Vitamin C increases the absorption of Iron in the intestines

Vitamin C is an antioxidant and thus converts iron into its ferrous form. Iron when present in the ferrous form is more easily absorbed through the intestinal membrane than the ferric form. Hence doctors often recommend citrus foods along with foods rich in iron to anemic patients. A lot of commercially available iron tablets in the market are coupled with vitamin C which is chemically known as Ascorbic acid.

Vitamin E protects against heart attacks and cancer

Vitamin E, also known as tocopherol protects against heart attacks and cancer through its potent antioxidant action. Through its antioxidant action it acts as a free radical scavenger in the human body. Free radicals are produced as a result of various oxidation reduction reactions and modify the DNA and proteins in various cells of the human body. Free radical induced damage to DNA results in a number of diseases like cancer, autoimmune diseases, SLE etc. It also protects against heart attack by the same mechanism by preventing oxidation of LDL by free radicals.Some physicians prescribe a weekly tablet of Vitamin E to their above 45 yrs of age patients.

Condom: Today's necessity

A condom provides a physical barrier between 2 sexual partners involved in the sexual act. A remarkable invention of the 20th century, its primary function was supposed to be birth control. In addition it serves a wonderful function of protection against sexually transmitted diseases like AIDS, infections and birth control. It bears a slight disadvantage of decreased sensations but still the benefits outweigh the disadvatage by miles. Moreover, it offers an economical advantage over a number of other modes of contraception. In the worldwide campaign against AIDS, the use of condoms has been promoted with all the force by major agencies of the world like the WHO so much so that a large number of free distribution campaigns have been organised.

GOLDEN RULE: Have safer sex, use condoms. Join the campaign against AIDS and STDs(sexually transmitted diseases).

Oral Cancer: Is tobacco the culprit?

Oral cancer is one of the highest occurring cancers worldwide. Though the causes could be many, but tobacco has been medically proved to be a major cause of oral cancer. It dramatically increases the risk of oral cancer in individuals who are habitual of tobacco chewing. In countries like India tobacco chewing is very prevalent and the most worrying fact is that a good percentage of younger generation enjoys tobacco eating as their favourite pass time. Apart from cancer, it causes leucoplakia, ulceration of mouth, restriction of jaw movements, damage to dentition, infections etc. In addition to oral cancer it also predisposes to cancer of our gastrointestinal system.

Treatment of Diabetes

Once diagnosed, diabetes requires the patient to make the necessary lifestyle modifications namely the dietary modifications, fat, sugar and salt restriction in diet, weight reduction and a strict schedule of exercise has to be followed for best results. The role of medical treatment comes into play if the above measures fail to bring down the blood sugar levels to normal. The various drugs used for the treatment of diabetes belong to the groups of biguanides, sulphonylureas, thiazolidinediones, insulin etc. The best way to monitor blood sugar levels is to do so at home regularly at frequent intervals. This can be done by using a glucometer, which is an instrument that measures blood sugar levels electronically by analysis a small drop of blood causing negligible pain or discomfort to the patient. The procedure is so smooth that most of the time the patient doesn't even make out that the blood sample has already been drawn. the blood is drawn in the form of a minute droplet. Urine dipstick tests are also available in the market but are not very accurate.

The patients prescribed with insulin are often under a notion that use of insulin would develop a level of dependence in them and that they would have to take insulin lifelong. NO!!!! Insulin is prescribed when the lifestyle modifications and the drug treatment both fail to normalize the blood sugar levels. When prescribed by the physician, a strict routine has to be followed both for meals and insulin injections. The injections are not painful at all. After all they have been engineered to make them as painless as possible. Insulin pens are a revolution in this regard. Its an easy way to administer insulin dose at the prescribed time intervals during the day without the hassle of changing the needles measuring the doses. A lot of companies have their products in the market.

In the end I would advice the patients to be aware of their health needs and take necesary precautions at the earliest.

Precautions for Diabetics

DIABETES IS NOT A DISEASE. It is only a derangement of blood glucose levels which can be controlled by simple modifications of lifestyle with a few changes in our diet pattern, a little bit of exercise, minimising and not removing fat content in food, minimising and not removing the sugar content in your food, slight cooperation by family members and last but not the least, an urge to keep fit. Of all these, EXERCISE is the best and the most effective control measure.
REMEMBER: Exercise minimises the body's need for insulin. BUT: it only minimises and doesn't eliminate the need for insulin.
GOLDEN RULE: Diet and Exercise

Assess yourself if you have Diabetes

Diabetes is one of the commonest diseases on earth and still a large proportion of people suffering from diabetes are actually not aware that they are having diabetes. A lot of indications have been cited to part and rof diabetes but still they are often so unnoticeable that the disease goes unnoticed for years. Ask yourself these simple questions and you may get an indication to consult your physician:

1. Do you experience slight weakness during the day?
2. Do you feel the need urinate too frequently?
3. Do you experience increase thirst?
4. Have you started eating a bit more than before?
5. Has a minor injury or wound taken longer than usual to heal?
6. Are you overwieght?
7. Is there somebody in your family who is also diabetic?

If the answer any or few of them is yes you may be having it. Remember the earlier you confirm the easier it gets to lead an absolutely normal life like anybody else.

Diabetes: Introduction

Diabetes is a disease characterised by raised blood glucose levels due to insufficient insulin secretion or action. Insulin secreted from pancreas (an organ in human body) has a primary function to increase the utilisation of blood glucose by cells of various organs of the body. When the utilisation of blood glucose by the cells is hampered, it results in diabetes. There are mainly 2 reasons for this and either of them may be responsible for the occurrence of the disease separately or simultaneously:

1. The pancreas is not able to secrete insulin in sufficient amounts.
2. The insulin although secreted in normal amounts, is not able to exercise its function properly due to various reasons which range from a defect in the structure of insulin molecule to the malfunction of insulin receptors in the cells of the human body or even due to the inappropriate levels of other hormones like growth hormone, adrenal steroids etc.

Signs and symptoms: Weakness, excessive urination, excessive thirst, excessive hunger, delayed healing of minor wounds.