Dysmenorrhea: Painful Cramping during Menstrual Periods
Sometimes a woman will experience painful cramping while she is having her menstrual period. When the cramping and pain are intense and regular, she may be suffering from dysmenorrhea. This painful condition is classified as being either primary or secondary dysmenorrhea. The primary type begins when the woman first begins menstruating and will likely continue throughout her life. Secondary dysmenorrhea frequently begins later in life when an underlying condition such as endometriosis occurs that aggravates the condition.
Primary dysmenorrhea may be caused by a hormonal or chemical imbalance. There may also be other factors such as structural problems internally. Secondary dysmenorrhea may be caused by an assortment of conditions. For example, uterine fibroids and Pelvic inflammatory disease are two conditions that may lead to dysmenorrhea.
Cramping and pain are frequently accompanied by other symptoms during the menstrual cycle for women who have dysmenorrhea. Other symptoms include fatigue, nausea, back pain, pain radiating down legs and headaches. Treatment options for women who are experience dysmenorrhea will vary from woman to woman. For example, some may respond to hormone therapy such as taking progesterone. A doctor may also recommend taking birth control pills to inhibit ovulation. Some women find relief using over-the-counter products that reduce inflammation and ease pain such as products containing NSAIDs. In extreme cases, some women have hysterectomies or surgical interventions to address dysmenorrhea.
Women who have dysmenorrhea should consult with a health care provider to find a safe, effective means of managing this condition. Making dietary changes and getting regular exercise may help lesson some of the symptoms of this painful disorder. For instance, avoiding caffeine, fat and processed foods may help. Supplemental vitamins can help a woman meet her nutritional needs at this time. In addition, stress may compound the problem so finding ways to manage stress may also be beneficial.
Sphere: Related ContentSymptoms of Premenstrual Syndrome
Symptoms of Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) can make a woman’s life difficult. In some cases PMS can interfere with normal activities and in the process create problems on the job, at home, and in interpersonal relationships. For instance, PMS sufferers often report trouble sleeping and frequently moodiness, which can affect judgment, stress levels and performance on tasks. Other physical problems may also be present as well for example, bloating and an upset stomach as common during this time in a woman’s cycle. Constipation or diarrhea may also be present. These problems may be related to changes in appetite, eating problems and food cravings that many woman with PMS report.
PMS is common, but not all women experience it. In addition, PMS symptoms may be mild, moderate or severe. Generally PMS occurs one two weeks before the onset of the menstrual period. PMS may also be more common for women who are over 30. Historically PMS has been blamed by some on emotional problems, but research has helped dispel that notion and now underlying biological and chemical factors have been explored. For instance, it is believed that variations in the levels of estrogen and progesterone may underlie some of the symptoms. An example of one symptom that is strongly associated with hormones is acne. Breast tenderness and swelling may also suggest hormones are at play.
Premenstrual syndrome symptoms also include aches and pains that may seem unrelated to the menstrual cycle. Joint pains and muscle aches are common with PMS. In addition women who have PMS may have back aches or have more frequent headaches. Fortunately, all of these PMS symptoms ease up once the menstrual period begins. There may also be some things that women can do to reduce the intensity of the symptoms. For example, eating a healthy diet and reducing the intake of caffeine, fried foods and sugar may help
Sphere: Related ContentHypertension or High Blood Pressure in Diabetes: Prevention and treatment
Diabetes and hypertension co-exist. The incidence of hypertension is two times higher in diabetics. Hypertension is rarely present at diagnosis in type-1 diabetes patients. It occurs in those patients who develop diabetic nephropathy. Hypertensions may be present at diagnosis and almost all obese type-2 diabetes patients.
Preventing and Treating Hypertension in Diabetics
- Patient should eat lots of fresh fruits, vegetables and raw salad.
- Switch over to low-salt or no salt diet and keep Blood Pressure under control.
- Maintain ideal body weight.
- Garlic is an excellent remedy that prevents high Blood pressure. Garlic eases the spasm of the small arteries and reduces pressure and tension. It relieves numbness, dizziness, and gas formation, relieves shortness of breath; modifies heart rhythm and slows the pulse. Take around three capsules a day for excellent results.
- Lemon and Indian Gooseberry are other effective natural remedies or controlling High Blood Pressure. These fruits are rich in Vitamin C and help strengthen the capillaries. Their juices should be taken daily.
Respiratory complications in Diabetes
Diabetes patients easily contract respiratory tract infections. Tuberculosis especially is more prevalent. They contract it after diabetes coma and when lung cavities are usually filled with pus.
Treatment for Respiratory Complications in Diabetes
- The patient should have a well-balanced diet and build up immunity.
- Avoid de-natured foods like refined cereals, tinned and preserved food, white flour and sugar.
- Indian gooseberry is considered an excellent remedy for tuberculosis. Two teaspoons of this juice can be taken daily to promote energy and enthusiasm.
Diabetic Nephropathy: Kidney disease in diabetes
Diabetic Nephropathy (Kidney disease) is prevalent in both type-1 and type-2 diabetes. Around five years after the onset of diabetes the functioning of the kidney is adversely affected. The innumerable tiny blood vessels in the kidneys that act as filters to remove excess water from the blood, wastes and chemicals are damaged. The kidneys leak and fail to function. In such situations dialysis or kidney transplant becomes essential.
Symptoms of Kidney Disease (due to Diabetic Nephropathy)
- Swelling of ankles, feet, hands and eyes is the first symptom.
- Followed by repeated urinary tract infection, shortness of breath, difficulty in concentration, loss of appetite, anemia, high blood pressure, weakness, nausea and congestive heart failure are the other symptoms of Kidney Disease due to Diabetic Nephropathy.
Preventing and Treating Kidney Disease (due to Diabetic Nephropathy)
- Firstly the blood glucose level and Blood Pressure has to be strictly brought under control. Tests have proved that in type-1 diabetic patients, controlled glucose prevented the onset and delayed the progression of diabetic nephropathy.
- Intake of protein should be reduced to forty grams per day. Breakdown of protein in food produces more waste products that are to be eliminated by the kidneys. This puts extreme strain on the already weakened kidneys. So moderate intake of protein protects kidneys.
- Diabetic patients with kidney disease should have around six small meals a day. Avoid cocoa, chocolate and spinach.
- Asparagus, cucumber, celery, garlic, parsley are beneficial vegetables for the treatment of kidney disease. Papaya fruit has healing effect on kidneys.
- Patients should take complete rest.
- Skin should be kept clean by friction with a wet cloth two times a day.
- Sunbathing daily is also beneficial.
- Hot fomentation can be applied over the lower back and kidney region. A hot water bath has also been immensely useful.
Diabetic Foot: Foot problems in Diabetes
Most foot problems occur in diabetes due to the foot becoming insensitive to
- Damage to the nerves of legs and feet.
- Cardio-vascular complications that damage blood vessels and decreases blood flow to the legs and feet.
Decreased sensation can cause painless injury and accidents, which may get infected. In older people the blood vessels that supply blood to the feet become narrow due to thickening of the walls of large artery. These factors combine and give rise to dangerous gangrene. And once gangrene sets in the only way out is to cut-off the dead tissue.
Causes of Diabetic Foot
Blisters, ill-fitting shoes, thickening of horny layers of skin, mishandling of in-growing toe nails, ignoring nail prick, walking bare foot, abrasive injuries, poor hygiene and fungal infection are the important factors that cause foot problems.
Symptoms of Diabetic Foot
- Pale feet that feel cold;
- Pain in the legs which relieves with rest.
- Dry and parched appearance of skin.
- Hair on the legs may fall off .
- Absence of pulse at the ankle.
Preventing and Treating Diabetic Foot
- Feet should be regularly examined for minor problems like blisters, cuts, bruises and corn. Tap a spoon against the toe or pinprick and observe if it hurts. If it doesn’t hurt check your feet regularly as it may lead to major infections or gangrene.
- Feet should be washed regularly in warm water and dried thoroughly. The space between the toes should not be rubbed hard.
- Toenails should be cleaned with sticks tipped with cotton wool, especially the sides of the toenails.
- Go outdoors only with footwear.
- Correct sized clean cotton or woolen socks should be worn and washed daily.
- Avoid heat from hot water, electric heating pad, extreme cold and frost and soaking feet in water for long.
- Do not cut corns or use chemicals on them.
Diabetes Neuropathy: Numbness of legs, urinary bladder problems
About ninety percent of diabetics suffer from complications of the nervous system. A network of nerves running through the body controls muscles, senses pain and performs involuntary tasks such as breathing and digestion.
Many diabetics feel weak and numb in the calves and legs and are unable to carry body weight. The urinary bladder looses its efficiency and there is uncontrollable dribbling of urine or incomplete emptying of bladder.
Symptoms of Neuropathy in Diabetes
- Weak muscles.
- Unsteady gait.
- Sensory levels of pain, cold, warmth and texture are affected.
- Increased heart rate, aching or stabbing pain in the night.
- Excess sweating.
- Impaired erection in men, numbness, tingling pain in legs and sometimes in arms.
Preventing and Treating Neuropathy in Diabetes
- The patient should have a balanced diet with necessary vitamins and nutrients. The emphasis should be on whole grains, brown rice, cottage cheese, milk and sprouted seeds.
- Soybean milk is an excellent remedy for nervous disorders. A teaspoon of honey taken with a cupful of soybean milk every night, tones the nervous system.
- Barley brew is also very effective. Boil one-fourth cup of barley grains in half cup of water. The water should be strained carefully after it has been boiled down to one quarter.
- Drink half liter of mixed juices of raw carrot and spinach for quick and effective absorption and assimilation.
Eye Damage, Diabetic Retinopathy symptoms, treatment and prevention
Blindness due to eye complications is five times more in diabetics. Glaucoma, refractive errors, corneal diseases, frequent eye infections and early onset of cataract all contribute towards blindness.
Damage or disease of the retina (delicate membrane that lines the back and sides of the eyes) is the major cause of blindness in people with diabetes. The blood vessels of the retina are the first to be damaged by high blood sugar. Degenerative changes occur in the cells of the retina, their maybe leakage from the blood vessels. All these changes lead to gradual decrease in vision. Excessive bleeding in the retina can cause sudden loss of vision.
Symptoms of Diabetic Retinopathy
- Eye pain
- Blurred vision usually while reading
- Tiny specks or cobwebs floating in the eye
- An empty or black spot in the center of the vision
- Flashes of light or rings around objects or a gray shadow in the field of vision.
Prevention of Diabetic Retinopathy
- A healthy diet, good eye care and control of blood glucose are the important factors that help in warding off eye problems.
- At least twice a year, get your eyes examined or when the vision is decreasing.
- Early detection and immediate remedy prevents deterioration and loss of sight.
- Eye exercises relax and strengthen the eyes and prevent eye complications. Move the eyes gently up and down, side to side and in circular motion, clockwise and anticlockwise and rotating the neck in circles and semicircles.
- Palming of eyes removes strain and relaxes eyes and its surrounding tissues. For that sit comfortably in an armchair and relax with closed eyes, cover right eye with right palm and vice versa. Now imagine blackness that grows darker and darker.
- Raw and natural foods are highly beneficial for eye complications. These include green vegetables, fruits, dried fruits, nuts, dairy products and root vegetables.
- Vitamin A safeguards all kind of eye disease. Green peas, spinach, turnips, carrot, cabbage, oranges, dates, tomato, milk, butter and cream are all rich sources of Vitamin A.
Diabetic Emergencies: Hypoglycemia and Hyperglycemia
Identifying Diabetic emergencies and its Natural Treatment
| Low Blood Sugar Or Hypoglycemia | High Blood Sugar or Hyperglycemia | |
|---|---|---|
| Onset | Sudden | Gradual |
| Signs | Pale complexion, anger, staggering, confusion, sweating, sudden hunger, vomiting and finally unconsciousness. | Extreme thirst, drowsiness, flushed skin, heavy breathing with fruity breath and finally unconsciousness |
| Causes | Skipping meals, delayed meals or not eating properly before rigorous exercise | Excess intake of food or drinks, undiagnosed diabetes, injury, illness or stress. |
| Treatment | Provide sugar in any form. Avoid diet drinks. Take the patient to a doctor if he does not respond in twenty minutes. | Call the doctor at once. Give the patient fluids without sugar if he can swallow. |
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Hypoglycemia or Low Blood Sugar in Diabetics
In Hypoglycemia or Low Blood Sugar, patients blood sugar level keeps fluctuating. Hypoglycemia is a condition where the blood sugar level falls below sixty milligram per hundred milliliters of blood. It is one of the most common emergencies and occurs in unstable diabetics.
Causes of Hypoglycemia or Low Blood Sugar
- Skipping meals.
- Eating too little or eating at the wrong time.
- Exercising longer than required or vigorously.
- Consuming alcohol on empty stomach.
- Physical exertion are the factors that can induce hypoglycemia.
Symptoms of Low Blood Sugar or Hypoglycemia
- Weakness, cold skin, trembling, sweating, dizziness, intense hunger, headache, high pulse rate, anxiety, nervousness, irritability and nausea are the early symptoms when the blood sugar level is between forty to sixty milligrams.
- Brain fails to get sufficient glucose and so confusion, drowsiness and slurred speech are the later symptoms when the blood sugar level is forty milligram.
- When the blood sugar level is below twenty milligram, emergency symptoms like convulsion, loss of consciousness and finally death may occur.
Natural Treatment of Low Blood Sugar or Hypoglycemia
- If a diabetic patient feels tired and low in spirits, he should have the glucose level tested. If the level is low the patient should consume anything with fifteen grams of sugar such as Glucose tablets specially made for hypoglycemia, cup of skimmed milk, around four teaspoons of sugar or half a cup of fruit juice is the best choice among all.
- Pumpkin or sunflower seeds, raw nuts, milk, buttermilk or fruit juice between meals is beneficial.
- Excess salt, alcohol, coffee and soft drinks should be avoided.
- Foods rich in Vitamin C, Vitamin E and B complex are highly beneficial in the treatment of low blood sugar.
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