feels strained while doing this, place your left foot on the ground and bend the left knee. Hold this position for 3-5 minutes, then do the same with the left leg.

Two-Knee Twist

Again while on your back, bring both knees toward your chest, and extend your arms into a “T.” While exhaling, lower your knees to the ground, to your right side. Both shoulders should remain firmly pressed to the ground. If you are having trouble keeping your left shoulder down, lower knees away from your right arm. Hold this position on each side for 1-2 minutes.

Sphinx

For this move, lie flat on your stomach and prop yourself up on your forearms. Your elbows should be aligned directly under your shoulders. Push through both your palms and the top of your feet, while pushing your pelvis forward. Be sure to breathe through the sensations you feel in your back. This move will help with blood flow to your lower back. Hold pose for 1-3 minutes.

Thread the Needle

For this one, lay on your back and bend both knees, while keeping both feet on the ground. Pull your right knee toward you, lifting your foot off the ground. Cross your left leg on top of your right quad. Your left calf should be parallel to the ground. As the name suggests, thread your left arm between your legs, and with your right arm on the right side of your thigh, lock your fingers while pulling slightly toward your body. Your knee should be roughly at a 90-degree angle. Hold for 2-3 minutes, then repeat on the other side.

Legs Up the Wall

While in a seated position, scoot your buttocks all the way against the wall, then bring your feet and legs up the wall. This move drains stagnant fluid from the feet while relaxing your lower back muscles. Hold for 5-10 minutes.

As you relax, focus on your breathing. Like working out, or getting a massage, breathing is key. After this beneficial stretching is completed, be sure to drink plenty of water to help flush out any toxins. For best results, be sure to do these stretches regularly. We hope that these stretches aid in making your low back pain more manageable.

Learn more about low back pain clinical research at Protenium.com.

Filed Under: Men's Health, Women's Health

March 3, 2016 by Wade Strzinek Leave a Comment

Newly Diagnosed With Type 2 Diabetes

You’ve been diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes, and understandably you may feel shock, anger, sadness, or helplessness. Yes, it can be serious. It’s nothing to take lightly, but it is very manageable, and you can absolutely lead a normal life. If you’ve read any of our articles regarding Type 2 Diabetes, you know that healthy eating and regular exercise are key to living with diabetes. Now that you know, you can take the first steps toward feeling better and living a longer life. We’d like to help alleviate some of the stresses, and worry out of being newly diagnosed with five of the first steps you should take.

Get a Second Opinion

There’s no guarantee that the second test will yield different results, but there could be a chance that a mistake was made during the test. In the event that a lab error was made, or you ate or drank something before the test, there is a possibility that the first test may be inaccurate. The hemoglobin A1c test measures glucose levels over a three month period, and is generally accurate even if administered soon after meal consumption. However, with something as life-changing as diabetes, a second opinion is always recommended.

Select Your Team of Professionals

In addition to routine visits to your primary-care physician, you’ll likely be visiting with other professionals, such as a dietitian or diabetes educator. This group will play a vital role in helping you achieve healthy blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar levels, and then maintaining them. They’ll also make sure you know how to check your blood sugar at home.

Begin Medication

Once you’ve confirmed diagnosis and assembled your team, it’s time to begin medication. Metformin was approved by the FDA in 1994, and is the most common treatment option for those with Type 2 Diabetes. This is generally the first drug prescribed, due to its low risk of side effects. If blood sugar doesn’t change as it should with this medication and healthy lifestyle changes, a different drug may be prescribed. If you are a male over the age of 50, or a woman over 60, the ADA recommends a low dose of aspirin to reduce risk of heart attack, but be sure to consult your physician.

Diet and Exercise

Be sure to read our article dedicated to this topic. Healthy eating and regular exercise are two of the most important lifestyle changes that you can make once you’ve been diagnosed. Losing 5-10 percent of body weight can make a huge difference in managing your diabetes.

Regular Exams

Although most complications can be avoided with proper treatment and healthy choices, it is a good idea to get annual eye and foot exams for early detection of problems that could lead to blindness or amputation. Additionally, the ADA suggests that those with diabetes get screened for kidney disease each year.

We know being diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes can be a scary time, but you’ll be pleasantly surprised how normal a life you can lead if you keep a positive attitude, and stay on top of treatment and healthy living. Keep in mind, these are not your only options.

Filed Under: Diabetes