It is no longer malaria and tuberculosis. In the past, the two diseases dominated any healthcare conversation when the subject was about Africa. Times have changed. Today, diabetes, cancer, and heart and respiratory diseases are emerging as the top killers in Africa. Though infectious diseases remain a threat, the trendline is changing due to the… Continue reading African Healthcare: Diabetes, Cancer, Other NCDs Catch up with Malaria
Tag: diabetes
Early Action Can Cut Incidence of Diabetes
An “early and aggressive” approach to people on the cusp of developing Type 2 diabetes is justified to reduce cases of the disease, a study suggests. People with “pre-diabetes” have higher than normal blood sugar which has not yet reached diabetic levels. A US study, published in the Lancet, showed restoring normal sugar levels more… Continue reading Early Action Can Cut Incidence of Diabetes
Effects of Obesity Worse for Teen Girls
Obesity ‘worse for teen girls’ blood pressure’ Obesity has a greater impact on the blood pressure of teenage girls than on teenage boys, a US study has suggested. High blood pressure is a risk factor for heart disease and stroke in later life. The study of 1,700 teenagers, presented to the American Physiological Society conference,… Continue reading Effects of Obesity Worse for Teen Girls
Cause of Hypoglycaemia Found, Say Researchers
The cause of a rare and severe form of hypoglycaemia – or very low levels of sugar in the blood – is genetic, say researchers. The life-threatening condition means the body does not have enough energy to function. Scientists at the University of Cambridge say mutations in the AKT2 gene are to blame. Writing in… Continue reading Cause of Hypoglycaemia Found, Say Researchers
Strong Link Between Exercise and Life Expectancy
Just 15 minutes of exercise a day can boost life expectancy by three years and cut death risk by 14%, research from Taiwan suggests. Experts in The Lancet say this is the least amount of activity an adult can do to gain any health benefit. This is about half the quantity currently recommended in the… Continue reading Strong Link Between Exercise and Life Expectancy
Women Advised to ‘Floss for fertility’
Women who want the best chance of having a baby should make sure they floss their teeth regularly, say doctors. Poor oral health is as bad for fertility as obesity – delaying conception by about two months. Experts at a fertility meeting in Sweden heard how women with gum disease took over seven months to… Continue reading Women Advised to ‘Floss for fertility’
Type 2 Diabetes in Newly Diagnosed ‘Can Be Reversed’
An extreme eight-week diet of 600 calories a day can reverse Type 2 diabetes in people newly diagnosed with the disease, says a Diabetologia study. Newcastle University researchers found the low-calorie diet reduced fat levels in the pancreas and liver, which helped insulin production return to normal. Seven out of 11 people studied were free… Continue reading Type 2 Diabetes in Newly Diagnosed ‘Can Be Reversed’
Engineering Economics of Obesity and Why Developing Countries Should Be Concerned
Scarce economic resources and engineering deficiencies make poorer countries ill-prepared to deal with the challenges that come with increasing body mass.