Archive for December, 2010

Connection between diabetes and depression, both deadly – Research

Diabetes is a modern lifestye disease / affliction, that can cause huge amounts of trouble for anybody who is suffering from diabetes. Unless the sugar level is controlled, it leads to a high degree of impact on the body, on various parts of the body such as the nerves in the leg, in the eye, on the heart, and on the blood system. Depression can lead to a person losing the urge to live, to suicidal tendencies, and to change the way of living to become more unhealthy. So what happens when both of these get combined ? Well, there is research underway that seems to suggest that the link between diabetes and depression is 2 way; so somebody who has depression is actually at a higher risk for developing diabetes; and somebody who has diabetes is at a higher risk of getting into a depression.
This is derived from ongoing research, which does not delve into medical reasons for the same, but is based on studies of people over a period of time; which detects that statistically, there is a linkage between depression and diabetes. This is bad news for people afflicted with diabetes or depression, since either of these 2 problems is bad enough, but if one leads to the other, it is a major problem (refer article):
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Anosmia (Loss of Smell) – Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis and Treatment

Anosmia is the loss and disturbance of the sense of smell and is intended as a resource for sufferers from olfactory disorders. Our smell nerves (olfactory nerves) are situated behind the eyes and above your nose. Airborne substances that are inhaled stimulate these nerves and allow you to perceive your sense of smell. It can be temporary or permanent depending on the cause.
Loss of smell could cause you to lose interest in eating, leading to weight loss, malnutrition or even depression. Loss of smell also prevents you from smelling things like spoiled food or smoke.

CAUSES OF ANOSMIA

- age
- severe infection in the sinuses.
- severe nasal congestion of blockage caused due to excessive mucus.
- seasonal or nasal allergies.
- on some serious note, neurological disorder may be the cause.
- head injury and lead poisoning.
- use of certain medications.
- trauma.
- hormonal disturbances or dental problems.
- nerve damage caused by cigarette smoke.
- anosmia can be a symptom of Alzheimer’s disease.
- zinc deficiency can also cause anosmia.
- brain aneurysm.
- diabetes.
- huntington’s disease.
- klinefelter syndrome.
- Kallmann’s syndrome.

SYMPTOMS OF ANOSMIA

- loss of smell.
- loss of taste.
- loss of appetite.

The complications of anosmia may be distressing. There are no serious health concerns resulting from anosmia. At times, the loss of smell causes the inability to smell rotten food which may cause stomach problems by its ingestion. Occasionally it may become dangerous when one is not able to smell fire smoke.

DIAGNOSIS & TREATMENT OF ANOSMIA

- Examination of the head and neck, a CT scan and skull x-rays.
- Quit smoking.
- Do not overuse and misuse nasal decongestants.
- Taking a zinc supplement can improve your sense of smell.
- Surgical correction of deviated nasal septum may be done if needed.