Does Prediabetes Lead to Diabetes?

With the right changes in lifestyle, it doesn't have to, says WebMD's diabetes expert.

By Michael Dansinger, MD Reviewed by Laura J. Martin, MD

In every issue of WebMD the Magazine, asks their experts to answer readers' questions about a wide range of topics. In our January-February 2011 issue,they asked WebMD's diabetes expert, Michael Dansinger, MD, to answer a question about the link between prediabetes and diabetes.

Q: At my last checkup, my doctor told me I have prediabetes. Does that mean I'll ultimately develop 

Don White, 68, a retired science teacher from upstate New York, first suspected he had type 2 diabetes when he was 45 years old and his school held a health fair for students and teachers. A simple prick of his finger to test for high blood sugar -- a sign of diabetes -- revealed some unexpected news. "My numbers were way above normal," says White. "In a matter of days, and a couple of doctor's appointments later, I found out I had type 2 diabetes." White and his family were surprised by...

A: Almost everyone who develops type 2 diabetes develops prediabetes first. But not everyone who has prediabetes -- defined as having levels of glucose (a type of sugar in the blood) that are higher than normal but not yet diabetic -- ends up with diabetes. In fact, changing your lifestyle can significantly delay or even prevent type 2 diabetes.

Those changes can include losing a moderate amount of weight (5% to 10% of your body weight -- about 8 to 16 pounds for a 160-pound woman), getting regular exercise (about 30 minutes daily), and eating healthy meals. There are lots of good eating plans for delaying or preventing diabetes -- most emphasize a variety of vegetables, fruits, fish, lean chicken, beans, low-fat dairy, egg whites, soy, and whole grains.

Quitting smoking, drinking alcohol only moderately (if you drink already), and reducing stress all help keep your blood glucose levels under control.  

You should also know that prediabetes puts you at risk for other conditions, such as heart disease and stroke. In fact, prediabetes is now considered one of America's most serious health problems (one in four adults has it). Knowing how to keep it in check can prevent diabetes from developing in the future.

Some Physiotherapy Asthma Management May Be Questionable

Physiotherapy Asthma management is a concern for about 15 million people in America. There are many different medications and other treatments used successfully for asthma management. However, some methods used are not quite proven to work.

Some physiotherapy clinics claim that massage can be used for asthma management. They state that it works to relieve the symptoms of wheezing and breathlessness. They use massage on patients young and old. However, there is no substantial proof that massage does any more good for asthma management than to relieve stress.

One alternative physiotherapy method that has been used for asthma management is acupuncture. There is some indication that this technique can actually have some benefit in relieving symptoms of asthma.

Acupuncture does seem to help the immune system fight off illnesses. This is important in helping asthma management. Illnesses such as colds or flu will exacerbate the asthma condition. If acupuncture can reduce this, it is a great help. Yet, acupuncture is still only recommended to be used along with other treatments. It is not to be used alone.

Some acupuncturists use other methods for asthma management. They might burn herbs over acupuncture points. They might give patients a certain kind of massage, or teach them breathing exercises. There is no known validity in these treatments.

Chiropractors rely on spinal manipulation for asthma management. The reviews of this theory are mixed. One study compared a sham, or fake, type of spinal manipulation that was done on one group of asthma patients. The other group got the real manipulations. There was little, if any, difference between the two groups. This would suggest that chiropractic adjustments are not effective for asthma management.

However, another study was done. Eighty-one children were followed through asthma management at a chiropractic clinic over a period of time. Overall, there were 45% fewer asthma attacks among these children after treatment. 30% were able to significantly reduce their asthma medications. Thus, the jury is still out on the effect of chiropractic medicine on asthma management.

There is a physiotherapy specialty certification for those who wish to work with asthma management. Physiotherapists may take a test to become certified as Certified Asthma Educators, and they help people to deal with their condition. What is more, Medicare and Medicaid pay for their services.

There is also some evidence that asthma management for those who have to be admitted to the hospital should involve physiotherapy. There was a study of respiratory patients who were given range of motion exercises while in the hospital. The average stay was three days less than those without the exercises.

One challenge of traditional physiotherapy for asthma management is that dehydration happens easily. Asthmatics get dehydrated more easily, and it affects them in a worse way. It can even bring on an asthma attack. Any exercise plan must take this into account.

There are ways for physiotherapy to be used for asthma management. Certainly, there are other methods, and research may prove these methods have value. In the meantime, some methods are better saved for alternative methods to be used in addition to medications and proven physiotherapy treatments.

Common Congenital Abnormalities focused on (Hydrocephalus)

Today I would love us to look at hydrocephalus, a life threatening condition often referred to as “water on the brain” which can be treated by surgical placement of a shunt system. This condition can also occur where there is too much cerebral spinal fluids in the ventricles (cavities) of the brain.  
Cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) is produced in the brain and is needed by the body to protect the brain and the spinal code, it carry’s away waste from the brain cells. too much cerebral spinal fluids puts a harmful amount of pressure onthe brain tissues and treatment is needed to release this pressure, hydrocephalous can be present at birth or develop later in child hood or adult hood. In adults it is usually normal pressure hydrocephalous (NPH) and this usually develops in people with over 60 years because the drainage of the cerebral spinal fluids gradually becomes blocked.

                                                                                     
Causes of Hydrocephalus

HC can affect most children born with spina bifida (SB) but there can be other causes like the damage to the blood supply or an infection may affect the body’s development before birth.

Many babies with hydrocephalous are also born prematurely.

HC is often associated with conditions that affect the brain or spinal column such as meningitis and spina bifida. Currently 80-90% of people with spina bifida also have hydrocephalous. Other types of the condition can also be caused by cysts or tumors in the brain that block the flow of the cerebral spinal fluids however the main cause for congenital hydrocephalous is  not known.

Symptoms of hydrocephalous

In children: since the skull is still forming and the bones are not yet fixed together as in adulthood, HC can cause enlargement of the child’s head , other symptoms include

Vomiting, Delayed growth and development, Sun setting eyes, Poor feeding, Head growing bigger than the normal size, Irritability and less movement than normal.

Many children with hydrocephalous also display symptoms that can be mistaken for nuttiness such as verbal aggression and swearing, hyperactivity, not paying attention and generally usual behaviors and they may also experience leaning difficulties at school.

In Adults: The skull is fixed and cannot adjust to change in pressure but they can present with the following symptoms:-

Headache followed by vomiting, Nausea, Downward deviation of the eyes (the eyes look downwards) , Urinary incontinence, Poor coordination (Clumsiness), Difficulty in walking , irritability and other changes in personality.

Treatment of hydrocephalus

The aim of any treatment for hydrocephalous is to release the pressure on the brain caused by the buildup for cerebral spinal fluids.

If the cause of hydrocephalus is a tumor on the brain then surgery to remove the tumor may be carried out, for all other causes, a shunt operation may be required.

HC affect both mental and physical development and thus a team of specialists is often required to assist with treatment for this condition but with the right treatment and a lot of support, many people with HC live a normal life with a few limitations.

Complications

On the other hand, if HC is no treated other complications like blindness spasticity (cerebral palsy) and brain damage can occur.

Prevention of hydrocephalus

Folic acid when taken has been proved to be effective as a primary prevention to avoid neural tube defects including spina bifida. in order to derive enough folic acids from foods , one has to eat more than different types of fruits per a day like mangoes and guavas among others with the highest rate of folic acid.

Other foods include:

Fresh avocado , spinach, fresh mangoes, pawpaw’s, cooked green peas , cooked fresh maize, cooked pumpkin leaves, fresh bananas , boiled eggs , boiled cassava, properly cooked liver among others.

Finally the following is also important

Myths about Hydrocephalous:

It cannot be transmitted through contact with an infected person, HC is not a curse, It cannot be transmitted through toilet seats or door handles, It is not an air born disease, There is no witchcraft involved

Fats about hydrocephalus:

It is curable, The patients need medical rehabilitation, Pregnant mothers need to eat food rich in folic acid, Children with HC are still children and need to be loved and cared for, Fathers with such children need to support the mothers of these children . 

Contributed by: N Flavia , A regular Contributor at lifespot Icons , An experienced  comprehensive nurse working with the Uganda Local government  

Common women problems: Gynecological cancers

Did you know that gynecological cancers are a serious problem and are among the common women problems? Today I would love us to look at;
a.    Definition of cancer,
b.    Areas affected,
c.    Causes of cancer,
d.    Presentations,
e.    Prevention and,
f.    Management of gynecological cancers.

Cancer is uncontrolled growth of body cells which gets embedded in a particular part of the body and these are now useless cells.

The cancers do affect different parts of the reproductive system which includes;


1.    Cancer of the vulva: In this case it stars as a small swelling which letter progresses into cancer and this is common among older women above 70 years of age.
2.    Cancer of the vagina :This presents with offensive smell and  inter-menstrual  bleeding
3.    Cancer of the cervix: This presents as like cancer of the vagina and is associated with smoking and at times can also be associated with pills and immune suppression. It’s common among women below 45 years of age.
4.    Cancer of the uterus.
5.    Endometrio cancer: it presents with prolonged bleeding which is not menstrual, and it can be associated with hormonal replacement therapy and post-menopausal factors common among women between 45-60 years.
6.    Cancer of the fallopian tubes: This is a rear type.
7.    Cancer of the ovaries: It presents with abdominal discomfort, weight loss and swelling of the abdomen.

The most common type is cervical cancer and it is caused by a virus (HPV).The other cancers have no specific causes but there are risk factors which can predispose you to cancer which includes;
·    Genetic predisposition.
·    Early sexual exposure.
·    Having multiple partners.
·    Having too many children.
·    Co-infection with other medical conditions, and
·    Smoking.
Remember, almost all cancers can be prevented by;
1.    Behavior change for example in smokers and abstaining in younger women.
2.    You catch the disease and treat it before it turns into cancer, like in cancers of the vulva, vagina and cervix.
3.    Tumor markers can be used to detect any change in size of the ovaries.
4.    Early screening at least at 25yrs, if found negative repeat the screening every after 3-5yrs.
5.    Cancer of the cervix can be prevented by vaccination with the HPV vaccine.
                     
However all early stages of cancer can be cured and treatment is basically;
Ø    Surgical:
This process involves the total taking out of the affected part for example cancer of the cervix.
Ø    Radiotherapy:
In this case, pre-cancer is treated by destroying the cancer cells, the cells can also be destroyed by hitting or freezing.
Ø    Treatment can also be by provision of drugs.

Please ensure that you visit a health facility for early cancer screening and treatment whenever you get any worrying sign of cancer.

Authors Bio: Prepared by Nakabugo Flavia, An enrolled comprehensive nurse .working with the public service In Uganda, expert writer at good life press, I love sharing educative info with people who share the same passion and interest; you can contact me on my Facebook page or on Google+ profile.