Link Between Hypothyroidism and PCOS

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Hypothyroidism and PCOS linked.

Did you know that hypothyroidism and PCOD (Polycystic Ovarian Disorder) are interconnected?. Both the diseases are more commonly found in young girls and women. Hypothyroidism is known to cause PCOS and worsening of PCOD with insulin resistance. An increased estrogenic and estrogenic/progesterone ratio seem to be directly involved in high thyroid antibody levels in PCOS patients. Both the diseases are linked with each other. Hypothyroidism can lead to Polycystic ovarian disease. Both hypothyroidism and PCOD are seen most commonly in teen girls.

hypothyroidism hashimotos and pcos

Pathophysiology:

Factors contributing PCOD and hypothyroidism in young girls and women are obesity, junk food, carbonated aerated drinks, sedentary life-style, hormonal changes which tend to affect the ovaries causing development of cysts. Both environmental and genetic factors lead to contribute to thyroid disorders in PCOD. Also, family history of hypothyroidism cannot be ruled out as one of the causes. High prolactin levels affects in LH/FSH ratio which leads to decrease in thyrotoxin T4 levels and increase in TSH levels leading to PCOD.

PCOD also leads to increase insulin resistance and may cause infertility in young women. There is irregular menstrual cycle leading to amenorrhea. Ovulation is disturbed with pain in the lower abdomen. Best way to diagnose is ultrasonography of pelvis during the fourth or fifth day of menstrual cycle. Multiple follicular cysts are seen in the ovaries along with increase in size of the ovaries in ultrasonography. Elevated free testosterone level is an indicator for increase androsterone hormone for PCOD.

Hypothyroidism symptoms may overlap PCOD like amenorrhoea, hairfall, weight gain, hirsutism and infertility. Apart from this, hypothyroidism also includes symptoms like headaches, constipation, lethargy, muscle cramps, sluggishness, sexual dysfunction, brittle nails and bradycardia. Also glycaemic index, and thyroid levels would give clear idea of to rule out hypothyroidism.

Obesity :

Obesity caused by Hypothyroidism can be treated by improving the lifestyle. Implementation of exercise and a proper diet plan can help in reducing weight which is also useful in treatment of PCOD. Also treatment with oral eltroxin or L-Thyroxine helps in Hypothyroidism.

Hypothyroidism, PCOS and pregnancy :

All these are also interlinked which can lead to obesity, hypertension, lethargy, hairfall and headaches. Alteration in thyroid hormones also affects the brain development (IQ) of the baby. Also eating lower glycemic foods also help in monitoring diabetes and PCOD.  Reducing stress levels and correcting sleeping patterns help in correcting Hypothyroidism, PCOD.

Also patients suffering from PCOD do have subclinical hypothyroidism  where in TSH levels increases in PCOD patients.

Home remedies for hypothyroidism and PCOD:

  • Licoriceroot in herbal tea is very useful for Hypothyroidism. It reduces androgen which helps in restoring the hormonal balance.
  • Having fenugreek seeds (methi seeds) empty stomach in the morning helps in both Hypothyroidism and PCOD.
  • Corriander and mint juice also helps in easing painful menstrual cycle in PCOD.
  • Asafoetida local application over stomach helps in pain during menstrual cycle in PCOD. Also drinking buttermilk with asafoetida helps.
  • Avoiding cabbage, capsicum, cauliflower in large quantities helps in controlling hypothyroidism as they trap iodine from blood stream.

All the above mentioned home remedies and diet would help you achieve your goals. Hope you all gained some knowledge about the importance and how both the diseases ie Hypothyroidism and PCOD are linked and how to manage through home remedies and medicicine.

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For more details about Hypothyroidsm and PCOS correlation checkout the article in Indian Journal of endocrinology and Metabolism.

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Diabetes Travel Tips and Travel Advice

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Are you travelling abroad or is there a change in your daily routine?

Changes in routine can present a number of difficulties from meal times to medication schedules. Job shift work can alter the body’s circadian rhythms which respond to natural daylight of sun and darkness of moon. Consequently, blood sugar levels can be affected thereby altering sleep timings which can lead to hyperglycaemia or hypoglycaemia. Changes in sleep or job shift times can also affect your eating pattern during the day.

Changing routines is a complex process and involves more than simply rearranging blocks of time. Daily routines influence the integration of diabetes self-management into daily life. A study showed that integrating diabetes self-management into daily life involves changing behaviours and learning new skills, both of which require modification of established routines. A key finding in a study mentions that modification of existing routines is often challenging because routines become habits and are therefore undetectable to those needing to change them. A strong encouragement and support from family and friends can help overcome this issue.

Diabetes and travel advice

General travel tips for Diabetics :-

  • Patients should pack more test strips, insulin, syringes, pens and other diabetes equipment than they will need for the trip.
  • They should also pack a spare glucose meter in case of loss or damage.
  • They should have a written note on details of emergency contacts.
  • If flying, insulin, syringes/pens and testing equipment should be kept and divided between two pieces of hand luggage.
  • To help prevent deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and to make the trip more comfortable, patients are advised to move about the cabin and do the chair-based exercises regularly.
  • If the patient is travelling overseas, he/she must make be prepared for different foods, changes in time zones and extreme climates as well as being prepared for mishaps such as delays and misplaced baggage. Planning a trip for a person with diabetes is important.

Doctors must advise patients that it is healthier to prepare home cooked meals in advance to ensure they are eating nutritious food. Planning meals days in advance can be used so they are not rushing to cook food in-between shifts.
Advise them to bring their own healthy snacks to work rather than buying something processed from a shop or a vending machine.

Patient should always be prepared to treat low glucose while travelling as travelling may disrupt their normal routine for both eating and dosing insulin. Patients should pack extra diabetes supplies and keep it handy, so that they could easily access it when required.

If you like this tips and advice, share them with your fiends.

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Role of Spices for Diabetes Control

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Role of Spices for Diabetes Control :-

The use of spices and herbs should be a part of patient’s nutritional diet plan as they have demonstrated their effectiveness in
lowering blood glucose, boosting insulin sensitivity, reducing high blood pressure and cholesterol, etc.

When spices are consumed in moderation, health benefits can be derived, however, an overdose of any spice can lead to indigestion or even ulcers. Black pepper aids in digestion, congestion, an upset stomach and can also help stop the bleeding on a cut when applied topically. It also has all the essential nutrient contents. It promotes weight loss and relieves toothache.

Spices for diabetes control

So here is list of few spices and their benefits in combating diabetes and blood sugar levels :

  • Clove –

An equivalent of one or two cloves per day helps to improve cardiovascular anddiabetes risk factors in T2DM.

  • Cinnamon –

High levels of circulating insulin can lead to many of the secondary signs of diabetes such as nerve, kidney and eye problems as well as build-up of plaque in the arteries. Cinnamon increases insulin efficiency and hence is very helpful in diabetes.

  • Ginger –

Ginger is a very famous herb known for its intense flavor and warming aroma. A clinical study showed that ginger increases insulin sensitivity and affecting carbohydrates metabolism, thereby leading to greater glucose absorption in the muscles. Ginger also has the potential to help reduce the risk for diabetes complications due to its lipid-lowering effects.

  • Garlic –

Garlic has been recommended to help reduce high cholesterol levels and high blood pressure thereby reducing the incidence of heart disease. Raw garlic might be helping in diabetes control by reducing blood sugar levels as well as reduce the risk of atherosclerosis. This is particular interest as diabetes increases a person’s risk of atherosclerosis-related inflammation

  • Fenugreek Seeds –

The seeds contain fibre and other chemicals that may slow digestion and the body’s absorption of carbohydrates and sugar. A study showed that daily dose of 10 g of fenugreek seeds soaked in hot water may help control T2DM.Another study suggested that eating baked goods such as bread made with fenugreek flour may reduce insulin resistance in people with T2DM.

A quick guide to use spices :-

  • The recommended doses of turmeric by The University of Maryland’s Complementary and Alternative Medicine Guide are:
    – Cut root:1.5–3 g per day
    – Dried or powdered root:1–3 g per day
    – Fluid extract (1:1):30–90 drops per day
    – Tincture (1:2):15–30 drops, 4 times per day.
  • A pinch of turmeric on scrambled eggs, on top of roasted vegetables, rice, in soup or just to a plain glass of milk.
  • While preparing green tea, it is recommended to add ginger as it adds to the flavour as well
    as helps keep the upper respiratory tract clear.
    To prepare basil ginger tea: Take one cup of water, add 5 basil leaves, 3–4 ginger slices, 1 tsp tea leaves and 1/4 cup of milk. Boil for 5 minutes and remove from heat. Strain and 30 serve. Add honey (in moderation only) to replace sugar.
  • Soak a cinnamon stick in warm water and drink it with a drop of honey about two-three times a day,this helps soothe a scratchy throat
    Mix cloves, basil, cardamom and mint in tea and replace the sugar with honey. This drink will calm nerves and help de-stress.
  • Fenugreek seeds (methi dana): Soaked fenugreek seeds can be consumed on an empty stomach. This will help relieve acidity. Methi dana is excellent for regulating blood sugar. People with diabetes benefit a great deal from consuming fenugreek water. Sprouted
    fenugreek is even better as it has 30–40% more nutritive properties over soaked fenugreek seeds

Effectiveness of curcumin in diabetes :-

A study found that people with prediabetes who were given curcumin for a period of 9 months were less likely to develop the fullblown condition.

  • Controls blood sugar
  • Protects against diabetes
  • Improves function of β-cells that make insulin in the pancreas
  • May reduce diabetes-related complications: In a clinical study, researchers gave test subjects curcumin over a long period of time. As a result, these people appeared to have fewer symptoms of liver disorders. The compound curcumin was also reported to be active against diabetic vascular disease,and it seems to speed wound-healing

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Diabetes and Exercise

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Hello everyone!!!! Today let us discuss why exercise is a must in patients suffering from Diabetes Mellitus. There are many patients who come to me and ask that we are exhausted from daily activities and do not get time for workouts or walks. Let me tell you that our day to day activities like cooking, driving, walking small distances for casual work, cutting grass, standing for long hours in teacher profession and bus conductors does not count for exercise. Exercise purely means dedicating time for yourself so that you sweat out after workouts.

Diabetes and Exercise Fitness:

Diabetes and fitness goes hand in hand. Exercises and any kind of sports like cycling, biking, dancing, playing badminton, table tennis, jogging, brisk walks and climbing steps etc can help in daily workouts. One needs to workout at least half an hour to one hour daily.

Diabetes and exercise

Pathophysiology:

When we work out, the muscles need energy, fuel to be utilized for our workouts. So there is a lot of sugar/glucose being utilized by the muscles during exercise, which in turn is beneficial in controlling Diabetes and thus preventing its complications like cardiovascular disorders, hypertension and other chronic diseases. Aerobic exercises includes involvement of continuous movement of larger group of muscles. In type 1 diabetes aerobic exercise leads to increase in insulin sensitivity, oxidation of enzymes, compliance of blood vessels, pulmonary function and cardiac output. thus increasing the cardio respiratory fitness and decreases insulin resistance. In type 2 diabetes, aerobic exercise improves the cardiac output, reduces the triglycerides and cholesterol and improves the function of pancreas. Flexibility exercise leads to flexible movements of joints of the body. Flexibility and balance exercises are very important in elderly group of patients.

When a person sweats, there is loss of water fluids from the body. This results in decrease of fluids from the body which should be replenished with fruits and water. So a person suffering from diabetes must have meals at regular small intervals. Yoga can help in improvement of glycemic control, neuropathy symptoms, balance and also help people in controlling borderline Diabetes.

Sedentary Lifestyle

Sedentary Lifestyle hampers the overall activity of the person. This leads to poor glycemic control, obesity and poor metabolism. Prolonged sitting in one place must be avoided. It should be interrupted with intermittent walks every hour or two.

Diabetes in Elderly:

In elderly patients, one must exercise at least 3 to 4 times a week. This helps in utilizing the excess glucose in blood and thus controlling blood sugar levels and preventing further complications like retinopathy, neuropathy, cardiovascular diseases, foot problems like gangrene  hypertension and hypercholestremia. Resistance training includes body weights, cardio, lifting weights like dumbles which also helps in reducing sugar levels in our body. Exercise during fasting should be avoided as it will lower your glucose levels below normal which can lead to sudden collapse. Also walks or exercise post meals for 15 minutes can help improve your metabolism in diabetes.

Diabetes in pregnancy:

Diabetes during pregnancy usually occurs in 23 to 28 weeks approximately. Hence exercise during pregnancy is of utmost importance like yoga and meditation. Mild Exercises also help in maintaining the hypertension and help in normal delivery. You should consult your gynaecologist before starting such exercises in pregnancy.

So now we know the importance of exercise in our daily life. Hope everyone enjoyed exercising while reading which lead us one more step ahead for a healthy life style!!!!

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