Month: December 2016

 

Diabetes is often called the silent killer because of its easy to miss symptoms.

One out of three people who have it don’t even know about it. It’s crucial that it’s detected as soon as possible to avoid the possibilities of further health issues like cardiovascular ones. In fact, type 2 diabetes is a common, modern-age disease. Recent research show a shocking 25 percent of people with type 2 diabetes don’t even know it. If you experience some of these subtle signs and symptoms, talk to your doctor about getting tested.

1. Frequent Pee-Pee Breaks (polyuria)

Ever noticed that you are urinating more often, and waking up sometime after midnight (sometimes several times) to pee-pee? Well this could be a warning sign. The kidneys start working harder to get rid of the excess glucose from the blood. One red flag is whether the need to urinate keeps you up at night. Once or twice might be normal.

2. Excessive Thirst (polydipsia)

Urinating a lot will also make you feel parched. So this symptom is linked with the previous one. Losing more fluids necessitates the body to attempt replenishing them, hence the constant need to drink H2O.

3. Increased Appetite For Food (polyphagia)

Due to extreme highs and lows in blood sugar levels, the body develops a sudden urge to eat. The cells don’t get enough glucose, so you crave it.

4. Lack of Moisture in Your Mouth

If you experience a lack of moisture in the mouth, this could be both unpleasant and dangerous. Dry mouth can become a breeding ground for bacteria and cause various oral and dental problems. Gum diseases are a known complication of diabetes.

5. Sudden weight loss or weight gain 

Rapid, unexplained weight loss (15 to 25 kilograms over a couple of months) is unhealthy and necessitates a doctor visit. On the other hand, increased consumption of sugary foods can also lead to weight gain.

6. Excessive Fatigue

Excessive tiredness develops when your body repetitively attempts to make up for the lack of glucose in the cells. People start experiencing lower levels of energy and are chronically not feeling well. It is not uncommon to also feel irritable and in a bad mood.

7. Your Cuts Don’t Heal in Time 

The immune system and the processes that help the body heal don’t work so well when your sugar levels are high. Do keep this one in mind!

Bottom Line

You will do a lot if you try to eat healthy, exercise moderately, keep your stress levels under control and avoid bad habits. The risk of diabetes increases as we get older so it’s even more pertinent to promote a healthy lifestyle and remain active.

“One good thing about music, is when it hits you, you feel no pain.”

The quote above gives character to science backed research on the health benefits of music. Such research suggests that music not only helps us cope with pain — it can also benefit our physical and mental health in numerous other ways. Read on to learn how listening to tunes can ramp up your health.

1. Pace up your performance

Listen to your favorite “pump-up” music! It is an excellent way to beat your best time if you’re a runner. Research suggests that listening to music while running or working out not only provides an impetus to your physical performance but also enhances endurance during exercise.

2. De-Stress 

Music has been known to effectively treat insomnia among college students making it a cheaper, safer swap to sleep inducing meds. Additionally, music also has some healthy effects on blood vessel function which induces happiness among listeners and relieves stress.

3. Improves Cognitive Performance

Background music may enhance performance on cognitive tasks. One older study found that listening to music allowed test takers to complete more questions in the time allotted, and get more answers right.

4. Eases Stress before & after Surgery

One study found that listening to music helped put cardiovascular surgery patients at ease as they awaited their operations. Interestingly, Music isn’t only helpful pre-surgery. Another study revealed that listening to music while resting in bed after open heart surgery helped relax patients and decrease their stress levels.

5. Keeps an Aging Brain Healthy

Research has shown that having musical training and listening to or playing music in old age can help keep the brain healthy especially as it ages. Since listening to music is like exercising the brain, one can expect the benefits of better memory and mental sharpness as they age.

6. Reduces Stress & Anxiety Among Cancer Patients

Researchers from Drexel University found that cancer patients who either listened to music or worked with a music therapist experienced a reduction in anxiety, had better blood pressure levels and improved moods. Music can have positive effects on the psyche, mood, pain and quality of life as well.

Which Music?

While there are certain trends – fast upbeat music for exercising and slower-paced music to relax – choosing songs that have the desired effect is often linked to personal preference.

‘If you grow up with rock music, you might not find classical music uplifting at all. On the flipside, some people can’t bear rock music, so they are more likely to be wound up than uplifted. ‘Music can also invoke particular memories for people, including some that could potentially make them upset. On the other hand, it could also bring them out of a severely withdrawn state or act as a form of communication in place of words.’

We would like to leave you with a beautiful quote by Billy Joel. It goes something like this…

‘I think music in itself is healing. It’s an explosive expression of humanity. It’s something we are all touched by. No matter what culture we’re from, everyone loves music.’