An open letter to all fitness freaks

Dear Fitness Freaks,

You have no idea how much you inspire and motivate all those who sit on their couches, munching on a bag of chips and sipping cartons full of Coke, with your perfect abs, your toned calves and shoulders. Your motivation and your drive towards working out and getting that perfectly chiselled body leaves others spellbound.

We see how hard you work to achieve all that you have and we could not be more impressed. All the same, we also feel that along with working so hard you need to take more care of yourself, to stay in the pink of health. Here are some tips from experts, that we hope you will include in your routine, so that you can remain in the best shape to achieve all your fitness goals and keep on inspiring us!

• Loosen up :

  Experts all over the world advise that you stretch your muscles properly before starting your workout and even after you are done with it. It helps your muscles recognise their full range of motion before you start your exercises so that they do not overstretch and get injured while you are working out.

• Watch your diet :

  Your health and fitness and the amount of time that it takes for your body to achieve the zenith of fitness that you wish to achieve is directly proportional to the propriety of your diet. A healthy, balanced, nutritious and wholesome diet equates to adequate fitness and muscle strength that directly translates to your overall fitness. Following are some foods that you must absolutely include in your diet :

• Risks of Diabetes

  Diabetes can lead to;
  • Heart disease
  • Stroke
  • Kidney problems
  • Eye problems
  • Dental issues
  • Damage to the nervous system
  • Foot issues

• Diabetes in Children

  Also known as juvenile diabetes or insulin-dependent diabetes in children, Type 1 diabetes can be overwhelming to your child. Here, as a parent, one will have to learn how to give injections, count the carbohydrates, and monitor the blood sugar levels. This condition requires constant care, support, and affection. However, with proper management, it is easy to maintain your kid’s daily routine.

• Symptoms of Type 1 diabetes

  The symptoms of Type 1 diabetes in children can occur fast, almost within weeks. Therefore, it is always important to look out and get your child checked immediately if you notice them. They are;
  • Increase in thirst and urination :- This happens because the sugar levels start getting higher in the child. Thus, the bloodstream pulls the fluids from the tissues, which leads to your child becoming extra thirsty. So, when the kid drinks more fluids, the urination also increases. If the kid is young, even though toilet-trained, might wet his bed.
  • Increase in appetite :- When the insulin doesn’t do the work it is supposed to do, the sugar doesn’t get transported to the cells. Thus, it makes the kid feel tired because he doesn’t get the required energy. Hence, hunger increases.
  • Sudden weight loss :- If you notice sudden weight loss, despite an increase in hunger, it is a sign of diabetes.
  • Lethargy :- Due to the deficiency of sugar in the cells, your kid might also experience fatigue, lethargy, and tiredness.
  • Changes in the behavior :- Diabetes might cause mood swings, leading to a sudden poor performance in school.
  • The smell of breath becomes fruity :- When the body starts burning fat, it produces ketones and it causes fruity breath.
  • Vision becomes blurred :- When the child’s glucose levels become too high, the fluids present in the lenses are pulled.
  • Yeast Infection :- When a female child experiences the symptoms of diabetes, she might go through a yeast infection in her genitals. In babies, you might notice rashes due to the yeast infection.

• Type 2 diabetes

  One of the reasons why children develop Type 2 diabetes is because of being overweight. Also, it can be a case of hereditary.

• Symptoms of Type 2 diabetes

  • Fatigue
  • Increase in thirst
  • Frequency of urination increases
  • Hunger increases
  • The sores take time to heal
  • Skin becomes dark

• How to avoid complications caused by diabetes?

  As soon as you notice the signs and symptoms of either type of diabetes, you must immediately consult a doctor. He might perform a blood glucose test, a glucose tolerance test, or an A1C test. However, sometimes the results are not immediate. When it comes to Type 2 diabetes, it can take a few months to get a correct diagnosis.

• Symptoms of Type 2 diabetes

  • It is important to teach your child ways to maintain blood sugar levels.
  • You must make sure that your child develops healthy eating habits and must opt for regular physical activity. You must talk to your doctor about a proper treatment plan.
  • Schedule doctor’s appointments regularly. Also, it is important to make sure that your child goes through a regular yearly eye check-up.