Monday, May 12, 2008

gestational diabetes

The Complications Of Gestational Diabetes

Diabetes is a condition where the person has problems regarding production of insulin or absorption of insulin in the tissues. In some cases, a pregnant woman who does not have diabetes might find herself exhibiting symptoms of the condition. This is known as gestational diabetes. This limited type of diabetes actually lasts as long as the pregnancy and is resolved a few weeks or days after the woman gives birth.

This type of diabetes can be detected through blood testing when the mother-to-be is around her fourth to sixth month. There is actually no other way of finding out if you have gestational diabetes except for blood testing. The symptoms of this type of diabetes can be mistaken as monthly pregnancy symptoms and the condition may be overlooked because of this.

Symptoms Of Gestational Diabetes

The symptoms of gestational diabetes are the same as the early signs of diabetes but they seldom progress to the more serious stage because the pregnancy only last nine months. Some of the symptoms include feeling excessively thirsty, frequent urination, drinking lots of fluids. Other symptoms of gestational diabetes are fatigue, nausea, yeast and bladder infections and sometimes blurry vision.

The Risk Of Gestational Diabetes

There are risks of complications when a soon-to-be mother has gestational diabetes. The complications usually involve the unborn child. These complications are chemical imbalance after the birth of the child and some growth abnormalities. A risk of having a low level of blood glucose may also occur in babies born to mothers with gestational diabetes as well as jaundice, low blood calcium and high red blood cell mass. The child may also be larger or smaller than the average newborns. Having a large child can lead to caesarean section birth or the use of instruments to extract the infant.

Women who have experienced gestational diabetes are more susceptible to diabetes later on. They may also experience a repeat of gestational diabetes with their other succeeding pregnancies. Treating this type of diabetes can be as easy as controlling your diet or taking medication prescribed by your medical practitioner. The medications available in the market today for gestational diabetes are safe for the unborn child and the soon to be mother.

The key to managing this type of diabetes is early detection and controlling the kinds of foods you eat. There is actually no great sacrifice to be done since this condition usually lasts until a few weeks after the mother has given birth. These precautions are for the safety of the mother and the unborn child.


organic dog food

The Benefits of Organic Dog Food

Organic dog food is more popular now than ever before, and for good reason. Recently the advantages of organic dog food have begun to become more understood, and this means that pet owners now realize how much better this dog food is for their pets than other food products out there.

Whether or not you have actually gone organic yet you surely already understand how crucial a role diet plays in your dog’s overall health. By giving your dog organic dog food you will almost immediately notice a boost in their energy levels and as well their complexions will improve and their immune system. This means they will catch fewer colds and suffer fewer allergies.

Benefits

There are many other benefits of organic dog food as well. Fewer digestive disorders is one, as superior sources of grains and proteins and a lack of chemicals and artificial substances makes this dog food more digestible than others. These foods include only the freshest and healthiest ingredients, ensuring your dog optimum health.

Organic dog foods also help your dog to lose and maintain weight, which is important because although you may think a chubby dog is cute, obesity can cause a variety of health problems. Just like with humans, diabetes, organ failure, and back ailments can all be caused by a dog being overweight.

Even if your dog does not suffer from skin ailments you can ensure that they will never have to by feeding them organic food. This is because these organic foods provide better quality sources of nutritional substances and is also more digestible. Because of this dogs are likely to absorb rather than eliminate the nutrients included in the food.

The bottom line is that by giving your pet organic dog food they will have a better quality of life and longevity. What you feed your dog will have an incredible impact on how they look and feel and by feeding them organic food you are ensuring they live the longest and healthiest life possible.

Where to Buy

There are many different organic dog food products you can choose from, and if you are interested in starting your dog on organic food you will simply need to head to the local pet store and see what they have to offer. There should be a decent selection here but keep in mind that you also have the option of going to a specialty organic dog food store.


Indian cooking

Cultural Differences Dominate Indian Cooking

Indian cooking is not all that simple and easy. It is time consuming as a lot of taste comes out of marinating herbs, spices along with the main ingredient. The diversity of the Indian culture is characterized by a wide assortment of cuisine and cooking techniques. Indian cooking varies from region to region which reflects the culture of the people in that region. Broadly, Indian cuisine can be split into four categories – North India, South India, West Indian and East Indian.


The Diversity of Indian Cooking

Despite the diversity of culture, some ingredients like spices and herbs are common in all Indian cooking. Besides demographic influences on cuisine, invasion of cultural groups from Central and West Asia and Europe have left their mark on Indian cooking.

Primarily, Indians consisting mainly of Hindus, are vegetarians. Brahmins, the highest in the order of caste, are strict vegetarians, but Brahmins along the coastal areas of Goa, Kerala and West Bengal eat fish. People of southern India, mainly Tamil Nadu, are vegetarians probably because eating meat is difficult in hot and humid weather. The northern part of India experiences extreme hot and cold climates which explain the rich and heavy diets laced with spices and herbs indulged by the people of this region. People of this region are also meat-eaters influenced partly by the demography and the invading moguls from central Asia.

In the desert areas of Rajasthan and Gujarat a variety of dals and pickles (preserved) are mainstay diets as a substitute for fresh vegetables and fruits. In the hot and humid regions of south India tamarind is an ingredient to sour the preparation and gravies can be chilli-hot. The hot, sour and spicy food is believed to be one of the best ways to fight off the flu virus. In most of south central India, all meals end with a banana or yogurt to quench the raging fire within! Another south Indian staple ingredient is the coconut. Coastal India indulges in a variety of fish and prawns in coconut curries.

The staple grain in all Indian cooking is the fat parboiled rice. The north Indians simply boil rice, while the south Indians do a variety in rice preparations. Dosa, idli made of rice is a staple breakfast meal in south Indian homes. Rice is powdered and steamed into a pudding in bamboo shoots and eaten as a dessert along with sweetened coconut milk.

Eastern India is famous for its milk-based sweets. Sweets available all over India originated from West Bengal. All food preparations of this region have a sweetened flavor. Sea food and delights in poppy seeds is very popular in this region.

Tea with liberal doses of sugar is a common beverage all over India. Filtered coffee which is a sweet milky version of coffee is very popular in south India. ‘Nimbhu Pani’ or squeezed lime juice with water and sugar is common in the dry regions. There is ‘lassi’ sweetened yogurt to beat the heat. India also a number of alcoholic beverages, but having a drink before a meal are taboo and not done during family meals in India.

Indian cooking is an art difficult to master because the Indian palate is based on religion, region, culture, truly the most diverse cuisine in the world. It is not like “English Rice” which is the same across England. Indian rice can be jeera rice, vegetable-mixed rice, pulao, biryani – there is no end to it.

Monday, May 5, 2008

first signs of diabetes

Understanding First Signs of Diabetes

In recent decades, diabetes has become one of the leading causes of mortality in the United States. In most of the times, it is really difficult to recognize the first signs of diabetes, especially in the case of diabetes type 2, as either there are no symptoms at all or the symptoms draw a parallel to other insignificant health conditions. In fact, when you become able to notice the signs of diabetes for the first time, it reflects the advanced symptoms one way or another.

In this article, we will focus on identifying those first signs of diabetes that may even seem similar to common health complication, however, if analyzed carefully, may offer the necessary warning signs.

Increased Thirst

This is one of the major early or first signs of diabetes. However, it is normal to feel thirsty, but people with diabetes type 2 may feel more thirsty than normal. In most of the cases, we easily ignore this symptom like any other first signs of diabetes, simply attributing it to a normal occurrence or dry weather. But dry mouth and an increased crave of drinking water can be the first signs of diabetes.

Increased Need for Urination

This is one of the most common first signs of diabetes, however, not much underestimated like other symptoms. In fact, many people consider this symptom seriously and suspect it as the probable symptom of diabetes. The urge of urination may become so vital that it can make the individual and surrounding persons uncomfortable. If you are experiencing this symptom, you should meet your doctor for his advice.

Become Infection Prone

Getting more and more infections is one of the first signs of diabetes. In fact, many people doubt when infections take longer time to heal than usual. Many infections occur due to neuropathy, a condition characterized by nerve damage. Different researchers and medical documents suggest neuropathy and the pervasiveness of infections as the significant first signs of diabetes.

Visual Degradation

Many people report visual complications even when they are not diagnosed with diabetes. It is very difficult to make the prognosis of diabetes from visual degradation including blurriness or haziness of visual clarity, retinopathy, glaucoma, cataracts, etc. Research suggests individuals with diabetes are at 40% higher risk for developing glaucoma than people without diabetes problem.
Other Symptoms

Fatigue is one of the most unnoticed and underreported first signs of diabetes. Typically people with diabetes experience an increased sense of fatigue; they get very easily exhausted even without doing any hard work. They frequently experience racing heart and dizziness. In addition, their weight may dramatically decrease.



home cooking

Home Is Where The Heart (And The Cooking) Is

Do you have a special recipe that reminds you of where you grew up? Maybe it's your mom's mashed potatoes, or your grandmother's famous pumpkin pie. Whatever it is, it stirs up feelings and memories that are associated with childhood and youth. Home cooking has become a culinary style that many professional chefs try to invoke. It causes feelings of nostalgia, making the diner feel happy and fulfilled. Though home cooking was not originally a specific concept, it has evolved to become a cooking style that professional chefs—as well as cooks all over the world—strive for in their dishes.

Meals And Memories

There are several meals that are typically associated with the home cooking style. These meals are usually heavy or rich—but they are always delicious! They can be different from chef to chef, because one characteristic of home cooking is that the meals frequently come from family recipes. The meals or dishes can also vary by country and region, because this too can affect the meals that one ate while they were growing up. There are a wide range of factors that affect what meals are associated with "home cooking." Thus, no two home cooking recipes are exactly alike—each has their own touch from the heart!

Mashed potatoes, macaroni and cheese, and sweet potatoes are a few typical meals that are often associated with the term "home cooking." Fried chicken and hush puppies are two items commonly associated with southern soul food. In Italy, home cooking might include dishes like lasagna and veal. In Spain, a home cooked meal might incorporate rice and enchiladas.

A Special Secret Recipe

Finding a recipe and making it special in some way—like by serving it on an annual special occasion—can make it fall under the category of home cooking. Try a recipe for cornbread—it might just become an instant family classic!

To begin, gather 1 cup of yellow cornmeal, 1 cup of water, 1 tablespoon baking powder, 1 cup of whole wheat pastry flour, ¼ teaspoon of salt, ½ cup of canola oil, and 2 tablespoons of maple syrup. Mix the dry and wet ingredients separately in two different bowls, and then combine them well. Pout the mixture into a well oiled baking pan, and bake for 30 minutes at 350 degrees.

Family Favorites

It is great to come home for a holiday or special occasion and find your favorite meal cooking on the stove. Not only does it mean you get to have a special treat, but it also stirs up childhood memories.

nutro dog food

No Need To Be Afraid Of Nutro Dog Food

After the massive pet food recall of 2007, many pet owners are wondering whether it's safe to go back to the recalled brands their pets know and love. All three lines of Nutro dog food were affected by the recall. The containments have been identified and eliminated from entering the pet food chain, until maybe the next recall. But considering how long Nutro dog food has been around, they have had far more satisfied customers than unsatisfied ones.

About The Company

Nutro dog food and cat food started in the mind of a British entrepreneur who started his own line of pet foods in the 1920's. The inevitable then happened – he was bought out by an American in 1926. John Saleen named the company Nutro and headquartered it in California. While selling the pet food available, the Saleen family put the profits into research and development.

One of the first companies to get on the "best nutrition" bandwagon in the mid-1980's, Nutro dog food emphasized proper food ingredients like chicken and rice rather than the hodgepodge of slaughterhouse scraps and preservatives dog food mainly consisted of. In fact, there was even a dog condition known by vets as "dog food disease" where dogs that lived on only cheap dog food became horribly malnourished.

Would I Feed It To My Dog?

This writer has fed dry Nutro dog food and biscuits to her own dog, who means more to me than life itself. I want her to eat much better than I do because I want her to live as long and pain-free as possible. Nutro dog food also comes in cans, but I haven't tried them yet. The reaction from my dog was "good, but not back flip-worthy good". She never got sick.

You do have to pay more than average for Nutro dog food. However, they often give out coupons for free bags and other deep discounts. They usually have free samples and sales representatives in big chain pet stores to talk to you about pet nutrition, if you so desire.

Although my dog was not overly excited by Nutro dog food, I have no hesitation about feeding it to her again, even if she won't do a back flip for it like she will attempt for other kinds of food (like Nutro's pouch food for cats, which she is forbidden). Just like junk food, it tends to satisfy cravings that have nothing to do with proper nutrition. Feeding Alpo is like feeding McDonald's – while Nutro dog food is like feeding a well balanced diet.

 

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