Many people enjoy soft drinks, especially in hot weather. These beverages are an effective way to quench one’s thirst and taste good, besides. Unfortunately, regular sodas and sport drinks are also laced with high levels of sugar. Choosing to drink them regularly not only increases an individual’s risk of heart disease, but it also means that person is more likely to develop diabetes. These sugary beverages are also laden with calories and contribute to weight gain and obesity. Does this mean that no one should ever drink soft drinks? No, it doesn’t. If knowledge is power, then knowing that sugary drinks are not the most healthy choice means that consumers can make informed decisions about whether they want to drink them or not. A good decision about soft drinks would be ...

With approximately 1.3 billion people, China has the world’s largest population. This country is also dealing with a massive increase in the number of people living with diabetes. The New England Journal of Medicine has released the results of a study indicating that an estimated 92 million people have the disorder, which represents nearly 10 percent of the population. The study, which was conducted by Chinese researchers, included the following released statement: “”Given its large population, China may bear a higher diabetes-related burden than any other country.” Along with the number of people who have been diagnosed with diabetes in China, another 148 million people are considered to be pre-diabetic. These people are showing early signs of developing the diseas...

If you are one of the 21 million people in the United States who have been diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes, your doctor’s advice about how to reduce the risk of heart disease may be ineffective. It may even make it more likely that you will have cardiac issues, according to the results of a study conducted by researchers at Columbia University’s Irving Institute for Clinical and Translational Research. Complications of Diabetes Patients diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes have unusually high levels of sugar in their bodies, which can lead to a number of health problems. Diabetes can cause a number health complications, including: Depression Diabetic neuropathy (nerve damage) Diabetic retinopathy, which causes blindness Eating disorders Erectile dysfunction Eye problems (glaucom...

Being thirsty is a signal that we aren’t ingesting enough fluids, but feeling thirsty all the time may be a sign of a more serious health condition, such as diabetes. Many people don’t drink enough fluids as part of their daily routine and the advice to drink eight glasses of water per day is good something that we should be doing. Is the change in your level of thirst sudden? Consider your recent health. If you have recently had a bout of a stomach bug or diarrhea, your body may be letting you know that you need to replenish the fluids lost during the illness. Other lifestyle changes can trigger increased thirst as well. If you have recently started increasing your level of physical activity or started dieting, you may feel more thirsty than usual. Taking certain medications c...

Here’s another reason why getting your flu shot is a good idea: Contracting influenza increases your risk of suffering a heart attack. During the flu season, the rate of heart attacks jumps up between 35-50 percent. Now that countries are taking the threat of H1N1 swine flu seriously (and they should), people who have heart disease should make sure that they get their flu shot once it becomes available. If British statistics are anything to go by, most people who are living with chronic heart disease don’t get a flu shot. In that country, only 47 percent of people who have this disorder, diabetes, or asthma actually got their shot. When the H1N1 flu shot becomes available in your area, go and get it. You may think it’s too much trouble or too time-consuming, but your heal...

If you have diabetes, make sure that you are getting enough Vitamin D. A deficiency in this important Vitamin means that the individual will have trouble processing cholesterol. As a result, this substance builds up in the person’s blood vessels. The resulting plaque increases the risk of heart attack. Vitamin D, the “Sunshine Vitamin,” is introduced to the body by exposure to ultraviolet light. It is also added to certain foods, such as milk. to help ensure that people are getting enough in their diet. Without sufficient Vitamin D in the body, the individual will not be able to absorb calcium appropriately. This Vitamin is responsible for preventing rickets in children and helps to protects adults from osteoporosis. The recommended daily amount of Vitamin D is between 20...

The results of a study conducted by researchers at Charles Drew University of Medicine and Science in Los Angeles and Western University of Health Sciences in Pomona are in, and shed new light on why smoking and heart disease are related. Nicotine, a highly-addictive substance in cigarettes, promotes insulin resistance, which is a pre-diabetic condition. People with insulin resistance have blood sugar levels that are higher than normal, and diabetes is recognized as a risk factor for heart disease. Even though individuals who are insulin resistant have blood sugar levels that are elevated, their levels aren’t high enough to cause diabetes. People who smoke tend to have higher rates of diabetes, but research hasn’t yet determined whether smoking is the cause or other factors are...

Type 2 Diabetes is a chronic health condition affecting more than 16 million Americans. A person with this disorder has a higher-than-normal level of blood glucose. Glucose levels are elevated because the person’s body doesn’t produce enough insulin, the substance needed to convert glucose into energy. Glucose levels stay high, while the cells that need it can’t the the nutrition they need. People who have diabetes are at increased risk for heart attack and stroke. Here are 8 symptoms of Type II diabetes that you shouldn’t ignore: Blurred vision Cuts that don’t heal Dry mouth Excessive thirst Increased urination Itchy skin Pain in the lower extremities Yeast infections If you have any of these symptoms, make an appointment to see your doctor. They may be cau...

Since the symptoms of diabetes can seem harmless, you may not immediately think of this disorder if you have them. Many people have diabetes and aren’t aware that they have this condition. Here are some signs to be on the lookout for: Blurred vision Excessive thirst Fatigue Increased appetite Irritability Frequent urination Weight loss If you experience two or more symptoms on this list, you need to make an appointment to see your doctor to find out whether you have diabetes. If you do have this condition, you will need to monitor your blood sugar levels on a regular basis so that they remain in the normal range. The other part of treating diabetes involves injecting yourself with insulin on a daily basis. Some patients are given an insulin pump, where the insulin is administ...

There are a number of risk factors that have exist for heart disease. The more of them that apply to you, the more likely it is that you will have some type of cardiovascular problem at some point in your life. Here are 10 factors that you need to aware of: 1. Family History If your parents or siblings have been diagnosed with heart disease or had a heart attack, then you are more likely to have the same kinds of health issues. Your risk also goes up if an aunt or uncle has a similar history. Blame it on your genes, and be sure to let your doctor know. 2. Smoking Using tobacco products is another factor that increases your risk of heart disease. If you don’t smoke, don’t start. Your doctor also needs to know if you ever smoked, and if so, how many cigarettes you smoked per day ...