Diabetes mellitus, commonly referred to as diabetes, is a chronic condition that affects roughly 29 million (or 9.3%) Americans. Diabetes occurs in 3 major types: Type I diabetes Type II diabetes Gestational diabetes Regardless of type, all forms of diabetes impact the conversion of food into energy. For instance, healthy bodies are able to break down sugars and carbohydrates from the foods we eat into an energy-providing sugar, called glucose. Thanks to glucose all bodily cells are fueled. However, individuals with diabetes lack, or don’t produce enough of, an essential hormone, known as insulin. Without an adequate amount of insulin, the body is unable to transport glucose through the bloodstream and turn it into vital energy. If diabetes is left untreated, blood glucose levels build up in the body, leading to inevitable damage of the nervous system, kidneys, eyes, and heart, and increasing the risk of kidney disease, nerve damage, vision damage, heart disease, and stroke. Let’s explore the three different forms of diabetes: Type 1 diabetes Type I diabetes is also referred to as juvenile-onset diabetes or insulin-dependent diabetes. This first major form of the disease is rarer, affecting a mere 5 to 10 out of 100 people afflicted with diabetes.

Regardless of if you have type 1 or type 2 diabetes, many of the symptoms overlap and can be linked back to fluctuating blood sugar levels over a long period of time. For instance, in patients with type 1 diabetes, low blood sugar episodes often occur quite suddenly and early in life during childhood into young adulthood. However, the telling symptoms of type II diabetes may not appear until adulthood and often go undetected for a long time, until the condition is diagnosed with a blood sugar screening. The following symptoms are characteristic of type I and type II diabetes: Decreased healing Cuts and abrasions that resist healing can indicate diabetes, as well as slow to heal bruises. For example, high blood glucose can damage blood vessels over time and even restrict blood flow needed to heal infections, surface abrasions, bruises, cuts, and ect. Tingling, chills, or numbness Tingling, pins and needles, or numbness in the extremities, particularly the hands and feet are indicative of diabetes due to neuropathy (or damaged nerves). Keep in mind that If diabetes continues to go untreated, neuropathy can be permanent. Increased appetite Sudden increases in hunger often occur due to lack of insulin for glucose energy, which is often described by patients as a rollercoaster of “hangry”.

A diabetes diagnosis is scary. However, your health care team will work with you to put in place the proper lifestyle and medical treatments in order to restore blood glucose balance so your body can properly metabolize sugar into energy. While many new diabetes patients may assume they can’t ever eat sugar again, that’s not entirely true. The body requires health sugars (or carbohydrates) in the foods we eat to provide cellular energy, support muscular tissue growth, and to fuel the brain. Of course, every single body is different, so your doctor may implement a combination of the following treatments to help you process sugar for energy more in the most optimal way possible: 1. Healthy eating Assessing diet is often first considered in type 2 diabetes treatment. Considering food is the main source of energy, your doctor recommend a nutritionist or dietician to help you keep your blood sugar within a healthy range. This will involve regular monitoring of your carbohydrate intake through portion control, cutting out processed and refined sugars, and including more fresh fruits and vegetables, lean meats, and complex carbohydrates in your diet. 2. Daily exercise Exercise should be part of a diabetics every day. Just 30 minutes of moderate physical activity (i.e., walking, yoga, swimming, cycling) can help improve sleep, mood, increase energy, and help you maintain a healthy body weight.

ADHD, formerly known as Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, is characterized as a neurobiological disorder made up of a collection of complex of symptoms that fall under three main subtypes: Hyperactivity Impulsivity Inattention According to the National Institute of Mental Health, ADHD patients present an ongoing pattern of one or numerous subtypes of inattention-hyperactivity-impulsivity that impact daily function, behavior, and development. ADHD affects roughly 11% of American children, ages 4 to 17, according to the Centers for Disease Control. However, while ADHD is often considered a childhood disorder, it can also continue into and even be diagnosed in adulthood. ADHD presents differently depending on the subtype diagnosed. For instance, while patients who fall under the subtype inattention may have trouble staying focused or regularly lose personal items; patients who fall under the impulsivity-hyperactive subtype may be prone to fidgeting, talking, or aggressive behaviors. Here are the most common symptoms of ADHD: 1. Prone to daydreaming All children daydream, however, when ADHD affects the brain, daydreaming can often make a child so withdrawn that they avoid social activity altogether. According to research from the Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, kids with ADHD have difficulty switching off the “daydreaming” regions in the brain so tedious tasks are often impossible.

There’s little wonder why Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is so difficult to diagnose. The neurobiological disorder is made up of subsets of symptoms that mimic several other disorders, including anxiety and depression, sleep disorders, and learning disabilities, among others. However, while there is no specific test used by doctors to diagnose ADHD, medical professionals look for patients to fall under one of the 3 subtypes of ADHD, or a combination of subtypes: Inattentive Type Hyperactive-Impulsive Type Combined Type ADHD For instance, experts from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, look for the following: A minimum of 6 ADHD symptoms in patients. Symptoms must be present for at least 6 months in duration. Symptoms must occur in more than one setting (i.e., school, home, social activities, and ect.). Symptoms must be present in children prior to 12-years of age. An ADHD assessment is made up of data collected via several one-on-one interviews with parents, teachers, and ect., as well as the child. The interview screening portion is often followed by a physical examination to exclude other similar conditions. ADHD assessments can be conducted by the following healthcare professionals: Pediatricians Child psychologist ADHD specialists Specialists in learning disabilities Occupational therapists The majority of U.S.