Frequently >>  Asked >>  Questions

Diabetes

What is Diabetes?

Diabetes is a disease in which sugar builds up in the blood. People with diabetes can have heart, kidney, eye problems and other related complications.

What is the difference between Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes?

• Type 1 diabetes mostly occurs in children and teens. The body doesn’t make any insulin at all.
• Type 2 diabetes mostly occurs in adults. The body still makes insulin, but not enough for what the body needs.

How do you get diabetes?

Type 2 diabetes is caused by poor diet, excess weight, and not being physically active.

How can you treat diabetes?

Type 1 diabetes is treated with insulin. For type 2 diabetes, both insulin and pills can be used. Exercise, healthy eating and weight loss are also part of the treatment.

What is insulin?

Insulin is a chemical made in the pancreas. It helps control sugar levels in the blood.

What are some long term effects of diabetes?

Diabetes can lead to serious problems such as heart disease, stroke, blindness, amputations, nerve damage, and kidney disease. It is important to take care of yourself by taking your medicine, being active and eating a healthy diet.

What are risk factors for developing diabetes?

The causes and risks for type 1 diabetes are still unknown. The most important risk factor for type 2 diabetes is being overweight. Other risks include older age, lack of exercise, family history, race (it’s more common in people of Aboriginal, African, Asian or Latin American descent) high blood pressure and cholesterol.

What are some ways to prevent getting type 2 diabetes?

The best way to try to prevent type 2 diabetes is to maintain a healthy weight through diet and exercise. Other helpful things are to eat nutritious foods low in fat and sugar and to stay active through exercise. If you think you might be at risk for diabetes, you should talk to you doctor about the best way to prevent the disease.

How many people have diabetes?

According to the Centers for Disease Control, as of 2007, 23.6 million people live with diabetes in the United States. But, there are many people living with the disease and they don’t even know it.

Is there a cure for diabetes?

Right now, there is no cure for diabetes. But, there are many treatments and medicines you can take, such as insulin. Treatment also includes weight loss, a good diet and being active.

General Medicine

What are the signs and symptoms of typhoid fever?

Persons with typhoid fever usually have a sustained fever as high as 103° to 104° F (39° to 40° C). They may also feel weak, or have stomach pains, headache, or loss of appetite. In some cases, patients have a rash of flat, rose-colored spots. The only way to know for sure if an illness is typhoid fever is to have samples of stool or blood tested for the presence of S. Typhi.

Why isn't there a cold vaccine?

The common cold can be caused by nearly 250 different viruses. It's just too difficult for scientists to prepare a vaccine that protects against all of the cold viruses. Also, there's less need for a cold vaccine. Colds are minor infections of the throat, nose, and sinuses. Colds generally come and go with no serious complications. You're miserable for a few days, then it's over.

What are common signs and symptoms of malaria?

The initial symptoms are malaise (not feeling well), low grade fever, body pain or cold like symptoms followed by intermittent high fever.

High fever

Headache

Nausea

Vomiting

Pale and yellowish skin.

When do the symptoms start after mosquito bite?

Generally, the symptoms start approximately 10 to 14 days after the biting of an infective mosquito. However, there are some types of malaria that the symptoms may start one to two or several months after mosquito biting.

Cancer FAQ

Is Cancer Hereditary?

Certain cancers are seen to occur in families. This does not mean that the disease has been transmitted from parent to children through genetic material. The same life style usually run in families and this could as well be the reason.Scientists believe that if there is a hereditary component, its effect is indeed very little.

Does a lump always mean Cancer?

No. A lump can occur in any part of the body which may or may not contain cancer cells. Some of these lumps may grow to large sizes and produce ulcers. Because of this, they interfere with normal functions of nearby organs. However, they will not cause death and they can easily be removed by surgery and usually will not recur. They do not spread to other parts of the body. Such tumours are known as Benign tumours ie. harmless tumours. Cancer also can occur as a lump or tumour. A cancer is known as a malignant tumour. It is characterised specially by its potential to spread to other sites and to infiltrate the organ.

Is it possible to prevent cancer?

It is recognised that some cancers can be prevented. Most mouth cancers can be prevented by not chewing tobacco and most lung and throat cancers can be prevented by not smoking. Certain cancers are produced by chemicals used in industry. If workers are protected against contact with such occupational factors, some cancers can be prevented.

A well balanced diet with less fat and more green leafy vegetables, citrus fruits, milk etc.can protect people. Above all, eventhough not all cancers are preventable, many deaths due to cancer can be prevented by early detection and proper treatment. A knowledge of the warning signals of cancer helps one to get an early diagnosis and a successful treatment.