Surprising Ways Holiday Giving is Good for You

reposted from RealAge.com

By Mehmet C. Oz, MD, and Michael F. Roizen, MD

Ever wonder why people keep giving to charity, especially when times are tough and you'd think everyone's just hardwired to survive? (Americans donate about $300 billion a year.) No, it's not the tax break, according to a study. In fact, most givers don't itemize and don't get a tax benefit at all. Here's what might be fueling such generosity:

• Your brain chemistry holds the key.When you feel especially good -- say, after making love or eating a great meal -- the pleasure center of your brain lights up like holiday lights in December. Ditto if you win at a casino. If you then give your winnings to a charity, that same pleasure center will light up even more than if you keep the cash. Think Times Square on New Year's Eve compared with sparklers on the Fourth of July.
• Giving not only makes you feel good, it also makes you stronger. For example, if you squeezed a rubber ball (or shook the hand of an unsuspecting new acquaintance) right after doing something nice for someone, chances are you'd squeeze it 20% longer than on a usual day. (Find out other ways to improve your mood.)
• When it comes to love, it's also better to give than to receive. If you're married and you and your spouse go the extra mile for each other, you're likely to live longer than couples who don't take the extra steps, and longer than a spouse who is mostly on the receiving end. (Find out how to spice up your love life with an attitude of gratitude.)

What are you waiting for? Offer your lover a back rub. Volunteer at a school. Send an extra check to a favorite cause. And let the feel-good lightshow begin!

Test your happiness know-how and use it to make others happy.

7 Common ED Myths Uncovered

There are many misconceptions about erectile dysfunction and its causes. Get the facts to straighten out any confusion about ED.

By Katherine Lee

Medically reviewed by Cynthia Haines, MD

Erectile dysfunction, or ED, is a common problem affecting up to 30 million American men. Despite its prevalence, erectile dysfunction is often misunderstood. Here are some common ED myths and the facts to dispel them.

ED Myth No. 1: Tight Underwear Can Cause Erectile Dysfunction

Truth: “There is no research showing that wearing tight underwear can lead to erectile dysfunction,” says Alan W. Shindel, MD, clinical instructor and fellow of andrology at the University of California at San Francisco. However, tight underwear may contribute to infertility. Keeping testicles too close to the body raises their temperature and hinders sperm production.

ED Myth No. 2: ED Occurs When You’re Not Attracted to Your Partner

Truth: While a lack of attraction — or even some trouble in the relationship — can contribute to erectile dysfunction, the majority of ED is physiological. “The trouble starts with a biological reason, which can lead to confidence issues, avoiding sex, fear of failure, and then avoiding your sex partner,” Shindel explains.

ED Myth No. 3: Erectile Dysfunction Is a Normal Part of Aging

Truth: Erectile dysfunction is not an inevitable part of growing older. “Like arthritis and heart disease, erectile dysfunction is just more common in older men,” says Shindel. “Certain health conditions increase in likelihood with age, as does erectile dysfunction.” ED can also be a warning sign of another condition, such as cardiovascular disease. The penis is a vascular organ, and therefore any condition that interferes with blood flow in the body can affect erections.

ED Myth No. 4: Erectile Dysfunction Only Affects Older Men

Truth: While older men have a higher incidence of erectile dysfunction, impotence can happen to men of any age. Younger men who have diabetes, high blood pressure, or cardiovascular problems are at particularly high risk.

ED Myth No. 5: Erectile Dysfunction Is Best Treated With Oral Medications

Truth: Erectile dysfunction medications don’t work for everyone, and they’re not usually the first line of treatment. Doctors initially recommend healthy lifestyle changes such as quitting smoking and losing weight. The next step might be to identify possible medications that could be causing erectile dysfunction or to try psychotherapy. Eventually, oral medications may be prescribed to increase blood flow to the penis and achieve erection.

ED Myth No. 6: Erectile Dysfunction Is Only an Emotional Issue

Truth: It was once believed that erectile dysfunction was solely psychological. Today, experts believe physiological factors are at the root of most erectile dysfunction cases. Physiological causes can be related to health conditions, such as diabetes, kidney disease, or high blood pressure, or a medication side effect. These physical factors can also contribute to emotional ones. “When a man experiences erectile dysfunction, he can become anxious or depressed, and the erectile dysfunction can become a source of psychological stress,” says Shindel

ED Myth No. 7: Erectile Dysfunction Cannot Be Caused by Riding a Bicycle

Truth: Cycling is linked to a higher risk of erectile dysfunction. “If you fell asleep in a very awkward position in a chair, you’d get pins and needles in a part of the body to which the blood wasn’t flowing properly,” says Irwin Goldstein, MD, clinical professor of surgery at University of California at San Diego, director of sexual medicine at Alvarado Hospital, and director of San Diego Sexual Medicine. “When you ride a bike, most of your body weight is on the crotch, causing damage by crushing endothelial cells.”

ED is a complex issue with many possible causes and many possible treatments. The best way to discover what's behind your ED is to talk openly with your doctor and get an accurate diagnosis.

Last Updated: 01/12/2010

PS Melabic is a combination of the 9 all natural most effective diabetes fighting ingredients. To find out more how they can help you normalize your blood sugar levels and take back your health visit me at Melabic.com

Diabetes Awareness: By the Numbers

Type 2 diabetes is a serious condition that has now reached near-epidemic levels. With these facts, you can help spread diabetes awareness.

By Wyatt Myers

Medically reviewed by Pat F. Bass III MD, MPH

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As we enter Diabetes Awareness Month in the United States, health experts are hoping to put a renewed effort into fighting the diabetes epidemic. Type 2 diabetes is a serious health condition that not only affects your lifestyle, but can put you at risk for many other health issues, including high blood pressure, stroke, and nerve damage. Many Americans are at risk for type 2 diabetes, and the diabetes population continues to grow around the world.

“Diabetes and its twin calamity, obesity, is a problem not only in this country. It is a global problem, surpassing malnutrition,” says Joel Zonszein, MD, of the Clinical Diabetes Center at Montefiore Medical Center in New York City.

If you look at the growing number of people with diabetes, particularly type 2 diabetes, it’s easy to see why health experts are saying we have a diabetes epidemic. Here’s a look at the numbers:

• An estimated 366 million people around the world have diabetes, or about 5.2 percent of the global population.
• There are 4.6 million diabetes-related deaths each year.
• About 25.8 million Americans have diabetes, or about 8.3 percent of the population.
• About 95 percent of Americans with diabetes have type 2 diabetes.

In adults 20 years and older, nearly 2 million new cases of diabetes were diagnosed in 2010. Those cases are part of the more than 8 percent of Americans with diabetes, but the American Diabetes Association (ADA) estimates that by 2050 more than 30 percent of American adults could have diabetes.

A big concern with diabetes is that many people are unaware that they have the condition. An estimated 7 million people have undiagnosed type 2 diabetes, which is frightening considering that diabetes requires constant care. This is one reason why diabetes awareness is so important.

What’s Behind the Risk of Type 2 Diabetes

Genetics, or family history, is an important risk factor for type 2 diabetes for many people in this country, says Dr. Zonszein. But by far the biggest risk factor is a poor diet and unhealthy weight.

“Obesity is a growing health problem that results from overeating — especially an unhealthy diet — and not enough exercise,” he says. “With increasing urbanization and changing modes of transportation, it’s no wonder that obesity has rapidly increased in the last few decades around the world.”

Being overweight puts a strain on your body and can cause a number of health conditions, including heart disease, high blood pressure, arthritis, and of course, diabetes. As more people have become overweight, the number of people with these conditions has also grown. Therefore, the biggest components of diabetes prevention are a healthy diet and exercise tomaintain a healthy weight.

Diabetes Among Young People

Diabetes is affecting more younger people than ever before. At one time, type 2 diabetes was called “adult-onset diabetes,” as it was primarily diagnosed in people 40 years or older. Over the past two decades, says Zonszein, health care providers have been seeing more and more children with type 2 diabetes. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that 215,000 children and teens now have diabetes.

“The epidemic of obesity and the low level of physical activity among young people, as well as exposure to diabetes in utero, may be major contributors to the increase in type 2 diabetes during childhood and adolescence,” Zonszein explains.

To fight these numbers, parents, teachers, and other adults can teach children how to make healthy food choices and stay active, whether through sports, playing with friends, or walking, biking, and jogging more often.

The Prediabetes Scare

Another aspect of the diabetes epidemic is the growing number of people who have prediabetes — a condition where a person’s blood sugar level is higher than normal but not high enough to be diabetes. According to the ADA, 79 million people in the United States have prediabetes.

It’s important for people with prediabetes to make lifestyle changes to protect their health. Studies have shown that prediabetes is likely to develop into diabetes within 10 years. “Before people develop type 2 diabetes, they almost always have prediabetes,” says Zonszein. In addition, prediabetes may put you at risk for heart disease and stroke.

If you have diabetes, encourage your loved ones to get tested. Testing for prediabetes and making the lifestyle changes necessary to keep it from developing into full-blown diabetes are the best steps someone can take to protect their health.

PS Melabic is a combination of the 9 all natural most effective diabetes fighting ingredients. To find out more how they can help you normalize your blood sugar levels and take back your health visit me at Melabic.com

The impact of diabetes on workforce participation: results from a national household sample

Health Services Research, Dec, 2004 by Sandeep Vijan, Rodney A. Hayward, Kenneth M. Langa

BACKGROUND

Diabetes has staggering health and economic effects. There are an estimated 16-17 million people with diabetes in the United States (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 2002) and, given the aging of the population, changes in ethnic makeup, and the dramatic increase in obesity and sedentary lifestyles in the United States, the prevalence of diabetes is increasing at an epidemic rate (Boyle et al. 2001). In 1997, a cross-sectional analysis found that the direct medical cost of diabetes care was more than $44 billion (American Diabetes Association 1998). However, the effects of lost productivity have been felt to be even more substantial (American Diabetes Association 1998).

The indirect costs of diabetes are largely related to the disability resulting from complications of the disease, rather than to the disease itself. Microvascular diabetes complications, such as retinopathy, nephropathy, and neuropathy, are the leading causes of blindness, end-stage renal disease, and nontraumatic amputation, respectively, in the United States (National Institutes of Health 1995). Even more important is macrovascular disease (including coronary artery disease, stroke, and peripheral vascular disease). Patients with diabetes have two to four times the risk of macrovascular disease and mortality compared to age and sex-matched controls; as a result, more than 70 percent of patients with diabetes die from these complications (Abbott et al. 1987; deGrauw et al. 1995; deMarco R et al. 1999; Donahue and Orchard 1992; Hadden et al. 1997).

Although the numbers of disabling diabetes complications are staggering, many are preventable, and appropriate therapy could lead to substantial reductions in complications and associated disability. However, the true economic impact of diabetes remains unclear. While there are a number of past studies of the costs of diabetes, these analyses have substantial limitations and often reach widely disparate conclusions because of differences in data sources and methodology. For example, these studies have been forced to look at indirect costs by compiling data from multiple sources, have had nonrepresentative data sources, or have not examined the economic impact of all diabetes-related disabilities (American Diabetes Association 1998; Gregg et al. 2000; Ramsey et al. 2002; Gregg et al. 2002). To date, no studies have been able to use a consistent or representative data source to identify the impact of diabetes on workforce participation. Understanding the economic impact of diabetes on workforce-related outcomes allows a more complete understanding of the cost-effectiveness of diabetes treatment programs, and may provide a rationale for employers to begin to address workplace programs to improve health.
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Using the Health and Retirement Study (HRS), we analyzed the effects of diabetes on workforce participation and lost productivity. The HRS is a longitudinal survey designed to follow a national sample of U.S. adults born between 1931 and 1941 (and their spouses) as they make the transition from active working status into retirement. The HRS provides an excellent opportunity to overcome limitations with prior studies and to better estimate the impact of diabetes on economic productivity.

METHODS

Data

The HRS is a national longitudinal cohort study that is funded by the National Institute on Aging and is conducted by the Institute for Social Research at the University of Michigan (Juster and Suzman 1995). Approximately 70,000 households, obtained from an area probability sample, were screened to identify all age-eligible respondents (51 to 61 years of age). The HRS is a nationally representative survey of households, not of individuals. For example, if a spouse is outside of the age range specified in the study, they were still included in the dataset; therefore, the complete HRS dataset is not a perfectly representative sample of those 51 to 61 years of age at the time of the study. Thus, we restricted our analyses to the age-eligible population in the HRS.

Census tracts containing a high density of African Americans and Florida residents were oversampled two to one. All spouses were interviewed regardless of age because of the frequency of dual-earner couples and the influence of spouses in the retirement decision. The overall response rate was 82 percent. Information was collected for domains including demographics, health status, housing, family structure, employment, work history, disability, retirement plans, net worth, income, and health and life insurance. To date, five waves of data collection have been completed; the first was in 1992, and the ensuing four waves were collected at two-year intervals through 2000 (Health and Retirement Study 2003).

Variables

Classification of Outcome Variables: Work Status and Duration. The HRS has detailed information on the work status of the study participants. For the cross-sectional analyses using wave 1 data, we subdivided the population into those who were and were not working outside the home. Those who were working outside the home were asked whether they missed work days in the prior year due to illness, and if so, the total number of days. Subjects who were not currently working were subdivided into those who reported being retired, those who reported being disabled, and those who were homemakers. Of note, there are different possible definitions of disability; we examined both those with self-reported overall disability and also those who were not working specifically due to a health condition, although we used self-reported disability in our main analyses. Dates of retirement and disability were used to determine the duration of each outcome. In the case of those disabled at baseline, we also projected their future lost income through the year 2000 in a separate analysis. This analysis took into account the reported rates of returning to work among those disabled at baseline.


PS Melabic is a combination of the 9 all natural most effective diabetes fighting ingredients. To find out more how they can help you normalize your blood sugar levels and take back your health visit me at Melabic.com

Should I check my sugar level if I feel some differences?

Some people with diabetes may feel that they are able to judge whether their blood level is too high or too low. Sometimes this may work, but it does not work all the time. In other words, it is unreliable to judge through feelings.

Studies have proven that diabetic blood sugar level can rise to an extremely high level or dropped dangerously with the person knowing it. Some people can tell when it is rising, but most people cannot tell when it is decreasing rapidly. Some even has mistaken the sugar level to be low even though it is high.

So this shows that is not accurate to judge by ourselves. Hence, always check your diabetic blood sugar level before taking insulin or exercising or driving.



PS Melabic is a combination of the 9 all natural most effective diabetes fighting ingredients. To find out more how they can help you normalize your blood sugar levels and take back your health visit me at Melabic.com

Healthy Desserts on a Type 2 Diabetes Diet

Managing type 2 diabetes isn't only about food restrictions. Healthy desserts can be a delicious part of your diabetes diet.

By Chris Iliades, MD

Medically reviewed by Lindsey Marcellin, MD, MPH

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If you have type 2 diabetes, you know that along with exercise your diet is the most important part of managing the condition. If you have a sweet tooth, finding healthy desserts might seem like a problem — but there are solutions.

"Most desserts are full of sugar and can rack up your carbohydrate allowance in one small serving," says Lanah J. Brennan, RD, a nutrition expert and certified diabetes educator practicing in Lafayette, La. “The extra carbohydrates and fats that we consume when eating desserts can elevate your blood glucose and hinder your weight-loss attempts.”

However, by picking the right kind of dessert foods and limiting your portions, you can satisfy your sweet tooth and still keep your blood sugar under control. The key is to keep track of your carbohydrates and incorporate healthy desserts as one part of your overall diet plan. "All foods that contain carbohydrates, including starches like breads and cereals, fruits, vegetables, and milk, can affect blood sugar, not just desserts," Brennan explains.

Diabetes-Friendly Desserts

Important factors of a successful type 2 diabetes diet are fewer calories, controlled carbohydrates, and limited saturated fat, with proportions tailored to your individual health profile. Work with your dietitian or diabetes educator to find the right mix for you, and apply the same principles of your regular diet to make healthy dessert choices.

"The best way to incorporate a dessert into your day is to have it within an hour of your meal. You can subtract main-meal carbs to make room for some dessert carbs,” Brennan advises. “For example, have a three-ounce portion of lean meat and fill half your plate with non-starchy vegetables like green beans or summer squash. Subtract the carbohydrates you would’ve gotten from rice, pasta, or potatoes and replace those carbs with a small dessert."

Here are some tips on choosing the best dessert for diabetes:

• Start with fruit. Include plenty of fruits in your healthy desserts to help reach the recommended two to four servings per day.
• Choose dairy wisely. Include low-fat or non-fat dairy products in your desserts to help stay within the recommended two to three servings per day.
• Exercise portion control. Always go for small portions or ask for extra spoons and share desserts with others.
• Consider sugar-free desserts. Artificial sweeteners like Splenda (sucralose), Truvia (a sweetener made from leaves of the Stevia plant), and several others contain no sugar, and most don’t affect blood sugar levels.

One caution on sugar-free desserts is that labeling can be deceptive. If you’re shopping for sugar-free desserts, ignore the words on the front of the box and check the label on the back. "Beware of some 'sugar-free' desserts that may still contain plenty of carbohydrates and calories," Brennan warns.

Healthy Dessert Suggestions

There’s a wide variety of healthy dessert options, but remember to keep in mind the same principles you use for the rest of your type 2 diabetes diet. "Portion control is critical,” Brennan says. “Try individually wrapped ice cream treats with less than 30 grams of carbohydrates in place of ice cream that you have to serve yourself. Or put half of a banana on a Popsicle stick, dip it in dark chocolate, and freeze it on wax paper. Meringue cookies can also be a good low-carb, low-fat option," she suggests.

Some other healthy desserts you can try at home include:

• Chocolate-drizzled peanut butter cake (193 calories and 23 grams of carbohydrates)
• Apple crisp parfait (149 calories and 35 grams of carb)
• Mango-ginger sorbet (110 calories and 29 grams of carb)
• Crispy oatmeal-raisin cookies (98 calories and 17 grams of carb)

You can find all these healthy dessert recipes and more in the “Recipes” section of the American Diabetes Association’s website.

You don't need to give up sweets on a type 2 diabetes diet. However, you do need to count your carbohydrates, limit your fats, and maintain a healthy weight to enjoy some dessert while maintaining good health.

PS Melabic is a combination of the 9 all natural most effective diabetes fighting ingredients. To find out more how they can help you normalize your blood sugar levels and take back your health visit me at Melabic.com

6 Emergency Complications of Type 2 Diabetes

Uncontrolled diabetes can control your health. Help prevent these serious diabetes complications by learning the warning signs.

By Hedy Marks, MPH

Medically reviewed by Pat F. Bass III, MD, MPH

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People with type 2 diabetes are at increased risk of many serious health problems, including heart attack, stroke, vision loss, and amputation. But by keeping your diabetes in check — that means maintaining good blood sugar control — and knowing how to recognize a problem and what to do about it should one occur, you can prevent many of these serious complications of diabetes.

Heart Attack

Heart disease and stroke are the top causes of death and disability in people with diabetes. If you experience any of the following heart attack warning signs, call 911 immediately:

• Chest discomfort that feels like pressure, squeezing, fullness, or pain in the center of your chest, lasting for a short time or going away and returning
• Pain elsewhere, including the back, jaw, stomach, or neck; or pain in one or both arms
• Shortness of breath
• Nausea or lightheadedness

Heart attack symptoms may appear suddenly or be subtle, with only mild pain and discomfort.

Stroke

Stroke warning signs may include:

• Sudden numbness or weakness in the face, arm, or leg, especially if it occurs on one side of the body
• Feeling confused
• Difficulty walking and talking and lacking coordination
• Developing a severe headache for no apparent reason

If you suddenly experience any of these stroke symptoms, call 911 immediately. As with a heart attack, immediate treatment can be the difference between life and death.

Nerve Damage

People with diabetes are at increased risk of nerve damage, or diabetic neuropathy, due to uncontrolled high blood sugar. As a result, various foot and skin problems can occur, including:

• Foot problems. Nerve damage associated with type 2 diabetes can cause a loss of feeling in your feet, which makes you more vulnerable to injury and infection. You may get a blister or cut on your foot that you don't feel and, unless you check your feet regularly, an infection can develop. Untreated infections can result in gangrene (death of tissue) and ultimately amputation of the affected limb.
• Skin problems. Diabetes can make it more difficult for your body to fight infections, causing skin problems. Various skin conditions are linked to diabetes, and even the most minor cuts or sores can turn serious fast. Any bumps, cuts, or scrapes should be cleaned and treated with an antibiotic cream and monitored carefully.

If you notice any of the following symptoms, see your doctor:

• Inflammation and tenderness anywhere on your body
• Red, itchy rash surrounded by small blisters or scales
• Cuts, sores, or blisters on your feet that are slow to heal and are not as painful as you would expect
• Numbness, tingling, or burning sensations in your hands or feet, including your fingers and toes
• Sharp pain that gets worse at night
• Muscle weakness that makes walking difficult
• Bladder infections and problems with bladder control
• Bloating, stomach pain, constipation, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea
• Erectile dysfunction in men and vaginal dryness in women

Kidney Disease

Type 2 diabetes increases your risk of kidney disease, or diabetic nephropathy, a condition in which the blood vessels in your kidneys are damaged to the point that they cannot filter out waste properly. If left untreated, dialysis (a treatment to filter out waste products from the blood) and ultimately a kidney transplant may be needed.

Typically, you won’t notice symptoms of kidney disease until it has advanced. However, if you experience any of the following symptoms, tell your doctor:

• Swelling in your ankles and legs
• Leg cramps
• A need to go to the bathroom more often at night
• A reduction in your need for insulin
• Nausea and vomiting
• Weakness and paleness
• Itching

The best way to prevent type 2 diabetes-related kidney problems is to have your urine, blood, and blood pressure monitored regularly and to keep your blood sugar and blood pressure under control.

Eye Problems

People with type 2 diabetes are at risk of several eye conditions, including diabetic retinopathy (which affects the blood vessels in the eye), glaucoma, and cataracts. If left untreated, these conditions can cause vision loss.

Call your doctor if you notice any of these warning signs:

• Blurry vision that lasts for more than two days
• Sudden loss of vision in one or both eyes
• Floaters, black or gray spots, cobwebs, or strings that move when you move your eyes
• A sensation of seeing "flashing lights"
• Pain or pressure in one or both eyes

Hyperglycemia

Hyperglycemia means you have too much sugar in your blood. High blood sugar doesn't always produce symptoms; therefore, it is important to check your blood sugar regularly, as indicated by your doctor. When symptoms of hyperglycemia occur, they may include:

• Frequent urination
• Extreme thirst
• Feeling tired and weak
• Blurry vision Feeling hungry even after eating

If you frequently have high blood sugar, tell your doctor. He or she may need to make changes to your medication and suggest diet and lifestyle modifications to help you gain and maintain better blood sugar control.

The key to preventing many of the complications of diabetes is to keep your blood sugar at a healthy level. To do this, eat right, exercise, monitor your blood sugar as recommended by your doctor, and don't smoke.

Report any unusual signs or symptoms to your doctor. Together you can work to prevent these diabetes-related health complications.

PS Melabic is a combination of the 9 all natural most effective diabetes fighting ingredients. To find out more how they can help you normalize your blood sugar levels and take back your health visit me at Melabic.com

Is sugar in common food harmful to my body?

Sugar is a powerful pack of energy for our body. Our body takes great care to monitor the sugar level as any unbalanced in sugar level can cause disaster to our body system. However, for people with diabetes, their body cannot regulate the blood sugar level well. This may cause high blood sugar level from occurring easily. If this is not solved, high sugar level can create problems such as damages to eyes, kidneys and nerves. That is why for people with diabetes, it is important for one to watch what one eats.

Sugar in common food may not look harmful, but for people with diabetes, simple things like the food we eat can also create problems if we do not take note of what we eat. So start to lead a healthy lifestyle and eat a well balance food diet plan.


PS Melabic is a combination of the 9 all natural most effective diabetes fighting ingredients. To find out more how they can help you normalize your blood sugar levels and take back your health visit me at Melabic.com