The end of a woman’s menstrual cycle, known as menopause, typically occurs in the late 40s or 50s. It is a natural biological process that marks the end of the reproductive years and is typically diagnosed when a woman has gone through 12 consecutive months without having a menstrual period. Women may experience various uncomfortable signs and symptoms leading up to this period, making daily activities challenging. Here are some indications of menopause. Anxiety The menopause period brings a lot of hormonal changes that can have physical and psychological effects. Commonly experienced feelings include stress, anxiety, and depression. Seeking the help of a therapist is usually recommended to manage these emotional changes. Additionally, joining a support group can benefit those going through these changes. Difficulty sleeping It can be challenging for women experiencing menopause symptoms, especially when getting enough sleep. Insomnia is a significant concern for many women due to the various symptoms they may be experiencing, such as anxiety, hot flashes, and night sweats. While treatments are available to help with sleep, it’s important to note that these symptoms can persist for years and won’t go away quickly. Seeking guidance from a healthcare professional can help manage these symptoms.

Sleeping helps the body repair and rejuvenate the cells, which helps an individual stay energetic and free from health complications. Each individual must get between seven and eight hours of sleep daily. That said, given people’s busy lives, thousands do not meet the daily criteria for rest. Such individuals may suffer from multiple complications due to a lack of sleep. Here are four warning signs of sleep deprivation to look out for: Reduced cognitive function Getting the right amount of rest helps the brain generate new connections between the nerve cells, improve focus and productivity, and analyze and process information. So if one finds trouble with any of these functions, they might experience sleep deprivation. Lack of sleep may result in brain exhaustion and impair cognitive function. One should get this diagnosed by an expert because a sleep-deprived brain can affect day-to-day functioning. Decreased immune system The body is prone to illnesses, including a cold, cough, and headache. However, if the symptoms occur on multiple occasions or are chronic, that could indicate a weakened immune system. The body revitalizes and repairs itself during sleep. Lack of proper rest could prevent the restoration of cells, which may deteriorate one’s immunity. Furthermore, insufficient rest could make one susceptible to infections and hamper recovery.

Breastfeeding is a unique process that new mothers have to learn. No two feeding experiences are alike, so one has to figure out what works for them. This can help one cherish this phase of nurturing a newborn. Additionally, one may have to pump and store breast milk for times when they may not be able to breastfeed. There can be some hiccups along the way, so here are common breast-pumping mistakes to avoid: Using the wrong shield size The breast shield comes in different sizes to suit different women. The standard size is 24mm; however, this may not fit everyone, so one may have to check and re-order a shield in the right size. Pumping with the wrong size shield can lead to pain in the nipples, reduced output, and also nipple damage. So one should find the best shield size for them. Stopping too soon This is a common mistake one can make. When pumping breast milk, one may begin to notice that the milk dribbles out. After a few seconds, the milk can start to spray out from the milk ducts. This is called a letdown reflex, which a lot of mothers describe being a pins and needles sensation.

The kidneys help filter and remove waste and additional water to make urine. The organ is susceptible to complications that may stem from a range of underlying factors, including excessive sugar intake. However, an obstacle individuals face in this regard is identifying whether a particular symptom results from eating too many sugar-rich foods or another underlying health complication. Therefore, here are five signs of poor kidney health due to excess sugar intake. Sudden loss of pounds There are many reasons one may lose a couple of pounds, including regular exercise, ongoing treatments, and a change in eating habits. However, a sudden reduction might indicate the onset of type 3 diabetes. This may occur due to excess glucose circulating in their body, which is transferred to urine. One may not put on additional pounds even if they eat more to satisfy their hunger. Frequent infections It is normal to contract an infection at some point in life. However, people who ingest too much sugar may suffer from such complications regularly. The inability of the kidneys to filter out excess sugar from the blood could cause the property to mix with urine. And this may lead to frequent urinary tract or yeast infections.

Your body needs some percentage of sugar to generate energy for the cells and organs. So it is okay to have sugar in your meals and snacks in moderation. When you start having excess sugary foods, the body cannot utilize the extra sugar. This leads to several health disorders, including issues related to your digestive system. On that note, here are a few signs of gastrointestinal disorders due to excessive sugar. Bloating and gas Eating too much dessert or other sugar-based foods can make you feel good—but only for a while. However, you will soon feel bloated due to the increased gas production in your intestines. In addition, the sugar prevents the appropriate absorption of water in the intestines, causing you to feel a lot of bloating. The gas and bloating can cause a lot of discomfort. Diarrhea or constipation Consuming excessive sugar can disrupt the balance of gut bacteria in your digestive system. This can cause changes in your bowel movements. Also, there is barely any fiber or fluid in most sugar-based foods, such as pastries, cookies, and cakes. These factors can lead to diarrhea or constipation, affecting your gastrointestinal health. Abdominal pain or cramping You can experience these gastrointestinal signs due to excessive sugar, especially when the foods contain sorbitol and xylitol.

The intake of excessive sugar is associated with multiple health complications, including cancer. The cells in the body, including cancerous ones, use glucose to survive, grow and spread. Glucose may not be directly responsible for the onset of cancer. However, having sugar in excessive amounts may increase the risk of the disease and worsen its symptoms. So, here is a look at how high sugar intake can worsen common symptoms of cancer: Fatigue Sugar can help temporarily boost energy levels. The pancreas produces enough insulin to break down food into simple sugars, which are then utilized by cells to stay energized. However, sometimes the pancreas may not be able to produce enough insulin, which could lead to excessive sugar in the blood, causing fatigue and weakness. Further, if one is at risk for cancer or is affected by the disease, the body needs more energy to fight the abnormal cells. So, fatigue is a common sign of cancer that can worsen when dealing with high blood sugar. Frequent infections If one is dealing with cancer, the weakened immune system is already prone to frequent infections. The immune system requires balanced nutrition, such as healthy amounts of minerals and vitamins, to thrive and fight diseases, including cancer.

The excessive consumption of sugar has long been associated with several health disorders, including those related to the gastrointestinal system, diabetes, heart problems, and so on. In addition to these health issues, eating too much sugary foods can also lead to various auditory issues over the long term. It can cause different problems, including hearing loss. Here are some common warning signs of poor hearing caused by excessive sugar in meals and snacks. Difficulty understanding speech Excessive sugar consumption over several years can gradually cause hearing loss. As a result, you may struggle with understanding conversations. When talking to others, you may often ask them to repeat themselves several times. It happens because high blood sugar levels can damage the nerves and small blood vessels in the inner ear. There is ringing in the ears or tinnitus The high intake of sugar over several years has been known to trigger inflammation. If this inflammation occurs in the nerves close to the ears and the brain, it can cause persistent ringing in your ears, which do not come from external sources in your surroundings. Also known as tinnitus, this ringing sensation in the ears occurs due to nerve damage due to inflammation.

The liver is a vital organ responsible for carrying out essential functions in the body, like removing toxins, metabolizing nutrients, and regulating blood sugar. Excessive sugar intake can take a toll on the liver, leading to health complications. Sugar can also increase the risk and worsen the symptoms of liver disease. Recognizing the effects of high blood glucose can help one make necessary changes to prevent any harm to the liver and overall health. Fatigue and weakness One of the early signs of liver problems linked to high sugar intake is fatigue and weakness. The liver plays a crucial role in converting sugar into energy. When dealing with excessive amounts of sugar, the function of the organ may be compromised. This can lead to a lack of energy. Frequent digestive issues Liver issues linked with high sugar intake can also manifest as recurring digestive issues. The liver produces bile, a substance necessary for the digestion and absorption of fats. But, when dealing with liver dysfunction brought on by excessive sugar, one can experience digestive problems like bloating, gas, constipation, and diarrhea. Elevated blood sugar The liver plays a pivotal part in regulating blood sugar by storing and releasing glucose as required.

Diabetes or diabetes mellitus is the term used to refer to a condition that results in excessive blood glucose or sugar levels. It generally occurs when the body cannot produce enough insulin or use it effectively. When left unmanaged, high blood sugar levels can cause several complications. One of these complications is joint pain. Signs and symptoms of some diabetes-induced conditions that may cause joint pain include the following: Diabetic Arthropathy High blood glucose levels can damage the nerves, causing diabetic neuropathy that can also affect the joints, known as arthropathy. Some conditions that fall under this category include: Charcot’s foot This condition affects the foot joints, causing them to deteriorate over time. It may also cause symptoms such as joint pain, swelling, redness, numbness, the area being hot to the touch, or changes in the appearance of the feet. Diabetic hand Some people with diabetes may experience shoulder pain and limited mobility due to a frozen shoulder or adhesive capsulitis. Arthropathy may also affect joints in the hand by causing conditions such as: Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: This occurs when the median nerve is compressed. It may cause symptoms such as tingling, numbness, and weakness in the hand. Trigger finger:

Today, sugar-laden treats are readily available, which tempt one at every turn. While the occasional sweet indulgence may seem harmless, excessive sugar consumption can silently or indirectly impair one’s immune system, the body’s defense mechanism against illness and infections. It’s essential to recognize the impact of sugar on one’s immune health. Here are a few common indicators of a compromised immune system due to excessive sugar intake. Check them out. Effect of glucose on one’s immune system Glucose is needed for the body to produce energy. In moderate amounts, it can support one’s daily activity. Still, excessive consumption of refined sugar and carbohydrates can cause various health issues, including a higher risk of developing diabetes and heart disease. It also affects one’s immune system, a complex network of cells and tissues that work in tandem to defend one’s body from foreign invaders and maintain one’s overall health. Any spikes in sugar intake suppress the optimal functioning of one’s immune system. Those with type 2 diabetes, a common autoimmune disease marked by high blood glucose levels, are among those who get affected the most. A diabetic person’s immune system recognizes sugar as a harmful substance and triggers an inflammatory response. This inflammation can damage the pancreatic cells, which are tasked with producing a sugar-regulating substance called insulin.

The human heart supplies oxygen to different parts of the body, maintains blood pressure, and expels carbon dioxide through exhalation. But with an increasing frequency of heart conditions, as per 2021 reports, heart disease costs the country a whopping $239.9 billion each year. Heart problems may have various underlying causes; however, diabetes is often responsible for triggering or worsening them. Some heart problems caused by excessive sugar intake and diabetes are as follows: Arrhythmia Arrhythmia refers to irregular heartbeats. Since diabetes disrupts the heart’s structure, the condition may be caused or worsened by diabetes. Individuals with this condition experience shortness of breath, chest pain, dizziness, fainting, etc. Stroke Diabetes pathologically alters the body’s blood vessels, which can trigger the onset of stroke. Studies have also shown that survival rates of individuals with stroke are lower among patients with diabetes. Heart attack Patients with type-2 diabetes are twice as susceptible to heart disease as those with regular blood-sugar levels. Individuals with diabetes may also develop silent heart attacks, which do not have any initial symptoms. Patients having suffered a heart attack may experience swelling in their legs or ankles, sweating, shortness of breath, chest pain, and nausea, among other symptoms. Atrial fibrillation According to research reports, diabetes significantly increases one’s risk of developing atrial fibrillation.