Diabetes is one of the most serious and chronic diseases, which can lead to some severe health complications. A proper and effective management of diabetes can help you lead a stable life without any serious health problems.
The A1C test is a type of blood test that helps to diagnose diabetes. It also helps doctors monitor the treatment and management of diabetes for their patients. The diabetes A1C chart provides ideal measures of blood sugar levels for patients.
Steps to lower A1C levels
Using the diabetes A1C chart as a measurement of their health, individuals can take several steps to manage their condition. Some of the steps that can help lower the A1C levels are as follows:
- Exercising is the key to lowering A1C levels. Exercising about thirty minutes per day and five days in a week is a healthy step in controlling A1C levels. You can also enhance your exercise schedule through other activities such as walking, taking your dog for a walk, cycling, etc. Such physical activities can be extremely beneficial for people with diabetes.
- Eating a healthy and balanced diet is of utmost importance in reaching healthy A1C levels as specified in the diabetes A1C chart. Focus on non-starchy vegetables and always keep a strict eye on the serving size while having fruits, fats, lean proteins and other complex carbohydrates like potatoes and bread.
- You should always try to stick to a schedule and never skip meals. Long gaps between meals might result in the sporadic rise and fall of blood sugar levels. Proper scheduling of lifestyle is important to manage diabetes well.
- Any treatment plan suggested by your doctor should be strictly followed, which would help you to manage the disease successfully.
- Finally, checking the blood sugar levels on a regular basis as per the diabetes A1C chart is essential for proper management of the condition. With regular tests, you can take preventive steps in case there is a complication risk.
The points mentioned above, thus, can assist you to lower A1C levels. This will help to prevent your condition from aggravating.
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4 common causes that lead to eczema
Read moreEczema can occur at any age or in any weather condition. It is mostly seen in children. This skin disorder is diagnosed by the appearance of red and itchy skin.
About eczema
Atopic dermatitis is a common form of eczema. It is a long-lasting skin disorder that can be controlled by regularly moisturizing the affected areas and by avoiding any harsh soap. A doctor might prescribe eczema medications, which can reduce the irritability and redness to a great extent.Eczema treatment options
Eczema medications, however, might reduce the symptoms but the condition may persist. Even after all these years of research, doctors have not been able to come up with any permanent solution for eczema.A few common causes of eczema
There has again been no solid explanation for this particular disease. There can be many possible causes for eczema, such as the following:- A healthy skin always retains moisture and stays moisturized and soft, but in the case of eczema, the skin is unable to retain moisture and thus reacts to certain triggers.
- The causes of eczema can be hereditary too. It is seen that children with parents who have a history of atopic dermatitis are most likely to be susceptible to eczema.
- Eczema medications will not be effective if a sibling or a person who already has eczema is in close contact with the child who has eczema. Thus another cause of eczema is not close contact but genes.
- In some children, the occurrence of repeated food allergies can also be a serious cause for eczema.
It is necessary to detect eczema symptoms in the early stages and consult a doctor about eczema medications as soon as possible. The rapid itchy sensation can result in scratching of the area that may turn scaly. This can worsen the condition of the skin.
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Things you should know about stage four melanoma
Read moreStage four melanoma refers to the advanced stage of skin cancer. In this condition, the disease spreads from the skin and affects other organs like the lungs.
Diagnosis for skin melanomaThe diagnosis for this kind of skin cancer includes the following tests:
1. Blood tests to determine the blood count and functioning of the liver
2. Ultrasound and imaging scans to determine the spread of cancer
3. A biopsy would be needed for examination
4. Various cancer specialists would conduct meetings to further understand the severity of the diseaseSymptoms of stage four skin cancer
The first sign of skin cancer is a change in color of the skin or a mole. However, this sign is not universal for all the patients. Many cancer specialists first look at the primary tumor and observe whether it has spread to other organs as well. When skin cancer spreads to the lymph nodes, these may become matted or clumped. These lymph nodes appear hard when they are pressed by your doctor.
Size of the tumor
Typically, the size of the stage four melanoma is thicker; its size is approximately 4 millimeters. The size of the tumor may, however, vary from person to person. Research has revealed that the size of the tumor may shrink upon treatment but it may still metastasize.
Tumor ulcerationStage four skin cancers may accompany skin ulceration as well. This means that portions of the skin may be broken. This rupture in the skin may begin from Stage 1 onwards. If you have a stage four melanoma, then the skin may or may not display ulcerations. Patients that have stage 4 melanoma along with having tumor ulcerations do not have high chances of survival, according to the American Cancer Society.
Self-examination
You can check yourself if you have skin cancer or not. The most obvious symptoms are;
• Change in the colour of the mole (s)
• When the shape of the mole is asymmetric
• When the colour of the mole changes its shape over a period
• Melanomas are usually the size of an eraser
• They also have uneven bordersSpreading of melanoma
In stage 3, the cancer spreads to lymph nodes or the skin around the primary tumor lymph nodes. In stage 4 melanoma, the tumor spreads to areas beyond the lymph nodes like the internal organs. In this stage, the melanoma may spread to the following organs;
• Liver
• brain
• bones
• Stomach or abdomenThe symptoms may vary depending upon the area where the cancer has spread. If the area where it has spread is the brain, then the patient may experience long-term headache. In case the area is the lungs then the symptoms may include cough and breathlessness. If you have been treated for stage 3 melanoma and are experiencing new pains, aches etc then you must consult a cancer specialist.
Treatment of this stage of cancer includes radiotherapy, chemotherapy, surgery, immunotherapy or targeted therapy.