Insomnia

What is Insomnia?

Insomnia is a medical condition wherein there is difficulty of sleeping or staying asleep for long periods of time. This lack of sleep makes one feel fatigued and unrefreshed the following day even though there is an opportunity to sleep. Many of us may experience insomnia every now and then yet in some people lack of sleep can negatively affect their daily lives. Those who experience insomnia are mostly women and are older.

Insomnia can bring about signs such as difficulty falling asleep, waking up during the night, waking up early in the morning and feeling irritable and tired and finding it difficult to function during the day. It can bring about symptoms such as lying awake for long periods at night before falling asleep, waking up several times during the night, waking up early in the morning and not being able to get back to sleep, feeling tired and not refreshed by sleep, not being able to function properly during the day and finding it difficult to concentrate and irritability. Insomnia can affect your mood and cause tiredness and fatigue during the day.

Insomnia can be caused by stress and anxiety. It can persist even after stress is resolved. Psychiatric conditions can also cause insomnia such as mental health conditions, depression, bipolar disorder, generalised anxiety, panic disorder or post-traumatic stress disorder and schizophrenia. Insomnia can also be secondary to health conditions such as heart disease, respiratory disease such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or asthma, neurological disease such as Alzheimer’s disease or Parkinson’s disease, hormonal problems such as an overactive thyroid, joint or muscle problems such as arthritis, problems with the genital or urinary organs such as urinary incontinence or an enlarged prostate, sleep disorders such as restless legs syndrome, narcolepsy or sleep apnoea and long-term pain.

Insomnia can also be due to alcohol and drug misuse. It can also be due to intake of medications such as antidepressants, epilepsy medicine, medication for high blood pressure such as beta-blockers, hormone replacement therapy, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), stimulant drugs such as methylphenidate or modafiniland some medicines used to treat asthma, such as salbutamol, salmeterol and theophylline. Insomnia can also be due to jet lag.

Insomnia can be avoided by making certain lifestyle changes such as avoiding caffeine later in the day, avoiding heavy meals late at night, setting regular times to wake up and using thick curtains or blinds, an eye mask and earplugs to stop you being woken up by light and noise. Good sleep hygiene can relieve insomnia.

Insomnia Can Lead to Faster Aging in Adults

A recent study has shown that that the less older adults sleep, the faster their brains age. These findings, made by researchers from the Duke-NUS Graduate Medical School Singapore (Duke-NUS), may hold answers on queries towards sleep loss and its contribution to cognitive decline, including dementia. This study gathered data from 66 older Chinese adults, from the Singapore-Longitudinal Aging Brain Study. Participants underwent structural MRI brain scans measuring brain volume and neuropsychological assessments testing cognitive function every two years. Additionally, their sleep duration was recorded through a questionnaire. Those who slept fewer hours showed evidence of faster ventricle enlargement and decline in cognitive performance. The findings suggested that a shorter sleep duration is a marker for brain aging.

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What is COPD?

COPD is also known as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and is a progressive lung disease that brings about damage to the lungs, creating difficulty of breathing. In people with COPD, the airways of the lungs are partially blocked so that air cannot easily pass to and from the lungs. When untreated, this condition can cause death and debilitation.

COPD is not a transmissible disease and may result from breathing in fumes and other things that irritate the lungs. There are some factors that can predispose you to have COPD such as smoking, environmental exposure, and genetic factors. Cigarette smoking is the most common cause of COPD. It may be active or passive or secondhand smoke. Environmental exposure can also trigger COPD. Long-term exposure to chemical fumes, environmental dust, secondhand smoke and other air pollutants may cause COPD. In some people, COPD may be caused by a genetic condition known as alpha-1 antitrypsin, or AAT, deficiency. People who have this condition have low levels of alpha-1 antitrypsin (AAT)”a protein made in the liver. Having a low level of the AAT protein can lead to lung damage and COPD especially upon exposure to smoke and other air pollutants.

COPD can also develop in people with asthma. Asthma is a chronic (long-term) lung disease that inflames and narrows the airways. Treatment usually can reverse the inflammation and narrowing. However, if not, COPD can develop.

COPD can present with symptoms such as a cough that does not go away and coughing up lots of sputum (mucus). These symptoms can develop gradually over the next few years as a result of airflow obstruction in the lungs. Other symptoms of COPD include shortness of breath while doing activities you used to be able to do, wheezing (a whistling sound when you breathe) and tightness in the chest.

COPD is diagnosed by a physician based on medical and family histories and physical examination. Spirometry is a breathing test used to show how much air you can breathe out and measures how fast you can breathe it out. Based on this test, the doctor can determine the severity of COPD. Severity is divided into four types: people at risk for COPD, people with mild COPD, people with moderate COPD and people with severe COPD. People at risk for developing COPD have a normal breathing test and mild symptoms such as chronic cough and sputum (mucus) production. People with mild COPD have mild breathing limitation with symptoms such as a chronic cough and sputum (mucus) production. People with moderate COPD have a breathing test that shows worsening airflow blockages with symptoms may be worse than with mild COPD and shortness of breath while working hard, walking fast, or doing brisk activity. People with severe COPD have a breathing test that shows severe limitation of the airflow with shortness of breath after just a little activity. In very severe COPD, complications like respiratory failure or signs of heart failure may develop, which may be life-threatening.

COPD Can Be Triggered By Obesity and Large Waist Size

A recent study shows that obesity especially that with excessive belly fat is a risk factor for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). This study is published in the CMAJ (Canadian Medical Association Journal). In this study made by researchers from Germany and the United States, the the relationship of waist and hip circumference, body mass index (BMI) and physical activity levels to new cases of COPD in a large group of men and women in the US were examined. Data gathered from 113 279 people between the ages of 50 and 70 years who did not have COPD, cancer or heart disease at the beginning of the study. The researchers found out that during the 10-year follow-up period, COPD developed in 3648 people. People with large waist circumference (110 cm or over in women and 118 cm or over in men) have a 72% increased risk of COPD. The researchers think that lack of exercise can trigger inflammation which can further lead to the development of COPD.

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What is Diabetes?

Perhaps you have heard much about diabetes; maybe some of you may be suffering from this condition. But what really is diabetes and how can it be prevented?

Diabetes is a metabolic disorder characterized by high blood glucose (blood sugar) levels, either because insulin production is inadequate, or because the body’s cells do not respond properly to insulin, or both. These patients usually experience polyuria or frequent urination, Patients with high blood sugar will typically experience polyuria (frequent urination), they will become increasingly thirsty (polydipsia) and hungry (polyphagia).

There are three types of diabetes: In Type 1 diabetes, the body does not produce insulin either in childhood or in their teenage or early adulthood years. On the other hand, in type 2 diabetes, the body does not produce enough insulin for proper function, or the cells in the body do not react to insulin (insulin resistance). This is the most common type of diabetes. This is due to a lack of control of diabetes through weight loss, healthy diet, plenty of glucose and blood glucose monitoring. Type 2 diabetes is usually a progressive disease and if uncontrolled will make the patient resort to medications for blood sugar control. Overweight and obese people have a much higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes compared to those with a healthy body weight. People with a lot of visceral fat, also known as central obesity, belly fat, or abdominal obesity, are especially at risk.

Gestational diabetes is a type of diabetes affecting females during pregnancy. Some women have very high levels of glucose in their blood, and their bodies are unable to produce enough insulin to transport all of the glucose into their cells, resulting in progressively rising levels of glucose. The diagnosis is usually done during pregnancy.

Untreated diabetes can brong about many complications such as those involving the eye, the feet, the skin, the heart, the blood vessels, the mind, the nerves, the senses, the gastrointestinal tract and the immune system. Eye complications may include  glaucoma, cataracts, diabetic retinopathy, and some others. Foot complications may include neuropathy, ulcers, and sometimes gangrene which may require that the foot be amputated. Heart problems may include ischemic heart disease, when the blood supply to the heart muscle is diminished. Mental health problems include depression, anxiety and some other mental disorders. Patients may be especially prone to other complications such as hearing loss, gum diseases, gastroparesis, ketoacidosis, neuropathy, HHNS (Hyperosmolar Hyperglycemic Nonketotic Syndrome), nephropathy, peripheral arterial disease, stroke, erectile dysfunction, infections and slow healing of wounds.

Diabetes can bring about various symptoms such as frequent urination, unexplained thirst, intense hunger, weight gain, unusual weight loss, increased fatigue, irritability, blurred vision, slow healing of wounds, more skin and yeast infections, itchy skin, red or swollen gums, sexual dysfunction in men and numbness or tingling in the hands or feet.

Whey Protein Consumption Can Improve Blood Sugar Levels in Diabetics

A recent study published in Diabetologia (the journal of the European Association for the Study of Diabetes) suggests that consuming whey protein before a regular breakfast reduces the blood sugar spikes seen after meals and also improves the body’s insulin response. Thus whey protein could be an additional tool to help control blood sugar in patients with diabetes. This study was done in Israel by researchers from the Tel Aviv University, Hebrew University of Jerusalem and Lund University, Sweden.

In this study, 15 people with well-controlled type 2 diabetes who were not taking any medications except for sulfonylureas or metformin (oral diabetes drugs) consumed, on two separate days, 50 g whey in 250 ml water or placebo (250 ml water) followed by a standardised high-glycaemic-index breakfast in a hospital setting. The breakfast contained 3 slices of white bread and sugar-containing jelly, a meal designed to produce the maximum post-meal glucose spike. The results revealed that glucose levels were reduced by 28% after whey protein pre-load compared with no whey protein. Insulin and C-peptide (a building block of insulin) responses were both significantly higher (by 105% and 43%, respectively) in the whey protein group. Notably, the early insulin response (meaning within the first 30 minutes following breakfast) was 96% higher after whey protein than with placebo.

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What is Rett Syndrome?

Rett syndrome is a medical condition which is brought about by inheriting faulty genes. It affects one in about 12 thousand females and is rarely observed in males. This genetic disorder can bring about severe physical and mental disability that starts during early childhood. Within the first few months of life this disorder may remain undiagnosed with no symptoms however as time goes by the parents would usually observe features of the disease.

There are four stages of Rett syndrome. Stage one is marked by early signs and slow development during the first 6-18 months of the infant’s life. These signs include a general slowness in development, floppiness, difficulty feeding, abnormal hand movements, less interest in social contact and eye contact, not very interested in toys and walking awkwardly and poor coordination of trunk and limbs.

Stage two is termed as the regression stages and usually begins between the ages of one and four and may last for weeks or months. The child may suddenly or progressively develop communication problems, learning problems, language problems, coordination problems and other problems in brain functioning. The signs at this particular stage include inability to use the hands purposefully, repetitive and uncontrollable hand movements, periods of distress, irritability and sometimes screaming for no obvious reason, social withdrawal and loss of interest in people, unsteadiness of the body and awkward walking, rapid or slow breathing that includes some breath-holding spells, problems sleeping, slowing of head growth leading to small head size, difficulty eating or chewing or swallowing and tummy aches, bloating and constipation.

Stage three is said to be the plateau stage and usually begins between ages 2 and 10 and can last for years. The signs prominent may include floppiness of the limbs and difficulty moving around, not being able to use their hands to hold or carry or manipulate objects, teeth grinding and abnormal tongue movements and not gaining much weight. Most of these children will develop epilepsy which may usually start at two years old. These children may also develop irregular breathing patterns and heart rhythm abnormalities. Girls with Rett syndrome may show during this stage an improvement in behaviour with less irritability and crying, interest in her surroundings and improvement in alertness, attention span, interest in people and communication. Majority of these girls will remain like this throughout life.

Stage four is also known as deterioration in movement and may last for years or even decades. These main symptoms include bending of the spine on one side or scoliosis, spasticity or abnormal stiffness, and loss of ability to walk. However, the repetitive hand movements may decrease and eye gaze usually improves. The seizures may also decrease during adolescence and adult life.

Growth Factor Shows Potential in Treating Rett Syndrome

Recently, a small clinical trial has found out that a growth factor known as IGF1 can help treat some symptoms of Rett syndrome. In this study, children who were given this drug for four weeks showed improvements in mood and anxiety, as well as easier breathing. This trial was done by researchers from Boston Children’s Hospital. These researchers have also found out that in mice, another drug, clenbuterol, appears to enhance the effectiveness of IGF1. In this trial, the researchers gave the drug to 12 girls ranging in age from 2 to 10, all of whom had Rett syndrome. Each girl received the drug for four weeks, and there were no adverse side effects. There were also observed improvements in mood and in respiratory function. More studies are needed to determine the efficacy of this drug in Rett syndrome.

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What is Hypertension?

Hypertension is a medical condition which is caused by persistently elevated blood pressure in the arteries. This pressure is caused by the beating of the heart as it pumps blood to the whole body through the arteries. Blood pressure is the force of blood pushing up against the blood vessel walls. The higher the pressure the harder the heart has to pump.

The problem with high blood pressure is that it can lead to damaged organs and other medical complications such as renal failure (kidney failure), aneurysm, heart failure, stroke, or heart attack. The normal blood pressure is 120/80, 120 being the systolic measurement (peak pressure in the arteries) and 80 being the diastolic measurement (minimum pressure in the arteries). Blood pressure between 120/80 and 139/89 is called prehypertension (to denote increased risk of hypertension), and a blood pressure of 140/90 or above is considered hypertension.

There are two types of hypertension: primary or essential and secondary. Essential hypertension is hypertension that has an unknown cause. Secondary hypertension is the term for high blood pressure with a known direct cause, such as kidney disease, tumors, or birth control pills. The cause of hypertension is unknown, yet there are risk factors which can bring about this disease such as smoking, obesity or being overweight, being obese/overweight as a child, diabetes, sedentary lifestyle, lack of physical activity, high levels of salt intake (sodium sensitivity), insufficient calcium, potassium, and magnesium consumption, vitamin D deficiency, high levels of alcohol consumption, stress, aging, medicines such as birth control pills, genetics and a family history of hypertension, chronic kidney disease and adrenal and thyroid problems or tumors.

Hypertension can bring about symptoms such as severe headaches, fatigue or confusion, dizziness, nausea, problems with vision, chest pains, breathing problems, irregular heartbeat and blood in the urine. Hypertension may be diagnosed by a medical professional with the use of a device called a sphygmomanometer – the device with the arm cuff, dial, pump, and valve. The systolic and diastolic numbers will be recorded; if the pressure is greater than 140/90, you will be considered to have hypertension. Medical history and physical examination is also done to support the diagnosis. If hypertension seems reasonable, tests such as electrocardiograms (EKG) and echocardiograms will be used in order to measure electrical activity of the heart and to assess the physical structure of the heart. Additional blood tests will also be required to identify possible causes of secondary hypertension and to measure renal function, electrolyte levels, sugar levels, and cholesterol levels.

Proper Diagnosis Is Needed To Treat Resistant Hypertension

A recent article published in the recent issue of Deutsches Ärzteblatt International has shown that high blood pressure treatment often fails due to inadequate diagnosis. The researchers pointed out that failure of medications to control hypertension may be due to a number of reasons. It may be due to the medications given to the patient because while antihypertensive medications lower blood pressure, some medications can actually raise blood pressure as a side effect. In these cases it would seem that the treatment given for hypertension appears to be ineffective. An example of food which can cause elevated blood pressure levels is licorice; other examples include salt-rich foods such as chips and salted meat.

Another factor that may increase high blood pressure is symptom. Certain conditions which bring about pain and discomfort in the form of difficulty of breathing or palpitations can actually raise blood pressure. Once the condition is successfully treated, hypertension may improve. Thus rigorous diagnosis should be done for antihypertensive treatment to be effective.

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