Health – OnlineEdu

Social Media and Mental Health

Social media is a tool used for communication, entertainment, collaboration, information, and social organization, used by people of various age groups. Facebook is one of the most popular social media sites that consist of over one billion active users. Its utilization is for business and personal communication that can serve positive advantages of increased connectivity, sharing of ideas, and online learning. Social networking sites have impacted the way people communicate and interact. The development of social networking sites have increased the time spent on devices which has led to the reduction of interpersonal communication with both family and social environment. It enables a person to interact with a large number of people, but the interactions are described as shallow and cannot replace face to face communication. 90% of social media users were between the ages of 18-29, they spent approximately two hours a day on social media. Bailey Parnell a social media expert discussed the consequences social media has on a person’s mental health. Parnell focused on 4 common stressors of social media.

Highlight reel is the collection of a person’s brightest moments and it becomes a stressor when comparison is made to other peoples highlights
Social currency, value is placed on likes and dislikes given to a person by others.
The “Fear of Missing Out” (FOMO), according to a Canadian university 7/10 students did not want to get rid of their social media accounts because they did not want to be left out.
Online harassment, has been either experienced or witnessed by anyone who owns a social media account with targets that are women, people of color, or part of the LGBQ community

There is so much information stating that social media is harmful to our mental health but social media is not the problem but it’s the users who create a harmful environment. There is no evidence that states Facebook or any other social networking site causes depression especially if they are used for reasons other than communicating with family and friends. It has been seen to decrease rates of depression. However extensive use of social networking site used in other forms than communicating with loved ones may weaken their relationship by increasing feelings of loneliness. On the contrary the hyper personal model is an aspect of the positive results of social networking, it allows users to portray appealing traits of themselves to other social networking users. The selective self-presentation impacts an individual’s self-evaluation and self-esteem.

References

Online Social Networking and Mental Health. (1, October). Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4183915/

Shibboleth Authentication Request. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://library.neit.edu:2216/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?vid=24&sid=e3c9dbb6-ea98-4505-b74e-b43f3aa9b473%40sdc-v-sessmgr03

Why Social Media Causes Anxiety. (2019, September 12). Retrieved from https://www.anxiety.org/social-media-causes-anxiety

There are 58 Million Diabetic Feet in America – How do We Protect Them?

According to the Centers for Disease Control, diagnosed and undiagnosed diabetes in the United States has increased over 500% (from 5.5 million to 29.10 million) in the past 25 years. Yet, lower limb amputations among diabetics due to peripheral neuropathy (diabetic nerve damage) and peripheral vascular disease (poor circulation) have decreased by approximately 60% in the last decade. Doctors attribute the decrease in lower limb amputations to diabetic management programs consisting of strict blood glucose control and foot care plan.

Blood glucose is the naturally occurring sugar that provides energy to your cells. Diabetes disrupts this natural exchange causing damage to your body’s cells, making it necessary for you to adhere to medication and lifestyle changes. Control over blood glucose levels decreases damage to your organs and systems – heart, blood vessels, nerves, kidneys, bone and skin – vital to the health of your feet. Strict blood glucose control means minimizing hypoglycemic (low blood glucose) or hyperglycemic (high blood glucose) levels – striving for a normal blood glucose range (determined by your health team) minimizes risks of diabetic complications such as amputation. A diabetic management program incorporating a foot care plan will decrease your risk of foot wounds and possible amputation.

Diabetic Management Program

Meet Your Diabetic Health Team. Composed of your primary doctor, diabetic nurse educator, nutritionist, podiatrist and, most especially, you. Your team will determine your blood glucose goal for success, and will educate and monitor your progress to achieving this goal. They will show you how to care for your feet and monitor for signs of wounds. They are your “go to” people, use them to protect the health of your feet.

Eat Well. Your diabetes educator or nutritionist will collaborate with you to create a healthy diet plan including fresh vegetables, lean proteins, fish and fruit. Eat smaller portions and try not to go in for seconds. A good diet protects the health of your blood vessels by lowering cholesterol and blood pressure. Healthy blood vessels transport the nutrients to your feet.

Exercise. Your diabetic health team will encourage you to start exercising gradually and increase to at least 30 minutes a day, 7 days a week. Always check your blood glucose levels before exercising to avoid a hypoglycemic or hyperglycemic event. Low impact exercises such as swimming, walking, yoga and dancing are wonderful alternatives for diabetics who already experience some degree of peripheral neuropathy or for diabetics just beginning an exercise program. There are so many activity choices – if you get bored, don’t stop, just try something new. Exercising not only strengthens your heart and lung health, it also improves your circulation allowing nutrients to flow into your body’s cells and wastes to be eliminated.

Lose Weight. Eating well and exercising may result in weight loss. Losing just 5% of your body weight may lower your blood glucose level, decrease your blood pressure and cholesterol rates, and increase your energy level.

Follow Your Doctor’s Prescription. Proper medication administration is vital for maintenance of controlled blood glucose levels. You need to understand when and how to administer your medication, as well as consequences of possible drug interactions if you are taking multiple medications. Even something as simple as over-the-counter cold medicines may interfere with your blood glucose levels. If you have questions, speak with your diabetic health team.

Monitor Your Blood Sugar Levels. Check your blood glucose levels before each meal, before bedtime, and before exercising. Your daily monitoring provides a gauge on how well you’re maintaining control over blood glucose levels. Look at it as an historical record of how your food intake, exercise routine and lifestyle modifications affect your blood glucose level, and “adjust” accordingly.

Your diabetic health team with administer a blood test called a HbA1c test at least twice a year which will indicate the average amount of blood glucose during the previous three months. High test results (above 7%) mean that your diabetes is not well controlled and there is an increased risk of complications. Meet with your diabetic team to “tweak” your diabetic management program.

Quit Smoking. The results are in, nicotine increases blood glucose levels. Research in 2011, led by Xiao-Chuan Liu of California State Polytechnic University, concluded that nicotine raised levels of hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) by as much as 34%. High blood glucose levels caused by smoking not only damage your heart, lungs and kidney, but contribute to blood vessel compromise and poor circulation. Consequently, the risks of peripheral neuropathy and vascular disease, and subsequent amputation markedly increase. So, if you smoke, speak with your diabetes team and let them find the right smoking cessation program.

Develop a Daily Foot Care Routine. Bathe your feet in warm water, pat dry and check the bottoms of your feet and between your toes for any wound problems. Signs and symptoms such as redness, pain, corns, bunions open wounds, and changes in foot shape need to be addressed by your diabetic team. The risk of wounds increases if you walk barefoot – always wear low-heeled shoes or boots outside the home, and slippers inside the home. Speak with your diabetic educator regarding a foot care routine.

Take advantage of your diabetic health team’s knowledge. Adhering to a diabetic management program will decrease the risk of peripheral neuropathy and vascular disease, as well as amputation.

For further information, call a member of your diabetic health team, and you can find information at the following sites:

American Association of Diabetic Educators
American Diabetes Association
Joslin Diabetes Center

References

American Chemical Society. (2011, March 29). First identification of nicotine as main culprit in diabetes complications among smokers. ScienceDaily. Retrieved November 15, 2016 from www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/03/110327191036.htm

Barshes, N.K., Sigireddi, M., Wrobel, J.S., Mahankali, A., Robbins, J.R., Kougias, P., and
Armstrong, D.G. (2013) The System of Care for the Diabetic Foot: Objectives,
Outcomes, and Opportunities, Diabetic Foot & Ankle. 4: 21847. Retrieved from
http://dx.doi.org/10.3402/dfa.v4i0.21847

Nemcová, J., & Hlinková, E. (2014). The efficacy of diabetic foot care education. Journal Of
Clinical Nursing, 23(5/6), 877-882. Retrieved from
doi:10.1111/jocn.12290

Shrivastava S.R., Shrivastava P.S., and Ramasamy J. (2013) Role of self-care in management
of diabetes mellitus. Journal of Diabetes & Metabolic Disorders. 12:14. Retrieved from
DOI: 10.1186/2251-6581-12-14

Facts or Fictions on Diabetes

Literature Review

Diabetes mellitus is a chronic illness. According to Frazier and Drzymkowski, who wrote Essentials of Human Diseases and Conditions, “diabetes mellitus is a chronic disorder of carbohydrate, fat, and protein metabolism caused by inadequate production of insulin by the cells” (p. 177). In other words, diabetes occurs when there is a lack of insulin in the pancreas. A functional pancreas produces insulin which balances glucose levels. Insulin decreases “blood glucose levels by transporting glucose into the cells for use as energy and storage” (Frazier & Drzymkowski, 2009, p. 177). In the video, Facts and fiction on diabetes spoken by reporter Snyderman, she speaks about facts and myths. A few myths she mentioned was you grow out of it, and diabetics cannot eat chocolate or sweets. She covered the same information previously stated earlier regarding illnesses and diseases.Insulin reduction can lead to hyperglycemia where cells begin to lack fuel and break down fats and proteins, which lead to an accumulation of ketone bodies, which are wastes in the blood. This illness’ signs and symptoms are hyperglycemia, hypoglycemia, thirst, increased urination, hunger, and impaired vision.

Here is a video on symptoms you should watch out for:

Here is a video on type 2 diabetes symptoms:

In the article Cigarette Smoking Affects Glycemic Control in Diabetes, it states smoking increases glycemic control imbalances. People with diabetes that cease smoking is able to control blood glucose levels. People with diabetes are able to decrease having any insulin imbalances. There has been a study done on people who smoke cigarettes on a daily basis. Smoking does cause type 2 diabetes in the long run. In the article Does Smoking Cigarettes Cause Type 2 Diabetes? It Could Depend On Your Race, it states that people who cease to smoke will get diabetes because the body is immune to the change. The glucose starts to become imbalanced. By preventing smoking less it will help the insulin stay balanced.

Type 2 diabetes is a worldwide epidemic. It threatens a lot of countries. Many factors of diabetes is smoking, excessive alcohol drinking, high intake of refined carbohydrates, and physical inactivity. Diabetes is common among the poor. They cannot live a healthy lifestyle. Obesity and overweight is causing massive diabetes epidemic. Asians have a higher chance of obtaining diabetes due to weight gain in adulthood. Type 2 diabetes can be prevented through diet and lifestyle modification. According to Ulene and Pauley, who reported life on NBC news. The topic they spoke about was, “What is diabetes?”. They mentioned how diabetes occurred and how you can check your blood sugar throughout the day by using an automatic device.

What is Diabetes?

References:

Castillo.S. (2016, June).Does Smoking Cigarettes Cause Type 2 Diabetes? It Could Depend On Your Race.http://www.medicaldaily.com/smoking-cigarettes-type-2-diabetes-racial-disparity-390186
Davies, L., Fulcher, G., Gunton, J., McElduff, A., Wilmshurst,E. (2002,April).Cigarette Smoking Affects Glycemic Control in Diabetes.Diabetes Care, 25 (4) 796-797; DOI: 10.2337/diacare.25.4.796-a
Frazier, M., S., & Drzymkowski, J., W. (2009). Essentials of human diseases and conditions. Philadelphia, PA: Saunders, 177-179.
Hu, F. (2011,Jun). Globalization of Diabetes.Diabetes Care, 34 (6) 1249-1257; DOI: 10.2337/dc11-0442
Snyderman, N. (Reporter), & Vieira, M. (Anchor). (2007, November 29). Facts and Myths About Diabetes. [Television series episode]. NBC Today Show. Retrieved from https://library.neit.edu:2336/portal/site/HigherEd/browse/?cuecard=32367
Ulene, A. (Reporter), & Pauley, J. (Anchor). (1980, December 29). What Is Diabetes? [Television series episode]. NBC Today Show. Retrieved from https://library.neit.edu:2336/portal/site/HigherEd/browse/?cuecard=32241