Health Tips

Diabetes is a serious illness in which the body does not produce or properly use insulin, a hormone that is needed to regulate sugar, starches and other food into energy needed for daily life. In addition to lowering a person's energy levels, if untreated, diabetes can lead to kidney damage, blindness, serious circulation problems and even result in death.

Almost 24 million children and adults in the United States have diabetes. Although it affects many people, the disease may be undiagnosed because many of its symptoms seem so harmless.

Some diabetes symptoms include:

Frequent urination
Excessive thirst
Extreme hunger
Unusual weight loss
Increased fatigue
Irritability
Blurry vision

There are certain risk factors associated with diabetes: obesity, lack of exercise and a family history.

Flu refers to illnesses caused by a number of different influenza viruses. Flu can cause a range of symptoms and effects, from mild to lethal. Currently there are two strains of flu - seasonal flu and the H1N1 (Swine) flu in the U.S. - increasing people's chance of getting the flu this year.

Here are a few easy ways you can prevent the spread of seasonal flu and H1N1 (swine flu):

• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• When you are ill with flu-like symptoms, stay at home.
• Shield others from your coughs and sneezes by using a tissue. Throw used tissues away.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water, or alcohol based hand-sanitizer especially after you cough or sneeze.
• Keep your hands away from your eyes, nose or mouth at all times.
• Maintain healthful habits - get ample sleep and exercise, drink fluids and eat well.

Below are a few of the more common symptoms for seasonal flu or H1N1 (swine) flu:

Fever
Cough
Sore throat
Body aches
Headache
Chills
Fatigue
Diarrhea and vomiting

Those regular blood pressure checks from your health provider could save your life. Blood pressure is determined by the amount of blood your heart pumps and the amount of resistance to blood flow in your arteries. The more blood your heart pumps and the narrower your arteries, the higher your blood pressure. If your blood pressure is unusually high (more than 140/90) over several weeks, you more than likely have a serious illness called hypertension.

High blood pressure is one of the most treatable conditions with the medications now available.

Often called the "silent killer" hypertension is the result of elevated blood pressure. This disease can be dangerous because it makes the heart work harder to pump blood to the body and it contributes to hardening of the arteries or atherosclerosis, heart failure and even stroke.

There are many factors that contribute to hypertension (or high blood pressure):

• Family history
• Race
• Age
• High levels of stress
• Obesity
• Smoking
• Women who smoke and use oral contraceptives
• Physical inactivity
• Diabetes or other serious illnesses

The good news is hypertension can often be treated with a change in diet, exercise and, if needed, medication.