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What causes high blood sugar in the morning?

The dawn phenomenon is caused by a natural process, according to the Cleveland Clinic. When a person takes insulin taken before bed, this causes blood sugar to drop from midnight until 3 a.m. Between 3 a.m. and 8 a.m., the body prepares for the day by releasing stored glucose. During this time, hormones that reduce sensitivity to glucose levels are released. This happens as the insulin taken before bed is wearing off, causing a spike in blood sugar.\nThe Somoyi effect is much like the dawn phenomenon, but instead of a natural process, this type of spike in blood sugar results from poor diabete..

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What is leukodystrophy?

Myelin is a spongy whitish substance that protects and insulates the axon, explains the United Leukodystrophy Foundation. When leukodystrophies damage the myelin sheath, they block messages between the brain and the rest of the body. This result in problems with vision, movement, hearing, speaking, and mental and physical development, notes MedlinePlus. Leukodystrophies are mostly inherited disorders. They usually appear during infancy or early stages of childhood, states the United Leukodystrophy Foundation.\nThe typical symptoms of a leukodystrophy disorder include reduced physical and menta..

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What blood tests require a patient to fast beforehand?

Doctors use blood sugar and glucose tolerance tests when they suspect patients have diabetes, Mayo Clinic explains. A blood sugar test indicates the amount of sugar still in a person's blood after several hours without food. This is often followed by a glucose tolerance test, which monitors changes in blood sugar levels for two hours after a patient consumes a sugary drink. Though fasting blood tests are common for checking cholesterol levels, research suggests that abstaining from food is not necessarily required. Health care providers use fasting iron blood tests to diagnose anemia, cer..

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Will stretching relieve a painful Charlie Horse?

Charley horses can happen for a variety of reasons, such as through overexertion of the muscle after a strenuous workout or by not stretching the muscle effectively before a workout, advises WebMD. Other causes include dehydration, vitamin and mineral deficiency, and side effects of certain drugs. Stretching before beginning an exercise, increasing the daily regimen of vitamins and minerals, and drinking more water throughout the day prevent the development of charley horses.

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How much cholesterol should you take in per day?

Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance produced in the liver and other cells. It is also available in certain foods, including eggs, meat and dairy products. Cholesterol is both good and bad; at normal levels, it is a vital substance for the normal functioning of the body. There are four major functions of cholesterol. It contributes to the cell wall structure, makes up the digestive bile acids in the intestines, enhances production of vitamin D in the body, and allows the body to produce some hormones. However, when taken in excessive amounts, it increases the risk of some health hazards. ..

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How much vitamin B12 should you take if you already have a deficiency?

Vitamin B12 is safe even at high doses, and there is no known limit for safe consumption, according to WebMD. The recommended daily allowance of vitamin B12 for people age 14 and older is 2.4 micrograms a day. People over age 50 are more likely to be deficient in vitamin B12, causing fatigue, memory loss and weakness.

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What are the causes of a bloated stomach?

A bloated stomach, or abdominal bloating, is a feeling of fullness and tightness in the belly, which may also be characterized by a distended stomach, notes MedlinePlus. To relieve abdominal bloating, certain lifestyle changes are applicable: avoiding gas-producing foods including beans, lentils, cabbage and Brussels sprouts; quitting smoking; avoiding foods that are rich in sorbitol or fructose; and reducing eating speed. Eating in small meals five to six times daily rather than having big meals fewer times a day also prevent bloating, which usually occurs after the latter, as WebMD claims. I..

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What do different VA PTSD disability ratings mean?

The lowest ranking, zero percent, is assigned to individuals with PTSD symptoms so mild that regular treatment is unneeded and social functioning is unimpaired, states Nolo. Such individuals are not eligible for payments, but they may qualify for certain benefits. A 10 percent rating is given to mental illness symptoms that are successfully manageable with regular medication and those that impair social function only in situations of extreme stress.\nThe VA assigns a 30 percent rating to those who occasionally suffer social or work-related impairment but are generally able to communicate and t..

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Why do people snore?

Mayo Clinic notes that alcohol consumption, a cold, obesity and allergies contribute to snoring. WebMD points out that snoring can affect anyone but is common in men and overweight people, and it worsens with age. The health risks associated with habitual snoring include obstructive sleep apnea, which causes long interruptions of breathing, light sleeping, chronic headaches and frequent walking from sleep. Mayo Clinic reveals that sleep apnea is characterized by alternating periods of loud snoring and silence. According to WebMD, occasional snoring is not serious, but habitual snoring requires..

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What are the common causes of ankle pain?

Ankle pain is any kind of discomfort that affects the ankles and its treatment depends on the cause. In most cases, home treatment measures are usually used to treat the condition. Resting the leg for several days and avoiding activities that will place much weight on the ankle is helpful. Using an ACE bandage helps to prevent swelling. A person may also use crutches to inhibit excess weight on the ankle. Icing the affected area is necessary to prevent swelling and relieve pain. Over-the-counter pain relievers, such as ibuprofen and acetaminophen, can be used to ease pain, as stated by Medline..

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