In order to lead a healthy life, it is essential that one must maintain a blood glucose level that is always in control. Blood glucose is a type of sugar that is essential to keep you body energetic; however, too much or too less can cause harm. High blood glucose comes with various threats attached to your kidneys, eyes, nerves, etc. Keeping blood glucose levels consistent and in control can be a task, especially with the lifestyle changes that one goes through in today's time. Hormonal changes in women too can cause glucose levels to fluctuate. Although appropriate medication and advice from your physician is essential, here are a few daily self-care steps that will contribute in keeping your glucose levels on par with your active lifestyle. Follow a healthy diet plan - This is the most important factor that will impact the glucose levels in your body. As the old saying goes "You are what you eat," it also implies to blood glucose control. Ensure that you eat all your meals on time. Many people are into the habit of skipping breakfast, this can only push your glucose levels to highs. Skipping a meal comes with the threat of your blood glucose falling lower too, especially if you under medication or take insulin injections. Go easy on those carbs - Carbohydrates are condemned for being the food nutrient that affects blood glucose levels the most. It is necessary to limit the intake of food such as white rice, pumpkin, white bread, etc. that are very high in carbohydrates. Regular Exercise - Exercising is crucial, it only aids in a better functioning of every organ of your body. Activities such as swimming, walking, cycling, etc. help your body to efficiently process food. Try to sneak in small walks wherever you can, maybe during the lunch break at office. Make exercise a part of your day, even if it means a few minutes. Quality sleep is a must - Sleeping for fewer hours or disrupted and poor sleep patterns can do more harm than you can comprehend. Hormone functioning becomes poor and insulin sensitivity is decreased. Sleeping for enough hours is essential, but this does not account for over sleeping. Either ways, irregular sleeping patterns can affect the level of blood glucose in your body. Boost drinking water levels - Say goodbye to unhealthy sugar loaded beverages and hello to plenty of drinking water. It is necessary to keep the body well hydrated, especially since the increased glucose causes frequent urination. Water aids in keeping your body well hydrated.

If you are planning to buy blinds for your windows, then you must be very careful with your decision as they are a major aspect of any home decor. Choosing the right one without having a proper knowledge about them would be really very difficult. So here is a little insight on the type of blinds and their advantages. Types of blinds: Roller blinds The most common among all blinds are the roller blinds. They have a side-winder cord to roll them up. They are very flexible and practical. Some of them are coated on top with a separate fabric to completely darken the room. They can also be easily customized to fit the size of your window by trimming. They come in different attractive patterns and colors. Roman blinds Roman blinds are the most graceful and elegant of all. If you have a taste for stylish decor, then you would definitely opt for Roman blinds. When pulled down, they hang straight. When you raise them, they form beautiful soft pleats. They are usually provided with a cord lock mechanism to operate them. They do not require much installation facilities. Venetian blinds A number of horizontal slats, when placed consecutively, form a Venetian blind. They are made from a wide range of materials starting from wood to PVC. They can readily be adjusted to control the inflow of light. You also have the option to choose from different widths of slat. Vertical blinds The vertical blinds comprise slats just like Venetian blinds except for the fact that the slats, in this case, are wider and are around 3.5 inches. The slats can be rotated to control your privacy and also the amount of light entering your room. These blinds are perfect, if you have a large window or a sliding glass door. They are available in two options split draw and one-way draw. Deciding which blind is perfect for your room Now that you know the different types of blinds, you should also learn how to choose the right one for yourself. If you need less light, go for the blackout roller blinds, which are provided with fabric on top of it. If privacy is your priority, then choosing the Venetian blinds or vertical blinds would be better. When these blinds are pulled down, you need not worry about the light as the slats can be adjusted to control the light inflow. If you want a blind to be decorative and stylish, then Roman blinds would be a perfect choice. Also, there are some patterned roller blinds available in the markets, which have a fancy outlook. Both these types are very elegant and suit all your rooms.

Trigger finger occurs when there is an inflammation or swelling in tendons of fingers and the same thing happens to the tendons of thumb, it's called trigger thumb. This condition can cause mild discomfort or can be painful depending on what caused it. Some causes of a trigger finger could be due to arthritis problem. There is no definite cause of a trigger finger, however, it can occur when someone has a gout, rheumatoid arthritis or diabetes. When there is a strong and repeated gripping, it can cause the trigger finger to occur. There are symptoms when this problem occurs and to know how to cure trigger finger, here are the symptoms you should know about: - Discomfort at the base of the fingers or thumb - The sensitive base area of fingers and thumb can cause pain the minute there is an internal problem - Popping of the fingers or thumb - Catching feeling in the area - Finger movements are limited If you want to know how to cure trigger finger, here are some treatments you should know about: - Medication: There are non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medicines that can be taken when one has trigger finger condition. Ibuprofen is one such type and so is naproxen. These medicines can relieve the pain but might not be too effecting when it comes to cure the swelling. - Therapy: There are physical therapies you can practice when you have to cure trigger finger. Therapy includes resting where you do not need to move your move your hands much and let them rest as much as possible. You can apply ice or heat pack to the affected area to cure trigger finger. You can also wear a splint to rest out the finger or thumb as it gives rest to the tendons and limits your inevitable movements especially while you are asleep. Then there are exercises in therapy that you can do to maintain mobility in your fingers. There are exercises that can help you ease the pain and treat trigger finger better. - Surgeries and other medical procedure: Surgeries are usually the last option and in most cases, it doesn't come to that. But there can be times when the problem needs to be fixed with the help of a surgery because of ineffective therapies and other treatments. Surgery is also done when the problem remains for longer than it should. There is an injection that is given near or into the tendon to reduce inflammation.

Chihuahuas are not just the cutest and adorable, but they are also the smallest dog breeds in the world. When it comes to taking care of chihuahuas, you need to take care of these three things: feeding, grooming, and health. Chihuahuas are indoor animals and require lot of care because of their delicate built. There are few things to remember about caring for chihuahuas if your pup is very young then keep them away from very young children or children who cannot hold the young chihuahuas properly. Mishandling the pups can cause them physical damage. When chihuahuas are teething, keep a safe distance between their mouth and your eyes to keep your eyes safe. Young chihuahuas, when they are between 4 to 6 months of age, are most prone to hypoglycemia. There is a sudden and rapid drop in their sugar level that can get dangerous if not treated right away. Delay in the treatment can lead to coma and eventually death. Since it happens fast and there is a chance of missing the warning signs, it's advisable to take the pup to the vet regularly till he reaches the out of danger age. To keep your chihuahua pup safe and healthy, take them on a walk daily. Start the walk once all the puppy shots are given. A 2030-minute walk is sufficient every day. Keep your pup from jumping from heights. Jumping from a height on more than 2 feet should be prohibited for the pup as it can lead to serious injuries to the pup. Chihuahuas are tiny animals. Instead of a collar, put a harness on them. They have a tiny and delicate trachea and a collar can harm that. Harness can be found for less than $10 in some online stores. When you are planning to bathe your pup the first time, do it after 68 weeks. A kitchen sink is ideal for little chis as you have a better grasp on them and water can be easily controlled. Water shouldn't be too cold or hot for the pup. Keep the temperature moderate so the pup won't feel uncomfortable. Use canine shampoo and conditioner only. Getting blinded by the TV commercial on pet food is something to look out for. Stick to real food, less processed, and treats that don't seem to be colored artificially. Apart from food and grooming, dental care should be given equal importance. You may visit the vet and get to know more about the dental hygiene of you little chi.

High blood pressure is also known as hypertension. It is a long term medical condition where the blood pressure in the blood vessels remains raised. Hypertension by itself doesn't usually cause symptoms. However, long-term hypertension contributes to a number of heart diseases. 90% of cases of high blood pressure are due to genetic reasons or an unhealthy lifestyle. The other cases are due to other underlying diseases. The normal blood pressure is 120/80 mmHg. When the blood pressure exceeds a reading of 140/90 mm Hg, it is categorized as hypertension. The following are lifestyle modifications that can help control hypertension without medication. Lose the excess weight Blood pressure frequently increases with weight. Being overweight can also result in a condition called sleep apnea. This further leads to raised blood pressure levels. Weight loss is probably the most efficient way to control changes in blood pressure. Losing as little as 10 pounds can help control blood pressure. Exercise regularly Regular physical exercise can reduce one's blood pressure by up to 9 mm Hg. However, consistency is essential. If the exercising is stopped, the blood pressure may shoot up again. If you have mild hypertension, exercise will prevent it from advancing to the extreme stages. Also, if you have hypertension, exercise will help bring the pressure back down and keep it in check. The most successful exercises for controlling blood pressure are cycling, walking, and jogging. Follow a healthy diet A diet rich in vegetables, fruits, whole grain, and low-fat dairy products can bring down the blood pressure by 14 mm Hg. This is known as the DASH diet (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension). These are some home remedies that have blood pressure lowering properties. They can be seamlessly incorporated into the diet. - Hibiscus tea - Coconut water - Garlic - Melons - Cod liver oil Reduce sodium in your diet The smallest reduction in sodium can reduce blood pressure by 9 mm Hg. This varies with people of different ethnic groups. Limit alcohol consumption Alcohol can be both beneficial and bad for health. In small quantities, it could lower blood pressure by 4 mm Hg. However, consumption of too much alcohol can have adverse effects on the blood pressure and the system. Quit smoking Every cigarette smoked instantly raises the blood pressure for a few minutes. Quitting helps bring the blood pressure back to normal. When people quit smoking, regardless of age, there is a noticeable improvement in blood pressure. Reduce caffeine consumption Caffeine can cause a rise in blood pressure by 10 mm Hg in individuals who are not accustomed to it. People who drink too much coffee regularly, are more prone to hypertension. Reduce stress Prolonged stress is a contributing factor to high blood pressure. The solution to this is to take some time and identify the stress causing factor and take steps to eliminate it. Exercise, yoga, and meditation have been found useful in managing stress. Regularly monitor the blood pressure Home monitoring helps keep tabs on the effects of the lifestyle modifications. Consult a doctor regularly and check get your blood pressure checked.

The Part D Medicare plan with its host of benefits is something you cannot afford to miss. You may not be taking prescription drugs or you may be covered by another medical plan. But this is one of the best Medicare plans that you could invest in. But I Already Have a Medicare Plan, Why Should I Change? You may ask what the use of comparing Medicare plans is when you are already covered by a plan that suits you. Part D Medicare plans have altered other plans' benefits and costs. Changes may include deductibles, premiums, co-pays, inclusion and exclusion of drugs. By comparing, you will develop a clear picture of what you still are entitled to and what has changed. It is natural to ask why you should opt for the Medicare plan when you don't even consume any prescription drugs. It is because the Medicare part D is one of the top 5 Medicare plans and works similar to insurance. Like any other insurance, it saves you from paying high drug costs when the need arises in future. Thus, at a minimal cost, you get coverage against the rise in drug costs through the Medicare part D plan. Who is Eligible For The Medicare Part D Plan? Any individual who is enrolled with part A or part B is eligible to receive drug coverage, referred to as part D plan. There are no guidelines on the yearly income of the individual and no physical tests are required. No individual is denied this Medicare plan on the basis of their existing health condition or use of too many prescription drugs. It is up to you whether you want to enroll in part D. If you are already covered by any of the top 5 Medicare plans, then may be no need to sign up. But if you are not covered by a Medicare plan, then you must sign up without any further delay. Otherwise, you risk incurring penalties and time delays waiting for open enrollment at the end of the year. How Do I Choose The Best Part D Medicare Plans? Even though you may already be covered by part D, comparing different Medicare plans is important. Research will help you understand what alternatives are available for the next year. You need to ensure that you keep receiving the best deal to protect your health. You will know about the different Medicare plans through the promotions in your area. You will have to compare the different Medicare plans based on the drugs you take. It is the specific medications which determine what you will have to spend from your pocket. The most effective way of comparing, is using the provided online tools.