HEALTH
DR
GILL
IS
UNABLETO
OFFER
INDIVIDUAL
ADVICE
OR
SEE
INDIVIDUAL
PATIENTS.
ADVICE
GIVEN
HERE
IS
FORGENERAL
INFORMATION
ONLY.
PLEASE
SEEK
HELP FROM YOUR OWN GP IF YOU HAVE A MEDICAL PROBLEM
Hotsweatscan
happeninthe
postmenopausean FPG of over 5.5mmol/L is
an indicator, while diabetes
itself is diagnosed with an
HbA1c of 6.5% (48mmol/mol)
or over, FPG over 7.0 mmol/L.
Lifestyle changes
About 80% of cases of Type
2 diabetes could be delayed
or prevented through making
lifestyle changes. Eating a
healthy balanced diet, low in
salt, sugar and fat; and rich
in fruit and vegetables, is the
best way of reducing your
risk. Being physically active
is vital to help your body
manage sugar levels.
Even if you’re not
overweight, maintaining
a healthy weight through
eating well and being active
is an important part of
managing blood glucose
levels and avoiding other
health complications.
Q
I’m still
getting hot
sweats since the
menopause 10
years ago. Why?
A
Hot sweats are one of the most
common menopausal symptoms
and can last several years. They
should usually settle once you have gone
through the menopause. The actual
cause of them isn’t certain, but is possibly
due to the hormonal changes affecting
thermoregulation and blood vessel dilation.
Hot sweats are statistically commoner for
women from Afro-Caribbean origins and
also in women who are overweight or who
smoke. However, every woman is different
in their pattern of symptoms. It’s worth
going to see your GP to discuss them, as
thereareotherconditionsthatcancause
hotsweats,someofwhicharecommon
inthepostmenopause.
Anxiety,lowbloodsugarandcertain
medicinescancausesweats,aswell
asthyroiddisease.Rarely,sometypeof
cancerssuchaslymphoma,andinfections
suchastuberculosiscancausenight
sweats,soaskyourGPtoruletheseout.
Meanwhile,avoidalcohol,spicyfoodand
smoking,whichcanallmakesweatsworse.4 FIXES FOR...
BLEEDING GUMS
TRUE
OR FALSE?
You should cut your
toenails straight across
True. Cut them straight across,
so they look slightly square, and
don’t cut them too short. The
reason is that rounding toenails
encourages them to grow inward.
Ingrowing toenails lead to pain
and infection as the side
of the nail cuts into
the skin.4
See your
GP
If it persists, ask
your doctor to check
your blood count for
clotting, especially
if you have noticed
bruising or other
bleeding such as
nosebleeds.3
Get a
check-up
Bleeding gums can
be a sign of increased
blood sugar affecting
your overall gum
condition, so get a
doctor or nurse to
check your blood
sugar levels.2
See your
dentist...
Or your dental
hygienist to check
your mouth and
have your teeth
professionally
cleaned and any
hardened plaque
(tartar) removed.1
Brush
and floss
Gum disease, causing
bleeding, is due to
a build up of plaque,
a sticky substance
from bacteria, so
regular brushing
and flossing helps
to prevent this.womansweekly.com 31