Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a mental health condition characterized by persistent, intrusive thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive behaviors or mental acts (compulsions). Obsessions and compulsions reduce anxiety associated with these thoughts and can significantly interfere with daily life, relationships, and overall well-being.

Misconceptions

There are many misconceptions surrounding OCD that contribute to its stigmatization. It is important to recognize that OCD is a legitimate mental health disorder with biological, genetic, and environmental factors contributing to its development.

This parody video by Rhett and Link captures the misconception of OCD being the same as perfectionism. Some other misconceptions include:

Treatments

• Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT): CBT, specifically exposure and response prevention (ERP), is considered the gold standard for treating OCD. It involves gradually facing fears and resisting the urge to engage in compulsive behaviors.
• Medication: In some cases, medication, such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), can be prescribed to help alleviate symptoms. It’s important to consult with a mental health professional to determine the most suitable treatment plan.
• Mindfulness and Relaxation Techniques: Practices such as mindfulness meditation and deep breathing can help individuals stay grounded and reduce anxiety.
• Support Groups: Connecting with others who have OCD can provide a sense of community and understanding. Support groups or online forums offer a platform for sharing experiences and coping strategies.

Living with OCD

It’s crucial for individuals with OCD to tailor coping strategies to their specific needs and seek professional help when necessary. A comprehensive approach, combining therapy, medication (when prescribed), and self-help strategies, can contribute to effective management of OCD symptoms. Here are some general coping strategies for dealing with OCD:

• Deep Breathing: Practice deep breathing exercises to help calm the nervous system and reduce anxiety.
• Mindfulness Meditation: Mindfulness techniques can help individuals stay present in the moment, minimizing the impact of obsessive thoughts.
• Self-Compassion: Cultivate self-compassion and understanding. Recognize that living with OCD does not define your worth or capabilities.
• Education and Advocacy: Educate yourself about OCD and advocate for mental health awareness. By sharing your story, you contribute to reducing stigma and fostering a more compassionate society.
• Setting Realistic Goals: Establish realistic goals and celebrate small victories. Acknowledge the progress made, no matter how incremental.
• Therapy and Counseling: Work with a mental health professional, such as a psychologist or psychiatrist, who specializes in OCD. They can provide guidance, support, and evidence-based interventions.

Conclusion

 Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder is a complex and challenging condition, but with the right understanding, effective treatment, and a supportive community, individuals with OCD can lead fulfilling lives. By promoting awareness, empathy, and a comprehensive approach to well-being, we can collectively work towards dismantling the stigma surrounding OCD and fostering a more compassionate world for everyone.

References

Callaghan, L. (2020). How to treat OCD. Healthcare Counselling & Psychotherapy Journal, 20(4), 20–21. https://search-ebscohost-com.ezproxy.neit.edu/login.aspx?direct=true&db=ccm&AN=146849259&site=ehost-live

Grant, J. E. (2019). OCD: A Common Psychiatric Disorder With a Constellation of Solutions. Psychiatric Times, 36(11), 33–38. https://search-ebscohost-com.ezproxy.neit.edu/login.aspx?direct=true&db=ccm&AN=139818256&site=ehost-live.

Grant, J. E., & Chamberlain, S. R. (2020). Exploring the Neurobiology of OCD. Psychiatric Times, 37(7), 32–34. https://search-ebscohost-com.ezproxy.neit.edu/login.aspx?direct=true&db=ccm&AN=144461603&site=ehost-live.

Knopf, A. (2021). OCD can be treated with internet‐CBT. Brown University Child & Adolescent Psychopharmacology Update, 23(8), 8. https://doi-org.ezproxy.neit.edu/10.1002/cpu.30602

Negreiros, J., Best, J. R., Vallani, T., Belschner, L., Szymanski, J., & Stewart, S. E. (2023). Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) in the School: Parental Experiences Regarding Impacts and Disclosure. Journal of Child & Family Studies, 32(9), 2848–2857. https://doi-org.ezproxy.neit.edu/10.1007/s10826-022-02350-w

By: EpicTop10.com

What is Diabetes? 

Diabetes Mellitus (DM) is a condition characterized by uncontrolled sugar (glucose) levels in the blood. It is the seventh leading cause of death in the United States alone. It has many different subtypes (Gestational Diabetes- seen in pregnant women, Neonatal Diabetes- seen in infants within the first 6 months of birth). Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes are the main subtypes.

Both type1 and type 2 Diabetes are the result of absent or defective use of insulin, which is a hormone that is produced in the body to help regulate the level of sugar in the blood. Because the two subtypes have different disease development, each type has its own set of treatments, disease presentation and causes.

Type 1 Diabetes                                                              

• Is autoimmune- meaning the body attacks and destroys cells that produce insulin
• Typically presents in children (birth to 6 years old) and adolescents (10-14 years old)
• The body does not produce insulin or produces very low levels

Type 2 Diabetes:

• Typically affects middle-age and older adults
• Results from a combination of genetic factors and lifestyle
• Stronger hereditary factor compared to Type 1 (can be seen in at least one parent of a diabetic patient)
• Risk is associated with extended high blood sugar levels (hyperglycemia) caused by poor diet and lifestyles choices.

Presentation

Presentation between Type 1 and Type 2 may look similar but can be distinguished by clinical history and exams. They are more abrupt in Type 1. Slow presentations and mild symptoms in Type 2 Diabetes results in delayed treatments. Symptoms include:

• Excessive thirst, hunger
• Abnormal volumes of urine
• low energy, tiredness
• weight loss (Common in Type 1)
• Type 2 typically presents with signs of overweight and obesity
• blurry vision
• Numbness
• slow-healing wounds
• Diabetic Ketoacidosis- because the body is unable to use sugar effectively, the body breaks down fat for energy, as a result dangerous levels of acids are released in the body and can cause a diabetic come/death.

Treatment

• Monitor glucose levels
• Taking insulin, daily injections or a pump
• Monitor diet and exercise- Eating a balanced diet low in sugar and being physically active
• Taking necessary diabetes medications prescribed by physician
• Fat reduction surgery for those who are extremely obese to help the body use insulin
  

  By: Marco Verch Professional Photographer

  Myths Surrounding Diabetes 

  1. Diabetes is the sugar disease, caused by eating candy as a child

• Early presentation of diabetes is typically associated with Type 1 diabetes, which is the body not being able to produce insulin.

2. Diabetes is seen in overweight/obese people

• Not every obese person is diabetic and not every diabetic person is obese. While obesity is a risk factor, it is not the central cause of diabetes.

3. Diabetes is contagious and there’s only 1 type.

• Diabetes is not contagious and there are more than 1 type with different presentations.

It’s important to debunk myths concerning the condition to decrease stigma. Misrepresentation creates psychological, emotional and social effects such as depression, anxiety, decreased social interactions in an effort to minimize the shame and guilt from stigmas.

Follow-up Care 

Because Diabetes affects the body in multiple ways, regular screenings are necessary to maintain, treat and/or prevent secondary comorbidities. Examples include:

• Regular eye exams to treat/prevent Diabetic Retinopathy – which a condition where the blood vessels in the eyes become damaged due to poor regulation of blood sugar levels.
• Daily foot inspections/diabetic foot test- checking to make sure there are no wounds in the foot that are unnoticed because of numbness caused by nerve damage. Wounds can potentially lead to infections which can lead to amputation of the foot.

References:

Kharroubi, A. T., & Darwish, H. M. (2015). Diabetes Mellitus: The Epidemic of the Century. World journal of diabetes, 6(6), 850–867. https://doi.org/10.4239/wjd.v6.i6.850 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4478580/

Liu, N. F., Brown, A. S., Folias, A. E., Younge, M. F., Guzman, S. J., Close, K. L., & Wood, R. (2017). Stigma in People with Type 1 or Type 2 Diabetes. Clinical diabetes: a publication of the American Diabetes Association, 35(1), 27–34. https://doi.org/10.2337/cd16-0020 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5241772/

Schabert, J., et al., (2013) Social Stigma in Diabetes: A Framework to Understand a Growing Problem for an Increasing Epidemic. The Patient – Patient-Centered Outcomes Research.   https://doi.org/10.1007/s40271-012-0001-0 https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s40271-012-0001-0

Sapra, A. & Bhandari, P. (2023). Diabetes. StatPearls. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishinghttps://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK551501

(2020)

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition frequently identified in early childhood. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 1 in every 36 children in the United States are diagnosed with autism (CDC, 2022). Early indicators of autism include speech delays, decreased social-communicative skills, repetitive behaviors, and difficulties with changes in routines (CDC, 2022). Although autism has become more prominent in the general population, scientists and researchers have yet to determine a single conclusive cause of the disorder. Because the cause of autism is not yet clear, theories and rumors have spread throughout popular media about what factors increase the likelihood of a child developing autism, as well as the likelihood of having the disorder. Rumors that childhood vaccines are responsible for the increased occurrence of autism have been circulating since the late 1990’s (Tanner & Dounavi, 2020). More recently, social media platforms like TikTok have given way to trends like “self-diagnosing” where young people and adults create videos about how they have diagnosed themselves with autism because they feel as though they meet the criteria. As the frequency of autism increases within our population and awareness increases within our society, it is only natural that people want to seek information about what autism is and what causes it. It is important that everyone seeking information about autism has access to the most factual and up-to-date information.

What is Autism? How is it Diagnosed?

Autism is a developmental disability characterized by difficulties with speech and language, social skills, repetitive behaviors, and limited interests. Autism is a spectrum, and people with the disorder will have varying symptoms and severity (CDC, 2022). Symptoms of autism usually begin to become apparent between 6-12 months of age and children can be diagnosed as early as when they are 18 months old (Ritchler et al., 2006). Only specialized doctors like pediatric neurologists, developmental pediatricians, and clinical psychologists can diagnose autism (CDC, 2022). If there are concerns that a child may have autism, their pediatrician should refer them for a comprehensive evaluation. An evaluation for autism consists of psychological testing, observation, an extensive developmental and medical history review, and additional medical testing to rule out any other conditions that could be causing similar symptoms (Ritchler et al., 2006)..

Do Vaccines Cause Autism?

Vaccines do not cause autism. In the late 1990’s, a pediatric gastroenterologist published a study that claimed that Thimerosal, an ingredient used in the Measles-Mumps-Rubella childhood vaccine, is responsible for the onset of autism (Tanner & Dounavi, 2020). This study was highly flawed and unethical and was quickly debunked by other studies. The doctor who published this claim soon lost his medical license because of his negligence (Tanner & Dounavi, 2020). Despite this, some critics, including the celebrity Jenny McCarthy, have been outspoken about their beliefs that vaccines cause autism (Hall, 2024). As a measure of precaution, and to encourage parents to continue to vaccinate their children against communicable diseases, Thimerosal was removed from the Measles-Mumps-Rubella vaccine in 2004 (Tanner & Dounavi, 2020). Despite the removal of Thimerosal almost 20 years ago, the prevalence of autism has continued to rise in the United States and among the global population (Tanner & Dounavi, 2020). Another reason why misinformation about autism and vaccines has continued to circulate is because it was once believed that developmental regressions (loss of expressive language skills, eye contact, etc.) are a symptom of autism. Parents would report that their child would begin to “lose skills” and the “onset” of autism would begin around 9-12 months, which happens to coincide with the timing for many childhood vaccines (Ritchler et al., 2006). This phenomenon has been heavily studied by researchers and it has been concluded that there is no evidence that the Measles-Mumps-Rubella vaccine causes developmental regressions. Research has found that young infants who have gone on to receive autism diagnoses as they got older were showing traits and characteristics of autism before they ever even received the Measles-Mumps-Rubella vaccine (Ritchler et al., 2006).

What Does Cause Autism?

There is not currently a singular or definitive cause of autism. Scientists, doctors, and other researchers have identified factors that increase the likelihood that a child will develop autism. These factors include genetics, environmental toxins, family history, prematurity, complications at birth, and advanced maternal and paternal ages (CDC, 2022). Further research is being done to continue to get a better understanding of how and why autism is developed. Environmental toxins like air pollution, pesticides, lead, heavy metals, prenatal medication use, and malnutrition have all been identified as contributing factors to the increased occurrence of autism (US Department of Health & Human Services, 2023).

(2022)

Autism is a complex disorder that has become increasingly more prevalent in our society. Despite there not being a singular reason for developing the condition, many biological and environmental factors impact the likelihood of a child developing the disorder. While autism research is always ongoing, current research has found that there is no connection or correlation between the development of autism and childhood vaccines. Autism is a complex condition that can only be diagnosed by a licensed medical doctor or clinical psychologist. If you are concerned that your child may have autism, contact your pediatrician for a referral for a comprehensive medical and psychological evaluation.

References

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022, December 9). What is autism spectrum disorder?. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/autism/facts.html

Dr. Chhabra Healthcare (2022) Autism Causes Autism Symptoms, Causes, and Treatments
Retrieved from https://drchhabrahealthcare.com/disease/autism-homeopathy-treatment/

Hall, E. (2014, April 14). 11 things that Jenny McCarthy has said about vaccines. BuzzFeed News. https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/ellievhall/11-things-that-jenny-mccarthy-has-said-about-vaccines

Healis Autism Centre. (2020). “What Causes Autism Spectrum Disorder?” What are the Causes for Autism? Retrieved from https://www.healisautism.com/post/causes-for-autism.

Richler, J., Luyster, R., Risi, S., Hsu, W.-L., Dawson, G., Bernier, R., Dunn, M., Hepburn, S., Hyman, S. L., McMahon, W. M., Goudie-Nice, J., Minshew, N., Rogers, S., Sigman, M., Spence, M. A., Goldberg, W. A., Tager-Flusberg, H., Volkmar, F. R., & Lord, C. (2006). Is there a ‘regressive phenotype’ of autism spectrum disorder associated with the measles-mumps-rubella vaccine? A CPEA study. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 36(3), 299–316. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-005-0070-1

Tanner, A., & Dounavi, K. (2020). The emergence of autism symptoms prior to 18 months of age: A systematic literature review. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 51(3), 973–993. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-020-04618-w

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (2023). Autism. National Institute of    Environmental Health Sciences. https://www.niehs.nih.gov/health/topics/conditions/autism/index.cfm#:~:text=What%20Causes%20Autism%3F,autism%2C%20implying%20a%20genetic%20component.

YouTube. (2021). What is Autism? | Quick Learner. YouTube. Retrieved November 15, 2023,     from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TJuwhCIQQTs.

Daily Food Consumption and Cancer

A table full of delicious food (Free Pic, 2021)

By: TedroyC, COTA

The act of sharing a meal is a time-honored custom that is handed down through the ages. But do you know that your food may be linked to Cancer? I love food, and I am sure most of you do too! There’s so much misinformation out there about certain foods and their supposed links to Cancer.

It is not very clear to separate fact from fiction. It’s frustrating how false information can quickly spread and make us more fearful. That fear stops us from thoroughly enjoying these fantastic and delicious foods. Join me as I investigate the possible link between the foods we eat daily and their possible link to Cancer.

Myth: Drinking ensure is linked to Cancer

Fact: Ensure is a high protein and high sugar drink. Consuming sugary drinks is not always the best option, but supplements like Ensure have not been linked to cancer. So you can enjoy them without any concerns! For people who are malnourished, not getting the right supplements like Ensure can be fatal.

Myth: Eating your favorite cereals is linked to Cancer

Fact: Cereals are tasty but must be kept on a shelf for a long by adding preservatives to them. BHT is a preservative added to cereal to sustain its shelf life. It is safe for human consumption with no links to cancer. It is quickly processed and eliminated from the body as waste materials. There are no lingering unpleasant effects, so enjoy foods containing this additive!

Myth: Eating tasty Rotisserie Chicken is linked to Cancer

Fact: Rotisserie Chicken contains a food additive (carrageenan), which stabilizes, thickens and gels food. This additive is safe for consumption and has no unpleasant effects on the stomach. There are no links between this additive and the growth of cancer cells.  

We must remember that food and nutrients are not the only causes of Cancer. A healthy diet and lifestyle can reduce our cancer risk. We can control our health and reduce cancer risk by making simple, informed food choices. Let’s work together to stay healthy and happy!

References

European Food Safety Authority. (2012, March 7). Scientific Opinion on re-evaluating butylated hydroxytoluene BHT (E 321) as a food additive. Retrieved from https://www.efsa.europa.eu/en/efsajournal/pub/2588#:~:text=The%20Panel%20concluded%20that%20BHT,any%20carcinogenicity%20would%20be%20thresholded.

Makarem, N., Bandera, E. V., Nicholson, J., & Parekh, N. (2018). Consumption of sugars, sugary foods, and beverages concerning cancer risk: A Systematic review of longitudinal studies. Annual Review of Nutrition, 38(1), 17–39. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-nutr-082117-051805

McKim, J. M., Willoughby, J. A., Sr, Blakemore, W. R., & Weiner, M. L. (2019). Clarifying the confusion between poligeenan, degraded carrageenan, and carrageenan: A review of the chemistry, nomenclature, and in vivo toxicology by the oral route. Critical reviews in food science and nutrition, 59(19), 3054–3073. https://doi.org/10.1080/10408398.2018.1481822

Most people hear stroke and think of a sudden attack of symptoms such as slurring speech, drooping face, and one-sided weakness. While this is true, it is not the only way an individual can experience a stroke. Silent strokes, the lesser known type, is common with a prevalence of 8%-28% within the elderly population. It is important to know the signs and symptoms of silent strokes to understand what to look for, especially if you are at risk of having a stroke.

These videos are common misconceptions about stroke:

Signs and Symptoms:

• Clumsiness,
• Lethargy lasting several days,
• Imbalance,
• Changes in memory,
• Changes in mood.

As a result of silent strokes, a person may experience cognitive disabilities such as vascular dementia. It is important to have an idea of signs and symptoms to detect silent strokes early and get medical help.

Testing:
Silent stroke is diagnosed through MRIs and CAT scans. It is important to get checked in order to prevent further strokes that have potential to be physically detrimental.

By: Jill Carlson (jillcarlson.org)

Risk Factors and Prevention:
Some risk factors include: atrial fibrillation (abnormal heart beat), high blood pressure , diabetes, and high levels of bad cholesterol. Even though these factors play a role in increasing your risk for stroke, there’s a way you can prevent it. Changes in your lifestyle can aid in reducing your risk for silent strokes. Some modifications include:

• Stop smoking: it helps to normalize the thickness of your blood and prevent clots.
• Exercise: to improve blood flow.
• Diet: specifically foods that are low in cholesterol and salt.
• Manage your weight and blood pressure.

Losing body fat (especially belly fat) is an issue most adults will deal with directly or know someone who is. But what is the most efficient way to lose fat? That is an age-old question.

One of the most common issues we see involving adults and their general health is maintaining a healthy level of body fat. It is extremely common for many adults to be either overweight, or obese and the body part of most concern is usually stomach size of “belly fat.”

The issue with excess belly fat goes beyond just the related health concerns (elevated blood pressure, increase risk of stroke etc.) and is often viewed in pop culture, society, and media as a negative part of a person’s physical appearance.

Due to the widespread confusion on how to lose weight many people can fall prey to fad diets, and unproven “tips, tricks, shortcuts” to losing belly fat.

Here are some examples that can be found online of misinformation or “junk science.” Anything offering results based off techniques such as this are usually best avoided.

• Magic pills for weight loss
• Magic drinks for weight loss
• Special oils rubbed into skin on specific body parts
• Special massage to burn body fat

Misconceptions

One of the biggest misconceptions out there is the ability for “spot reducing body fat.” This means reducing fat in one targeted area of the body at a time. This is not possible and completely disproven by science (fat loss has a cumulative effect on the body as whole, and genetics determine where and when different areas will be most affected by fat loss.)

Here are some media examples of “junk science,” or misinformation to avoid. 

The above YouTube video states that a concoction of water, fruits, apple cider vinegar, and green tea can be blended with the goal of drinking one cup in the morning and one cup in the afternoon. The author of the video claims it will “burn” away body fat, and specifically “belly fat.”

The above video states that there is a special kind of massage that will decrease body fat, specifically body fat on the belly area. They state the massage will “smooth out pockets of fat around the midsection.” The author states to perform it 20 minutes in the morning and 20 minutes in the afternoon.

The above video shows a treatment that they state to “expect a 20% reduction” of body fat “per treatment.” The treatment shows them applying a cooling device to fat on the belly, removing it and showing the fat stuck in a form “like a stick of butter.” Then they massage it for 2 minutes. They then show pictures of people who supposedly now have small waists and stomachs from this “treatment.”

Notice how none of the above videos reference science backed sources?

What Do the Experts Say? Lets look at three reputable sources. 

“Dietary and Herbal Supplements for weight Loss: Assessing the Quality of Patient Information Online”

The study found a wide array of information sources online of varying quality in relation to the accuracy of the information offered. The study found that the most accurate information on weight loss websites were government websites. The websites offering the most inaccurate and non-scientific based evidence for weight loss were commercial websites (like youtube,) usually with a goal to sell supplements to the consumer directly.

“Diffusing Obesity Myths.”

The study identified 10 of the most common myths and then used evidence-based research to counter them. The obesity myths that were found on many search results (websites, social media etc.) were widespread. The study also found that constant stigma of obesity and excess weight had a negative impact on mental health for many people.

“Errors and Myths in Feeding and nutrition: Impact on the Problems of Obesity”

This journal focused on obesity, how weight (thin bodies) is influenced by social media/pop culture and looked at so called “weight loss foods” that apparently can perform extreme amounts of weight loss just by consuming them (misinformation.)

Results of the study showed the supplement did nothing for weight loss. It also discussed how the misinformation for “special diets,” can also be dangerous towards a person’s health, because they often replace healthy and nutritious foods with junk foods, in order to sell their diet to people.

Wrap Up

As we can see from the above sources. There has been a large amount of misinformation spread on the internet when it comes to weight loss. Techniques found in the media sources listed are not backed up by science nor proven to have any success.

The simple scientifically backed methods to weight loss are.

• To decrease fat, a person must not be taking in more calories than needed (this is known as a calorie surplus.)
• If the calories being used by the body are less than the calories being expended by the body, then that is known as a calorie deficit.Three of the easiest ways to enter a calorie deficit in order to lose belly fat (and fat overall,) are:
• Take in less calories each day by reducing food and beverage consumption.
• Increase calories burned by performing exercise such as walking, running or biking.
• Strength/resistance training with weights to build muscle because a more muscular body will increase the calories needed each day.

References

Bright Side. (2018, Dec 1). Massage Your Belly For 15 Minutes To Make It Flat. [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WZKYzEM4jOM

Dr. Swati Kannan. (2022, Jul 7). How To Freeze Your Fat With CoolScuplting? [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=snibBSEU-CQ

 Ng, J. Y., Ahmed, S., & Zhang, C. J. (2021). Dietary and herbal supplements for weight loss: assessing the quality of patient information online. Nutrition Journal, 20(1), 1–13. https://ezproxy.neit.edu/login?url=https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=asn&AN=151626643&site=ehost-live

Ramos Salas, X., Forhan, M., & Sharma, A. M. (2014). Diffusing obesity myths. Clinical Obesity, 4(3), 189–196 https://ezproxy.neit.edu/login?url=https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=asn&AN=96108426&site=ehost-live

Rozy’s Kitchen. (2022, Jan 4). Belly Fat Burner Drink – Strongest Fat Burner Drink. [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lrvy3374EqI

Photo credit: <a href=”https://visualhunt.co/a7/c4a848e0″>TipsTimesAdmin</a> on <a href=”https://bestrunningshoes.com/”>Best Running</a>

Zamora Navarro, S., & Pérez-Llamas, F. (2013). Errors and myths in feeding and nutrition: Impact on the problems of obesity. Nutrición Hospitalaria, 28, 81–88. https://ezproxy.neit.edu/login?url=https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=asn&AN=89966319&site=ehost-live

By: EpicTop10.com

Medical Fact or Fiction: Diabetes

Diabetes effects 38 million people world wide, it has doubled in the last 20 years. It is a chronic condition, there are 3 types, Type 1, Type 2 and gestational diabetes. Type 1 Diabetes is an autoimmune reaction where your body can not produce insulin. It can be diagnosed at any age, and will be required to administer insulin daily. Type 2 diabetes can be diagnosed at any age, usually at an older age, your body can not produce enough insulin to regulate the blood sugar in the body. Gestational Diabetes is diagnosed in pregnant women, and is a predisposition to be diagnosed with diabetes later in life.

Signs and symptoms of Diabetes:

• Urinating a lot especially at night
• always thirsty
• Always hungry
• Blurry Vision
• Fatigue
• cuts that do not heal
• tingling to fingers and feet

Type 1 Diabetes:

• Develop at any age
• Body does not produce insulin (insulin needs to be administered multiple times a day)
• Parents manage daily for children and keep in close contact with caregivers and schools that help manage the disease

Type 2 Diabetes:

• Usually diagnosed at a later age
• pancreas does not produce enough insulin to bring high blood sugars down
• Medications, diet and exercise are the treatment plans
• Type 2 Diabetes can be reversed with diet and exercise

Gestational Diabetes:

• diagnosed during pregnancy
• the body does not produce insulin
• Usually goes away after delivery of the baby

The above video, gives examples of myths in diabetes and what is actually a fact. Today there are so many websites, social media platforms etc, that have information about diabetes. How do we know what is true or false?

Countless people worldwide suffer from diabetes, a chronic illness that needs to be adequately managed and educated about to provide the best possible health results. It is essential to comprehend the complexities of diabetes, whether it is Type 1 or Type 2, and to put into practice practical control techniques. Understanding the facts and the Myths can help better understand the disease. There is so much information out there, and I will love to condense it to a minimal of what you need to know.

Diabetic Diet: Myths

Here are some examples:

• Eating Sugar causes diabetes
• Carbohydrates are the enemy
• Do not eat starches
• Fruit is bad

Diabetic Diet:

Balanced meals will avoid a fluctuation in blood sugar levels. Including in your diet whole foods instead of processed foods, fewer added sugars (white bread, rice, and pasta), increase vegetables non-starchy ones as broccoli, spinach or green beans. Carbohydrates do increase blood sugar levels some quicker then others. Apple juice will raise the blood sugar quicker than eating a fresh apple.

• Fresh Fruit- Berries, Apples, Oranges, bananas
• Carbohydrates (Carbs)-  Depends on each individual, some people may need more some less (consult with MD)
• Starches- Sweet Potatoes
• Vegetables- Broccoli, Cauliflower, Brussels Sprouts, Green Beans
• Grains- Multigrain (breads, pasta, oatmeal, and rice)

Signs and symptoms of High Blood Sugar and Low Blood Sugar

High Blood Sugar:

• Increased Thirst/ Dry Mouth
• Frequent Peeing
• Headache
• Blurred Vision
• Tiredness

Low Blood Sugar:

• Fast heartbeat
• Sweating
• Shaking
• Anxiety
• Dizziness
• Hunger
• Confusion

Treatment for signs and symptoms of high and low blood sugar vary:

If your blood sugar is below 70- consume 15 grams of a carbohydrate ( 4 ounces of juice, 1 tablespoon of honey, sugar, glucose tablets, hard candy, or glucose gel) and recheck blood sugar.

If your blood sugar is above 200– Drink water, administer insulin, take missed dose of medication, and Exercise, Notify MD if greater than 350

Pharmaceutical Treatment Plans for Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes:

Diet and exercise is a treatment that is used in both type 1 and type 2. Being cautions and checking blood sugars frequently can help decrease symptoms of hypoglycemia as diet and exercise will lower the blood sugar. There are many types of medications to treat diabetes, long and short term insulin, oral medications like metformin, and/or use of an insulin pump. Below is the general treatment for each type:

• Type 1- Insulin
• Type 2- Oral medications, insulin, Diet and Exercise

Diabetes effects not only your pancreas it is a chronic disease that effects all body systems, vision, kidney, vascular and cardiac. Keep appointments with your doctors for continuous monitoring. There is a lot of information out there, hope this help decrease some of the myths that you have heard or read about. Always consult with your doctor before taking any medications, starting an exercise regimen, and adding any dietary supplement.

Here is a clip of the stigma about diabetes that you can enjoy!

References

https://diabetes.org/about-diabetes/warning-signs-symptoms

https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/basics/diabetes.html

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022, June 20). Managing diabetes at school.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/library/features/managing-diabetes-at-school.html

COVID-19: Facts V.S. Myth

From the beginning of the global pandemic in late 2019 to today, it has become essential to be knowledgeable about the COVID-19 disease. Staying informed and being able to recognize facts versus myths is important as it shapes future decision-making in health concerning virus transmissions, preventive measures, and vaccine effectiveness. Also, it is important to be aware of the death toll numbers caused by COVID-19 to increase the understanding of the disease in the public eye. With a massive flow of information floating around the media daily, it is sometimes hard to tell whether it is true or false. However, it is easier to trust media sources when presented with evidence through research rather than random claims seen in the media to separate information from facts or myths. 

What is COVID-19?

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, COVID-19 is a disease resulting from the virus called SARS-CoV-2, causing issues within the respiratory systems ranging from mild to severe illness (CDC, 2023). 

Learning Transmissions as Preventive Measures

Presently, COVID-19 still poses a danger to society. Understanding how COVID-19 can be transmitted can provide useful information for future preventive measures. Although there is misinformation surrounding how the disease is transmitted it is important to note that these misconceptions do not provide any evidence and should not be trusted. According to the World Health Organization (2021), current evidence suggests that this is how COVID-19 is transmitted: 

• A person infected with COVID-19 can spread the virus from their mouth and nose through small liquid particles/droplets through coughing, sneezing, speaking, and breathing. 
• Poorly ventilated areas and crowded indoor settings due to droplets ability to stay suspended in the air for longer periods of time. 
• When touching contaminated surfaces or objects and a person touches their nose, mouth, or eyes. 
• As a preventive measure, learn to avoid places such as crowded places, close-contact places, and cramped spaces.   

Effectiveness of Vaccination

Even now, there is still misinformation revolving around the media concerning the COVID-19 vaccines. Being informed about the vaccine educates the people to make practical decisions about their livelihood based on what they know to be true and false. As per the CDC, (2023) there are 5 important information the public should know regarding the COVID-19 vaccine: 

• The purpose of the vaccine is to save lives and prevent hospitalization. The vaccine has saved more than 200,000 lives and prevented over 1.5 million hospitalizations up to date. 
• Evidence supports that vaccines are effective and shows strong immune response which brings greater protection against illnesses, hospitalization, and death. 
• Side effects of the vaccine are only mild to moderate. 
• Talking to a healthcare provider gives valuable information to learn more about COVID-19 vaccination instead of believing non conclusive scientific findings and inaccurate information. 
• Every 6 months, it is recommended to get an updated COVID-19 vaccine based on scientific evidence. It is important to note that the vaccine is a good preventive measure to avoid potentially serious conditions. 

Misinformation Around COIVD-19

Throughout the years, the media has portrayed a significant amount of false information concerning COVID-19 whether it was how it was transmitted, vaccine effectiveness, and even death toll numbers. Below are media clips representing misinformation about the COVID-19 in general.  

Fox News host, Tucker Carlson, claims that COVID-19 vaccines killed over 3,000 people between late December 2020 and April 23, 2021. However, the data is a misrepresentation of the death toll numbers and provides evidence of how some people who received the vaccine died due to other causes of death. Furthermore, in the article Real-World Effectiveness of MRNA COVID-19 Vaccines in The Elderly During the Delta and Omicron Variants: Systematic Review authors Harvey Palalay, Riddhi Vyas, and Barbara Tafuto (2023) argues the statement claimed by Tucker Carlson and suggest that approved vaccines provide consistent and high protective effectiveness as a preventive measure against COVID-19 based on their scientific research. 

The video suggests that if a patient is considered positive for COVID-19, but dies due to other conditions, and is tallied as a COVID-19 death. Moreover, the article Mortality: A Comprehensive Look at The COVID-19 Death Toll written by Lone Simonsen and Cecile Viboud, it looks deeper into analyzing this issue. According to the research outcome of Simonsen and Viboud (2021), the findings suggest that the death toll of COVID-19 that is posted globally is inaccurate as there are other conditions to consider such as health factors and poor economic state. 

Keeping Informed

It is important to always be updated and stay informed especially when it comes to COVID-19. Understanding and being able to the difference between factual and fictional information represented in the media can influence the decisions of today. With the accessibility of media, it has become easy to be misinformed with false data which can lead to unwanted sickness and potential harm such as contracting the COVID-19 disease. On the other hand, the media also provides useful information to increase awareness of the public, but it is important to note to only trust media sources if it provides enough evidence through conducted research. 

References 

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2023, October 13). 5 Things You Should Know About Covid-19 Vaccines. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/respiratory-viruses/whats-new/5-things-you-should-know.html 

Palalay, H., Vyas, R., & Tafuto, B. (2023). Real-world effectiveness of mRNA COVID-19 vaccines in the elderly during the Delta and Omicron variants: Systematic review. World Journal of Meta-Analysis, 11(5), 167–180. https://doi.org/10.13105/wjma.v11.i5.167 

Simonsen, L., & Viboud, C. (2021). Morality: A Comprehensive Look at the Covid-19 Pandemic Death Toll. eLife, 10. https://doi.org/10.7554/elife.71974 

World Health Organization. (n.d.). Coronavirus Disease (covid-19): How is it Transmitted?. World Health Organization. https://www.who.int/news-room/questions-and-answers/item/coronavirus-disease-covid-19-how-is-it-transmitted#:~:text=Current%20evidence%20suggests%20that%20the,%2C%20speak%2C%20sing%20or%20breathe. 

YouTube. (2020). 5 Common COVID-19 Myths, Busted. YouTube. Retrieved November 15, 2023, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kbHdISprjxY . 

YouTube. (2021). Fact-checking Misrepresentation of Vaccine Safety Data. YouTube. Retrieved November 15, 2023, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6s_6ml7Htb4&t=81s. 

YouTube. (2020). Total Misrepresentation of Covid Deaths. YouTube. Retrieved November 15, 2023, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ic3dOFMYGn0.