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If One of My Parents Had Diabetes, Will I?

Post author By Guest Post
Post date May 10, 2022
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If you or a member of your family has been diagnosed with diabetes, you may be wondering if it is hereditary. There are several forms of diabetes, each with its own set of risk factors that contribute to the disease’s development.

If you have a diabetic father, mother, brother, or sister, you are more likely to have the disease than someone who does not. Although, diabetes is not only driven by genetics, and having a relative with the condition does not guarantee that you will develop it.

In certain cases, such as type 2 diabetes, lifestyle factors play a role, and early detection can prevent or postpone disease progression.

Identifying genes may also aid researchers and clinicians in predicting diabetes diagnoses and developing tailored treatment strategies that are ideal for glucose management and disease progression.

Learn more about the impact of genetics on diabetes development, screening, activities you may take to avoid or postpone specific forms of diabetes, and how environmental factors may play a role in different types of diabetes.

If One of My Parents Had Diabetes, Will I? — By goffkein.pro fom Shutterstock

Role of Genetics in Diabetes

Diabetes is more likely to develop in persons who have certain genetic predispositions. However, just because you have genetic risk factors for diabetes does not guarantee that you will get the disease.

Researchers have discovered a link between specific genes and the development of diabetes over time. Types 1 and 2 diabetes are thought to have complicated genetic etiologies, with over 40 and 90 genes/loci implicated, respectively, that interact with environmental/lifestyle variables.

The discovered genes have a variety of activities and tasks that can impact blood sugar regulation. These roles include regulating the expression of other genes, directing insulin release, pumping glucose into cells, and accelerating glucose breakdown.

However, something in the environment must induce diabetes to become active in addition to genes.

For example, among children with a genetic predisposition to type 1 diabetes, researchers discovered that viruses, colder weather, early food introduction, and whether they are breastfed are all factors that may play a role in the development of type 1 diabetes.

Type 1 Diabetes

Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune illness in which the body destroys the beta cells of the pancreas, which makes the patient dependent on insulin infusions or injections to survive. Type 1 diabetes affects an estimated 1.6 million people in the United States.

People who are genetically inclined to have type 1 diabetes have a higher chance of having it, but this doesn’t guarantee that they will.

According to the American Diabetes Association (ADA), if you’re a man with type 1 diabetes, your child’s chances of having diabetes are 1 in 17. If you have type 1 diabetes and have a kid before the age of 25, your child’s risk is 1 in 25; if you have type 1 diabetes and have a child after the age of 25, your child’s risk is 1 in 100.

Researchers also discovered that among first-degree relatives, siblings of persons with type 1 diabetes are at a greater risk than kids of type 1 diabetes parents (both fathers and mothers).

According to the ADA, the majority of White persons with type 1 diabetes have HLA-DR3 or HLA-DR4 genes, which are connected to autoimmune illness. Other ethnic groups’ suspect genes may put them in greater danger.

Scientists believe that the HLA-DR9 gene, for example, may put Black individuals in danger, whereas the HLA-DR9 gene might put Japanese people at risk. While certain genes are more prevalent predictors of type 1 diabetes than others, over 40 gene markers have been confirmed.

Type 1 diabetes is not caused only by a genetic predisposition. And some people can get type 1 diabetes despite having no family history of the disease. According to estimates, 85 percent of patients with type 1 diabetes do not have a family history of the condition.

Type 2 Diabetes

Type 2 diabetes gets characterized by insulin resistance and increasing loss of beta-cell activity (beta cells are pancreatic cells that produce insulin), which can result in high blood sugar levels.

Many persons with type 2 diabetes have other underlying health issues, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and belly fat. Type 2 diabetes was formerly known to be adult diabetes, but we now know that it may also afflict youngsters.

The genetic component of type 2 diabetes is complicated and evolving. Many genes have been found in persons with type 2 diabetes.

Some genes are associated with insulin resistance, whilst others are associated with the beta-cell activity. Scientists are still investigating the genes involved in the development of type 2 diabetes, as well as their function in disease progression and therapy. Several studies have found a large range of variations in the heritability of type 2 diabetes, ranging from 20% to 80%.

Persons who have a parent with type 2 diabetes have a 40% lifetime chance of having the disease, and 70% if both parents are afflicted. People with a first-degree relative’s family history are also three times more likely to get the condition.

However, genetic factors are not the sole danger. Risk can be influenced by environmental variables, behavioral factors, and the shared environment.

According to the American Diabetes Association, even though type 2 diabetes is more closely linked to a family’s history than type 1 diabetes, environmental and behavioral variables also play a role, and intervention methods can assist to avoid or postpone a diabetes diagnosis.

Gestational Diabetes

Gestational diabetes develops during pregnancy when blood glucose levels rise. The placenta supplies nutrients to the baby, allowing it to grow and thrive. Pregnancy also generates a range of hormones.

Some of these hormones inhibit the action of insulin, making post-meal blood sugar regulation more difficult. This usually happens between 20 and 24 weeks of pregnancy, which is why patients are evaluated for gestational diabetes at this time.

The American Diabetes Association recommends diabetes screening in women:

Those who are thinking about having a baby, especially if they have risk factors
Are pregnant with risk factors (test before 15 weeks)
Are pregnant and have not had a preconception screening (at the first prenatal visit)

To compensate for hormonal insulin resistance, the pancreas normally produces more insulin. Some persons are unable to keep up with insulin production, resulting in high blood sugar and a diagnosis of gestational diabetes. The majority of people will not have any symptoms.

The cause of gestational diabetes is assumed to be a mix of hereditary and environmental risk factors. Because of its clusters in families, genetic susceptibility has been proposed.

Several genes have been discovered in those who suffer gestational diabetes. There appears to be a link between gestational diabetes and the genes for young-onset diabetes mellitus (MODY).

Many persons who have gestational diabetes have a close family member with the condition or another kind of diabetes, such as type 2 diabetes.

It is crucial to remember, however, that having genetic susceptibility does not guarantee you will develop gestational diabetes. Other risk factors include to mention a few, gestational age, weight, activity level, nutrition, previous pregnancies, and smoking. Maintaining sufficient blood sugar management is critical for the mother’s and baby’s health.

Genetic Testing

Diabetes genetic testing is challenging since tiny mutations of multiple distinct types of genes can lead to a diagnosis in some types of diabetes, such as type 2 diabetes.

When they are used to identify certain monogenic (mutation in a single gene) types of diabetes, such as neonatal diabetes and MODY, genetic testing is helpful and can aid in successful treatment. In these cases, genetic testing is critical since persons with MODY are frequently misdiagnosed.

When a diabetes diagnosis appears to be out of the ordinary, doctors frequently propose genetic testing. For example, a person around the age of 25 who has high blood sugars but no conventional risk factors for type 1 or type 2 diabetes may have MODY.

MODY genetic diagnostic also enables the identification of at-risk first-degree family members, who have a 50% probability of acquiring a gene mutation.

However, one issue is that insurance occasionally rejects reimbursement for genetic testing even when persons meet the requirements, causing clinicians to miss a MODY diagnosis. Researchers are always looking for methods to reduce the cost of genetic testing.

Certain genes and antibodies can aid in the prediction of type 1 diabetes. If you believe that you or your child is at elevated risk of developing type 1 diabetes, you should know that you might be eligible for a risk screening through the TrialNet Pathway to Prevention Study.

This risk screening, which utilizes a blood test to detect danger before symptoms occur, is free for families of persons with type 1 diabetes. People who are discovered to be in the early stages of developing type 1 diabetes may be eligible for preventative research as well.

Inquire with your doctor about genetic testing and how useful it is in predicting if you will get diabetes.

As of yet, experts don’t believe that genetic testing is useful in the diagnosis of type 2 diabetes.

Because there are so many different gene variations and subtypes of type 2 diabetes, they believe that improved methodologies and more study are needed before putting it to practical use.

Pregnant women are often evaluated for gestational diabetes between the ages of 20 and 24 weeks.

However, genetic testing is not yet therapeutically effective in polygenic gestational diabetes, as it is in type 2 diabetes, due to the very modest percentage of risk explained by known genetic variations.

Researchers, on the other hand, believe that genetic testing for monogenic types, notably MODY, can help select therapy and pregnancy management.

Can You Reduce Your Risk?

While having a family history can increase your risk, having a genetic predisposition does not guarantee you will get diabetes. There are strategies to lower your chance of getting gestational diabetes or type 2 diabetes if you have a family history of this condition.

To decrease risk, maintain a healthy weight or lose weight if you are overweight, especially in the stomach area. Even a small weight decrease of 5% to 10% of your body weight can lessen your risk. Gaining weight gradually rather than rapidly during pregnancy can assist to prevent gestational diabetes.

Continue to be active. Try to get two and a half hours of activity every week and avoid sitting for extended periods.

Eat more plant-based foods including fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts, seeds, and whole grains. This is also linked to a lower chance of getting type 2 diabetes.

Regular checkups and health maintenance are essential. If you’ve suddenly gained weight or feel sluggish and exhausted, you may have high blood sugar, which is caused by insulin resistance.

Screening

Because type 2 diabetes may take years to pop up, people might have impaired glucose tolerance (insulin resistance) or prediabetes for years without realizing it. If you discover this disease early, you may be able to prevent or postpone the onset of diabetes. Screening is advised if you have any of the risk factors listed below:

Over 45: If your findings are normal, testing should be repeated at least once every three years, with more frequent testing considered based on initial results (those with prediabetes should be tested yearly).
Excessive BMI: A BMI greater than 25 kg/m² or a waist circumference greater than 40in. in males or 35in. in women is a risk factor. Asian-Americans have a lower BMI cut-off (23 kg/m²).
Belong to a high-risk population: Prediabetes is more common in Black Americans, Native Americans, Asian Americans, Hispanic/Latinx Americans, Alaska Natives, and Pacific Islanders.
Diabetes in the family: This includes having a parent or sibling who has diabetes.
Gestational diabetes: Having a history of gestational diabetes or giving birth to a baby weighing more than 9 pounds are both risk factors.
Lifestyle: A physically inactive lifestyle is typically a risk factor.
Hypertension: This is defined as blood pressure equal to or more than 140/90 mmHg or the use of hypertension medication.
High levels of fat and cholesterol: You are at a higher risk if you have lower levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol or higher levels of triglycerides.
Predisposing conditions: Risk factors include acanthosis nigricans, nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, polycystic ovarian syndrome, and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.
Medication: Atypical antipsychotics and glucocorticoids raise the risk.

Various noninvasive tests can detect if you are at high risk of acquiring type 2 diabetes. Hemoglobin A1C, blood pressure, cholesterol, and triglycerides are a few examples.

Final Words

Diabetes development has a hereditary component, although it is not the sole factor. Lifestyle factors, environmental triggers, and other health issues can all contribute to the disease’s development.

Because there are several varieties of diabetes, your risk is determined by the type of diabetes to which you are genetically inclined. If you have any concerns about your family’s history with diabetes, make sure to discuss them with your medical team.

In certain cases, genetic testing may not be useful; nonetheless, you may be checked for the condition. You will be informed about your specific risk, things to take to avoid or delay it (if feasible), and coping skills.

You might also like: Top 10 Foods Suitable for Diabetics

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7 Diseases You Can Get From Eating Sushi

Post author By Sidney
Post date April 29, 2022
No Comments on 7 Diseases You Can Get From Eating Sushi

I think it’s safe to say that sushi has become extremely loved all over the world. This traditional Japanese food, alongside sashimi, can be found either in high-class restaurants or even in some supermarkets in America.

Sashimi is a thinly sliced raw fish that’s often served with wasabi or soy sauce, and it’s also extremely popular. But unlike sashimi, sushi doesn’t necessarily have raw fish. As a matter of fact, sushi refers to those small balls or rolls of vinegar-flavored cooked rice.

These rice rolls are then wrapped in seaweed, with different veggies, eggs, raw fish, cooked fish, and other wonders. However, if you want to eat sashimi or sushi that contains raw fish, it’s worth knowing what are the health risks, as you can consume disease-causing bacteria or even parasites.

Anisakiasis

Anisakiasis and other nematodes, also known as roundworms, can be caused by eating some types of raw or undercooked fish. When you ingest this tiny worm, you can suffer from severe abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting within hours of eating.

Not to mention that if you don’t cough up or vomit the worms, they can burrow into the walls of your intestines, and cause a localized immune response, or even inflammation in the intestine. If this happens, the worms will die eventually, being removed by the immune system.

Even so, in some severe cases, your doctor might have to remove them to reduce the pain. This could be solved with surgery or endoscopy, which is a flexible tube and camera that will let the doctor spot and remove them.

Vibrio

Vibrio parahaemolyticus is a bacterial species often associated with eating raw or undercooked fish and shellfish, in particular oysters. Infection caused by this bacteria can cause symptoms such as diarrhea (bloody diarrhea included), abdominal cramps, nausea, vomiting, headache, fever, and even chills.

Plus, in people who suffer from a weakened immune system, the symptoms are even more severe. There’s another Vibrio species, Vibrio vulnificus, which has been found in oysters, clams, and crabs. In healthy people, ingestion of this microbe might be at fault for causing nausea, vomiting, watery diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and even fever.

In some people that suffer from liver disease or weakened immune system, the microbe might enter the bloodstream, which causes a life-threatening whole-body infection. Even more, the Vibrio species can cause wound infections through open sores that were exposed to water that harbors the bacteria.

Some of the examples are scrapes when opening oysters or even working on boats. As a gastrointestinal illness, these types of wound infections are extremely severe in people with impaired immune systems.

sushi bacteria — Photo by Billion Photos from Shutterstock

Listeriosis

Listeriosis is an infection that occurs when you have Listeria monocytogenes in your body. This bacteria can easily be found in raw seafood (sushi), unpasteurized milk and different dairy products, vegetables (raw sprouts), and other types of foods.

However, the biggest risk for listeriosis is in people who are either pregnant, newborns (as the bacteria can pass through the placenta), over 65 years old, or suffering from a weakened immune system. If listeria is spreading to the nervous system, you might suffer from meningitis, which is a concerning inflammation of the membranes and fluid around the brain and spinal cord.

Also, it can cause meningoencephalitis, which is an inflammation of both the brain tissue and the membranes around the brain. Nervous system infection is more prone to happen to elderly people or those who are immunocompromised.

Also, if you’re not pregnant, listeriosis might cause mild symptoms, such as fever, and diarrhea. It can also cause other symptoms that are more severe, such as stiff neck and confusion. These two usually occur when the infection has already spread to the nervous system.

If you’re pregnant, listeriosis might also lead to miscarriage, stillbirth, premature delivery, or even a serious infection in the newborn.

Salmonella

Salmonella infection can cause diarrhea, fever, stomach cramps, nausea, vomiting, chills, headache, and in some situations, even blood in the stool. Signs of salmonella infection might last between a few days to even weeks, with diarrhea episodes that might last up to 10 days.

Even more, it might take several months before bowel movements return to their usual habits. In general, people don’t need to go to the doctor if they suffer from a salmonella infection, as it usually clears up on its own in a couple of days.

However, if the affected person is either an infant, young child, or older adult, the illness might last more than just a few days. While salmonella infections aren’t considered to be life-threatening, in certain people, the development of complications can come with a very dangerous outcome, meaning:

dehydration – if you’re unable to drink enough to replace the missing fluids from diarrhea, you might become dehydrated, urinate less than usual, have a dry mouth and tongue, and no tears when you cry;
bacteremia – when salmonella infection gets into your bloodstream, it can infect the tissues from all over your body, including the urinary system, the tissues surrounding your brain and spinal cord, the lining of your heart and valves, and the bones and bone marrow.
reactive arthritis – if you had salmonella, it’s more likely to develop reactive arthritis from it. Also known as Reiter’s syndrome, it can cause eye irritation, painful urination, and painful joints.

Bacillus Cereus

Bacillus cereus is another risky foodborne illness highly associated with eating sushi. But this time, it doesn’t revolve only around raw fish, but also around contained rice, vegetables, and even milk.

There are two types of Bacillus cereus infections: you can either suffer from a diarrheal type or a vomiting type. The vomiting type occurs when you eat contaminated rice. One good example is fried rice that has been sitting at room temperature for way too long.

sushi-5 — Photo by Tero Vesalainen from Shutterstock

Contaminated Food Handlers

If the food handlers you’re eating sushi from aren’t in good hand hygiene, you’re prone to getting other infections too, such as norovirus, hepatitis A, and Staphyloccocus aureus. Those who are handling food should always wash their hands and stay home if they’re feeling slightly ill.

Norovirus

You probably didn’t know this, but norovirus is the number one cause of gastroenteritis, known as the stomach flu, and it can be found in sushi. It’s highly contagious, and it causes inflammation in your stomach and intestines, which can lead to abdominal cramping, vomiting, and watery diarrhea.

Treatment of norovirus includes drinking lots of fluids to prevent getting dehydrated, and in more severe cases, hospitalization. The majority of norovirus outbreaks were reported in restaurants, where the one who makes the food or serves it with their bare hands is already infected.

Hepatitis A

Hepatitis A is oftentimes a star among restaurants, as it can spread via people who are infected with the virus already. Preventing the spread of the virus requires a serious dose of vigilance. As HAV can be transmitted via fecal matter, hand-washing after using the bathroom and wearing gloves when working with food are highly prioritized.

It’s also worth knowing that diners should take safety measures too if they want to protect themselves. Wash your hands thoroughly before eating! Also, it’s worth knowing that Hepatitis A can be prevented by having the vaccine.

If you enjoyed reading this article, we also recommend reading: 11 Things You Should NEVER Share With Anyone

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10 Diseases You Can Catch By Kissing Someone

Post author By Sidney
Post date April 29, 2022
14 Comments on 10 Diseases You Can Catch By Kissing Someone

Don’t you love a good smooch? Especially that type of kiss that makes you feel so alive, the one that so many songs and fairytales are preaching. When it’s about a good, loving kiss, the world suddenly stops rotating, and nothing else even matters at the moment.

That’s only because you’re sharing a sweet kiss with someone, someone you really love and care about. Naturally, when it’s smooch time, the last thing on your mind is the thought of any contagious diseases you might get.

However, they’re still there, you know. contagious and stuff! The last thing on my mind is to scare you away from kissing, but I thought you might want to know what diseases you might get after a kiss:

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14 Things You Didn’t Know About Osteoporosis

Post author By Sidney
Post date April 29, 2022
No Comments on 14 Things You Didn’t Know About Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is causing bones to become weaker and brittle. In fact, they become so brittle, that an easy fall or even mild stresses like bending over or coughing might cause a serious fracture.

It’s a very serious disease. Fractures that are related to osteoporosis are most likely to appear in the hip, wrist, and especially spine. Our bones are living tissue that is prone to be broken down and replaced by new bones.

But in this case, osteoporosis appears when the creation of a new bone just can’t keep up with the loss of old bone. Osteoporosis can affect men and women simultaneously, no matter the race.

You might wonder why did I mention the race factor? Because studies show that white and Asian women, especially women who are at a more advanced age and past menopause, are the highest at risk.

However, there are medications, healthy diets, and weight-bearing exercises that can help prevent bone loss or strengthen those bones that are already weak.

Symptoms of the early-stage osteoporosis

Truth be told, it’s a rare thing to detect early signs of bone loss. Oftentimes, people don’t even realize they have weak bones until an accident occurs, such as a broken hip, wrist, or any other bone.

Even so, there are some signs and symptoms that might point toward potential bone loss, like:

Receding gums – If your jaw is losing bone, your gums might recede. The best thing to do is ask your dentist to screen for bone loss in the jaw.
Weaker grip strength – According to a study of postmenopausal women and overall bone mineral density, it has been discovered that low handgrip strength is directly linked to low bone mineral density. Plus, lower grip strength might increase the risk of falls.
Weak and brittle fingernails – Did you know that nail strength can actually signal bone health? However, it’s important to take into consideration various factors that might affect your nails, like exposure to very hot or cold temperatures, nail polish that might be used regularly or acrylic nails, or submersion in water for a prolonged period of time.

Other than this, there aren’t many signs to which you might suspect osteoporosis, basically because it’s not the type of illness that shows many early symptoms. The best thing you can do is to have a talk with your doctor or a healthcare professional.

Signs of later-stage osteoporosis

Once the bone mass has initiated its deterioration process, you might start experiencing more obvious symptoms, like:

Loss of height – If you wondered why you seem a bit shorter, it’s because of the compression fractures in your spine. Of all the symptoms related to osteoporosis, this one is the most noticeable of them all.
Fracture from a fall – A fracture is one of the most common signs you might suffer from fragile bones. A fracture usually occurs from a fall, or from other minor movements, like stepping off a curb. There are some osteoporosis fractures that can be triggered by a strong cough or sneeze.
Back or neck pain – Osteoporosis is at fault for causing compression fractures of the spine. Some of these fractures can be extremely painful, given that the collapsed vertebrae might pinch the nerves that radiate out from the spinal cord. The symptoms of pain can range from minor tenderness to debilitating pain.
Stooped posture or fracture – The compression of your vertebrae might also cause a slight curving of the upper back. You probably know already that a stooped back is also known as kyphosis, which causes back and neck pain. Even more, it can have a negative effect on breathing, given the extra pressure on the airway and the limited expansion of your lungs.

Osteoporosis is the “silent thief” when you age

You have the best bone density in your early 20s. But the more you age, the more you can lose bone mass from a variety of factors. Osteoporosis has a so-called “little sister”, which is basically an earlier version of the disease, known as osteopenia, which signals an imbalance in the process of remodeling.

It basically means that there’s too much bone that breaks down and too little new bone that’s building back up. This results in brittle bones, which are prone to fracture.

Also, it’s worth mentioning that you need calcium to build stronger bones, but a low-calcium diet isn’t the only one to blame. There are also lesser-known causes of this disease.

Low Estrogen in Women

When it comes to osteoporosis, an estrogen deficiency is at fault in women, according to Paul Mystkowski, MD, an endocrinologist at Virginia Mason Medical Center in Seattle and Clinical Faculty Member of the University of Washington in Seattle.

After menopause, bone loss is accelerating, because older women have a quick drop in estrogen. In time, the risk of osteoporosis and fracture increases, given the fact that older women are losing more bone than they replace.

Younger women who don’t menstruate anymore, such as thin athletes or even girls who suffer from anorexia, might suffer from compromised bone density, at least according to the U.S. Surgeon General’s latest report called “Bone Health and Osteoporosis”.

Also, if you have both of your ovaries surgically removed, which is known as bilateral oophorectomy, you might also suffer from osteoporosis and low bone density.

There’s one study that shows how the surgery causes a 54% increase in hip, spine, and wrist fractures in those women who are currently in their postmenopausal state.

Low Testosterone in Men

You probably didn’t know this, but men need to have both good testosterone and estrogen levels for proper bone health. That is because men are converting testosterone into bone-preserving estrogen.

According to Dr. Mystkowski, “there’s a very clear consensus that when it comes to evaluating men with osteoporosis, you have to first consider a testosterone deficiency.”

When osteoporosis strikes in men with low testosterone levels, the condition is called hypogonadism. When the levels remain low, bone mass is likely to become lost over time, and it will eventually lead to weak bones that might become susceptible to fractures with minor trauma.

Other Hormone imbalances

The other hormones play a very important role in regulating your bone density, parathyroid hormone and growth hormone being included too.

They have a big input in orchestrating how well your bones are absorbing calcium, and when to build up or break down your bone. However, if there’s too much parathyroid hormone, known as hyperparathyroidism, it can lead to calcium loss in the urine at expense of your own bones.

Less calcium is automatically linked to weaker bones. The more you age, your body starts producing less growth hormone, which you’ll need to build stronger bones.

Lack of Calcium

As mentioned before, if you’re lacking calcium, your body won’t be able to rebuild new bones during the process of bone remodeling. Bones are the ones to hold two minerals – calcium and phosphorus.

Your body needs a constant level of calcium in your blood, given the fact that your organs (particularly your heart), muscles, and nerves, are highly dependent on your calcium levels.

So when these organs are demanding calcium, they will steal it from the mineral storehouse from your bones. In time, the more you deplete the mineral reservoir in your bone, the thinner and more brittle your bones will be.

Lack of Vitamin D

Calcium isn’t the only one that’s important for your bones. If you have low levels of Vitamin D, you can suffer from leaked bones and increased bone loss.

Active vitamin D, also known as calcitriol, will act more like a hormone than a vitamin, according to Mystkowkski. So among many other benefits, vitamin D is helping your body to absorb and use calcium as it should.

A Sedentary Lifestyle

Bones become weaker if you don’t put them to work. If you remember well about the early astronauts, they suffered from a rapid bone loss, because they were weightless up there in space.

So those people who are leading a sedentary life, or even suffer from conditions such as paralysis or muscular dystrophy, are more at risk of suffering from bone loss.

If you want to “remodel” your bones, there is something that can be done. Try working out with weight-bearing exercises, because you’re applying gentle stress on bones.

Thyroid Conditions

High levels of thyroid hormone have also been linked to an increase in bone loss. For most physicians, that’s always been a big concern, according to Mystkowski.

However, if you’re looking at the long-term bone densities of patients who are currently on high doses of thyroid pills, you won’t see a dramatic difference, and neither their fracture risk isn’t dramatically different.

Most doctors would agree on this: anyone who has high doses of thyroid hormone can have many benefits from getting regular exercise and taking enough calcium and vitamin D.

You might not believe it at first, but these lifestyle factors are essential for your overall fracture risk, alongside monitoring bone density with testing.

Smoking

Smokers have a higher risk of suffering from lower bone density and are more likely to fracture their bones than those who don’t smoke. There have been many studies conducted on smoking and how it relates to bone health, and they have discovered other dire effects, such as direct toxic effects of nicotine on bone cells, or the inability of our bodies to use estrogen, calcium, and vitamin D.

Also, those who are smoking are more prone to fractures, and they also suffer from a slower process of healing from fractures. So once again, smoking has proven to be extremely harmful to our bodies.

Medications

By taking some medications, such as long-term oral and injected corticosteroids, you can increase your risk of developing osteoporosis. When you use these meds for a longer period of time while also increasing the dose, corticosteroids are able to weaken your bones.

Thyroid medications, SSRIs, chemotherapy drugs, and many others can lead to this disease. Naturally, these medications might also be crucial in treating some serious conditions, so we don’t imply that you shouldn’t take them at all, especially if they have been prescribed to you by a doctor.

So you shouldn’t immediately stop your treatment, or even change the dose you’re taking, without consulting first with your healthcare adviser.

Medical Conditions

There are some medical conditions that are at fault for causing bone loss. So if you suffer from any of these conditions, you have a higher risk of developing osteoporosis.

It’s worth mentioning that there’s a type of osteoporosis caused by another medical condition, which is known as secondary osteoporosis. Such conditions include diabetes, inflammatory autoimmune diseases, thyroid conditions, or other malabsorption syndromes.

There are a couple of studies that show that type 1 diabetes might affect your bones when it comes to their normal density, and you might also suffer from low bone turnover and lower bone formation process.

Inflammatory autoimmune diseases, like rheumatoid arthritis or lupus, are serious conditions where the body basically attacks its own healthy tissues and unleashes inflammation all over your body.

Inflammatory conditions are known to increase the risk of bone turnover. People who suffer from these conditions are prescribed corticosteroids.

Hyperthyroidism and hyperparathyroidism are known to increase the risk of osteoporosis. Both these conditions affect your thyroid hormones. However, in the bone remodeling process, these hormones are playing a major role. Any kind of excess and deficiency might affect your bone mass.

Too Much Alcohol

Alcohol, just like smoking, has a very negative effect on bone health. First of all, it interferes with the balance of calcium and the absorption of vitamin D in the body.

Not to mention that heavy drinking can cause various hormone deficiencies in both women and men. By consuming alcohol in excess, osteoblasts might be killed, which are the ones that are responsible for bone-making cells.

Even more, alcohol abuse is known to affect balance and gait, which can only lead to falls, hence fractures, given that you might also have thinner bones and nerve damage.

If you enjoyed reading this article, we also recommend reading: 8 Things You Should Do Before Any Blood Test

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13 Things Your Doctor Is Hiding From You

Post author By Trevor
Post date April 27, 2022
No Comments on 13 Things Your Doctor Is Hiding From You

Sometimes going to the doctor might be uncomfortable. Why? So many times, we feel a bit restrained or lied to by our doctor. Are you having these issues with your doctor as well? Is your doctor being honest with you?

If they hide certain things from you, you might trust them less, and this can affect the relationship between the two of you. Let’s face it! We all have our own secrets we don’t want to share.

A recent study revealed that 34% of doctors don’t disclose serious medical errors to their patients, and 20% of them don’t disclose an error because they fear it. Do you believe your doctor is keeping a secret from you?

Read here about 13 of the most common thing pshysicians keep away from their patients. I couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw no. 9!

Things Your Doctor Is Hiding From You

1. They Know When You’re Lying

Truth and nothing but the truth? Do you recognize yourself in this question? If the answer is yes, then you’re on the right path. If the answer is no, then you won’t be surprised if we tell you that, frequently, most patients actually lie to their doctors.

When you are lying, you usually feel more nervous than usual, you might blush, or you might develop certain tics during the conversation.

Things like taking pills or if you are injured should not be hidden from your doctor!

2. They might not like it when you exaggerate things

Are you feeling sick and your doctor needs to know about your symptoms? Definitely! But what if you exaggerate? Some people like to overreact to their disease in order to get what they want from their doctor: it’s either some pills or a certain answer they’ve been looking for.

There is also a situation when the doctor won’t take the patient seriously unless they have 10 out of 10 pain. Crazy, right? What is your situation regarding this subject?

3. They don’t talk about their past

Don’t be afraid to ask them if they have withdrawn from medical staff to avoid an injury or if they have had any accusations or board actions against them. These things are pretty important, and you must know if your doctor is trustworthy or not.

Is your doctor open about their past? Are you aware of their previous workplace and qualifications?

4. They Don’t Know Everything

You’re expecting the most accurate answer from your doctor, right? Many people come to their doctor expecting definitive answers to their issues, and if they don’t receive them, it’s going to be a disappointment. Try to explain to them what your expectations are in order to get the most accurate diagnosis.

But what if it’s a new disease or something that won’t show up immediately in the blood tests? Then you should take into consideration that they might need some time to think about the situation.

Do you know that 55 percent of doctors describe a patient’s prognosis in a more positive manner?

5. If You’re Doomed, They May Not Say So

If you are in a serious health condition, your doctor needs to tell you as soon as possible, but many doctors are hesitant. Why? Because it’s never easy to tell somebody that they are going to die soon! They should take into consideration how the cultural view around death is seen regarding every patient’s religion.

Allow yourself an honest discussion with your doctor whenever you feel lied to.

6. They don’t guess

This might be surprising, but your doctor won’t guess what the cause of your illness is if you don’t tell them the symptoms you have. Even if we are living in a world with technology, these sorts of things can be solved if you talk about them. Don’t be afraid!

7. They Don’t Have Time to Explain the “Why”

This might be a general problem since a lot of them have a busy schedule and don’t have enough time to explain everything to their patients. This might be frustrating since we are not experts and we want a proper explanation for “why” they gave us this medication.

In order to avoid this, make sure you get yourself a doctor who doesn’t have a long list of patients to see every day.

8. They Likely Don’t Know Much About Nutrition

We all know that nutrition is the key to wellness, but what if your doctor doesn’t know that much about it? It might be surprising, but a lot of them don’t learn too much about nutrition in school. Sad! Pssst…This might be the perfect opportunity to follow our page for more advice in this direction!

9. They Won’t Share Their Age

This might be the case, especially if your doctor is a woman, and this is a common thing among us. Is this such a sensitive topic for a doctor? I think not, but most of them are actually hiding their age for various reasons. Do you know how old your doctor is?

10. This May Be Their First Time

Is your doctor a resident? If the answer is yes, then you should be aware that they may not be very familiar with certain things. They were all new to this field, and while this is not the end of the world, what if you need special treatment and they don’t know what to recommend?

It is always the doctor’s responsibility to make sure they are fully competent and safe. Is your doctor a resident? Have you ever faced this situation before?

11. They Might Not Be Thinking of Your Costs

Not every patient can afford the best and most innovative treatments. And because of that, your doctor should take your financial situation into consideration before prescribing the medication. It’s very important to ask, “why this” or “why here” if the treatment they prescribed for you seems too expensive for your budget.

Telling them about your financials is a pretty important thing to discuss with your doctor. Don’t be afraid! They are not there to judge you. Be more confident.

12. They might refuse to do a surgery

Do you think surgery will help you with your issue? But what if your doctor is not on the same page as you? A recent study suggests that a lot of patients want a procedure, but in most cases, proper treatment will cure the disease. Listen to them! If you are not OK with their diagnosis, ask for another doctor’s opinion.

13. They Don’t Talk About Religion

Some of them don’t consider this topic a relevant one because it cannot interfere with a patient’s treatment. But what if you have more faith than others and you want to know what your doctor’s opinion is regarding this subject? How are they treating this matter?

Remember that every issue you might have should be taken into account by each doctor! Doctors aren’t always honest with their patients, but this is not because they are bad people! They are human beings, just like the rest of us, and it is impossible to be honest all of the time (are you?).

Ask for precise answers from them, and if your relationship doesn’t seem to “click,” identify the problem together.

If you enjoyed reading this article, we also recommend reading: Everything You Need To Know About Your Gut Microbiome.

Tags disease, doctors

9 Shocking Reasons Why Your Stomach Hurts All the Time

Post author By Marian
Post date April 6, 2022
No Comments on 9 Shocking Reasons Why Your Stomach Hurts All the Time

…Did you know that there are some serious reasons why your stomach hurts all the time?

It’s not uncommon for your stomach to feel a bit off from time to time, maybe after eating a big and delicious meal, indulging in sweets and ice cream if you are lactose intolerant, eating too fast, drinking cold water, and so many other reasons.

However, if you notice that you eat healthily, you have an eating schedule, and you don’t consume things that usually upset your tummy, but you still experience cramps on a daily basis, there might be something going on in your body.

If you usually feel uncomfortable or gassy, trust me, I’ve been there and I know how annoying it is. For instance, I’ve had a few problems with my digestive system, but I didn’t have any problems, other than hiccups every time I ate.

I know that I am not the only one who has a sensitive stomach, so I decided to talk to some doctors and find out more about this topic. Without further ado, here are 9 reasons why your stomach hurts all the time.

1. Gastritis

Your stomach contains a liquid that is responsible for helping digest the food. This liquid consists of a lot of acids, which can get through the defensive barrier in your tummy area. Furthermore, these acids can irritate the lining of your stomach and this whole process is called gastritis.

This can happen due to several reasons, such as bacteria, stress, over-consumption of alcohol, or the usage of pain relievers like ibuprofen.

If it’s not very aggravated, you can treat these symptoms with prescription medicines or with an over-the-counter antacid. However, make sure to talk to your doctor, because if you don’t treat this infection when it’s in its first stage, it can lead to bleeding or stomach ulcers.

2. Stomach Virus

The stomach virus is a viral infection that takes place in your intestines and it’s also known by the name stomach flu. You can contract this painful affection from someone who is diagnosed with this, or from eating food that is contaminated.

If you have the stomach flu, you can experience symptoms such as nausea, diarrhea, and cramps, and you might also throw up. Even though there is no actual treatment for this infection, because it usually goes away naturally, keep in mind that you have to talk to your doctor if you throw up, have a fever, feel extremely dehydrated, or see blood in your stool or vomit.

3. Irritable Bowel Syndrome

When you have irritable bowel syndrome, it means that you have an infection in your large intestine, also known as the colon. This affection can cause several symptoms, such as mucus in your stool, bloating, and cramping.

In addition to that, several studies have discovered that when you are diagnosed with this, you can also experience back-to-back constipation and diarrhea.

Even though doctors don’t have a clear reason why this happens, they think that there are a few factors that might cause it, such as certain foods, hormones, and stress.

4. Food Allergy

A food allergy happens when your body thinks that a certain type of food is dangerous and tries to protect itself from it. If you have this type of infection, you might experience severe stomach aches, and in some serious cases, you can also have both a tingling sensation and swelling in your throat and mouth.

There are a few foods that usually cause food allergies, such as milk, eggs, shellfish, peanuts, nuts, and fish. Make sure to talk to your doctor if you think that your stomach hurts due to certain types of foods.

5. Lactose Intolerance

Milk, yogurt, and cheese are dairy products that contain natural sugars in it, called lactose. In order to properly digest dairy products, your body needs to have a sufficient amount of an enzyme called lactase.

If you don’t have enough of it, your stomach can’t function the way it should, and it can have difficulties breaking it down. As a result, you can experience severe stomach aches, gas, diarrhea, and bloating.

The best way to get rid of all these symptoms is to stay away from dairy products or consume them in smaller doses. Another thing you can do is buy lactose-free dairy products, or use some Lactaid pills.

6. Constipation

If you feel like you are constipated and you want to reduce the uncomfortable feeling, you can try hitting a workout class, drinking plenty of water, and eating foods that are high in fiber, such as whole grains and prunes.

There are people who drink coffee when they are not able to go to the bathroom as they usually do. However, if you decide to consume beverages that are high in caffeine, make sure you don’t overdo it because it might be dangerous for your heart!

If you are one of those people who can’t pass a stool at least three times a week, who has to strain to go, or who has stools that are hard and lumpy, you might be the victim of a serious type of constipation.

This infection puts a lot of pressure on your stomach, so it is always better to talk to your doctor about this!

7. Diverticulitis

There are some little bulging pouches that can form in your digestive system’s lining, usually in the lower part of your colon. Even though they are quite common and they don’t typically cause any issues, if they get infected or inflamed, they can cause some serious problems, such as stomachache, nausea, and changes in your bowel movement.

If you want a quick fix for this, you can make some changes in your diet or in your overall lifestyle and you should also prioritize rest. However, if you notice that none of these symptoms have changed, you can talk to your doctor about this problem and they might prescribe you some antibiotics to ease the discomfort.

8. Pancreatitis

The pancreas is an organ that is responsible for helping your body digest the food you eat and all the sugars they contain. When your body is busy with digestion, the pancreas produces pancreatic juices, which are called enzymes.

These substances have the role of breaking down starches, fats, and sugars. In addition to secreting enzymes, your pancreas also helps your digestive system by releasing certain hormones that can be seen as chemical messengers that circulate through your blood.

Pancreatitis is the name of the infection that occurs when your pancreas gets inflamed. If you are diagnosed with this, you might experience pain in your upper belly. In addition to that, this type of discomfort usually gets worse after you eat.

Despite your stomach hurting all the time, you can also throw up or feel nauseous. If you experience any of these symptoms, it might be time to call your doctor and schedule an appointment!

9. Appendicitis

The appendix is a small organ that is in the shape of a finger and it’s found at the beginning of your large intestine, in the lower part of your belly. Even though we have no clue why we need this little organ, the thing we know is that when it gets inflamed it should be immediately taken out.

If you don’t go to the doctor as soon as possible, your appendix might burst, which will make it spread bacteria throughout your body and be even more dangerous to your life. The pain symptoms usually happen around your belly button and spread down to the right part of your abdomen.

If you feel any type of pain in the area mentioned above, make sure to talk to your doctor, because things can get pretty complicated when it comes to appendicitis!

…If you liked this article, we have plenty more just like it! Make sure to check this one out as well: 16 Common Kitchen Mistakes You’ve Been Making!

Tags disease

11 Conditions You Didn’t Know Were Contagious

Post author By Sidney
Post date March 21, 2022
No Comments on 11 Conditions You Didn’t Know Were Contagious

If you’ve ever caught the flu from a colleague or came home with a cold after you stood next to someone who was constantly sniffing their nose on a crowded bus, you have probably come to the conclusion that we are walking disease vectors.

Even so, while you might not be aware of some of the most common ailments you can get from your close contact with others, there are many conditions that are contagious and you weren’t aware of them. Before you put yourself in harm’s way, at least make sure you know which surprising conditions you might get.

Tags disease, health issues

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