Q: Shortness of breath is one of the hallmark symptoms of congestive heart failure (particularly left-sided heart failure). This shortness of breath may occur during physical activity, at rest or while sleeping. This shortness of breath may be caused by fluid in the lungs, or by the inability of the heart to pump adequate amounts of blood during physical activity. In addition to the shortness of breath, you may be prone to fits of coughing and experience wheezing or crackling sensations in the lungs when lying down. One visible symptom of CHF is when the jugular vein becomes distended when you are in a semi-upright position. The vein may pulsate as your heart beats. Swelling may occur in the legs, feet and ankles as a result of poor circulation, which causes fluid to accumulate in the lower extremities. This is known as peripheral edema. One of the telltale signs that your ankles and feet are swollen is when your shoes and socks feel tight. Hepatomegaly (an enlarged liver caused by the accumulation of fluid) is often a symptom of CHF. Signs of an enlarged liver include abdominal swelling and nausea. Along with the liver, fluid may accumulate in the abdomen as a result of CHF. This is known as ascites. Ascites leads to abdominal distension (or swelling) and feeling bloated and nauseous. Feeling too warm (even though everyone else in the room feels fine) may be a symptom of CHF. This is because poor circulation prevents the release of body heat. However, even if you feel too warm, the skin on your hands and feet may feel pale and cool, as these parts of your body are not receiving enough blood. Another symptom of CHF is fatigue and dizziness following physical activity, which may force you to sit or lie down. Again, these symptoms occur as a result of poor blood circulation. Another possible symptom of CHF is mental confusion brought on by inadequate circulation of blood to and from the brain. This mental confusion may manifest itself as anxiety, irritability, depression and/or in difficulty concentrating or remembering.
A: Look for shortness of breath. Take note of any coughing or wheezing. Look for a distended jugular vein. See if you have any swelling in the ankles, legs or feet. Identify any symptoms of liver enlargement. Look for a swollen abdomen. Think about whether you feel too warm. Pay attention to feelings of weakness or dizziness. Take note of any mental confusion.

Q: Before you make any changes to your diet, you should consult a medical professional. This is especially important if you are dealing with a chronic health condition like diabetes. Ask your doctor for a referral to a registered dietitian. A registered dietitian can help you learn what foods are right for managing your condition. Eating snacks between meals can help keep your blood sugar levels normal. Snacks should be eaten either two hours before or two hours after a meal. You should avoid  eating snacks at night. Raw vegetables that are low in carbohydrates are an easy and healthy snack if you’re looking to control your blood sugar. Try vegetables like cucumber, broccoli, cauliflower, and celery sticks. If you want to add a little flavor, try dipping them in plain Greek yogurt. Fruits are good snack choices, but you should limit how much you eat as fruits are not low in carbs. If you are diabetic and looking to control your blood sugar, you should eat fruit in 15 gram portions. Try snacking on a medium apple, half a banana, or a cup of watermelon balls. Seeds and nuts are high in calories and low in carbohydrates. This makes them a great snacking option if you are trying to control your blood sugar. Try snacking on a handful of peanuts, almonds, walnuts, or sunflower seeds. Make sure you opt for nuts and seeds that do not have added sugar or salt.  If you are allergic to legumes, peanuts or tree nuts, you should avoid eating peanuts, tree nuts, or other foods that you are sensitive to. Some flavored nuts, such as honey roasted peanuts or cinnamon sugar almonds, are not good choices as they have added sugar and salt.
A: Talk to your doctor. Snack at the right time. Reach for raw vegetables. Grab a piece of fruit. Snack on nuts and seeds.

Q: Over time, insulin sensitivity can cause type 2 diabetes, which is a serious medical condition. You need to get proper treatment so you can manage your diabetes, so visit your doctor if you notice the following symptoms: Increased thirst Frequent urination Excessive hunger Unexplained weight loss Irritability Fatigue Blurred vision Slow healing sores Getting infections
A: See your doctor if you develop the symptoms of diabetes.

Q: You can use a plastic or metal trash can.  An empty wooden or metal barrel would also work well.  Don’t use galvanized steel cans, which will rust.  A black can will provide added warmth to the soil. If you live in a hot area where the potatoes will get full sun, don't use a black can or the soil could get too hot. If your potatoes are to grow, they need about six to eight hours of sunlight daily.  To ensure your potatoes get the necessary amount of sunlight, you could place the trash can on a rooftop, in an open field, or in a sunny backyard location.
A:
Use a 20 to 32-gallon can. Place the trash can in a sunny location.