Millions of people around the world are affected by health conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, and obesity. While many turn to diet and exercise to help manage their conditions, others rely on devices or aids, such as a vagus nerve stimulator to help them control their symptoms. In this article, we’ll explore how watching what we eat and certain devices can potentially help manage various health conditions.
Diet for Health
Certain health conditions benefit from a sensible diet that will have sufferers avoid certain foods. For instance, in some instances, type 2 diabetes can be controlled by diet. Those looking to keep their heart healthy or who suffer from a heart condition should look for foods lower in cholesterol and salt. In the case of obesity, foods with high sugar content are best avoided. In moderation, you might be able to still treat yourself, but you have to be very careful where diabetes is concerned. Devices, however, can be used to monitor blood sugar levels to assist in managing the condition.
So, here is a list of what foods to ideally avoid in each case.
Diabetes:
- Refined carbohydrates
- Foods high in sugar
- Trans fats
Heart disease:
- Saturated fats
- Trans fats
- Foods high in cholesterol
Obesity:
- Refined carbohydrates
- Foods high in sugar
- Saturated fats
Refined carbohydrates include white bread and pasta. Foods high in sugar would mean those such as candy, cookies, and cake. Trans fats are found in fried foods and processed snacks. Whereas, saturated fats are found in red meat, butter, and cheese.
Of course, diet is only one part of managing these conditions. Exercise is essential to maintaining a healthy weight, improving insulin sensitivity, and reducing the risk of heart disease.
Exercise regimes should, to prove healthy and useful, be regular ones and look to focus on the cardiovascular and not just be about strengthening and toning muscles. Study the exercisers available and what they promise.
Devices to Help with Health Conditions
In addition to diet and exercise, several devices can help people with certain health conditions. For example, those with diabetes may use a device called a continuous glucose monitor (CGM) to help them keep track of their blood sugar levels. This is important as it can help them avoid both low and high blood sugar levels, which can be dangerous.
Another example is a vagus nerve stimulator (VNS), which is a device that is implanted in the chest and sends electrical impulses to the vagus nerve. This nerve is responsible for controlling many important functions in the body, such as heart rate and blood pressure. For people with certain conditions, such as epilepsy or depression, a VNS might be able to help control their symptoms.
Many other devices and aids can help people with health conditions. Diet and exercise are important, but sometimes other measures are necessary to keep symptoms under control.
Working with a doctor to find the right combination of treatments is essential for anyone struggling with a health condition.
Where to Look for Devices
Online is a good place to look for medical devices because it gives you a chance to easily compare features and prices. Just make sure that you are choosing a reputable supplier and that the devices have been approved by the appropriate medical organizations you would expect. Medically approved devices come with more of a guarantee of success, although it can depend on individual cases and the validity of claims made.
Think about how you can help your medical condition by considering your diet more and looking at the latest technologies that might also be able to help you to be treated at home. At the same time, always speak to a doctor. You must always have a doctor’s approval when seeking what can sometimes be viewed as alternative treatments.