According to a report published by market research company Mintel, more than half of all women are concerned about excess body hair. It’s estimated that one in ten of us suffers from excess facial and body hair. But what causes it? Dr Rina Davison, an endocrinologist from Whipps Cross University Hospital, London, with a special interest in excess hair says that eating large amounts of sugary, refined carbohydrates, such as biscuits and cakes, may trigger excess hair. These foods have a high glycaemic index, which means they release their energy quickly and can cause insulin resistance, explains Dr Davison. Insulin is the hormone that controls blood sugar level; ‘resistance’ means the hormone becomes less effective at lowering blood sugar, so the body has to produce more of it to get the job done.“the problem is that a raised insulin level may trigger growth factors which make the ovaries produce too much of the ‘male’ hormone testosterone, which can lead to excess hair,” the dailymail.co.uk quoted Marilyn Glenville, a women’s health expert and nutritionist, as saying. “Being overweight can also cause insulin resistance.”But there are other factors — from commonly prescribed drugs to poor diet and certain ailments — that could be to blame. Polycystic Ovaries is also another cause of excess hair in women. all women produce androgens. However, sometimes women produce higher levels, or they may have normal levels, but their hair follicles are more sensitive to androgens. “If excess hair is due to a hormonal imbalance, then it tends to occur in areas such as the chin, upper lip, sideburns, chest and inner thighs,” says Dr Davison.“Patients with skin problems such as eczema or psoriasis can also develop excess hair,” add Dr Davison. People suffering from anorexia have lanugo hair — an excess of fine, downy hair that covers the body. in this case, the excess hair is unlikely to help the person’s already negative image of their body.Corticosteroids, used to reduce inflammation in the body and are prescribed to treat conditions such as asthma and rheumatoid arthritis, contain a synthetic version of the hormone cortisol and levels can build up in the body over time. the problem is that if the drugs are taken for more than four to six months, this can cause a condition called Cushing’s syndrome. Symptoms include weight gain, a red, puffy face and excess hair growth all over the body. Menopause is another condition that accelerates the growth of facial hair in women. "As the hormone oestrogen declines at the menopause, testosterone (the ‘male’ hormone) can become more dominant,” explains Marilyn Glenville. “you don’t have more testosterone, but the ratio of oestrogen to testosterone has changed, making women prone to symptoms of male pattern baldness or other male characteristics such as facial hair and acne,” adds Glenville. 

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The next Brown Bag Lecture at the Estes Park Medical Center is Friday, Sept. 30, from 12 noon to 1 p.m. in the Timberline Conference room. Attendees can bring their lunch and the medical center will provide dessert and coffee. Dr. Guy VanderWerf, M.D., who is a physician with the Family Medical Clinic, will present the program on diabetes. VanderWerf has been with Family Medical Clinic since 1994. He received his bachelor’s degree in mathematical sciences from Stanford University and went on to receive his doctor of Medicine from the University of Arizona. He is board-certified in family medicine.

Diabetes is a condition that is characterized by high blood sugar level. In diabetes, the glucose level in your body increases, either because your body is unable to produce a type of hormone called insulin, or it is unable to properly utilize the insulin produced by the pancreas. In either case, the glucose level in the body increases, leading to a hyperglycemic condition or high glucose level.

The primary cause of diabetes is either that the pancreas is not producing enough insulin, or the insulin receptors of your cells are not functioning normally. According to the American Diabetes Association, there are 25.8 million people in the United States, or 8.3 percent of the population, who have diabetes and 1.9 million new cases of diabetes are diagnosed each year in people aged 20 years and older.

There are various types of diabetes, but the most common are Type I and Type 2. Type 1 diabetes is usually diagnosed in children and young adults, and was previously known as juvenile diabetes. In Type 1 diabetes, the body does not produce insulin.

Insulin is a hormone that is needed to convert sugar, starches and other food into energy needed for daily life. only 5 percent of people with diabetes have this form of the disease. With the insulin therapy and other treatments, even young children with Type 1 diabetes can learn to manage their conditions and live long, healthy lives.

Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes. Millions of Americans have been diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes, and many more are unaware they are at high risk. Some groups have a higher risk for developing Type 2 diabetes than others. For example, Type 2 diabetes is more common in African Americans, Latinos, Native Americans, Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and other Pacific islanders, as well as older populations.

In Type 2 diabetes, either the body does not produce enough insulin or the cells ignore the insulin. Insulin is necessary for the body to be able to use glucose for energy. When you eat food, the body breaks down all of the sugars and starches into glucose, which is the basic fuel for the cells in the body. Insulin takes the sugar from the blood into the cells. When glucose builds up in the blood instead of going into cells, it can lead to diabetes complications.

Diabetes often goes undiagnosed because many of its symptoms seem so harmless. recent studies indicate that the early detection of diabetes symptoms and treatment can decrease the chance of developing the complications of diabetes. Symptoms of Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes are as follows:

Type 1 diabetes

Frequent urination

Unusual thirst

Extreme hunger

Unusual weight loss

Extreme fatigue and Irritability

Type 2 Diabetes

any of the Type 1 symptoms

Frequent infections

Blurred vision

Cuts/bruises that are slow to heal

Tingling/numbness in the hands/feet

Recurring skin, gum or bladder infections.

Many people do not find out they have the disease until they have diabetes complications, such as blurry vision or heart trouble. It is important to find out early if you have diabetes, because treatment and education can prevent damage to your body. Over the years, high blood glucose damages nerves and blood vessels, leading to complications such as heart disease, stroke, blindness, kidney disease, nerve problems, gum infections and amputations. It is never too late to prevent diabetes or to become educated.

Join us on Sept. 30, from 12 noon to 1 p.m., to learn more about diabetes with Dr. Guy VanderWerf. He will review types of diabetes, signs, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, prevention and long-term care of the disease. For more information or to RSVP, call 577-4390.

While talking about diabetes, you may be frightened from the idea that you may have this. Or maybe, you may have it in the future. you want to know if you are at risk to develop diabetes and anxiously you’re looking to find if you have any diabetes symptom.

Diabetes affects the manner in which the body handles carbohydrates, fats and proteins. if neglected, diabetes can have serious problems. the diabetic people have high sugar level. the blood sugar level is regulated by insulin – a hormone produced by the pancreas, that depends on your eating habits.

Diabetes is really a serious disease. but the startling truth is that diabetes is undoable. Diabetes is the number one cause of chronic kidney disease (CKD). this disease is really a condition where the body is not able to automatically regulate blood glucose amounts, resulting in too much glucose (the sugar) in the blood. Diabetes is a chronic disease that affects as much as 16 million Americans.

Really, there is no clear symptom with regard to diabetes. the most common symptoms of diabetes are as follow:

- being all the time thirsty- frequent urination- increased hunger- sensation all the time tired; having an extreme fatigue,

On the other hand, there are some other symptoms of diabetes that are prescribed as diabetes complications in fact. These symptoms are:

- vision changes; – recurrent skin infections very difficult in order to heal;- tingling or numbness you may feel inside your extremities;- gums disorders;- Hair loss and many others.

There are two different types of diabetes.

Type I Diabetes (juvenile diabetes or insulin-dependent diabetes): the reason for type i diabetes is due to pancreas unability to produce insulin.

Type II Diabetes (non insulin reliant diabetes or adult onset diabetes): this diabetes is a result of body tissues becoming resistant to insulin. It is usually hereditary.

Type 2 Diabetes is more typical than Type 1 Diabetes. Kind 2 diabetes is a life-long disease marked by high levels of sugar in the blood. Conditions related to type 2 diabetes include hyperglycemia as well as hypoglycemia. Type 2 diabetes may account for about 90% to 95% of all diagnosed cases of diabetes. Up to two-thirds of people with type 2 diabetes have no symptoms. Obesity is the best risk factor for type 2 diabetes. An estimated 20% of all cases of new onset type two diabetes are in individuals between the ages of 9-19. the more you know about type 2 diabetes, the more you’ll be able to go ahead and take right steps to take control of your condition.

If neglected, diabetes can result in various complications such as harm to the kidneys, heart disease, neural damage, hypoglycemia (drastic reduction in blood sugar levels). Diabetes is a serious disease and there’s no treatment of it. however, it may be brought under control by correct diabetic diet. Visit diabetes-type.org/ for more information.

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