Every thing about Insulin Resistance

Insulin resistance occurs cells of the body don’t respond to insulin

Insulin resistance is the name given to when cells of the body don’t respond properly to the hormone insulin.
Insulin resistance is the driving factor that leads to type 2 diabetes, gestational diabetes, and prediabetes.
Insulin resistance is closely associated with obesity; however, it is possible to be insulin resistant without being overweight or obese.
Modern research has shown that insulin resistance can be combatted by treatment methods that reduce how much insulin the body is producing or taking via insulin injections or insulin pumps.
Reducing insulin resistance can be achieved by following low-carbohydrate and ketogenic diets.

What is insulin resistance?

The role of insulin is to allow cells of the body to take in glucose to be used as fuel or stored as body fat.

It also means that glucose is more likely to build up in the blood and this can lead to too high blood sugar levels.
When the body becomes resistant to insulin, it tries to cope by producing more insulin. People with insulin resistance are often producing too more insulin than healthy people.
Producing too much insulin is known as hyperinsulinemia.

Symptoms of insulin resistance

Initially, insulin resistance presents no symptoms. The symptoms only start to appear once it leads to secondary effects such as higher blood sugar levels. When this happens, the symptoms may include:

• Lethargy (tiredness)
• Hunger
• Difficulty concentrating (brain fog)

Other signs that often appear in people with insulin resistance include:

• Weight gain around the middle (belly fat)
• High blood pressure
• High cholesterol levels

If insulin resistance develops into prediabetes or type 2 diabetes, the symptoms will include increased blood glucose levels and more of the classic symptoms of type 2 diabetes.

How to know if you’re insulin resistant

Your health practitioner can use several methods to determine if you’re insulin resistant.

For example, high fasting insulin levels are strong indicators of this condition.

A fairly accurate test called HOMA-IR estimates insulin resistance from your blood sugar and insulin levels.

There are also ways to measure blood sugar control more directly, such as an oral glucose-tolerance test — but this takes several hours.

Your risk of insulin resistance increases greatly if you have excess weight or obesity, especially if you have large amounts of belly fat.

A skin condition called acanthosis nigricans, which involves dark spots on your skin, can likewise indicate insulin resistance.

Having low HDL (good) cholesterol levels and high blood triglycerides are two other markers strongly associated with this condition (3Trusted Source).

SUMMARY High insulin and blood sugar levels are key symptoms of insulin resistance. Other symptoms include excess belly fat, high blood triglycerides, and low HDL (good) cholesterol levels.

Causes of insulin resistance

Whilst the exact cause of insulin resistance is still not fully understood, it is well-known which factors can lead to insulin resistance developing.
Insulin resistance can commonly develop if one or more of the following factors apply:

• If you are overweight or obese
• Having a high-calorie diet, high-carbohydrate or high-sugar diet
• Sedentary lifestyle – taking little physical activity
• Taking high doses of steroids over an extended period of time
• Having chronic stress
• Having Cushing’s disease or polycystic ovary disease

In terms of what is happening inside the body that causes insulin resistance, researchers have observed that insulin resistance occurs in people that have:

• High levels of insulin circulating in their blood
• Excessive fat stored in the liver and pancreas
• High levels of inflammation 

Ways to reduce insulin resistance

It’s fairly easy to reduce insulin resistance.
Interestingly, you can often completely reverse this condition by changing your lifestyle in the following ways:

• Exercise. Physical activity may be the single easiest way to improve insulin sensitivity. Its effects are almost immediate .
• Lose belly fat. It’s key to target the fat that accumulates around your main organs via exercise and other methods.
• Stop smoking. Tobacco smoking can cause insulin resistance, so quitting should help (42Trusted Source).
• Reduce sugar intake. Try to reduce your intake of added sugars, especially from sugar-sweetened beverages.
• Eat well. Eat a diet based mostly on whole, unprocessed foods. Include nuts and fatty fish.
• Omega-3 fatty acids. These fats may reduce insulin resistance, as well as lower blood triglycerides .
• Supplements. Berberine may enhance insulin sensitivity and reduce blood sugar. Magnesium supplements may be helpful, too (45Trusted Source, 46Trusted Source).
• Sleep. Some evidence suggests that poor sleep causes insulin resistance, so improving sleep quality should help .
• Reduce stress. Try to manage your stress levels if you easily get overwhelmed. Meditation may be particularly helpful .
• Donate blood. High levels of iron in your blood are linked to insulin resistance. For men and postmenopausal women, donating blood may improve insulin sensitivity .
• Intermittent fasting. Following this eating pattern may improve insulin sensitivity .

Most of the habits on this list also happen to be associated with good health, a long life, and protection against disease.
That said, it’s best to consult your health practitioner about your options, as various medical treatments can be effective as well.

SUMMARY Insulin resistance may be reduced or even reversed with simple lifestyle measures, such as exercise, healthy eating, and stress management.

https://www.healthline.com/
https://www.niddk.nih.gov/

What some one Need to Know About Fatty Liver

Fatty liver is also known as hepatic steatosis. It happens when fat builds up in the liver. Having small amounts of fat in your liver is normal, but too much can become a health problem.

Your liver is the second largest organ in your body. It helps process nutrients from food and drinks and filters harmful substances from your blood.

Too much fat in your liver can cause liver inflammation, which can damage your liver and create scarring. In severe cases, this scarring can lead to liver failure.

When fatty liver develops in someone who drinks a lot of alcohol, it’s known as alcoholic fatty liver disease (AFLD).

In someone who doesn’t drink a lot of alcohol, it’s known as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). According to researchers in the World Journal of Gastroenterology, NAFLD affects up to 25 to 30 percent of people in the United States and Europe.

Symptoms of fatty liver

In many cases, fatty liver causes no noticeable symptoms. But you may feel tired or experience discomfort or pain in the upper right side of your abdomen.
Some people with fatty liver disease develop complications, including liver scarring. Liver scarring is known as liver fibrosis. If you develop severe liver fibrosis, it’s known as cirrhosis.
Cirrhosis may cause symptoms such as:

• loss of appetite
• weight loss
• weakness
• fatigue
• nosebleeds
• itchy skin
• yellow skin and eyes
• web-like clusters of blood vessels under your skin
• abdominal pain
• abdominal swelling
• swelling of your legs
• breast enlargement in men
• confusion

Cirrhosis is a potentially life-threatening condition. Get the information you need to recognize and manage it.

Causes of fatty liver

Fatty liver develops when your body produces too much fat or doesn’t metabolize fat efficiently enough. The excess fat is stored in liver cells, where it accumulates and causes fatty liver disease.
This build-up of fat can be caused by a variety of things.
For example, drinking too much alcohol can cause alcoholic fatty liver disease. This is the first stage of alcohol-related liver disease.
In people who don’t drink a lot of alcohol, the cause of fatty liver disease is less clear.
One or more of the following factors may play a role:

• obesity
• high blood sugar
• insulin resistance
• high levels of fat, especially triglycerides, in your blood

Less common causes include:

• pregnancy
• rapid weight loss
• some types of infections, such as hepatitis C
• side effects from some types of medications, such as methotrexate (Trexall), tamoxifen (Nolvadex), amiodorone (Pacerone), and valproic acid (Depakote)
• exposure to certain toxins

Certain genes may also raise your risk of developing fatty liver.

Diagnosing of fatty liver

To diagnose fatty liver, your doctor will take your medical history, conduct a physical exam, and order one or more tests.

Medical history

If your doctor suspects that you might have fatty liver, they will likely ask you questions about:

• your family medical history, including any history of liver disease
• your alcohol consumption and other lifestyle habits
• any medical conditions that you might have
• any medications that you might take
• recent changes in your health

If you’ve been experiencing fatigue, loss of appetite, or other unexplained symptoms, let your doctor know.

Physical exam

To check for liver inflammation, your doctor may palpate or press on your abdomen. If your liver is enlarged, they might be able to feel it.
However, it’s possible for your liver to be inflamed without being enlarged. Your doctor might not be able to tell if your liver is inflamed by touch.

Blood tests

In many cases, fatty liver disease is diagnosed after blood tests show elevated liver enzymes. For example, your doctor may order the alanine aminotransferase test (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase test (AST) to check your liver enzymes.
These tests might be recommended if you’ve developed signs or symptoms of liver disease, or they might be ordered as part of routine blood work.
Elevated liver enzymes are a sign of liver inflammation. Fatty liver disease is one potential cause of liver inflammation, but it’s not the only one.
If you test positive for elevated liver enzymes, your doctor will likely order additional tests to identify the cause of the inflammation.

Imaging studies

Your doctor may use one or more of the following imaging tests to check for excess fat or other problems with your liver:

• ultrasound exam
• CT scan
• MRI scan

They might also order a test known as vibration-controlled transient elastography (VCTE, FibroScan). This test uses low-frequency sound waves to measure liver stiffness. It can help check for scarring.

Liver biopsy

A liver biopsy is considered the best way to determine the severity of liver disease.
During a liver biopsy, a doctor will insert a needle into your liver and remove a piece of tissue for examination. They will give you a local anesthetic to lessen the pain.
This test can help determine if you have fatty liver disease, as well as liver scarring.

Treatment for fatty liver

Currently, no medications have been approved to treat fatty liver disease. More research is needed to develop and test medications to treat this condition.
In many cases, lifestyle changes can help reverse fatty liver disease. For example, your doctor might advise you to:

• limit or avoid alcohol
• take steps to lose weight
• make changes to your diet

If you’ve developed complications, your doctor might recommend additional treatments. To treat cirrhosis, for example, they might prescribe:

• lifestyle changes
• medications
• surgery

Cirrhosis can lead to liver failure. If you develop liver failure, you might need a liver transplant.

Home remedies

Lifestyle changes are the first-line treatment for fatty liver disease. Depending on your current condition and lifestyle habits, it might help to:

• lose weight
• reduce your alcohol intake
• eat a nutrient-rich diet that’s low in excess calories, saturated fat, and trans fats
• get at least 30 minutes of exercise most days of the week

According to the Mayo Clinic, some evidence suggests that vitamin E supplements might help prevent or treat liver damage caused by fatty liver disease. However, more research is needed. There are some health risks associated with consuming too much vitamin E.
Always talk to your doctor before you try a new supplement or natural remedy. Some supplements or natural remedies might put stress on your liver or interact with medications you’re taking.

Diet for fatty liver disease

If you have fatty liver disease, your doctor might encourage you to adjust your diet to help treat the condition and lower your risk of complications. For example, they might advise you to do the following:

• Eat a diet that’s rich in plant-based foods, including fruits, vegetables, legumes, and whole grains.
• Limit your consumption of refined carbohydrates, such as sweets, white rice, white bread, other refined grain products.
• Limit your consumption of saturated fats, which are found in red meat and many other animal products.
• Avoid trans fats, which are present in many processed snack foods.
• Avoid alcohol.

Your doctor may encourage you to cut calories from your diet to lose weight.

Types of fatty liver disease

There are two main types of fatty liver disease: nonalcoholic and alcoholic.
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) includes simple nonalcoholic fatty liver, nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), and acute fatty liver of pregnancy (AFLP).
Alcoholic fatty liver disease (AFLD) includes simple AFLD and alcoholic steatohepatitis (ASH).

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) occurs when fat builds up in the liver of people who don’t drink a lot of alcohol.
If you have excess fat in your liver and no history of heavy alcohol use, your doctor may diagnose you with NAFLD.
If there’s no inflammation or other complications along with the build-up of fat, the condition is known as simple nonalcoholic fatty liver.

Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH)

Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is a type of NAFLD. It occurs when a build-up of excess fat in the liver is accompanied by liver inflammation.
If you have excess fat in your liver, your liver is inflamed, and you have no history of heavy alcohol use, your doctor may diagnose you with NASH.
When left untreated, NASH can cause scarring of your liver. In severe cases, this can lead to cirrhosis and liver failure.

Acute fatty liver of pregnancy (AFLP)

Acute fatty liver of pregnancy (AFLP) is a rare but serious complication of pregnancy. The exact cause is unknown.
When AFLP develops, it usually appears in the third trimester of pregnancy. If left untreated, it poses serious health risks to the mother and growing baby.
If you’re diagnosed with AFLP, your doctor will want to deliver your baby as soon as possible. You might need to receive follow-up care for several days after you give birth.
Your liver health will likely return to normal within a few weeks of giving birth.

Alcoholic fatty liver disease (ALFD)

Drinking a lot of alcohol damages the liver. When it’s damaged, the liver can’t break down fat properly. This can cause fat to build up, which is known as alcoholic fatty liver.
Alcoholic fatty liver disease (ALFD) is the earliest stage of alcohol-related liver disease.
If there’s no inflammation or other complications along with the build-up of fat, the condition is known as simple alcoholic fatty liver.

Alcoholic steatohepatitis (ASH)

Alcoholic steatohepatitis (ASH) is a type of AFLD. It happens when a build-up of excess fat in the liver is accompanied by liver inflammation. This is also known as alcoholic hepatitis.
If you have excess fat in your liver, your liver is inflamed, and you drink a lot of alcohol, your doctor may diagnose you with ASH.
If it’s not treated properly, ASH can cause scarring of your liver. Severe liver scarring is known as cirrhosis. It can lead to liver failure.
To treat alcoholic fatty liver, it’s important to avoid alcohol. If you have alcoholism, or alcohol use disorder, your doctor may recommend counseling or other treatments.

Risk factors

Drinking high amounts of alcohol puts you at increased risk of developing fatty liver.
You may also be at heightened risk if you:

• are obese
• have insulin resistance
• have type 2 diabetes
• have polycystic ovary syndrome
• are pregnant
• have a history of certain infections, such as hepatitis C
• take certain medications, such as methotrexate (Trexall), tamoxifen (Nolvadex), amiodorone (Pacerone), and valproic acid (Depakote)

• have high cholesterol levels
• have high triglyceride levels
• have high blood sugar levels

• have metabolic syndrome

If you have a family history of fatty liver disease, you’re more likely to develop it yourself.

Stages of fatty liver

Fatty liver can progress through four stages:

• Simple fatty liver. There is a build-up of excess fat in the liver.
• Steatohepatitis. In addition to excess fat, there is inflammation in the liver.
• Fibrosis. Inflammation in the liver has caused scarring.
• Cirrhosis. Scarring of the liver has become widespread.

Cirrhosis is a potentially life-threatening condition that can cause liver failure. It may be irreversible. That’s why it’s so important to prevent it from developing in the first place.
To help stop fatty liver from progressing and causing complications, follow your doctor’s recommended treatment plan.

Prevention

To prevent fatty liver and its potential complications, it’s important to follow a healthy lifestyle.

• Limit or avoid alcohol.
• Maintain a healthy weight.
• Eat a nutrient-rich diet that’s low in saturated fats, trans fats, and refined carbohydrates.
• Take steps to control your blood sugar, triglyceride levels, and cholesterol levels.
• Follow your doctor’s recommended treatment plan for diabetes, if you have it.
• Aim for at least 30 minutes of exercise most days of the week.

Taking these steps can also help improve your overall health.

Outlook

In many cases, it’s possible to reverse fatty liver through lifestyle changes. These changes may help prevent liver damage and scarring.
The condition can cause inflammation, damage to your liver, and potentially irreversible scarring if it’s not treated. Severe liver scarring is known as cirrhosis.
If you develop cirrhosis, it increases your risk of liver cancer and liver failure. These complications can be fatal.
For the best outcome, it’s important to follow your doctor’s recommended treatment plan and practice an overall healthy lifestyle.
 https://www.healthline.com

What is the Link Between Asthma and Depression?

Depression and asthma are two highly prevalent chronic diseases in the United States and worldwide, imposing unacceptable social and economic burdens on the public healthcare system [. Approximately 16% of adults in the United States are diagnosed with major depression disorder, and 5.8% of men and 9.5% of women will likely experience an episode of depression within a 12-month period . Equally detrimental, asthma affects 39.5 million Americans, 29.0 million of which are adults, and 300 million individuals worldwide , with increasing prevalence in many countries . Because both depression and asthma impose substantial public health burdens, the association between these two conditions has attracted attention over the past several decades.
"In a first-of-its-kind study, researchers from the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Montefiore Health System, and Albert Einstein College of Medicine are working together to examine the link between depression and asthma in older adults.
Funded by the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, the study will consist of 400 patients over the age of 60 who have persistent asthma and are receiving an asthma-control medication; half of the patients also will have comorbid major depression. Participants will represent socio-demographics of most US urban communities and will include English and Spanish-speaking adults. The 4-year study, which is scheduled to begin in September, will assess patients for depression, inflammation, and medication adherence at study initiation and again at 6, 12, and 18 months."

Hairstyles as seen in different sculptures dating back to Shunga period

Illustration by The Illustrated History of India @ilustratedIndia

Ornate ceiling is from Chennakeshava Temple in Belur

This ornate ceiling is from Chennakeshava Temple in Belur built in Hoysala period.

Just see the exquite details of ceiling, a world wonder in itself. It comprises of outer octagon within which 16gon and concentric circular rings having Narasimha at the centre.

This is close-up view of innermost ring, Narasimha though small is carved with perfection. See the details of scroll work, 
 it appears partially hollow. Loshtha are equidistantly placed and between each consecutive ring, small sculptures/scene are carved with amazing perfection.
This is unfortunate that GoI promotes only Delhi centric Heritage sites and such marvelous temples are left to decay. Karnataka alone has at least 100s of such small and big temples, all equally magnificent in their own way.



PC: Namma Huduga

— with Abhishek Raj Sah
 भारतीय वास्तुकला (Wonderful Indian Architecture)

நீதி சாஸ்திரம்

. இந்த மூன்று சமயங்களில் எந்த முடிவும் எடுக்க கூடாது.
1. பசி வயிற்றை கிள்ளும் போது.
2. தூக்கம் நம் கண்களை சுழற்றும் போது.
3. மதுபோதையில் இருக்கும் போது.

இந்த மூன்று சமயங்களில் யாருக்கும் வாக்குறுதி தரக்கூடாது.
1. மிகவும் மகிழ்ச்சியாக இருக்கும் போது.
2. மிகவும் துக்கத்தில் இருக்கும் போது.
3. மிகவும் கோபத்தில் இருக்கும் போது.
இந்த மூன்று விதமானவர்களின் நட்பை ஒதுக்க வேண்டும்.
1. நம்மைப் பற்றி உணராதவர்கள்.
2. நம்மைக் கண்டு பொறாமை கொள்பவர்கள்.
3. நமக்கு ஈடாக செயல்பட முடியாதவர்கள்.
இந்த மூன்று பேரை எப்போதும் மறக்கக் கூடாது.
1. ஆபத்தில் நமக்கு உதவி செய்தவர்கள்.
2. நம் குறைகளை பெரிது படுத்தாதவர்கள்.
3. நம்முடைய நலத்தை நாடுபவர்கள்.
விரோதியை நம்பலாம். ஆனால் துரோகியை ஒரு போதும் நம்பவும் கூடாது. மன்னிக்கவும் கூடாது.
ஒருவருடைய குணம் சரியில்லை என்று அறிந்த பின் அவர்களை விட்டு ஒதுங்கி போவதே நல்லது.
இல்லையேல் அவர்கள் தரத்திற்கு நம்மை தாழ்த்தி விடுவார்கள்..
BY■JSKகோபி

Emotions May Harm You

 "Anger and sadness are an important part of life, and new research shows that experiencing and accepting such emotions are vital to our mental health. Attempting to suppress thoughts can backfire and even diminish our sense of contentment. Acknowledging the complexity of life may be an especially fruitful path to psychological well-being."

 

Positive vs. Negative Emotions

Emotions (feelings) are a normal and important part of our lives.

Some emotions are positive. Think of happiness, joy, interest, curiosity, excitement, gratitude, love, and contentment. These positive emotions feel good. Negative emotions — like sadness, anger, loneliness, jealousy, self-criticism, fear, or rejection — can be difficult, even painful at times.

That's especially true when we feel a negative emotion too often, too strongly, or we dwell on it too long.

Negative emotions are impossible to avoid, though. Everyone feels them from time to time. They may be difficult, but we can learn to handle them.

Here are three steps that can help you handle negative emotions.

Step 1: Identify the Emotion

Learning to notice and identify your feelings takes practice. In addition to focusing on your feelings, check in with your body, too. You may feel body sensations with certain emotions — perhaps your face gets hot, for example, or your muscles tense.

• Be aware of how you feel. When you have a negative emotion, such as anger, try to name what you're feeling.
  For example: That guy Ian in my study group makes me so mad! I get so jealous when I see that girl/guy with my ex. I feel afraid whenever I have to walk past those bullies.
• Don't hide how you feel from yourself. You might not want to broadcast your feelings to other people (like your ex, for example, or that guy in your study group who is making you mad). But don't suppress your feelings entirely. Simply naming the feeling is a lot better than pretending not to have it — or exploding without thinking.
• Know why you feel the way you do. Figure out what happened that got you feeling the way you do.
  For example: Whenever we do group projects, Ian finds a way to take all the credit for other people's work. Our teacher thinks Ian's the star of the team, even though he never has his own ideas. When I see my ex flirting with other people, it reminds me that I still have feelings for him/her. Even though the bullies don't pick on me, I see what they do to other people and it worries me.
• Don't blame. Being able to recognize and explain your emotions isn't the same as blaming someone or something for the way you feel. Your ex probably isn't seeing someone new as a way to get back at you, and the guy who takes credit for your work might not even realize what he is doing. How you feel when these things happen comes from inside you. Your feelings are there for a reason — to help you make sense of what's going on.
• Accept all your emotions as natural and understandable. Don't judge yourself for the emotions you feel. It's normal to feel them. Acknowledging how you feel can help you move on, so don't be hard on yourself.

Step 2: Take Action

Once you've processed what you're feeling, you can decide if you need to express your emotion. Sometimes it's enough to just realize how you feel, but other times you'll want to do something to feel better.

• Think about the best way to express your emotion. Is this a time when you need to gently confront someone else? Talk over what you're feeling with a friend? Or work off the feeling by going for a run?
  For example: It won't solve anything to show my anger to Ian — it may even make him feel more superior! But my feelings tell me that I need to avoid getting in another situation where he takes control over a project. I'll hold my head high around my ex, then I'll put on some sad songs and have a good cry in my room to help me release my feelings and eventually let go. My fear of being around those bullies is a sign that they have gone too far. Perhaps I should talk about what's going on with a school counselor.
• Learn how to change your mood. At a certain point, you'll want to shift from a negative mood into a positive one. Otherwise your thinking may get stuck on how bad things are, and that can drag you down into feeling worse. Try doing things that make you happy, even if you don't feel like it at the time. For example, you might not be in the mood to go out after a breakup, but going for a walk or watching a funny movie with friends can lift you out of that negative space.
• Build positive emotions. Positive feelings create a sense of happiness and well being. Make it a habit to notice and focus on what's good in your life — even the little things, like the praise your dad gave you for fixing his bookshelves or how great the salad you made for lunch tastes. Noticing the good things even when you're feeling bad can help you shift the emotional balance from negative to positive.
• Seek support. Talk about how you're feeling with a parent, trusted adult, or a friend. They can help you explore your emotions and give you a fresh way of thinking about things. And nothing helps you feel more understood and cared for than the support of someone who loves you for who you are.
• Exercise. Physical activity helps the brain produce natural chemicals that promote a positive mood. Exercise also can release stress buildup and help you from staying stuck on negative feelings.

Step 3: Get Help With Difficult Emotions

Sometimes, no matter what you do, you can't shake a tough emotion. If you find yourself stuck in feelings of sadness or worry for more than a couple of weeks, or if you feel so upset that you think you might hurt yourself or other people, you may need extra help.

Talk to a school counselor, parent, trusted adult, or therapist. Counselors and therapists are trained to teach people how to break out of negative emotions. They can provide lots of tips and ideas that will help you feel better.