Diabetes and pre-diabetes are two most pressing health problems in the world. According to the reports of the American Diabetes Association or ADA, a person who is diagnosed with diabetes at the age of 50 is at a risk of dying 6 years earlier than a person without diabetes. Also, the vast majority of people who are diagnosed with diabetes have type 2 diabetes. Researchers have also emphasized that besides taking the right medication in the proper dosage, lifestyle changes such as exercising regularly, dietary changes, weight loss and healthy food choices must be followed for receiving desired outcomes.
Importance of medications in reducing the blood sugar levels
Besides making the needful changes, it is also important to take the new and improved drugs which can lead to the desired outcomes for patients. According to the reports of Lancelet Diabetes and Endocrinology, the huge majority of people suffering from Type 2 diabetes are living healthier lives due to administering of better medications. High blood sugar levels can also hike the risk of serious complications including impairment of kidney, vision loss, infections which are not easily treatable, peripheral nerve damage, heart ailments, and impotence.
Significant medications in the treatment of diabetes
In response to the spread of diabetes at a fast pace, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved new drugs for effective treatment of the epidemic. And this includes Farxiga Invokana diabetes treatments.
Invokana
Invokana or canagliflozin is a new class of Type 2 diabetes drugs approved by the FDA in March 2013. It is a type of Sodium-glucose co-transporter 2-inhibitor, which prevents the re-absorption of glucose or blood sugar by the kidney. It also improves the glucose excretion through urine. This is an oral diabetes treatment which helps in improving blood sugar control when exercised in conjunction with diet and workout in patients with severe Type 2 diabetes. In clinical trials constituting Invokana, a steady improvement of hemoglobin A1C and fasting blood sugar levels has been found in over 10,000 patients. Like all other medicines, invokana may have some side effects which include vomiting, nausea, pain in the abdominal area, tiredness and breathing problems.
Farxiga
Back in January 2014, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration had approved Farxiga tablets for those who wished to improve their glycemic control alongside dieting and workout, for adults suffering from Type 2 diabetes. The effectiveness of this particular medicine was shown in 16 clinical tests which involved 9,400 patients. This drug can be administered alone or with other medicines meant for reducing the levels of Type 2 diabetes. But this medicine also has some possible side effects, most common of which is urinary tract infections, genital yeast infections along with changes in the frequency of urination.
These farxiga invokana diabetes treatments are presently considered as cutting-edge advancement in the management of diabetes. And your doctor might prescribe these for an effective cure as per your condition.
Chronic migraine is a condition where the affected person experiences at least 15 headache days a month. It is observed that at least 8 out of these 15 days are migraine headaches with severe symptoms, and this pattern of discomfort remains consistent for 3 months. Initially, it may not be a frequently occurring episode, however, with time, the episodes may get regular with chronic headaches. If left untreated, this condition can affect a person’s life.
Causes
Several factors determine the onset of this kind of migraine. One of them includes a steady increase in the frequency of episodic headaches. Over-the-counter treatment options that are used to treat frequent headaches stop affecting over time, leading to side effects that develop into chronic headaches. Some other factors that can put an individual at a high risk of developing this condition include mood disorders like anxiety or depression, snoring, excessive caffeine intake, ongoing disturbed sleep patterns, and a history of stressful life events causing emotional or physical trauma. An unhealthy lifestyle leading to an increase in the body mass index (BMI) can also be a causal factor.
Symptoms
There is no difference between symptoms of chronic migraines and episodic migraines. However, the only thing to notice is the increased frequency of episodic headaches in a month. Some typical symptoms of this illness can be observed for timely diagnosis and treatment.
Transitioning symptoms (episodic to chronic migraines)
Diagnosis
A health professional will take a look at the affected person’s health history. If needed, the doctor may ask questions that help understand the migraine patterns. The questions include how and when the migraines begin, how long they last, are there any notable physical factors or triggers that worsen the condition, and where the location of the pain is.
The professional may also ask for a detailed history of other health conditions like anxiety, depression, lifestyle choices that may trigger these headaches, any treatment options used, and possible side effects that could be factored into the diagnosis. Based on the results, appropriate treatment methods will be advised and implemented.
Treatment options
Most of the treatment methods focus on managing the symptoms, the migraine attacks, and reducing the episodes and pain.
One of the treatment therapies includes focusing on lifestyle changes.
Some other treatment options for managing migraine attacks include:
Other techniques include:
Also, maintain a headache diary and note down the possible triggers and the number of migraine attacks in a month. If there’s a notable increase in the attacks, consult a doctor at the earliest. Knowing the triggers can help the doctor chalk out an effective treatment plan.
Preventive treatments and methods
Apart from treatment options that help manage the symptoms, there are preventive treatment methods that reduce the episodes of these headaches to a certain extent. These include using beta blockers and other therapies. One such treatment method also includes using an Allergan product named BOTOX®, which doctors recommend for those 18 years and older. The intravenous treatment method is administered around the neck or the head, where the migraine pain usually affects the person. This ten-minute procedure is not painful and can prevent headaches for three months. The procedure takes place in a doctor’s clinic under close supervision.
Chronic migraine can be painful and disrupt everyday life activities, so choosing the right treatment plan is crucial. Get all the information from a licensed health professional and seek the best possible treatment plan according to a detailed diagnosis.
Melanoma is a type of skin cancer that develops in the cells that produce melanin. The pigment melanin is responsible for giving the skin its color. Advanced melanoma can form inside one’s nose, throat, or digestive tract. Studies show that the risk of melanoma increases in people under 40, especially women. Knowing the early signs of the disease is crucial since melanoma can be treated successfully if detected early.
Stages
There are five stages of melanoma. The cancer cells of Stage 0 melanoma are restricted to the epidermis, the top layer of skin. The epidermis and dermis, the deeper layer of the skin, both contain cancer cells in Stage I melanoma. Stage II melanoma is marked by tumor thickness and ulceration, while Stage III is marked by melanoma deposits in the skin and cancer spreading to nearby lymph nodes. The advanced stage of melanoma, also called metastatic skin cancer, shows the further spread of cancer to distant areas of the body.
Causes of advanced melanoma
The exact cause of melanoma is unknown, although exposure to harsh ultraviolet (UV) radiation, tanning beds, or lamps has been shown to increase one’s risk of getting the disease. One can develop skin disease anywhere in one’s body. Those with a family history of the disease or exposure to radiation or vinyl chloride are also vulnerable to metastatic melanoma.
Signs of advanced melanoma
An early sign of melanoma is the development of an unusual mole. Normal moles are minor and uniform in size and color. But melanoma moles have irregular shapes or borders and can be larger than 6 millimeters. If a mole grows in size, color, and shape and causes itchiness, it’s best to get it checked. Advanced melanoma may lead to chronic fatigue, swollen lymph nodes or liver, loss of appetite, jaundice, skin itchiness, headaches, and even seizures. Depending on where the metastatic melanoma has spread, one may experience chest pain, breathing issues, aching bones, paralysis, sleepiness, and swelling in one’s legs or abdomen.
Melanoma treatment options
The American Cancer Society reports that the five-year survival rate for patients with melanoma that has spread to surrounding lymph nodes is 66%. Surgery is a common way to treat it. Targeted therapy is another method to eliminate the tumor and its metastases selectively. Alternatively, immunotherapy aids a person’s immune system in recognizing and shrinking cancer cells. Other treatments for metastatic skin cancer include chemotherapy and radiation therapy.
Conclusion
Opdulag is a standard treatment for advanced melanoma skin cancer. The therapy, given by intravenous (IV) infusions, works with one’s immune system and is used to fight cancer that has spread or cannot be surgically removed. If one experiences any early signs of melanoma skin cancer, it’s recommended to consult a doctor immediately.