Why Post-COVID care is important?

 Coronavirus has been a global health crisis for more than two years now. While there are constant updates on how to prevent and treat COVID-19, we are also beginning to see the effects of the COVID-19 virus after the active infection has cleared.

The complexity of how the body adapts to fight an active COVID-19 infection, and how this affects us in the long term, has started to come to light and many suspect that it will take time to truly understand how long COVID-19 syndrome can affect people.

In this blog, we hope to simplify the information and give you the most important aspects of it, so you follow post-COVID care steps for yourself and your loved ones.

A quick look at COVID-19

First, let’s discuss COVID-19 in brief…

As all of us know, there are a wide number of people infected with COVID-19, with symptoms such as fever, cough, cold, sore throat, etc. This virus majorly affects the lungs and can cause difficulty in breathing and sometimes lung changes as well.

To treat this infection, people are given antibiotics, vitamin supplements and in severe cases, steroids are also given. This is the mainstay of active COVID-19 treatment.

If you have any questions regarding COVID-19, then I recommend you read our blog, “Coronavirus: Prevention, not panic!”. Let us now look at how post-COVID-19 infection can manifest itself!

Coronavirus has been a global health crisis for more than two years now.

Why Post-COVID care is important?

Studies have suggested that approximately 70% of patients experience persistent symptoms even after being recovered from COVID-19 infection. This is called “Post COVID Syndrome” or “Long COVID’’ and is due to a “prolonged inflammatory response”.

Long COVID leads to health issues such as cough, weakness, fatigue and many more that we will be taking a closer look at today.

It becomes important for you to take post-COVID care seriously so that you can treat the following:

• Post-COVID weakness: People experience tiredness and weakness as a long COVID health issue. A number of people also report weight loss during COVID-19 that may or may not include muscle loss which ultimately causes weakness.
• Difficulty breathing/ palpitations: Heavy breathing, shortness of breath and high heart rate are some of the symptoms reported by patients. This is sometimes in a resting state but can happen during physical activity as well.
• Joint pain: Being recovered from COVID-19, some people report joint pains. This is most commonly seen in the knee joint but can also include the wrist and other joints as well.
• Chest pain: As COVID-19 majorly affects the lungs; discomfort, pain or heaviness in the chest is one of the most common long COVID symptoms that persists. However, one should pay attention if the pain is present on the left side and radiating to the left hand or jaw, as it might be related to heart issues.
• Brain fog/ anxiety: Some patients report heightened anxiety or increased forgetfulness following the active infection.
• Loss of taste and/or smell: Loss of smell and taste might happen during COVID-19 or even post COVID-19. The loss is temporary but might take up to 3 months to return.
• Gastric problems: People report instances of diarrhoea, gas and acidity issues. Gas and acidity could be either due to the excessive intake of medicines or due to disturbed meal patterns.
• Sleep issues: Due to complaints of body aches, heaviness in the chest and other health issues, people are finding it difficult to get sound sleep. People are also feeling low and stressed due to lockdowns which could create sleep issues.
• Post Traumatic Stress Disorder: People have had to stay in isolation to prevent the spread of infection leading to higher levels of stress and loneliness. Stress might be related to a person’s health concerns, work troubles and could be related to a family members’ health as well.
• Cough- Dry cough is commonly reported by most of the patients who recovered from COVID-19. It mostly increases with continuous talking but can also be present (off & on) throughout the day.

These post-COVID symptoms can be managed when dealt with in the right way. Visit our website- Zyla.in or download the Zyla app to know more…

Did you know?

An examination of electronic health records in the USA showed the risk of developing a new psychiatric illness following COVID-19 was higher compared with those recovering from other medical illnesses like influenza.

Now that we have an overview of how long COVID presents itself, let us take a closer look at its complications.

Vaccination is important to have a better recovery from COVID-19.

Post-COVID syndrome complications

The complications can range from minor to major ones. While COVID-19 primarily affects the lungs it has also been seen to affect organs like the kidneys, heart, and brain in the following ways:

1. Heart:

COVID-19 infection can damage the heart muscle and as a result, lead to an increased risk of heart-related complications. While for some people, blood pressure and pulse readings can be higher, people with already compromised heart health can experience symptoms like:

• Chest discomfort
• Chest pain radiating towards left hand/ shoulders/ jaw
• Excessive sweating
• Irregular heartbeat

2. Lungs:

Pneumonia associated with COVID-19 can damage the alveoli in the lungs which can further lead to long term breathing problems and acute infections.

3. Brain:

• Covid-19 can cause blood clots which can lead to a stroke.
• It may also increase the risk of Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s Disease, seizures, or paralysis.
• People may complain of forgetfulness post COVID

4. Kidney:

Kidney health may also be compromised. Especially people with diabetes are at risk of facing kidney health issues post-COVID. Patients may report the following symptoms:

• Foamy urine
• Swelling in feet and hands

5. Diabetes:

Diabetic patients are reporting higher and sometimes uncontrolled blood sugar levels. Especially those who were put on steroids during COVID-19 treatment. Some patients have been started on injectable insulin in order to manage high blood sugar levels.

For diabetics, if post-COVID care is not taken, then some usual symptoms like these are seen:

• High blood sugars
• Excessive thirst
• Tingling or numbness sensation in hands or feet
• Excessive hunger
• Extreme fatigue
• Frequent urination

For more details, read our blog, “Coronavirus and Diabetes”.

Aside from the above complications, some out-of-range lab test parameters may also be seen such as:

• Low Hb
• High liver function tests
• Low platelet count
• Disturbed electrolytes

In order to keep the above parameters within normal range, it is really important to know the right food to eat, the right type of exercise and the course of the right medications. All the 3 things in combination may help in improving the parameters and boosting energy levels.

As these post COVID syndrome complications can affect your body long term, it becomes very important for you to take care of yourself throughout COVID-19 and post-COVID-19 phases. But how can you do that? Let’s see…

Guidelines for people recovering from post-COVID-19

Let us take a look at some lifestyle measures you can easily incorporate in your daily routine in order to manage long COVID-

• Steam inhalation- Steam inhalation helps in clearing the mucus and reducing congestion in the nose or chest. This helps in improving your breathing capacity and the health of your lungs.
• Gargling- Gargling with warm saline water helps in relieving throat pain and inflammation. Water will help lubricate the throat and reduce irritation. It also helps in relieving congestion and cough by drawing out viruses and bacterias to the surface so make sure to spit the water out.
• Drinking hot water with tulsi/ ajwain- Drinking hot tulsi or ajwain water helps in improving chest congestion or nasal congestion. It also helps in reducing the dry cough and the inflammation of the lungs.
• Chest physiotherapy- These exercises can help in strengthening the muscles of the lungs, reducing chest discomfort and other issues.
• Breathing exercises- This helps in improving the lung capacity of our lungs and helps you breathe properly.
• Spirometry breathing exercise- Spirometer is a device used for assessing how well your lungs are working. You can perform the exercise if your doctor advises you.
• Short morning and evening walk- A short walk twice daily helps in improving lung capacity but you should not force yourself to walk more than your capacity as this can lead to weakness/ fatigue.

For more such tips on post-COVID care, visit our website- Zyla.in or download the Zyla app. We can help you have a smooth and speedy recovery!

Post-COVID care: Food

Diet also plays a very important role in post-COVID care i.e. managing the long COVID symptoms and other complications/ health issues. Eating a well-balanced diet rich is the key to a smooth recovery.

1. Anti-inflammatory foods

These help in reducing the inflammation thus relieving the symptoms. Foods such as ginger (adrak), turmeric (haldi), garlic (lehsun), black pepper (kali mirch) etc are a few examples of anti-inflammatory foods.

2. Zinc and magnesium-rich foods

Nuts and seeds such as almonds (badam), walnuts (akhrot), flax seeds (alsi ke beej), pumpkin seeds (kaddu ke beej), sunflower seeds (surajmukhi ke beej) etc are very good sources.

Other than these green leafy vegetables, banana, chickpeas, milk, curd and paneer also provide good amounts of zinc and magnesium.

3. Vitamin C rich foods

All the citrus fruits like lemon, orange, mosambi, kiwi, tomato are great sources of vitamin C. One can have 2 fruits on a daily basis to improve the intake.

4. Protein-rich foods

Dairy products like milk, curd, buttermilk paneer, pulses and legumes, soy and soy products are good sources of vegetarian protein in our diet. Those who are non-vegetarians can have egg whites in their daily routine.

Other non-vegetarian foods like fish and chicken can be added only if the person is able to digest as COVID-19 also causes weak digestion. Mutton should be completely avoided as it is rich in unhealthy fat and can cause disturbances in liver and heart health.

5. Hydration

During COVID-19 it is very important to drink plenty of fluids to stay hydrated as there are chances of dehydration due to high fever. Post-COVID also it is equally important to maintain hydration in order to maintain electrolyte imbalance.

A number of people report disturbed electrolytes to post COVID that can cause fatigue, lack of concentration, cramps, so drinking 2.5–3 litres of water should be followed as a practice.

NOTE → Before you follow the above post-COVID care guidelines, please make sure that any of the food items are not restricted by your doctor.

Some FAQs related to post COVID

1. Is fever normal post-COVID recovery?

Yes, one can continue to have a fever post COVID. Research suggests that the body continues to react to the remaining of the virus even after the active infection has been cleared by the body. While it is not usually a cause of concern, we recommend consulting your doctor for more information.

2. How to improve lung health after being recovered from COVID-19?

We recommend including a few post-COVID care steps in your routine for this:

• Do steam inhalation 2–3 times a day and you can add ajwain or Vicks in that water.
• Maintain proper hydration and drink warm water.
• Do short walks in the morning and evening but do not push yourself to do more. Do as much as you can do with comfort.
• Take advice from a physiotherapist or yoga expert on breathing exercises.

3. When will the loss of taste and smell recover?

It could take as long as 3 months to restore the sense of taste and smell following an active infection and a minimum of a few days.

4. Are post-COVID people at risk of developing diabetes or high BP?

Usually, it has been seen that people who have increased blood sugar and high blood pressure during or after COVID-19 usually have their levels drop back into the normal range. But one should also consult a doctor or nutritionist for their opinion.

For more information on diabetes and COVID-19, I recommend you read our blog, “Coronavirus and Diabetes”.

5. Is chest pain normal post COVID?

There can be many causes for chest pain such as gastric issues, anxiety, muscle strain or in some severe cases, heart issues. With heart involvement, the chest pain usually occurs on the left side and radiates to the left arm/ shoulder or jaw. Make sure to always consult a doctor for any concerns.

Prevention is always better than cure! Stay healthy at home during Coronavirus pandemic to stay safe. Get yourself vaccinated as post-vaccination, symptoms are observed to be less severe. Our blog, The effectiveness of Coronavirus vaccine has more information that can clear your doubts.

If you have COVID, read “How to recover from COVID-19 at home” to know if you can recover from COVID-19 at home or not and if yes, then how!

With post-COVID, people might have multiple symptoms and some might face serious health complications as well. So it is very important to keep an eye on symptoms to monitor their progression, include lifestyle changes and seek timely help from your physician in order to prevent any major complications after COVID.

If you’re dealing with post-COVID 19 symptoms, do not worry! Zyla is here to give you the personalised post-COVID care and treatment that you require. You can enrol in our Post COVID healthy recovery plan.

Zyla has a team of doctors, nutritionists, physiotherapists and psychologists who can help you have a speedy recovery. Visit our website- Zyla.in or download the Zyla app now to start your healthy journey.

Stay strong! Stay healthy!
Source: https://blog.zyla.in/why-post-covid-care-is-important-zyla-health-e66f46afb705.

The importance of a healthy heart

 The heart is an important part of the human body, it pumps blood throughout the body. Let’s check how to keep your heart healthy!

A healthy and strong heart is therefore of great importance. More than a hundred people die every day in India from cardiovascular problems. These problems are the number one death issue worldwide. An unhealthy lifestyle increases the risk of these problems. By living a healthy life you keep your heart healthy and strong, reducing the risk of cardiovascular problems. You can read below what you can do to live a healthy life and keep your heart healthy.

Take healthy food
Healthy food is very important for a healthy heart. Choose a varied diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables. These contain vitamins, minerals and fibre that lower the bad cholesterol in the blood and increase the good cholesterol. In addition, choose whole-grain products and healthy fats from fatty fish, oil and unsalted nuts. In addition, avoid bad fats and sugars from processed products. It is also very important to drink enough water and to pay attention to salt intake. Too much salt has a negative effect on blood pressure. Smoking is strongly discouraged because it has a very negative effect by increasing the heart rate, constricting the blood vessels through the nicotine blood vessels and it increases blood pressure which is a risk factor for heart problems. It is also important to moderate with alcohol.

Movement and relaxation
Sufficient exercise is of great importance for health and also for the heart. The heart is a muscle that needs the training to stay in shape. In addition, exercise is also important for blood pressure and cholesterol levels. Exercise ensures that the good cholesterol goes up and more cholesterol can be removed by the body. Not too high of blood pressure and a healthy cholesterol level have a positive influence on the heart and blood vessels. Relaxation is also very important for a healthy heart. Too much stress can affect the functioning of the heart. Therefore, make sure you do enough things that relax you. One will relax by exercising or by taking a yoga class, the other by taking a walk, reading a book or taking a warm bath. Choose what works best for you.

Extra support

In addition to a healthy diet, sufficient exercise and relaxation, the body can also use extra support with the help of supplements. A vitamin D deficiency can lead to increased blood pressure and increase the risk of cardiovascular problems. If your body does not produce enough vitamin D, for example, due to a lack of sunlight, it is recommended to take vitamin D in the form of a supplement. Omega-3 fatty acids are also beneficial for the heart and blood vessels. You can increase this by taking fish oil capsules if you do not eat oily fish twice a week. You can also take magnesium supplements. Most magnesium is found in the heart, so too low a level of magnesium is related to cardiovascular disease.

You can also regularly do a screening to determine your risk of cardiovascular disease. A blood test can determine whether there are any risk factors for you. The cholesterol level is measured, from which a number of values ​​​​are obtained. Which value is normal depends on the total risk of cardiovascular disease?

In addition, the homocysteine ​​level in the blood can be measured. This body’s own substance is produced during metabolism and normally converted or broken down again. If this process is incomplete, it can continue to circulate in the blood and there is an increased homocysteine ​​level. There is a link between an increased homocysteine ​​level and cardiovascular problems, a blood test can show this. In any case, it is wise to regularly assess your health through an extensive blood test.

So, in addition to your healthy lifestyle, choose to be examined regularly, so that you can take a more targeted approach to prevent the risk of cardiovascular problems as much as possible.

Heart Support ensures good cholesterol and sugar levels in your blood and a good condition of your heart. Advanced Antioxidant Complex contains special antioxidants that protect your heart and vessels and is rich in polyphenolic substances, which are good for clean vessels and good blood circulation.

6 tips for a strong heart

Your heart pumps your blood throughout your body for a lifetime. So it is very important that your heart stays healthy. What can you do yourself to contribute to a healthy and strong heart? How to keep your heart healthy? We share six tips.

1. Get moving

Getting enough exercise is important for your health and also for your heart. Just like the muscles in your arms or legs, your heart also needs training to stay in shape. After all, your heart is itself a muscle. In addition to your condition, exercise is also important for your blood pressure and cholesterol levels. When your cholesterol level is healthy and your blood pressure is not too high, it also has a beneficial effect on your heart and blood vessels.

2. Choose healthy food

Sufficient vegetables, fruit, fiber, vitamins and minerals are important for good heart health. Avoid too many bad fats and sugars. Use olive oil and occasionally eat a handful of unsalted nuts. These are just a few tips for a healthy diet. By choosing healthy food, you make healthy choices for your heart. Drinking plenty of water and watching your salt intake is also a good idea. Looking for more healthy meal ideas? Then sign up for our newsletter special ' Eat healthy '. You will receive a new and healthy recipe every week.

3. De-stress and relax

Feelings of stress and tension are natural reactions of your body. When these feelings last longer, it can affect your health. Too much stress can eventually affect how your heart functions. Alternate moments of stress with things that really relax you. And that is not sitting on the couch and scrolling through your Facebook. No, it's about doing something that calms you down. What is that? That's different for everyone. Some people get relaxed with a walk with the dog, others take a yoga class. One person likes to read a book and another person completely recovers from a warm bath. If you can just turn off your thoughts completely and just relax for a while.

4. Put away the cigarette

If you smoke, you know this yourself: smoking is not healthy. It's bad for your lungs because they are directly exposed to the smoke. But smoking also affects many other organs, including your heart and blood vessels. Quitting smoking immediately makes sense: it has a beneficial effect on your condition. If you stop for a year, health risks are already reduced by half. Fifteen years after you put out your last cigarette, you have about the same risks as someone who has never smoked. So stopping is always worth it!

5. Go for a healthy weight

Being overweight can affect your blood pressure, your blood vessels, your cholesterol, but also your heart. It is therefore important to ensure that you maintain a healthy weight as best you can. To achieve a healthy weight, you pay attention to a healthy diet and sufficient exercise.

6. Take your night's sleep

Go to bed on time and get up on time. Too little sleep is not good for your heart, but rolling out of bed every day at noon (read: sleeping too much) is also not healthy. As with so many things, too little is not good, but neither is too much. About seven to eight hours of sleep per night is healthy for an adult.

All six tips are very helpful to keep you away from any heart/absolute disease, take them as your heart health program and apply to your daily lifestyle.

Diabetes cure | How to get rid of Diabetes?

 “My reports are here, and it says that I have Diabetes. I feel so helpless and sad. I will never be able to eat my favourite foods again. Doctor, is there a way to reverse or cure it? How to get rid of Diabetes? Can diabetes be cured?”, said a patient who was newly diagnosed with Diabetes.

I understand what you must be going through right now, however, it is important for you to know that diabetes is not reversible. But wait, do not lose hope yet! This is something that we can control throughout our lives in order to prevent its complications.

Diabetes does not only cause physical stress to the body but the amount of mental tension the person goes through in just accepting it is quite challenging.

Mental health experts confirm that stress can also be a factor for the development of diabetes, so yes, before we proceed further, take a few deep breaths, relax, and smile.

Great, you are relaxed now! Read on and find out if there is a cure for diabetes or not.

Diabetes causes physical and mental stress, both!

The short answer-

Just like the patient here in the above story, there are several people who google, “How to get rid of Diabetes? Can you get rid of diabetes?”… Who wants to reverse diabetes or cure it, but do we really have a permanent cure for diabetes? The answer is ‘NO’.

But don’t feel bad yet! You must have heard, “where there is a will, there is a way”. This is true here as well. Although there is no permanent cure for diabetes, there are treatments for diabetes which can help in the management of your blood sugar levels and prevent its complications.

The treatment for this disorder has progressed far from what it used to be, experts believe that in a few years there will be immunotherapies at least for Type 1 Diabetes.

Immunotherapy is an emerging form of therapy that activates or suppresses the immune system, this field of study has also been used for developing therapies for cancer.

Did you know?

Several studies have been done and it is an established fact that prediabetes is reversible but diabetes is not.

Now you must be thinking about how is that possible and what exactly do we need to reverse prediabetes — just the three warriors — exercise, diet and managing stress.

Prediabetes takes about three-six years to completely transform into diabetes, so that is quite a lot of time to make the necessary changes required.

So when are you planning to get moving on your feet, eating healthy and nutritious foods and living your life to the fullest?

Get started with your health journey today. Download the Zyla app for the right guidance or visit our website- Zyla.in.

What is diabetes and who should care?

Diabetes Mellitus is a metabolic disorder where the hormone insulin is either not prepared or utilised completely. The former usually refers to Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus and the latter is the case with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus.

In either of the above cases, the person’s lifestyle changes completely, they have to constantly monitor their eating and exercise patterns as well as their sugar levels. Some people are able to do this effortlessly and some find it very hard, especially while being in social surroundings.

The risk factors for Type 1 Diabetes can be:

• Family history
• Age

The risk factors of Type 2 Diabetes depend on:

• Weight
• Age
• Physical inactivity
• Family history
• Polycystic Ovarian Disease (PCOD)

Lastly, the risk factors for gestational diabetes mellitus are:

• Gestational diabetes during the first pregnancy
• Being overweight
• Family history of Type 2 Diabetes
• Age
• Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)

People who develop Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) usually are not well educated and increase their risk for developing Type 2 Diabetes. Quite often the symptoms go unnoticed or are misdiagnosed, leading to a delay in treatment.

Amongst the two above mentioned types of diabetes, a slightly more challenging type is Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus. Read on to find out more on how to get rid of Diabetes.

Type 1 diabetes cure

As of the recent studies, there is no permanent cure for this diabetes, the person usually has to live on insulin therapy for the rest of their lives.

Since type 1 is more of an autoimmune disorder, the focus for its cure is more towards:

• Combination therapy: Using multiple therapies for the treatment of one disease,
• Hormone replacement therapy: Hormones given through medicines that alter the hormones within the body and manage symptoms
• Immunotherapy: Treatment that uses the person’s own immune system to fight diseases

Treatment of Type 1 Diabetes is a big challenge amongst experts now. A biological cure is under research where an attempt is being made to allow the body to start producing its insulin again, hence restoring the body’s ability to utilise the glucose obtained from food.

Along with understanding the future for the treatment of diabetes in general, the current treatment involves:

• Giving insulin externally
• Some people may be prescribed oral hypoglycemic drugs along with insulin

Type 2 diabetes cure

Treatment of Type 2 Diabetes is available. It is the fastest-growing metabolic disorder and has started to affect people at the age of 20–25, as well. With time, it can create numerous other complications and challenges.

There are several approaches that are available for the treatment of Type 2 Diabetes, but the answer to “how to get rid of Diabetes?“ is still yet to be discovered. Another approach and rather a simple one involves healthier lifestyle choices including:

• Exercise
• Healthier eating patterns
• Taking best medicines for diabetes as prescribed
• Follow up with the doctor regularly in order to manage blood sugar levels

Insulin is mostly prescribed to Type 1 diabetics.

Insulin is mostly used as a treatment of diabetes for patients who are older and cannot adhere to a strict diet.

People who have had a dramatic weight loss have achieved better control over their blood glucose levels, and are present either with minimal or no medicines at all. So the most basic and evident approach towards managing this type of diabetes is to ensure that healthy lifestyle practices are followed.

People with Type 2 diabetes have stopped their medicines completely by improving their lifestyle. They have been able to live a life without any complications that accompany diabetes, but this is a gradual process.

Quite a few of them have also experienced something called remission, where they are able to achieve normal blood glucose levels without medication, only through lifestyle modifications. This was seen in patients for at least 6 months, and if they continued with the same modifications, it went beyond 6 months of the treatment of diabetes.

To learn more about diabetes, medicines and lifestyle, enrol in our program by downloading the Zyla app or visiting our website- Zyla.in.

Now we also have something about gestational diabetes that is as important as the other types, read on to find out more…

Gestational diabetes cure

Just like the other two types, there is no cure for gestational diabetes, however, in most cases, it goes away right after the baby is born, and in cases where the blood glucose levels remain high, the person develops Type 2 diabetes.

The mother should regulate her meal patterns and seek the right guidance regularly.

When blood sugar levels rise beyond control, it can enter the placenta and cause various complications not just to the mother but also to the foetus, some of these are:

• Preterm birth of the baby
• A baby that weighs more than normal (macrosomia)
• Obesity and Type 2 Diabetes later on life for the child
• Stillbirth

The treatment for gestational diabetes involves being on oral hypoglycemic agents (OHAs) as well as insulin, right spacing of meals, making healthier choices, regular exercise and also visiting the doctor for regular check-ups to ensure that there is no progression which can further lead to complications.

There are an extensive number of people who suffer from diabetes, scientists are working tirelessly to find a cure, let us read on to find out what is the current research and if we do see a light at the end of the tunnel…

What’s ahead: research and upcoming therapies

Parents and caregivers of children or teens with Type 1 Diabetes struggle to handle the fluctuating sugar levels, they need timely assistance and guidance. Some people are able to afford lifelong management while some find it hard to make ends meet.

Keeping several factors in mind, experts have been thinking of several aspects to manage diabetes and find better strategies.

Here are quite a few interesting approaches how to get rid of Diabetes, you’ll be surprised to find out:

1.Stem cell therapy

The current research for curing Type 1 Diabetes lies in the attempt to get stem cells to the rescue! Yes! Several years of research has gone into understanding how stem cells can be converted into beta cells, the cells that basically secrete insulin and manage blood sugar levels.

A lot of research of diabetes cure is undergoing.

2. Environmental factors

A closer, yet indirect approach is treating the environmental factors that may increase the prevalence of developing Type 1 Diabetes.

Preventing exposure to chemicals that may pose a risk of developing autoimmunity is the main reason behind Type 1 Diabetes. This, however, still requires an extensive amount of research to understand the way this can be incorporated into an actual treatment, or if it can be used as a partner for other treatments.

3. Insulin pumps

Another treatment that is gaining a lot of popularity is the usage of insulin pumps, these however are still being studied in terms of their response to exercise and meals that are taken.

Insulin pumps seem to be more reliable for monitoring blood glucose levels. Although their cost factor becomes a challenge for quite a few.

4. Natural cure for diabetes

A novel approach towards Type 2 Diabetes is slightly more towards finding a natural treatment including bioactive compounds that can restore the ability of the body to utilise the glucose from the bloodstream.

Of course, this attempt is also to make sure that it is low cost and people are able to afford it.

5. Branched Chain Amino Acids (BCAA)

One approach towards finding a cure for Type 2 Diabetes is by utilising Branched Chain Amino Acids (BCAA) which are a group of supplements, that are used to enhance performance in the field of sports.

There is little to no evidence that supports the usage of Branched Chain Amino Acids, but scientists are performing animal studies to see if it actually works.

This is limited to the sportsmen and people who are involved in intense physical activity, as BCAA is known to enhance muscle mass and protein synthesis, which is highly essential for sports performance.

6. Pancreas transplantation

As a drastic approach, scientists have also been considering pancreas transplantation in people with severe metabolic complications. But, the reversal of diabetic complications (like chronic kidney disease) is still not possible with this approach.

Diabetes is usually not just a disturbance in the sugar levels, it comes with several cardiac complications as well, such as hypertension (high blood pressure) and dyslipidemia (disturbed lipid levels).

Diabetic nephropathy (kidney complications), diabetic neuropathy (nerve damage) and diabetic retinopathy (a complication of the retina in the eye) are also some of the common complications seen in diabetes.

The upcoming therapies are focussing on how to get rid of Diabetes i.e. preventing complications as well as curing diabetes.

Diabetes is a disorder that cannot be cured or reversed as of yet, but there are several approaches that are being made to find a permanent cure for diabetes. With regular exercise, set meal patterns and regular guidance on medicines from doctors, we can prevent damage to organs.

Taking the right measures at a young age is very essential, as this not only prevents the development of diabetes for the individual alone but also ensures good health for the coming generations and this way the cycle of being healthy goes on.

One such mechanism that is gaining importance is the remission of diabetes. With sheer hard work and determination, people have been able to manage their sugar levels by just strictly focussing on what they eat, when they eat and also how much they eat and also exercise!

This does not mean they have not been able to eat their favourite foods, they have definitely had their favourite foods, but have largely focussed on making healthier choices.

Seeking mental and medical help as and when needed to manage diabetes has shown good results. The road ahead is quite bumpy but not impossible.

To get personalised treatment from a group of medical experts, you can visit our website Zyla.in and enrol in our Defeating Diabetes Program. You can also download our Zyla app to start your health journey.

Source: https://blog.zyla.in/diabetes-cure-how-to-get-rid-of-diabetes-zyla-health-1d1310df6d88.

Lantus: Long-Acting Insulin for Diabetes | Zyla Health

“Person 1: Mujhe ‘sugar’ ho gayi hai {I am diagnosed with diabetes}.

Person 2: Arre koi chinta nahi, wo insulin injection lagega na, sugar thik ho jayegi {There is no need to worry. Once you take the insulin injection, diabetes will get better}.”

In your day to day life, you might have come across various scenarios wherein people having diabetes take insulin day and night to keep their blood sugar levels under control. You might wonder if insulin is the solution for diabetes. To understand further, let’s dig in in-depth.

Diabetes is often called ‘sugar’ in our layman language, even though it is simple to understand that it deals with the fluctuations in blood glucose levels of our body. Yet it is an umbrella term when it comes to its medications according to their types.

Whenever we get to know if a person is diabetic, the first thought that comes into our mind is that the person must be taking/ starting with ‘insulin injection’. Is this really the case with diabetic patients?

The answer is No! A diabetic is prescribed either insulin or medicine based on multiple factors like the type of diabetes, level of blood sugar, body weight, eating pattern etc…

Insulin is this one word that has always been associated with diabetes. People often get confused about the use of insulin, how it impacts diabetes and types of insulin-like short-acting and long-acting insulin for diabetes.

Let’s sort all your doubts about insulin injection for you to have a better understanding.

Insulin injection is used as a treatment for diabetes when the natural insulin in your body isn’t used properly or if your body stops making insulin. As there are different types of diabetes, medications, and insulin for the same may or may not differ.

Types of Diabetes

The various types of diabetes are –

1. Gestational Diabetes

As the name suggests this type of diabetes is observed in pregnant women. Since pregnancy is a period where strict control of sugar levels is needed to ensure the safety of both the mother and the baby, either oral diabetic medications or insulin is suggested to ensure the same.

2. Type 1 Diabetes

This type of diabetes uses the administration of artificial insulin because the body can not make its own insulin.

3. Type 2 Diabetes

Here, diabetes can be managed with oral medications along with lifestyle management and medicines. There are certain cases where only these methods don’t work in controlling the blood sugar levels. In such cases, the role of insulin comes into play.

Now the question arises, which insulin or which medicine to take. For this, you need to know the various types of insulin available in the market. There are various types of insulin which are-

1. Short-acting insulin

2. Long-acting insulin

3. Rapid-acting insulin

4. Intermediate insulin

You can get more information about these insulins and other medicines for diabetes, you can read our blog- Which is the best medicine for diabetes. And if you want to manage your diabetes under the guidance of medical experts, you can download the Zyla app or visit our website- Zyla.in.

In this blog, we are going to discuss long-acting insulin for diabetes and specifically- Lantus.

What is Lantus and how does it work?

Lantus insulin is a type of long-acting insulin for diabetes. Long-acting insulin has a very specific feature which is that this type of insulin doesn’t peak.

This means that this insulin has the ability to work on controlling blood sugar levels for a whole day. The long-acting insulin, as the name suggests stays in the body for 24 hours. The effect of this insulin starts within 2–3 hours of its administration.

Lantus is the name of the product (insulin glargine). Due to its popularity, we use Lantus as a mainstream word for insulin and use it interchangeably.

Insulin glargine or Lantus as we know is artificial or man-made insulin. This artificial insulin works just like the natural hormone- insulin, produced in our body. With the help of the pancreas, it helps in reducing the glucose level in your body.

Insulin glargine is precisely selected to cover up the weaknesses of intermediate-acting insulin. It works by administering it in the form of injection in the subcutaneous layer of the skin. The areas from where you can inject insulin into your body could be the abdomen region, hips, upper area of the arm and thighs.

Lantus as an injection has a solution of 10-millilitre (mL) vials that keep 100 units of insulin glargine.

Lantus also comes in the form of a pen or the ‘injection pen’. It is known as a Solostar pen and it contains 3mL of the solution which keeps 100 units of insulin per mL.

Insulin glargine is used to treat Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes, but in Type 1 Diabetes it is usually used with another type of insulin, which is usually short-acting insulin.

In Type 2 Diabetes, it may or may not require another type of insulin, also in this type of diabetes, oral medications may be taken along with insulin.

Our topic in the spotlight, Lantus insulin is used for the treatment of diabetes in people over the age of 18 years and in some cases, in children of six years or older.

The dosage units of Lantus differ in both types of diabetes, which would be discussed in upcoming sections.

How to Administer Lantus (Insulin Glargine)?

The working of insulin is actually a very fascinating process and all thanks to the revolution of medical sciences that this artificial insulin can be used today. Now, the question that comes into play is how we can inject insulin into our bodies.

The first and foremost factor is taking Lantus- long-acting insulin for diabetes as per the units prescribed by the doctor.

The critically important steps which should be taken care of when injecting insulin is-

• Take it out from the fridge 10 mins before injecting otherwise there are chances of getting cold in winters or infections or blood sugar level fluctuations.
• Set the units on the dial of the insulin pen, carefully (as prescribed to you by your doctor).
• Clean the area where you plan to inject the insulin with normal water and a clean cloth. No need for an anti-septic.
• Pinch your skin or fold your skin smoothly with the help of your thumb and forefinger.
• Inject the insulin subcutaneously at a 90-degree angle. If you’re injecting in the abdomen then it must be 2 inches away from the navel.
• Keep it injected for 10 seconds so that it does not leak. To make it easy, you can count to 10 and then remove it slowly.
• In future, one can prick clockwise or anticlockwise to avoid injecting in the same site. For abdominal administration, prick clockwise or anticlockwise around the navel.

Other points to keep in mind:

• If you’re using Lantus injection (not a pen), it is advised to let go of the initial two drops of insulin to remove bubbles/ air.
• While travelling, keep insulin in a silica pouch (keep the pouch overnight in the freezer before use) or an icebox for 10–12 hours.
• Shaking or rubbing of Lantus before use is not required. Avoid it to prevent bubble formation.
• Using the same needle for a long time causes the needle to become blunt which can cause hardening of the skin leading to leakage of insulin. So, the needle of the insulin should be changed after every 3rd-4th prick.
• For hardening of the skin, you can massage with warm oil or discuss with your doctor.

Did you know that the best place to inject insulin is the abdomen due to the presence of more fat around the area and is less painful?

Lantus (insulin glargine) Dosage

The changes in the Lantus (insulin glargine) dosage should be made after considering factors like the metabolic requirements of the person and after carefully monitoring the blood sugar levels.

The adjustments in the units or the dosage of the insulin is also influenced by the lifestyle of a person. The lifestyle changes of the person include the nutrient intake, level of physical activity and the alterations in liver or kidney related functioning of the body.

The changes in dosage should only be made if prescribed and directed by a doctor or a medical supervisor who keeps a track of your blood sugar level trend.

Lantus insulin or Insulin Glargine- the long-acting insulin for diabetes dosage is available in three types of forms-

1. Carton– This consists of 5 ‘solostar’ pens of 3 ml

2. Solostar Pen- 3 ml of 100 units/ml

3. Vial- 10 ml of 100 units/ml

TYPE 1 DIABETES

In Type 1 Diabetes, Insulin Glargine is always taken in combination with short-acting insulin.

The insulin dosage of Lantus, for people having type 1 diabetes is one-third of the total dosage administered in a day. This means a very generic threshold dose of Lantus is given i.e. 33%. The remaining insulin dosage is met by short-acting insulin.

If you require an expert opinion on your insulin, then you can download the Zyla app or visit our website- Zyla.in to enrol in our program and start working on your health.

TYPE 2 DIABETES

The people who haven’t been administered insulin ever, are recommended to administer 0.2 units/ kg or mainly 10 units once a day.

The units of the dosage can be adjusted accordingly with the inclusion of short or rapid-acting insulin and if the person is consuming any oral antidiabetic drugs.

The most important thing to be kept in mind is that Lantus or insulin glargine is not used for curing diabetes. It is important to understand that it’s a medication that is artificial or man-made insulin and it helps in controlling the blood sugar level.

Lantus and other Drug’s Interactions

Using Lantus with other sugar controlling medications, it is very essential for you to be cautious with units of insulin injected into your body.

The significance of the concept of drug interaction with insulin is crucial to understand as we are dealing with sensitive health issues which will impact all the metabolic processes of our body.

The following drug — Lantus interactions are to be taken care of-

1. MEDICATIONS THAT CAN CAUSE THE INCIDENCE OF HYPOGLYCEMIA (LOW BLOOD SUGAR LEVEL)

This includes anti-diabetic drugs, receptor blocking agents, somatostatins, sulfonamide antibiotics.

Lantus is a long-acting insulin for diabetes and it’s intervention with such medicines can cause hypoglycemia so it must be taken after careful monitoring of the doctor.

2. MEDICATIONS THAT MAY IMPACT THE EFFICIENCY OF LANTUS

A reduction or increase in the dosage of Lantus is required when Lantus is taken on conjugation with medicines like corticosteroids, danazol, oral contraceptives, epinephrine, thyroid hormones and other drugs.

There are certain medications that reduce the cholesterol levels like fibrates, such medicines have the capabilities of increasing blood glucose reducing the impact of the Lantus.

3. MEDICATIONS THAT MAY INCREASE OR DECREASE THE FUNCTIONAL CAPABILITY OF THE LANTUS

The above-mentioned point deals precisely with the decrease in blood sugar reduction effect of Lantus.

Well, there are certain medications that can increase or decrease insulin’s functional abilities to lower blood sugar levels, these include disopyramide, alcohol, lithium salts or beta-blockers and such medicines.

The intervention here is similar regarding adjusting the dosage of insulin with the medicines.

4. MEDICATIONS THAT MAY IMPACT THE SYMPTOMS OF HYPOGLYCAEMIA

This happens when these medications nullify the symptoms experienced during such episodes, in such cases, there is a need to work on the frequency of managing the low blood sugar levels when Lantus and the medicines are given in conjugation.

One of the commonly asked questions in terms of drug interaction of Lantus is with metformin. Lantus can be taken with this medicine, only if blood glucose level requires more control but should only be taken if a medical practitioner/doctor or diabetes specialist prescribes it.

Storage and Handling of Lantus

Long-acting insulin for diabetes- Lantus or insulin glargine is actually a transparent solution that contains 100 units per mL.

Lantus should never be stored in the freezer; this implies that it should never be frozen. One should always dispose of it if found in a frozen state.

1. How to store a new Lantus (one which is not in use)?

– Keep the Lantus in the refrigerator and use it till it gets expired.

2. How to store Lantus which is in use?

– The vial should be kept in the refrigerator (considering weather conditions here) and should be used within 28 days.

– The injection pen should be technically stored at room temperature and should be administered in 28 days.

Disposal of Lantus

Storing the injection properly is a priority and so is its disposal. After using the syringe or pen to administer Lantus, dispose of the needle used for pricking immediately.

Try to store the used needles in a puncture-resistant container, where these needles can’t prick or poke through it.

Make sure that the needle of this long-acting insulin for diabetes is away from the sight of children or pets.

Lantus side Effects

Here are a few lantus side effects which you need to look out for:

• Hypoglycemia– This can be taken as a side effect as well as a warning because this is a very sensitive side effect of the Lantus. To prevent this, get the guidance of the experts at Zyla, download the Zyla app or visit our website- Zyla.in.
• Lipodystrophy– The constant administration of insulin into the subcutaneous layer can result in impressions or cavity-like pit looks in the skin.
• Weight gain– It is also one of the common side effects of insulin.
• Other side effects– Like palpitation, swelling of the tongue, itching, water retention (oedema) or bloated face or throat, and a rash on the body.

Thus make sure to take it as prescribed by your doctor so that you can prevent Lantus (insulin glargine) side effects.

Warnings

• One of the most important precautions is to not share insulin pens or needles with anyone and not to reuse any needles multiple times.
• It is important to change the site of administering the insulin as administering the insulin at the same point can cause lumps in the skin, making it very sensitive and even damaged.
• Make sure your doctor is well informed about any other oral medications that you are taking, which even includes any other type of ‘OTC’ or Over The Counter medicines.
• The time one injects insulin during the day should be kept consistent.
• If you’re feeling weakness, trembling of hands and legs, sweating etc, it could be an episode of hypoglycaemia, in such cases it is important for you to follow your doctor’s advice.
• Potassium helps in regulating various metabolic processes. Lantus insulin can be responsible for a reduction of potassium from outside the cells to inside the cell space. If not treated timely, it can result in various complications like respiratory paralysis.
• Mixing up the wrong insulin type is predominantly one factor that should be taken care of. There are at times possibilities of mix-ups of long-acting insulins and rapid-acting insulins, which implies one should always go through the label of the insulin thoroughly.
• Since Lantus is usually administered with a combination of oral anti-diabetic drugs, specifically Thiazolidinediones (TZD), these can result in medicine oriented retention of fluid which may lead to adverse heart health conditions.
• If a patient misses his/her dose, ask your doctor to guide you through the plan of action, don’t take it by yourself at random times.
• Make sure you don’t inject insulin in a vein or muscle.

Alternatives to Lantus

There are several alternatives for Lantus which can act as a long-acting insulin for diabetes. Examples:

1. Toujeo ( Basaglar) — Insulin Glargine

2. Tresiba- Insulin Degludec

3. Levemir- Insulin Detemir

There are pre-mixed insulin options also available which consist of long-acting insulin and short-acting insulin, it helps in better management of blood glucose levels that may spike after meals.

Last but not the least, it is very important to understand that the Lantus, or insulin glargine is artificial insulin at the end of the day which does not cure diabetes. It helps in controlling blood sugar levels.

It’s a friendly reminder, that diabetes, especially type 2 is a lifestyle disorder and the right medication, which is well consulted by a doctor along with lifestyle alterations like right nutrition, exercise and so on is the key to it’s management.

The science and medicine field has evolved immensely which is why we have drugs like these which are a boon in helping mankind. However, along with this being a boon, there are side effects and warnings.

Make sure you get the right medications and changes in dosage if required, only after a prescription from a medical practitioner or a doctor, as this is a very sensitive topic. Let’s do our bit by educating our near and dear ones and giving diabetes a tough fight.

For management of high blood sugar levels holistically, Zyla can help you. Zyla has a team of 50+ medical professionals guiding you through medicines, diet, exercise etc to win the battle against diabetes.

You can download the Zyla app or visit our website- Zyla.in and enrol in Defeating Diabetes Program to start your health journey.

Stay healthy!

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