Common cold in kids can cause Diabetes, too!

With monsoon around the corner, sneezes and sniffles will be heard everywhere! The culprit responsible is one of the most common infectious diseases of mankind, which  affects anyone and everyone, whether a baby or an adult. Yes, known to be caused by more than 200 viruses which change frequently overtime, “Common cold” continues to be unbeatable with no known cure till date.

When common cold strikes, adults or teenagers soothe their sore throats with hot water gargling, steam inhalation, intake of hot beverages and soups, and in case the cold gets severe, doctors prescribe cough syrups and medications to relieve the symptoms. The cold doesn’t spare newborns too, and is much difficult to manage and ease the discomfort felt by the little ones as their immune system is still developing. Babies can’t blow their noses therefore usually become uncomfortable with mucus, snuffling, irritability, fever, appetite loss, etc. As heartbreaking as it’s to watch a little one suffering terribly from just a minor cold, other than severe fever and weakness, adding up to the list of adversities faced due to common cold, is the sweet killer disease- Diabetes.

As per the recent research studies, a newborn suffering from common cold in the first few years of their lives are more prone to acquire Type-1 diabetes later in life. Common respiratory infections caused by either the most common group of viruses, Rhinoviruses or due to the second leading causal organism of cold-like symptoms, Enteroviruses, are on radar for research as candidate agents for diabetes triggers! 

Cold - Environmental trigger for Diabetes!

Various studies have indicated that these cold viruses directly affect the insulin-producing beta cells in pancreatic islets of the pancreas or induce an inflammation via production of cytokines that damage those cells. They can also activate auto-reactive T cells by molecular mimicry or bystander mechanisms, thus eventually developing islet autoimmunity, which later on fuels diabetes in adulthood. Since the early immune system of children in the first 6 to 12 months of life is more vulnerable to challenges posed by infectious agents, it has been observed notably, that various instances of concurrent enteroviral infections in this age group causes high islet autoimmunity later.

Common cold is inevitable, and a newborn will be definitely more susceptible to respiratory infections too early in life. Vital antibodies mainly from the mother’s milk build their bodies to fight through these ailments and grow stronger. Neglecting her own well-being, being ignorant to signs of any underlying diseases/disorders, and compromising good hygiene, proper sanitation, and healthy diet definitely puts a mother at risk of acquiring infections, which may cost her baby’s health too. Post-delivery, preventive healthcare testing should be a necessity for mothers with signs of any illness/weakness.

‘The uncommon reality of a most common illness, pleading for a cure since ages; therefore take care of yourself to eventually take care of your newborn!’

Here’s how Vitamin D will benefit you!

Expose yourself to the early morning sun for 10 minutes for strong and healthy bones! - very relatable health advice of most doctors these days. Vitamin D, not a foreign term for the masses subjected to numerous advertisements rolling every now or then on television channels or radios, on health drinks and dietary supplements for all age groups promoting strong teeth and bones. Vitamin D, a very crucial fat-soluble nutrient required in small amounts, is immensely vital to maintain our overall health. Often its importance is underrated until a medical condition strikes with varied symptoms like excessive hair loss, acne, joint pain, severe hormonal problems, etc. at first, which are later diagnosed as a manifestation of irregular vitamin D levels. 

Yes, this single vitamin is not only responsible for keeping bone health, but also plays an indispensable role in sustaining the normal functioning of nerves, muscles, internal organs like heart, etc. Such an essential nutrient but can only be obtained from selective foods like fishes, eggs, or fortified products like cereals. Well, worry not for our bodies harbour a unique ability to endogenously synthesise its adequate levels upon sunlight exposure.

Vitamin D- Vital for survival

• Calcium, when acquired from foods or supplements doesn’t get absorbed on its own and needs vitamin D particularly for its absorption in body.

• It maintains adequate serum calcium and phosphate concentrations for normal mineralisation of bones, bone growth as well as for bone remodeling.

• Apart from maintaining body’s temperature, it increases muscle strength and reduces loss of muscle mass significantly.

• Be it colorectal cancer or breast cancer, an optimal vitamin D serum levels are known to boost our immune system to ward-off tumours, reduce inflammation, thus delaying disease progression. 

• It lowers the risk of anemia by boosting hemoglobin levels and is associated with production of red blood cells through an yet-to-be understood mechanism. 

• It modulates cell growth, inflammation reduction, nerve signaling, immune system functions and regulates genes involved in cell proliferation and differentiation.

• B-complex vitamins known to foster deep sleep are also produced by intestinal bacteria which require vitamin D to thrive, thus low vitamin D levels can goof up your sleep.

Current research has shown that low vitamin D levels can cause high blood pressure, depression and activate genes linked to various autoimmune diseases, neurodegenerative and cardiovascular diseases, Type-2 diabetes, etc. Abnormally excessive levels of vitamin D build up for prolonged periods or its sudden overdose may lead to kidney stones or kidney damage.

Having knowledge of your current vitamin D levels prior to onset of even the symptoms of any disease paves a way towards keeping one’s well-being. Go for a preventive healthcare checkup today to know your existing serum vitamin D levels and if irregularities persist, depending on its severity seek medical help to correct them. Till then, bask in the morning sun and ‘brighten’ up your vitamin D levels while the sun is shining!

For more details, visit Thyrocare.com

Creating Awareness about Diabetes Prevention

Who is not aware about this lifestyle inflicted condition? Diabetes mellitus (better known as ‘Diabetes’) has become a common disease of the present generation affecting old and young alike. While we have “Type 1 Diabetes” which is related to less or no production of insulin; there is “Type 2 Diabetes” which is majorly caused due to a resistance developed in the body to utilize insulin for effective management of blood sugar levels. Also, there exists a third type - termed as “Gestational Diabetes”, a condition in pregnant women due to increased levels of blood sugar.

Type 2 Diabetes - A major health concern worldwide

Yes! The rate at which this non-communicable disease is growing, it has become a major health concern around the globe! But how do we cope with it? What is the cause for so many of us to succumb to this ‘sweet-killer’? 
Well, by large, it is our life style to be blamed for! The present generation is more indulgent in fast foods and all that the appears appealing to their ‘taste buds’. This trend has very well contributed in giving rise to obesity which eventually forms a major risk factor towards type 2 Diabetes. 
Again technological advancements aimed at making our lives simple, less labor-intensive and less tedious has got us humans to become completely dependent and less physically active.

How to prevent Diabetes?

More of physical activity
Get into a habit of regular exercise. Physical activity and exercise helps in losing weight and hence lower blood sugar levels. Moreover, regular exercise boosts your immunity which again keeps a tab on your sugar levels.  

Include fibrous foods in diet
Increase the amount of fibrous foods you consume. Fibrous foods take more amount of time in digestion and hence contribute in lessening the chances of shooting up your blood sugar levels. Also, they keep you full for a longer periods, lessening binge eating habits. Fibrous foods again lower risk of heart diseases and promote weight loss.

Whole grains the best bet!
Have more of whole grains foods in your diet as these aid in reducing risk towards diabetes. Whole grains also help to manage the blood sugar levels; so ensure to look at the label on that bread you buy to check if it made from whole grains.

Lose weight!
Being overweight equally increases your risk towards diabetes. Thus, losing that extra pound will not only decrease your diabetes risk but will also contribute to get you a healthy and fit body!

Make healthier choices
Keeping a check on the carbs and maintain balance of fats, proteins helps efficiently managing your weight and thus decrease diabetes chances. Excluding foods with more unhealthy carbs and white flour and include foods with more of fiber content. Instead of driving, walk that little distance from your home to the supermarket. Lessen intake of fast foods post working hours and go for healthy snacks like boiled sprouts, whole grain biscuits, etc. 

Prevent the ‘sweet-killer’ before it silently creeps into your life. Cause if it does, it will bring many afflictions along...

For more information, visit Thyrocare.com

Now, Air Pollution can cause Diabetes, too!

India may be lagging behind World’s developed countries on economic indicators but surely has outsmarted them in global issues like environmental degradation, population explosion and environmental pollution, to name a few. And just when the Indian populace began to understand the gravity of this serious issue; along with the existing health concerns that result upon inhaling polluted air, it is also known to kick off the disease widely perceived as something caused upon excessive intake of sweet foods- Diabetes. 

Diabetes, a group of diseases wherein your blood glucose levels shoot up due to body’s inability to use or produce insulin, a hormone required to maintain the blood glucose levels from going too high or too low. Our understanding on causes of diabetes is limited to lack of physical activity or unhealthy dietary choices, and has remained rather rudimentary on environmental causes of diabetes. Yes, surprising connection indeed but recent reports have revealed that breathing polluted air also increase the risk factors for this sweet-killer epidemic widely prevalent in our country.

The quality of air we breathe has deteriorated so badly that 13 Indian cities including our national capital has been listed in the top 20 most polluted cities in the world. The polluted air we breathe, undoubtedly poses health concerns and its grave impact is seen on an average Indian’s life with decreased life expectancy as compared to those living in non-polluted areas. Such is the impact of rising toxins in air, that a 2012’s Lancet’s study classified air pollution to be the sixth biggest killer in India taking an approximate toll of 66 million annually.

Can the air inhaled affect sugar breakdown metabolism? 

Air not only contains oxygen, but is a mixture of other gases too like nitrogen and CO2, etc. However along with these, polluted air contains toxic elements, particulate matter, and other harmful gases too. When these air pollutants enter our body upon inhalation, they cause low grade inflammation in insulin responsive organs via a chain reaction, which makes it difficult for our body to process blood sugar, thus impairing glucose metabolism. This spikes up the levels of blood sugar, cholesterol, thereby causing insulin resistance due to oxidative stress. The impairment of insulin signaling upon prolonged exposure to polluted air increases the risk of diabetes mellitus significantly. 

Timely intervention prevents further complications!

Air pollution can’t be elevated in a day and requires serious efforts everyday, as its not only the government’s responsibility, but also of the general public who can take little steps on a day-to-day basis to reduce it to save the environment and improve protection of human health. Prior knowledge of the presence as well as the levels of toxic elements in your blood, will not only provide ample time to bring them under control or alleviate them completely, but also aid in preventing future complications like diabetes, cardiometabolic disorders, etc. Air pollution can’t be prevented but the hormone levels it disrupts, and medical conditions it fuels up, can be prevented if irregularities in their individual biomarker levels are known in advance. In this era of smartphones, when preventive healthcare is just at your fingertips, screening for diabetes and toxic elemental profile is just a click away. Remember, the air you breathe can also become the slowest form of poison, so make your health a priority today, get yourself tested!

For more information, visit Thyrocare

10 ways to prevent Diabetes

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), mortality due to non-communicable diseases (NCDs) accounts for 53% deaths in India. Among these NCDs, diabetes - a condition characterised by high levels of blood sugar is one of the major contributor. India is already ranked to be one of the top contenders in harboring a high populace of affected; fast racing to even become the diabetes capital of the world. As per estimations, the pervasiveness of diabetes in the world is expected to rise considerably with India single-handedly housing up to 79.4 million affected individuals by 2030. In spite of diabetes becoming a big healthcare burden the population accessing preventive healthcare checks remains comparatively less. What adds to the scare is the disease could lie silent without stark symptoms and if missed diagnosing in time can rise to killer extent.

Though, touted to be a killer disease, diabetes can be prevented with simple lifestyle & dietary modifications. Let us have a look at few popular well-proven mantras for the same.

1. Check your sugar levels: Diabetes can be asymptomatic and many people are unaware about it. However, everybody should get tested irrespective of their age or risk factor. Also, people should opt for preventive health checkups to keep a tab on susceptibility to other related conditions. 

2. Maintain body weight: Obesity and being overweight can disturb insulin secretion which can in turn lead to type 2 diabetes. However, losing just 5% of your extra body weight can reduce the risk considerably.

3. Eat healthy: Reduce consumption of excess amount of trans fat, carbohydrates or protein-rich foods. Indulge in eating more vegetables, fruits, whole grains, high-fibre or foods rich in omega-3fatty acids.

4. Indulge in physical activity: Activities like walking, aerobics, yoga, jogging, swimming would not only help prevent diabetes but also aid in maintaining a good physical health.

5. Limit your alcohol intake: Moderate drinking can benefit your health, but too much alcohol consumption can lead to weight gain which ultimately increases diabetes risk.

6. Quit smoking: The chances of developing diabetes are doubled in smokers as compared to non-smokers. If you are following other preventive measures, the positive impact of them on your health cannot be seen if you still smoke. 

7. Avoid processed foods: Fast foods are usually high in fats, calories and salt content. Fried or oily foods should be skipped and instead opt for healthy replacements at restaurants or cook for yourself.

8. Spice up your taste: Certain spices can reduce the risk of developing diabetes. Cinnamon is one which can improve glucose metabolism. Supplementing other foods with cinnamon can help to reduce blood sugar level.

9. Avoid sugary drink & instead indulge in sipping coffee or tea: Drinking sugary beverages increases the chances of diabetes as they have high glycemic content. Instead drink more water, coffee or tea. These aid to metabolise the sugar and regulate insulin secretion.

10. Get sound sleep: 7 to 8 hours of sleep a day is a must to prevent diabetes risk. Adequate sleep will minimize cravings for high-calorie junks and maintain energy levels during the day. Sleeping for less than 5 hours can increase your risk for diabetes.


For more information, visit http://www.thyrocare.com/

Sleep deprivation may lead to Diabetes

A disturbed circadian rhythm can spike your blood sugar levels! One may wonder how is it possible that lack of shut-eye can lead to a serious metabolism disorder, Diabetes mellitus; a condition no longer observed in the elderly alone. Recent studies show that sleep deficit aggravates risk of Type 1 diabetes which afflicts mainly the pediatric population; along with Type 2 diabetes, one of the leading causes of blindness among the working age folks, that has gripped even the younger generation of adolescents and youth now, who are unaware of it due to lack of visible symptoms at its onset. 

Connection between Sleep and Diabetes 

In diabetes mellitus, there is either lack of Insulin, a hormone which keeps blood glucose levels normal, due to failure of its production from pancreas (Type 1 Diabetes), or ineffective utilisation of insulin produced due to development of insulin resistance, causing failure to respond towards its normal function of supplying glucose to body cells (Type 2 Diabetes). Either way, diabetes results due to body’s inefficiency to break down glucose that is blood sugar which starves our body cells for energy leading to high unutilized blood sugar levels.

Slow-wave sleep (SWS) or deep sleep is a crucial stage of sleep associated with memory consolidation and recovery upon sleep deprivation. Studies have shown that if one doesn’t get enough sleep of 6-8 hours along with a greater decline in SWS, sympathetic nervous system (body’s stress control center) and hormone balances get altered affecting overall glucose regulation. Sleeplessness increases the body’s need for insulin to maintain the blood glucose levels and also affects the normal working of insulin-producing cells, thereby putting one at a high risk of diabetes. Lack of sleep makes one fatigued, which jolts the sympathetic nervous system in high gear, thus impeding its ability to regulate blood sugar levels. Even sleeping four hours or less for just two nights can temporarily disrupt the normal blood sugar regulation.

The less one sleeps, chances are more that such sleep deprived individuals tend to overeat due to production of extra ghrelin (appetite stimulating hormone) and there is simultaneous lowering in the production of leptin (satiety hormone). Obesity results due to cravings for high-calorie foods and unhealthy high-carbs for a quick energy boost with late night snacks, coffees, etc. causing blood sugar malfunction as overweight individuals have excess fat that inhibits proper insulin function. Also, individuals with prior family history of diabetes are at a higher risk of developing the same, if they regularly miss out on a good night's rest.

Get ample sleep to avoid Diabetes

Being a nocturnal and workaholic has created an illusion in today’s generation pertaining to enhancing work productivity and perking up bank balances. At odds with the popular belief, eight hours is not always the gold standard of ideal sleep, therefore one can lower the risk of impending diabetes by figuring out the ideal amount of shut-eye required. Be it a baby or an adult in their 30s, according to their age and fitness levels, sufficient amount of sleep is required wherein kids and teens need more sleep than adults. A good marker that you’re getting enough sleep is when you feel rested upon waking up regardless of the hours asleep, whereas a sluggish feeling during the day, points out a lack of good slumber. Extra sleep can be squeezed in by napping for not more than 30-40 minutes, but must be at least six hours prior bedtime, or else it’ll be difficult to fall asleep in night.

Fortunately, the sleep-diabetes connection is reversible as our body can recover from short periods of sleep deprivation if bedtime is moved forward even by as less as 15 minutes, gradually increasing each night. Prolonged chronic sleep deficit is interpreted as a constant stressor for the body, fueling the risk for diabetes. Best avoidance stratagem against this sugar disease will be achieved by adhering to the normal sleep-wake cycle by exercising regularly to boost metabolism and following a timely intake of healthy diet; in short let your body cycle run on time! 

You may visit Thyrocare.com to check offers on Aarogyam packages.

Obesity and Preventive Health

FIGHT OBESITY TO KEEP YOUR BODY HEALTHY AND DISEASE FREE

Nowadays there are so many before-after advertisements stating 100 % weight loss. These adds shows some thing magical transformation from the fat to fit. Obesity is emerging as biggest issue for India too as many people are facing the health problems related to obesity. Over-nutrition can be one of the cause for it. You can not always trick yourself, you need to take precautions when you know you are obsessed. It can be defined as body weight which is 30-40% more than ideal body weight. Obesity is serious world wide problem specially in America where it affects 1 in four Americans. The expenditure on treatment of obesity related diseases is 5-7 % of total health budget. In India 30 million people are suffering from obesity. 


Hazards of obesity : following health problems are associated with obesity and to prevent them proper preventive health check up is necessary.

Hypertension	Varicose veins	Sleep Apnea	Cancer
Diabetes	Gall stones	Reduced fertility	Atherosclerosis
Stroke	Osteoarthritis	Hiatus Hernia	Respiratory Issues
Abnormal Blood Fats	Coronary Heart Disease	Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease	Metabolic Syndrome

Ways to prevent and control Obesity:

1. Regular physical activity :

The best way to battle against obesity is by daily exercise and jogging.

Also to keep fit and maintain one can practice Yoga, aerobics, zumba dance for fitness, etc. Set goals for yourself and also consult a doctor before start of exercise programme. 

2. Maintaining diet :
Not to have refined sugars and fats, high calories containing food, junk food.
Increase your dietary fibre intake and adequate levels of essential nutrients.
Change in behavior Modification :
A strong motivation is much needed to follow strictly balance diet. More awareness about human body and how to nourish it can be provided via educational campaigns. 

3. Medically induced weight loss :
One can also opt for medicines prescribed via doctor to healthcare professional to reduce weight. It can produce certain side effects if given without prior case study.

4. Surgical treatment :
 Before under going surgical treatment all the pre-surgical tests can be done from pathology lab. After all the investigations are complete then only surgical treatments such as Gastric Sleeve resection, Gastric Bypass, and Adjustable Gastric Banding can be performed to shade off excess of fats deposits. 
So, to conclude we can say that there is not just one way to fight obesity instead multiple preventions and precautionary measures with timely health check ups can tackle obesity.

You may visit Thyrocare.com to check offers on Aarogyam packages.