When the body cannot use glucose efficiently due to lack of the hormone insulin or because any insulin available may not be working effectively, diabetes occurs. The body converts all glucose from food into energy and this glucose is found readymade in sweet or starchy foods like cakes and pasta. The liver can also make its own glucose.

Under normal circumstances, insulin created in the pancreas regulates the amount of glucose in the bloodstream, but when the body starts not being able to regulate the glucose levels, diabetes occurs.

Diabetes is a condition that has been recognized for over 3,500 years. What is interesting is that for all the people that actually have the condition, there are nearly another 33% that number again who have the condition but do not know it. Three-quarters of all diabetes sufferers are classed as having type 2 diabetes, with the remainder having type 1 diabetes mellitus.

The difference between these two types of diabetes is that in type 1 the body is incapable of producing insulin whereas in type 2, not enough insulin is produced. As a rule, type 1 usually manifests itself in childhood or early adulthood and can be treated using insulin injections and diet control. Type 2 diabetes usually affects people as they grow older, normally after forty years of age.

Diabetes Symptoms

Mastitis is when the breast becomes inflamed, usually due to an infection. It is most common in breastfeeding mothers and usually occurs in the initial few weeks of breastfeeding, or when a woman suddenly stops the breastfeeding and the breast fills with unused milk. The infection normally occurs when bacteria enter the breast milk ducts either through a sore or crack in the nipple.

Once infection has occurred, it can cause a small area of hardness, redness, pain and some swelling of the breast. It normally starts at or near the nipple area and sufferers can also develop a fever along with a general feeling of being unwell.

Mastitis is normally treated by antibiotics, although some mild cases can go without any treatment. Once a course of antibiotics begin to treat the condition, it normally clears up within a few days. Sometimes a breast infected with mastitis may develop an abscess (collection of pus) which would then need draining via a syringe.

Mastitis

One other point about mastitis that an infected individual should bear in mind is the following: if the individual is still breastfeeding, then they should continue to do so from the infected breast. This will assist the flow of milk and stop the breast from becoming engorged and therefore making matters worse. This process will not harm the baby and any bacteria that may be swallowed by the infant will be destroyed by the stomach acid.

A condom is classed as a barrier contraceptive and its job is to block any sperm from fertilizing a female egg. Condoms can be made from latex, lambskin or polyurethane and are known to be approximately 98% effective at preventing pregnancy if used in the correct manner. It has to be pointed out that lambskin condoms have been around for a very, very long time but are still available; they are more expensive than conventionally made condoms and are not as good at preventing STD’s.

For efficient use of condoms, the penis must not touch the vagina before the condom has been applied. The reason for this is because a man does not necessarily need to ejaculate for any sperm to come from his penis; it can happen before as well. The best way to use a condom is to hold the bulb part between the figure and the thumb, ensuring it is the right way round. Make sure there isn’t any air trapped inside and then, while still holding the bulb, place the condom over the erect penis. Then it should be gently rolled down the shaft of the penis (if it doesn’t roll then it has been placed upside down). The condom should be disposed off immediately after ejaculation but before the penis becomes flaccid.

How to Use a Condom

The benefits of condom use include the fact that they are a reliable method to prevent pregnancy, there are very rarely any side effects from wearing one, a lowered chance of an STD transmission, they are easily available and they come in all shapes and sizes (and flavors nowadays).

Disadvantages of condom use include the fact that it can break during sex, they can tear while being taken out of the package and are not compatible with some lubricants.