Often, a medical crisis does not happen suddenly, and your body shows a few symptoms well before it reaches the critical phase. However, there are conditions when the symptoms occur quite suddenly, and one such is the Addisonian crisis.

Addison's disease is a condition that occurs when the body fails to produce sufficient levels of certain hormones that are secreted by the adrenal glands. In this disease, the adrenal glands produce too little cortisol and even low amounts of aldosterone at times. Often referred to as adrenal insufficiency, it may occur at any age, and both sexes are affected by it. The worst part is that the disease can be life-threatening.

The symptoms of Addisonian crisis-
While severe fatigue, hyperpigmentation, severe fatigue, lightheadedness, salt cravings, and muscle and joint pains are the common symptoms of Addison s disease, pain in your lower back, severe vomiting and diarrhea, low blood pressure, and high potassium and low sodium are the symptoms of acute adrenal failure (Addisonian crisis).

The low levels of cortisol associated with the Addisonian crisis are life-threatening; hence, when you experience one or more of these symptoms you must seek professional care immediately.

Treatment options that are available for Addison's disease-
Nearly all treatments for Addison's disease involve hormone replacement therapies for correcting the steroid levels that the body is not sufficiently producing. Some of the most effective treatment options for Addison's disease include:

Oral corticosteroid medicines- Prednisone, Hydrocortisone and Cortisone acetate may be used in the pill form for replacing cortisol. Sometimes, doctors also prescribe fludrocortisone for the replacement of aldosterone.
Corticosteroid injections- This is given to people who cannot take oral pills.
People diagnosed with Addison s disease are at risk of developing Addisonian crisis. Such people must be well-aware of how to tackle the condition if they are to face it. Some people have a home kit which includes hydrocortisone injection. One should not wait too long or wait to feel very weak before taking the injection. Also, it is important to call the emergency after taking the injection to get further treatment.

What should you do to prevent and manage the Addisonian crisis?

If you indulge in heavy workout sessions, you should take ample amount of sodium. This is also recommended when you are experiencing a stressful situation, including any infection, operation or some minor illness.
You should not skip your meals or indulge in binge eating, but focus on having a well-balanced diet. You should also take plenty of healthy fluids throughout the day. Avoid exercising or doing any physically strenuous job in hot and humid weather. Also, you need to balance your active stretch of time with adequate rest.

Taking the prescribed medications on time, and carrying a hydrocortisone kit is crucial. Also, you may carry a card stating the condition that can help during an emergency.

Addison s disease, in most cases, cannot be cured; so, it is vital to be aware of the symptoms and the ways to manage them to avoid an emergency.

Addison Disease - Treatment Options, Management and Prevention

Addison s disease is a disorder caused due to significant damage in the adrenal cortex (located alongside the adrenal gland s perimeter that helps mediate stress reaction), which leads to a deficiency in the secretion of the hormones  aldosterone  (that regulates the sodium and potassium level of the body),  androgen  and  cortisol  (which control the body s reaction in situations of intense pressure) by the adrenal glands.

Causes
There are generally two stages of Addison s disease. The causes vary according to the stages:

In the primary stage of the disorder, the body s immune system attacks the adrenal cortex and significantly damages it.

Other significant causes are as follows:

This might occur as a result of the development of tumors and cancerous cells in the body
Resulting from certain infections
Long-term usage of glucocorticoids (inflammation reducing steroids) might result in the primary adrenal insufficiency
This might also be caused due to tuberculosis or severe bleeding in the adrenal glands.
Risk Factors

If you re suffering from any one of the following complications, your chances of contracting Addison s disease increase significantly:

Cancer or if you have undergone any surgery to remove parts of the adrenal gland
Tuberculosis or diabetes.
Frequent usage of coagulants
Treatments
The treatment of Addison s disease varies according to the cause of the disorder.
The most common treatments for the disorder include:

A prescribed dosage of glucocorticoids might be recommended
Replacement of the hormones that the adrenal glands are unable to produce: Cortisone acetate or prednisone might be used in order to replace the  cortisol  hormone.
Meditation or other relaxing techniques to ease excessive stress levels or manage any trauma that you have been through.

Addison's Disease - 4 Causes Behind It 

There s a lot that nutritionists around the world don t agree on, but most of them advise you to have more vegetables than fruits and more water- based vegetables like bottle gourd in summers.

Let s take a look at why this is so.

Bottle gourd keeps you hydrated and cool in summers: Bottle guard has always been regarded as one of the healthiest vegetables, and for a reason. This versatile vegetable is full of about 92 % water and minerals and is the best that nature can offer to keep your body hydrated and cool. It s a good idea to have bottle gourd or  lauki  as a juice because cooking deactivates the minerals and vitamins found in it. The juice keeps your stomach cool and reduces body heat or  pitta . You can also eat boiled lauki with curd to get its cooling benefits. This vegetable helps replenish the water lost due to sweating during summers and is also a great remedy for any kind of heat-related ailment like nose bleeding, pimples or ulcers according to Ayurveda.
Helps control weight: It helps control weight as Bottle gourd is excellent for you if you are trying to lose weight. The vegetable is packed with fibre which helps in keeping you full for longer, thus reducing food cravings that make you pile on the kilos. It is also a low-calorie vegetable with no fat and thus helps you lose weight too. Bottle gourd is prescribed by Ayurvedic medicine to reduce flab as fibre is the key to weight -loss.
 Storehouse of essential vitamins and minerals: Bottle gourd contains essential vitamins and minerals like Vitamin C, B, K, A, E, Iron, Folate, Potassium and Manganese. These play a critical role in metabolism and body functions.
Treats urinary tract infections: Freshly made bottle guard juice mixed with lime juice is one of the best natural remedies for treating pesky UTIs.
Cure for stomach problems: Bottle gourd helps in curing constipation and also treats diarrhea. This is due to the fact that the vegetable contains a lot of water and fibre which helps in cleaning your digestive track and allows easy bowel movement. One of the best home remedies for treating diarrhea is to drink bottle gourd juice with a pinch of salt. This helps in maintaining the electrolyte balance of your body, as well.
Bottle gourd helps in controlling diabetes: Bottle gourd juice is also beneficial for diabetic patients as it stabilizes blood sugar levels and maintains optimum blood pressure. The best time to have it is in morning before breakfast to reap this benefit. Also, take care to consume the juice immediately as it oxidizes quite fast.

Bottle Gourd (Lauki) - 6 Amazing Health Benefits You Never Thought Of!

The thyroid hormones, namely T3, T4 and TSH (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone) play a pivotal role in various metabolic processes in the body. Any imbalance in the level of these hormones can interfere with the normal body functions. While an elevated level of the thyroid hormones gives rise to Hyperthyroidism, a reduced level of the same thyroid hormones can lead to a condition medically termed as Hypothyroidism. A proper diagnosis and treatment can bring about a significant improvement. However, there are some common mistakes that many people with thyroid problems often make.

Choose your diet with care: The health benefits of a balanced and nutritious diet are known to all. However, a food considered healthy may not be an ideal choice for a thyroid patient. Time and again, broccoli and kale have been recommended for its nutritive value. However, these vegetables may not be a good choice for thyroid health. Known to contain goitrogens, they may interfere with the production of the thyroid hormones. Gluten, a protein present in wheat, rye, and barley, though healthy should be avoided, especially in the case of Hypothyroidism.
Obesity may not be the trigger: While it is a healthy practice to maintain a healthy body weight, it is unfair to blame the extra kilos for every single disease that you suffer from. Many people believe that losing weight is the best way to deal with thyroid problems. However, the fact is quite different from what you believe. Thyroid problems can be an outcome of various triggers where losing weight may provide negligible or no assistance to reverse or improve the condition. In fact, rapid weight loss may give rise to some complications which may aggravate the condition further.
Thyroid glands are not always at fault: Many people associate thyroid problems with some abnormalities or improper functioning of the thyroid glands. There is no denying the fact that problems in the thyroid glands often trigger thyroid disorders. However, this is not the only cause. A host of other factors such as stress, medical conditions, certain medications and unhealthy lifestyle habits may be equally responsible for the thyroid problems. In some cases, the body may fail to utilize the thyroid hormones produced by the thyroid glands. In another condition, the thyroid hormone produced is unable to enter the cell (triggered by a problem in the cell receptor). It is important to identify the root cause of the problem rather than generalizing.
People with hypothyroidism do not need to gulp down tons of iodine. Always use the amount recommended by the doctor. Increased intake of iodine supplements (way above the recommended quantity) may result in unnecessary health complications such as Wolff-Chaikoff effect.
Many health organizations or individuals may promise instant relief and cure. They may lure you with some irresistible offers. However, it will be foolish on your part to fall for such claims. Always seek the help of experienced and genuine health professionals.

Thyroid - 5 Common Mistakes That Most People Do!

Diabetes is a chronic metabolic disorder that results in higher level of blood sugar in the body. It is assuming epidemic proportions and India has become the new diabetic capital with more than 50 million diabetic people. The main problem with diabetes is that it does not completely go away and there is a whole myriad of issues that it brings along with it. Heart attack, stroke, eyesight problems, delayed wound healing, nerve damage and impotence. Therefore, diabetes and by that we mainly mean blood sugar level has to be managed so that there is a delay in onset of the associated conditions and/or reduced in severity.

Ayurveda refers to diabetes as Prameha (excessive urination) and Madhumeha (sugary urine) and has identified close to 20 forms of the disease. According to Ayurvedic belief, each disease is caused due to imbalance in kapha, pitta, and vata doshas and diabetes is caused by all these, predominantly by kapha. With any stream of medicine, management of diabetes involves two tracks   one is lifestyle changes and the second is medications.

Lifestyle changes include the following:

    Diet: Reduce the amount of rice, sugar, potato, sweet fruits, maida, deep fried foods, and red meat. Protein-rich foods like lentils, soya, green leafy vegetables and fish should be increased. Diet plan should change to small, frequent meals instead of binge eating.

    Exercise: Include 30 minutes of regular exercise into your daily routine if you have a diabetic predisposition.

    Others: Avoid smoking and alcohol, ensure sufficient sleep, avoid sleeping during day time, improved foot and eye care, periodically check sugar levels and manage stress levels.

Medication

Ayurveda has a whole lot of home remedies which have proven to be very effective against diabetes:

    Jambhul: Eugenia Jambolana whether eaten raw or juice extract has been shown to have beneficial effects in managing sugar levels and cholesterol.

    Gymnema sylvestre: Used to manage diabetes for over 2000 years, it reduces sugar cravings and is being touted as the future for diabetes treatment.

    Bitter gourd (Momordica charantia): It has 3 components that give it strong antidiabetic properties. The charantin reduces blood sugar levels; the polypeptide has insulin-like effects; and lectin that again has hypoglycemic effects.

    Bel (Aegle marmelos): Also known as wood apple, leaves of the plant are shown to have antidiabetic properties. 5 to 10 leaves can be chewed on a daily basis to help control blood sugar levels.

    Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum graecum): Consuming 10 g of fenugreek seeds soaked in water increases the amount of insulin produced, thereby increasing sugar breakdown.

    Neem: Chewing about 4 to 5 leaves in the morning on an empty stomach helps to control blood sugar levels. Alternately, neem leaves powder is available which can be dissolved in water and consumed.


Diabetes - 6 Natural Remedies that Will Help You Manage it

Pregnancy brings with it a set of challenges, and for a diabetic woman, these only increase further. Earlier, the risks of dealing with pregnancy and diabetes as a combination were too high. However, over the last few decades, things have changed. The age at which women are choosing to have a baby has gone up. On the other hand, the age of onset of diabetes has come down drastically.
These days, there are many diabetic women who go through pregnancy smoothly without major complications. Of course, there is extra care and precaution required, but it is not something that cannot be planned and managed well between the doctor and the mother-to-be.

The following are some rough guidelines for a pregnant diabetic woman.
Potential complications

It increases the risk of polycystic ovaries, thereby making it difficult to conceive.
Fluctuating sugar levels can be a reason for not being able to conceive, as the body does not see itself as healthy.
It increased the chances of miscarriage.
There are higher chances of birth defects in the developing baby due to very high sugar levels in the first trimester.
Preparation
If you are planning for a pregnancy, meet with your doctor to review your sugar levels. Chalk out a plan with your doctor, taking into account your diet and nutrition, exercise, lifestyle, and medications.

Diet: Ensure you cautiously decide what and how to eat ahead of your pregnancy. Moving away from refined carbohydrates and processed foods towards wholesome food items like whole grains, fresh fruits and vegetables will make a difference.
Exercise: Build an exercise routine to suit your body and keep yourself active. It is very important to stay active so that diabetes is under control.
Lifestyle: Quit smoking and reduce alcohol use. This helps in managing stress also, which can help keep diabetes under check.
Medications: Check with your doctor on the medicines you are taking and if dose adjustments are required to get sugar levels under control, plan them out.
During pregnancy, constant monitoring and vigilance is required to ensure diabetes is under control.

Let your gynecologist know about your condition (stable/fluctuating), and if you are doubtful about them being able to handle your condition, do not hesitate to change.
Many consider switching to oral medications as the risk of transmission to the baby is less and the control over sugar levels is better.
Constant monitoring for daily blood sugars is essential.
A regular, healthy lifestyle in terms of eating and sleeping should help keep the sugars under check.
Constant monitoring of the baby is essential to ensure its normal growth with no developmental defects.
Read up and train yourself on how to deal with low or high sugar levels. Happy sugary pregnancy!

Diabetes During Pregnancy - Know The Best Ways To Control It!

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