There’s a Better Way Than Finger Prick to Monitor Diabetes

One of the unpleasant adjustments diabetes patients must get accustomed to is regular finger pricks as a means to monitor blood sugar levels. A new study suggests that there is a more efficient and painless way to monitor diabetes. The clinical trial published in the Journal of American Medical Association (JAMA) found that the use of a real-time glucose monitor helps patients manage their condition better in the long term.

Over the course of 8 months, the researchers followed 175 diabetes patients who used a continuous glucose monitor (CGM) instead of a standard blood glucose meter. During this time, the group’s overall hemoglobin A1C levels dropped by 1.1 percent. The blood sugar of participants using a lancet, on the other hand, only dropped by 0.16 percent. Remarkably, the group using continuous glucose monitors spent an average of 3.8 hours more each day within the optimal range of blood sugar and 3.6 hours less in the dangerous high-glucose range. 

 

This study is among the first ones to focus on type 2 diabetes patients who use basal insulin, the long-lasting variety which is taken once or twice a day. Earlier research had shown that the monitors improved glucose control for patients with type 1 diabetes as well.

CG monitors are to become the new standard, according to the study

Along with testing the functionality of continuous glucose monitoring, the team also looked at the impact these devices have on patients’ quality of life and how they aid in the management of their condition. With the help of a continuous monitor, participants were better able to manage their blood sugar levels throughout the day. As a result, life satisfaction scores increased as well. 

 

A CGM works through a tiny sensor inserted under your skin, usually on your stomach or arm. The sensor measures your interstitial glucose level, which is the glucose found in the fluid between the cells. The sensor tests glucose every few minutes, and a transmitter wirelessly sends the information to a monitor.

 

“For me, what’s most exciting is that this work demonstrates that using continuous glucose monitoring is effective in substantially improving blood sugars levels and decreasing the risks of hypoglycemia in those that were randomized to use a continuous glucose monitor compared with the usual finger-prick,” said one of the authors of the study, Rodica Busui, M.D., Ph.D., vice chair of clinical research at Michigan Health’s Department of Internal Medicine, in a university release. 

 

Busui added that he and his team hope that this game-changing technology soon becomes available to all patients with diabetes.

This is only for your information, kindly take the advice of your doctor for medicines, exercises and so on.   

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Look Youthful by Avoiding These Common Hair Mistakes

How great does it feel to get the perfect haircut?!? Getting the right hairstyle that suits you can make a big difference – it can enhance your features while making you look bright and youthful. However, choosing the right hairstyle is easier said than done and depends a lot on your face shape and bone structure. For example, waist-length gray hair might look great on you while a short hairdo may not suit your personality at all. 

 

The unfortunate truth is that the incorrect hairstyle can end up adding years to your face. Even a few silly hair mistakes – from ignoring thinning hair to using too much hairspray – can spoil your appearance. The good news is that you can easily avoid some common hair mistakes that might make you age faster.

 

1. Ignoring thin hair

As we age, our hair thins naturally and breaks easily. As a consequence, it can often be tough to find the right style that matches the quantity of hair we currently have. For example, if your hair has thinned quite a bit and you continue sporting long hair, it can look stringy. And if it’s too short, then it might end up looking straggly. So don’t ignore your thinning hair. A bob cut or a classic pixie cut is usually recommended for women past their 50s who are experiencing thinning hair. However, discuss this with your stylist. They will be able to tell you what layers, angles, and lengths would work best with thinning hair.

2. Choosing the wrong length

The length of your hairstyle can make a huge difference in the way you look. Women usually tend to cut their hair short when they get to a certain age. However, older age doesn’t always have to equate to shorter strands. While a shorter cut may suit someone with thinning hair, it may not necessarily be the case with everyone. Longer hair can actually be softer around the face and neckline for seniors. Also, it will be easier to achieve a more natural hair color with a longer hairdo to blend when going gray. 

 

Many stylists say that by cutting long layers around the face you can add more volume to your hair while also highlighting your features. Your stylist should be able to tell you what length should go well with your face and hair type.

3. Not changing your hairstyle at all

One of the biggest hairdo mistakes we make as we grow older is keeping the same hairstyle for decades. Just because you love that hairstyle which suited you 25 years back, doesn’t mean it will compliment your looks when you are in your 50s. It’s hence essential to let go of old versions of ourselves and adopting a fresh hairstyle that suits our current age. Don’t go for anything too trendy or too old-fashioned. Hairdressing has evolved dramatically and you must find the style that suits the current times.  

 

4. Going too dark to cover the grays

As gray hair starts to take over, the first impulse for many of us have is to cover it up with dark color. However, hair stylists say that dark colors show overgrown hair roots. Moreover, if you have fair skin, then the darkness around your face can enhance the imperfections of your face, making you look older. Ideally, we should have some softness around the face as we age. And leading colorists say that lighter, multi-tonal shades help to balance and blend the grays as they start to regrow. 

 

5. Not choosing the right parting

A great trick to look younger is choosing the right parting. Hairstylists are of the view that even little tweaks to your parting can make a huge difference. For instance, a straight down the middle parting doesn’t work for everyone. But then, a severe side part can also look rather odd on you, depending on your age. The wrong hair part can age you significantly. So look for where your hair naturally falls before choosing a parting. An irregular hair part can help make you younger, say industry stylists.

6. Too much volume

A little volume on your hair usually looks beautiful. At the same time, too much of it can have the opposite effect. Because that can result in an old-fashioned beehive kind of a hairstyle, taking the sheen out of an otherwise youthful face. 

 

Also, trying to get volume in the wrong places can make anyone look older. Backcombing (also known as teasing or ratting), which is achieved by repeatedly combing the hair towards the scalp, is a good case in point and should be avoided after a certain age. Talk to your stylist and get a good volumizing shampoo that will suit your hair and age.

 

7. Being apprehensive of bangs

According to renowned hairstylists, bangs can look great on mature women and are the easiest way to erase a few years off your face. Apart from being fun and creative, they also frame your eyes. More importantly, bangs help hide wrinkles as well as severely receding hairlines. So don’t be apprehensive about getting bangs only because you are in your 50s or 60s; just pick the best one that fits the shape of your face.

Ideally, side bangs are perfect for round face shapes and A-shaped bangs go well with square or oblong face shapes. Usually, ones that hit at the lower half of the brow, just above the eye, should complement most face shapes but still speak to your stylist once before choosing one.

8. Using too much hairspray 

Adding unnecessary hairspray to the hair can also drastically age anyone’s face. That’s because too much hairspray can end up giving you stiff, unmovable hair, which was fine in the ‘80s but looks outdated and irrelevant today. Stylists say that a stiff hairstyle will always make you look years older and you should hence try to avoid overusing hairspray. In fact, avoid using items on your hair that produce a firm hold and look for products that still let the hair move – like mousse, defining paste, or shea butter. 

 

 9. Not using the right shampoo

This might sound obvious, but it’s important to remember. Because your shampoo affects your lifestyle and using one with the wrong formula can make you look older. Gray and aging hair lack pigment and can be coarser. Therefore, they need a little more care to keep them shiny and healthy. So use shampoo and conditioner that color protects and moisturizes hair instead of one that is suitable for "normal hair types". Experts recommend looking for a purple pigmented shampoo made specifically to brighten yellow blondes or grays. There are also shampoos labeled specifically for gray or silver hair in the market these days which you can try.  

 

10. Not maintaining a proper diet

Did you know that if your diet is restricted or unhealthy, it can badly affect your hair? Not getting the sufficient vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients that your body needs from your diet is harmful to your hair and can make it dry and brittle which can instantly pile on the years to your face. For example, having too little protein and iron in your diet can damage healthy hair and hinder the body's ability to produce new hair follicles. Even something as simple as drinking lots of water every day can keep your hair lustrous. 

 

Check and see if you have any deficiency in iron, vitamin D, or other minerals, and make sure that you maintain a healthy and balanced diet for healthy hair.

This is only for your information, kindly take the advice of your doctor for medicines, exercises and so on.   

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Ditch the Chemicals and Make These DIY Natural Hairsprays

Hairsprays are great. These popular grooming products help us style our hair, create volume, and help keep it in place. However, like all cosmetics, commercial hairsprays too contain chemicals that might end up damaging our hair if we use them a little too much.

Some of the harmful products used in commercial hairsprays include butane, ether, and polymers, along with plastic extracts, lubes, and degreasers that can harm your tresses. As we grow older, our hair tends to become weaker. And using too much hairspray then can result in loss of hair, thinning hair, allergies, and other skin diseases. So, does that mean we should refrain from using hairsprays after a certain age? Not at all! Here, we have presented some recipes for homemade natural hairsprays that will help style your hair without the risk of damaging it. These DIY hairsprays are inexpensive, completely natural, and keep your hair smooth, shiny, and strong. Related: 10 Hair Myths That Are Damaging Your Hair 

 

Some of the harmful products used in commercial hairsprays include butane, ether, and polymers, along with plastic extracts, lubes, and degreasers that can harm your tresses. As we grow older, our hair tends to become weaker. And using too much hairspray then can result in loss of hair, thinning hair, allergies, and other skin diseases. 

 

So, does that mean we should refrain from using hairsprays after a certain age? Not at all! Here, we have presented some recipes for homemade natural hairsprays that will help style your hair without the risk of damaging it. These DIY hairsprays are inexpensive, completely natural, and keep your hair smooth, shiny, and strong.

1. Sugar Hairspray

Sugar may not be good for your overall health but it’s certainly not bad for your hair. That’s right. This hairspray will help keep your hair locked into place firmly and naturally. And you can adjust the sugar to water ratio to make it a lighter hold or even stronger. 

 

This is a common recipe and is super simple to make as it requires only two ingredients. 

Ingredients 

* A cup of filtered water 

* 2 Tablespoons sugar 

* 2 drops lavender essential oil (optional)

 

 Process 

* Boil the water in a saucepan. 

* Dissolve the sugar in the water. 

* Turn off the flame and allow it to cool. 

* Pour the solution into a spray bottle. Shake well before use. 

* Don’t use it for more than two months. 

 

2. Lemon Hairspray

Lemons have vitamin C which aids the production of collagen in the body and strengthens the follicles that supply nutrients to the hair shafts. Lemon hairspray is also known to make hair sleek and frizz-free without giving it that crunchy feeling most commercial ones do. Also, this hairspray has a light, citrus scent, and a soft texture. The antibacterial and antioxidant properties of lemon juice are also an added benefit. However, you will need multiple sessions to get the full benefits of this hairspray.

 

Lemon is acidic but you can neutralize that effect by adding a little baking soda to the mix.  

 

Ingredients 

* 1 lemon 

* 2 cups of filtered water 

* 1 teaspoon of baking soda 

 

Process 

* Cut the lemon into slices and place them in a shallow pot with water. 

* Heat the water and bring it to a boil on low heat until half of the water has evaporated. 

* Allow it to cool. 

* Strain and add baking soda and essential oil. 

* Pour it in a clean spray bottle. 

* Store the mixture in a refrigerator and discard after 2 weeks after using.

3. Castor Oil Hairspray

Castor oil is sourced from the castor bean (Ricinus communis) and is rich in ricinoleic acid – a type of fatty acid that is known to fight inflammation. When applied to the scalp, it can enhance the health of the hair follicles. Furthermore, castor oil is rich in vitamin E, omega-6, and 9 fatty acids, as well as keratin. Therefore, when used on the scalp, it can help in increasing blood circulation which improves hair growth. Thus, this natural hairspray, apart from keeping your frizz-free and preventing it from going brittle, can also act as a DIY hair tonic.  

 

Ingredients 

* 2 tablespoons of sugar 

* 1 cup of filtered water 

* 1 tablespoon of castor oil 

* 1 drop of any essential oil (optional) 

 

 Process 

* Heat the filtered water and in a saucepan. 

 * Add the sugar and stir well until it dissolves. 

* Let the solution cool. 

* Pour the solution into a spray bottle. 

* Make sure you shake the bottle well before use as this recipe combines oil and water which does not mix. 

* Discard after 1-2 months.

 

4. Aloe Hair Spray

 

Experts say that rubbing aloe vera into your scalp and hair and allowing it to penetrate your hair follicles can help dry and damaged hair. Aloe vera also acts as a natural conditioner and cleanses the hair shaft effectively by removing extra sebum (an oily, waxy substance produced in the hair follicle) and residue from other hair products. 

 

Aloe vera also contains vitamins A, C, and E and all three of them promote healthy cell growth and shiny hair. The aloe vera hairspray can keep the frizz away from your hair and give it a softer, natural hold. It will also smoothen and soften your hair with continued use.  

 

Ingredients 

* 1 cup of distilled water 

*1/4 cup aloe vera juice 

* 1 teaspoon of olive oil 

* A few drops of some essential oils (optional) 

 

Process 

* Mix all the ingredients for about 10-15 minutes in a bowl. 

* Pour the mixture into a spray bottle. 

 * Shake thoroughly before use. 

* Use it on wet hair for best benefits.

* Discard after 1-2 months.

 

5. Rose Water Hair Spray 

Rose water is a mild astringent and can reduce oiliness and dandruff. It is also known to have anti-inflammatory properties that can be beneficial for those with an itchy scalp. Moreover, rose water has a lovely fragrance that can be calming and soothing. The aroma may also help reduce headaches. Regular use of rose water on the scalp has also been said to add shine to the hair. 

 

Ingredients 

* 1 cup of rosewater 

* 2 tablespoons of sugar  

 

Process 

* Warm rose water in a saucepan on medium heat for about 20 minutes. 

* Add sugar and stir until dissolved. Allow it to cool. 

* Transfer it to a clean spray bottle. Shake well before use. 

* Discard after 1-2 months.

 

This is only for your information, kindly take the advice of your doctor for medicines, exercises and so on.   

https://gscrochetdesigns.blogspot.com. one can see my crochet creations  
https://gseasyrecipes.blogspot.com. feel free to view for easy, simple and healthy recipes    
https://kneereplacement-stickclub.blogspot.com. for info on knee replacement