Diabetes is a long-term condition triggered by high blood sugar levels. This ailment is also referred to as diabetes mellitus in medical terms, and it denotes a group of metabolic diseases which cause a spike in the blood glucose or blood sugar levels. While blood sugar is essential for maintaining one’s energy levels, excess production can lead to a plethora of issues. For some people, it may lead to inadequate production of insulin in the body, whereas for others, their body’s cells may not respond well to the insulin. An imbalance in the levels of a hormone called glucagon can also cause difficulties in maintaining normal levels of blood sugar. A majority of diabetes patients are likely to have a combination of these issues. Consistently high glucose levels in the bloodstream can severely disrupt essential bodily functions. Diabetes affects a large part of the population around the world, and type 2 diabetes is the most common form of this condition. As per scientific reports, about 90% of diabetes cases in the world are of type 2 diabetes. This disease comes with a slew of symptoms that include intense thirst, weight gain or weight loss, frequent need to urinate, numbness in the hands, sexual dysfunction in males, and more.

Common diseases and disorders cause an imbalance in the natural blood sugar levels in the body. This imbalance increases the risk of diabetes if the body does not produce enough insulin to counter the overproduction of glucose. It is one of the leading health complications faced by people across the country. It mainly results from a lack of glucagon, a hormone that is necessary to maintain and control blood sugar levels. The pancreases are responsible for insulin production in the body which is then naturally released into the bloodstream through the circulatory system. Glucagon production is also essential for three primary functions including the conversion of glycogen to glucose, the promotion of glucose production from amino acid molecules, and reduction in the consumption of glucose for energy breakdown by the liver. Any imbalance will result in diabetes or glucagon deficiency. A large part of the population at risk of developing type 2 diabetes as more and more people now depend on artificial insulin to manage their hormone levels. Artificial insulin injections are effective in countering the overproduction of glucagon, but at the same time, an insulin overdose can result in hypoglycemia. It is a condition that causes blood sugar levels to spike due to excess insulin.

Ozempic® injections are recommended to type 2 diabetes patients as a last resort to bring their blood sugar level under control after all other medications have failed to show any positive result. For those who are not acquainted with Ozempic®, you must know that it is a non-insulin subcutaneous injection that acts as a natural hormone in our body and lowers glucagon secretion. It helps to improve glycemic control in adults who are suffering from diabetes mellitus. Though using the Ozempic® injection pens is easy, there are some official instructions that you need to follow to ensure that you are taking the injection the right way. Here are a few things that you need to know about Ozempic® dosage: Instructions to use Ozempic® Ozempic® does the work of a glucagon-like peptide (GLP)-1 receptor agonists and helps to manage the blood sugar levels of patients who are suffering from type 2 diabetes. At the start of the treatment, the doctor will recommend a dosage of 0.25 mg of the subcutaneous injection, once a week. The patient must continue this for four weeks. In the first four weeks, though the medicine will not bring down your blood sugar level dramatically, it will kickstart the treatment process.

Opioids are a class of drugs that alleviate acute pain, such as the pain one experiences after undergoing a surgery. These drugs interact with the opioid receptors in the brain cells and mollify the feeling of pain and enhance the feelings of pleasure. They are produced using poppy plants or synthesized in a lab. When used according to the medical practitioner’s directions, opioid can spare the patients from pain while recovering from a health condition. However, at the moment, opioids are considered an epidemic, not only by medical communities but also by political and social bodies because of the rampant addiction cases. Since 2000, deaths because of narcotic prescription painkillers have tripled. On the other hand, over 600 thousand individuals are battling with heroin addiction. Like prescription painkillers, the deaths caused because of heroin overdoses have multiplied by 4 times since the early 2000s. A considerable chunk of people has switched from prescription painkillers to heroin as it is easier to access and cheaper. This clearly infers that the country’s opioid crisis has dramatically risen in a span of just 15 years. Lower doses of opioids can make the patient feel sleepy, whereas higher doses can slow down the breathing and pulse rate.

We often exercise caution when we are maneuvering our way in the dark to the kitchen, because stubbing our little toe against the table or TV stand will be incredibly painful. Though the throbbing dull ache will subside, there are injuries worse than a swollen little toe where the pain keeps getting worse. The pain one experiences when injured in an accident or after undergoing a surgery isn’t something that will eventually fade away on its own. For this very purpose, doctors prescribe opioids to the patient. Opioids are medications that are used to treat moderate to severe acute pain like the ones people experience due to injuries or surgery. These synthetic medications are engineered to mimic the effects of natural opiates like opium and morphine, from which they are partially derived. The commonly prescribed opiates include codeine, fentanyl, hydrocodone, morphine, meperidine, and even include the banned drug, heroin. Though opiates are effective in relieving pain, these are considered to be extremely dangerous, as they have a high potential of dependency, misuse, and overdose. The various components in the opioids can have a great impact on the neurotransmitters in the brain such as dopamine, which is responsible for producing a feeling of euphoria and reward.

For most people, health is one of the major areas of expense. This is why buying health insurance plans is one of the most prudent decision anyone can make to have a stable financial life. After all, nothing is more precious than our health. However, buying health insurance coverage is not an easy task. With a plethora of insurance providers and coverage options available out there, it can be quite a confusing and often daunting process. How can one sift through the multitude of pricing plans, policy offerings, and coverage benefits offered by each health insurance provider? Moreover, every person has different requirements and budget. Thus, there can be no cookie-cutter solution to finding the right health insurance plan. To make the process easy, here is a list of some of the popular and top health insurance companies you should know about. 1. Blue Cross Blue Shield Known to be one of the largest health insurance provider networks in the nation, Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) was founded in 1929. It comprises of 36 independent and locally operated companies. Based on location, consumers can look for individual and family coverage as well as employer health insurance programs provided by a local BCBS provider.

According to the World Health Organization, the estimated number of people around the world affected by depression are around 350 million. It is the most common illness worldwide and is a leading cause of disability. WHO states that it is a common mental disorder that is characterized by persistent sadness and a loss of interest in activities that a person usually enjoys, accompanied by an inability to carry out daily activities for at least two full weeks. What causes depression? While the cause of depression is not fully understood, it is likely to be a complex combination of genetic, environmental, and biological and psychosocial factors. Also, while depression can affect people of all ages from all walks of life, poverty, unemployment, life events like the death of a loved one or a relationship break-up, physical illness, and problems caused by alcohol and drug use are likely to increase the risk. The symptoms involve losing interest in doing things that one would usually enjoy, change in appetite and sleep patterns, and feeling sad for at least 2 weeks. Approaches to treat depression If the symptoms persist for more than two weeks, patients are advised to get professional help from a therapist who can evaluate the symptoms and recommend the right approach for treatment.

Eczema is a condition where patches of skin become inflamed, itchy, cracked, rough, and red. For some people, blisters may occur too. While some people are cured of this condition, some continue to have it throughout their adulthood. It is important to recognize the symptoms and seek immediate professional help to make treatment more efficient. Symptoms to be aware of: In adults; rashes commonly appearing in the creases of the elbows or knees or the nape of the neck Rashes that cause very dry skin Itchy rashes that do not seem to go away Rashes that look scaly Skin infections caused by these rashes Rashes differ in infants under two years and children aged two years until puberty. For infants; They commonly appear on the scalp and cheeks They bubble up before there is liquid leaking from it Rash interferes with sleeping, and there’s a continuous itch For children aged two years and above; Rashes can be bumpy They can be light or dark in colors It develops a permanent itch or a knot Some treatment approaches While there is no cure for eczema, there are treatments that can help control the swelling, rash, itchiness of the skin, by using a mix of home cures and some doctor-prescribed medications.