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

Gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD, occurs when stomach acid or the juices of the stomach flow back into the oesophagus, which is the tube that connects the throat and the stomach. This can occur after eating too much or bending over soon after eating and can leave a sour taste in the mouth. When this process only happens occasionally, it is known as heartburn, but having it occur at least a couple of time each week means it is gastroesophageal reflux disease. If this is the case then it is imperative to get it treated because GERD can actually lead to damage of the oesophagus or can cause ulcers.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease GERD

Diagnosis of the condition is usually in the form of a physical examination by a doctor, who will also question the patient about their overall health. Depending on the severity of bouts, the doctor may or may not suggest further tests. The doctor may prescribe medication that helps block or reduce stomach acid – if the heartburn disappears then the individual will probably be diagnosed with gastroesophageal reflux disease.

Apart from the medication the doctor can prescribe, there are certain over-the-counter solutions available such as antacids and H2 blockers. A change in lifestyle is also very effective at controlling the condition, with losing weight and changing the diet two leading ways to do this.

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.