Diabetes » Should

What You Should Know About Cholesterol Testing

designrp — Tue, 11 May 2010 05:06:18 +0000

When should I undergo a cholesterol test? What would the results say about my health? How many tests are there and which will give me the best results?

Unlike any other health tests, cholesterol testing does not diagnose disease. Instead, it reveals the risks of developing heart disease. Cholesterol testing is considered necessary in preventive health care for individuals over 20 years of age. The test should be repeated once every five years for healthy individuals.

Cholesterol testing, along with HDL, LDL and triglyceride testing is called the lipoprotein profile.

Cholesterol testing is done several times a year for individuals who are on a prescribed diet and for those who are taking cholesterol lowering medications.

Usually blood samples are drawn from the arm. Sometimes blood samples are taken from the fingertip. The samples are analyzed by a cholesterol testing device. Cholesterol tests are used to monitor the progress in lowering the cholesterol level.

Test results are grouped in three types:

* Desirable – the cholesterol level of 200 mg/dL below is regarded to be desirable because it has a low risk of heart disease.

* Borderline high – a total cholesterol level of 200 mg/dL to 240 mg/dL is at fair risk of having heart disease. Your doctor may decide to give you have a lipid profile in order to determine which cholesterol level is high.

* High Risk – a 240 mg/dL cholesterol level is considered to be at high risk of heart disease. Expect a lipid profiling if your cholesterol level is this high. It is more likely that you will be given a cholesterol lowering medication along with a low cholesterol diet.

Cholesterol tests are usually given when the individual is healthy because the blood cholesterol level of an individual who has an acute illness, (after a heart attack or after surgery or accident) is likely to be low. Individuals are advised to wait at least six weeks after any illness before taking cholesterol tests. Pregnant women are also advised to wait six weeks before having their cholesterol level measured.

A Brief Explanation of Cholesterol Ratios:

Cholesterol ratios consist of total cholesterol. Total cholesterol includes low level lipoprotein cholesterol levels (LDL cholesterol), triglycerides and high density lipoprotein cholesterol level (HDL cholesterol).

Cholesterol is measured by milligrams of cholesterol per deciliter of blood (mg/dL). Usually, only the total cholesterol amount is given when a person is tested for cholesterol. Sometimes you are given the HDL cholesterol and the total cholesterol results.

The desirable total cholesterol level is 200mg/dL and the beneficial amount of HDL is more than 40mg/dL.

There are two important cholesterol ratios. These they are LDL/HDL cholesterol ratios and total cholesterol/HDL cholesterol ratios.

In the latter cholesterol ratios, your cholesterol result is given by the total cholesterol divided by the HDL cholesterol. According to the American Heart Association, the desirable amount should be below 5:1 with the optimal amount of 3.5:1 or 3.5 to 1.

The LDL/HDL is done by dividing LDL cholesterol by the HDL cholesterol. The desirable amount in this ratio should be 3.5 below. The American Heart Association recommended that physicians must use complete numbers for total cholesterol/HDL cholesterol in determining the appropriate treatment.

A normal cholesterol level as suggested by the National Institute of Health:

* total cholesterol – 200mg/dL

* LDL – 100mg/dL

* HDL (man) – 40mg/dL above

* HDL (woman) – 50mg/dL above

* Triglycerides – 150mg/dL

It is important to remember to fast the night before, prior to taking a lipid profile test (a test that profiles the HDL cholesterol, triglycerides and total cholesterol) the next day.

If this information was useful, visit our website The Low Cholesterol Recipe to find out more.

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Diabeteswhat You Should Know

designrp — Wed, 28 Apr 2010 06:30:56 +0000

This article will explain what you need to know about Diabetes before you or someone you know are unpleasantly surprised.

Diabetes affects around 16 million Americans and about 800,000 new cases are diagnosed each year.

A diagnosis of diabetes is made if your blood glucose reading is 126 mg/dl or higher. People with Type I Diabetes are subject to episodes in which blood glucose levels are very high (hyperglycemia) and very low (hypoglycemia). There are two primary reasons for Diabetes, 1) A prolonged diet high in carbohydrates and 2) Improper and under nourishment. Today, most people with diabetes are only treating the symptoms and not getting to the root of the problem. The prevalence of diabetes has been steadily increasing world over. Diabetes is a disease in which blood glucose levels are above normal.

Insulin is a hormone secreted by the pancreas that is needed to convert sugar and starches into energy needed for daily activity. Type 1 Diabetes is also called Insulin Dependent Diabetes. Insulin is a very important hormone that is needed to convert sugar, starches and other food into energy-the energy we need for daily life. Diabetes is a disease that develops over time, and your health care provider can help you find out whether you are likely to become a diabetic. Diabetes does not care who you are, if testing is painful or if you are tired. Type 2 diabetes is sometimes referred to as mature onset diabetes.

Type II diabetes, in the past, was relegated to the adult population. This form of diabetes is mainly found in children. Smoking is another important risk factor. Among men who smoke, the risk of developing diabetes is doubled. Of the many types of Diabetes, type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes, gestational. diabetes and pre-diabetes are the most common. Before the discovery of insulin, type 1 diabetes was fatal. Doing the right things to take care of diabetes can also help to take care of your heart as well. Most Type 2 diabetics don’t have symptoms because the onset. Typically, this type of diabetes will occur during the last three months of the pregnancy , but may potentially occur before that time.

Of the many types of Diabetes, type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes, gestational. Diabetes and pre-diabetes are the most common.

Twenty to fifty percent may develop Type 2 diabetes later in life. Children of mothers with gestational diabetes are more at risk for obesity and developing diabetes as teens or adults. It is quite possible to live and eat quite nicely with diabetes if you stick to your plan. The most important thing about dieting with diabetes is that you never lose sight of how crucial it is to do so. Through losing weight, getting the right amount of exercise and controlling your diet, you can manage. Juvenile Onset diabetes is another major form of diabetes that affects many children. The challenge with pre-diabetes is the fact that the condition doesn’t like to reveal itself with noticeable symptoms.

The experience teaches that a mere elimination of symptoms is short-lived, as the underlying causes will soon give birth to new symptoms. Diagnosed with type 2 Diabetes. One of the main causes is overweight. There are a number of causes which give rise to diabetes.

Recently more children are being diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes. The aim with the treatment of both types of Diabetes is to have blood glucose levels, blood pressure and cholesterol levels as near to average as is possible.

You can prevent or at the very least delay onset of type II diabetes with proper nutrition and exercise.

The thought of getting a disease such as diabetes can be worrisome, it helps to be aware of what diabetes symptoms are and be able to recognize them early enough to get the help you will need to get the disease under control.

For people who are heavily dependent on medicines, exercise cannot replace drugs but it does contribute to normalizing the glucose metabolism.

There have been reports of women diabetics who experienced a decline in sexual activities due to the lack of sensation.

And most diabetics develop heart disease. Research has repeatedly shown that regular physical activity helps reduce the likelihood of having a heart attack or a stroke, aids in weight loss, and improves mood.

It is a very serious disorder, sometimes fatal and is the leading cause of death in Western society because of its damage to the cardiovascular system.

With exercise, weight loss and a healthy diet, pre-diabetic people can and have managed to bring down their glucose levels and have escaped the threat of an insulin-dependent life.

The cause of diabetes is somewhat a mystery, although both family history and environmental factors such as obesity and lack of exercise appear to play roles.

Ketoacidosis is most often seen in Type I diabetics, individuals whose pancreas does not produce enough insulin to allow their cells to take in glucose for metabolism (also the most common form of childhood diabetes).

It should come as no surprise that one of the major causes for the increase in diabetes is due to the obesity problem.

If proper treatment and medication is not administered, at times aggressively, it can lead to fatal complications .

In our days diabetes becomes a big problem even when patients are given insulin and stay on strict diets.

Doctors have always asked themselves why some people develop diabetes and some not, and so, by studying, they have discovered that there are some factors that interfere with the installation of diabetes.

As many studies have shown that an increase in UCP2 function has an important role in pathogenesis of diabetes, this genipin with its inhibitor action on UCP2, represents a solution for improving beta cell function in type 2 diabetes.

Alexis Kenne is a graduate in mathematiques, and wellness expert
To know more about his work visit:
http://www.extend-yourlife.com
http://www.goodhealthguaranteed.com

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Why You Should Be Lowering Blood Cholesterol Naturally

designrp — Tue, 27 Apr 2010 10:27:37 +0000

Lots of people want to know about ways to lower cholesterol naturally. Fortunately, there are answers available. It is important to first know there is no magic pill for reducing cholesterol levels. What is essential is that you are keeping to a diet that is particularly designed to lower cholesterol levels. To lower the level of cholesterol in your body you should also get some exercise on a regular basis.

What is Cholesterol?

Cholesterol is a substance that is soft and waxy and can be seen in the cells of your body.

Our bodies make use of cholesterol to function efficiently. The body also makes use of cholesterol in making other valuable substances such as Vitamin D and hormones that help to properly digest food.

Understanding Normal Cholesterol Levels

Doctors use a specially graded chart to determine whether or not yours can be considered normal cholesterol level or whether your cholesterol level is too high.

If you have lower than 200 mg/dL, it means your cholesterol level is under control. If the chart shows that your level is higher than 200 mg/dL but lower than 239 mg/dL, then it is not bad but you still need to be careful. If your cholesterol level is in excess of 240 mg/dL, then you have high cholesterol.

You can find many natural means that you can use to reduce cholesterol if you find that your level of cholesterol is on the higher side. However, not all cholesterol is bad. HDL cholesterol is beneficial to you. LDL cholesterol is the one that is considered harmful.

Ways of Lowering LDL Cholesterol

Low density lipoprotein, also called LDL, is the cholesterol that is considered bad for health. It carries cholesterol to the body tissues that use it to function. When you regularly consume excessive amounts of cholesterol your body often struggles to utilize it all. At this time LDL releases the surplus into the blood stream. This can be problematic as the extra cholesterol that is released keeps building up in the arteries. This constant build up leads to formation of plaque.

It is important to know how to lower ldl cholesterol by making dietary changes. It is best to avoid eating high cholesterol foods. You can easily find foods that help to lower cholesterol levels. Whole grains and oatmeal are some of the best.

How to lower Cholesterol Naturally

If you have been told that you have high cholesterol, but do not wish to take any kind of cholesterol medication, there are many alternative ways that you could use to reduce your levels of cholesterol naturally. One of the most valuable thing you can do is to eat plenty of foods that will reduce cholesterol levels and avoid those foods that are confirmed to be loaded with cholesterol. Some amount of exercise is a good option but it is best if used in conjunction with a diet that excludes high cholesterol foods.

Reducing your cholesterol by natural means will not happen overnight. But if you are determined, it is just a matter of time that you will see those cholesterol readings falling.

Lowering cholesterol naturally is not as effective for all. Many individuals would be advised to take medication. It is good to know though that you can reduce your cholesterol with medication and combine it with natural lowering methods as well. It is best to get your doctor’s advice before you embark upon any program for lowering your cholesterol using natural methods or with the prescribed medication

Lowering cholesterol naturally does take time but it can be achieved. You can find many different foods that can help you to keep normal cholesterol numbers. However, several individuals will have need of medication as well as natural cholesterol reducing measures.

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What Should I Do For My Project On Diabetes?

designrp — Sun, 28 Feb 2010 07:35:59 +0000

For Health class I need to put together a project on diabetes, and I need some ideas of what I can do for it.

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If The Doctor Prescribes The Wrong Type Of Insulin And It Can Not Be Returned To The Pharmacy What Should I Do?

designrp — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 13:31:41 +0000

With our insurance the monthly allowance is used already so now we have to pay full price for the correct insulin.

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What Should Teens With A High Risk Of Diabetes Eat ?

designrp — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 19:19:19 +0000

I’m at a high risk of developing diabetes and was told to watch what i eat . I understand no candy and such but what should i be eating ? What is appropriate for the situation im in ?

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How Often Should People At Risk For Diabetes Get Tested?

designrp — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 19:21:14 +0000

I’m not diabetic or overweight, and I do my best to eat a healthy diet. However, the one BIG risk factor I have is that my father has it, and it tends to run in my family.
I’ve had normal BS levels as long as I could remember now, and so far have had no symptoms. I monitor my fasting blood sugar on my own about every month or two(using my father’s equipment) and get it checked during my annual physical. Is this enough to monitor it properly, or am I doing something wrong?
Also, any advice on delaying the onset of diabetes as far as I can? I’m already trying to be active, keeping my weight in check and eating healthy, but is there anything else I can do? I plan on enlisting in the military in a few years, so I need to be in my top condition.

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How Often Should I Get Checked For Diabetes?

designrp — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 13:30:59 +0000

I was wondering how often i should get checked for diabetes because both my dad and my grandma have it. I know that i am at risk because it runs on my dads side of the family.

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If I Forget My Insulin As Prescribed At Bedtime Should I Take The Dosage The Next Morning?

designrp — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 01:49:59 +0000

I fell asleep really early and didn’t wake up till the next morning. If anyone that is diabetic on insulin and has ran into this situation , can you tell me what the normal thing to do is , just skip it all together or take it the following morning.

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Why Should Those With Diabetes Wear Shoes All The Time?

designrp — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 19:26:41 +0000

Earlier today I read an article about shoes and the different problems with different kinds of shoes.
I can’t find it anymore, which is why I didn’t post the link.
But in the article, it said that someone with diabetes or would likely eventually get diabetes should never go without shoes; whether inside or outside their house.
Why would that be? Thanks for any help in understanding this.

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