Q: The infection is contagious and is spread through direct contact with the bacteria that causes it. It is unlikely that you will develop strep throat without having had direct contact with someone who is infected.  It can be very difficult to know if someone else has strep. Unless you have been isolated completely, you probably could have come in contact with someone who has the infection. It is also possible for individuals to carry and pass on strep without having symptoms themselves. A sore throat associated with streptococcus usually develops without warning and worsens very quickly. If your throat became increasingly sore over the course of several days, another cause is most likely to blame. However, this alone does not rule out strep throat. Strep throat is usually accompanied by a fever of 101 degrees Fahrenheit (38.3 degrees Celsius) or higher. A lower fever could still be caused by strep, but it is more likely to be a symptom of a viral infection. Headaches are another common symptom of strep throat. They can range in severity from mild to excruciating. If you lose your appetite or feel nauseous, you can count that as another possible symptom of strep throat. At its worst, strep throat can even lead to vomiting and stomach pain. As with any infection, strep throat can lead to increased fatigue. You may find it harder to wake up in the morning than usual and harder to make it through the day. Severe strep throat infections can cause a condition known as scarlatina, more commonly referred to as scarlet fever. This red rash will look and feel very similar to sandpaper.  Scarlet fever usually surfaces 12 to 48 hours after your first strep throat symptoms emerge. The rash usually begins around the neck before developing and spreading over the chest. It can also spread to the abdomen and groin areas.  In rare cases, it may appear on the back, arms, legs, or face. When treated with antibiotics, scarlet fever generally clears up quickly. If you notice a rash of this nature, you should visit the doctor as soon as possible, regardless of whether or not other strep throat symptoms are present. While colds and strep throat share many symptoms, there are several cold-like symptoms that people with strep throat tend not to display. The absence of these symptoms can be another sign that you have strep throat, rather than a cold.  Strep throat does not usually cause nasal symptoms. This means that you will not experience a cough, runny nose, stuffy nose, or red, itchy eyes. Additionally, while strep throat can cause stomach pain, it does not usually cause diarrhea.
A: Note if you have been around someone with strep throat. Consider how quickly the illness came on. Check your temperature. Pay attention to any headaches. Monitor any digestive symptoms. Take fatigue into account. Look for a rash. Note any absent symptoms.

Q: An anti-inflammatory diet stresses whole foods (preferably organic), complex carbohydrates, and foods with lots of nutrients like lean proteins and healthy fats. Many doctors recommend an anti-inflammatory diet which has been shown to reverse obesity and Type 2 diabetes. Controlling your blood pressure by changing your diet is one of the best ways to reverse insulin resistance. Improvements in your diet can prevent pre-diabetes, diabetes, hyperglycemia, and obesity. Limit the chemicals and extra sugars and fats that are usually added to processed food. Instead, try to eat natural or simply prepared foods. Cook from scratch as often as possible and choose organic foods to avoid chemicals. If you're pressed for time, remember you can prepare the basics (like rice, beans or meats) ahead of time and freeze them. Or, you can cook meals in a crock pot or slow cooker. Since little is known about what chemicals may do to an individual, you should avoid them if you're trying to reverse insulin resistance. At least 90 to 95% of the carbohydrates you eat should be complex. These molecules are more complicated than simple carbohydrates, so they take longer for your body to break down. This can help regulate your blood sugar. Try to eat most of your complex carbohydrates at lunch and cut down on the portion sizes for other meals. Complex carbohydrates are found in whole, unprocessed foods like:  Whole grains Peas Lentils Beans Vegetables Read food labels to determine how much sugar is in a food and try to avoid processed foods which often contain added sugars that aren't listed. Over-eating sugars like glucose, sucrose, fructose, and high fructose corn syrup can increase your risk for Type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease and obesity. Sugar by itself does not cause diabetes, but drinking more sugar-filled beverages for example is linked to higher blood sugar levels and to an increased risk of Type 2 diabetes. Research shows that increasing your insoluble fiber intake along with whole grains can reduce your risk of developing Type 2 diabetes. Good sources of fiber include brans, beans, berries, whole grains, vegetables, and seeds. Some fiber like flaxseeds also contains a good amount of omega-3 fatty acids. To help you get into the habit, try adding one tablespoon of ground flaxseeds at every meal. Keep pre-ground flaxseeds in your freezer or use a coffee grinder to grind your own flaxseeds to keep them from getting rancid. Eat fish and skinless poultry which are good sources of protein. When picking fish, look for wild-caught fish like salmon, cod, haddock, and tuna. These are good sources of omega-3 fatty acids that your body needs. They're also anti-inflammatory. Try to limit red meats and skin from poultry. These can be high in animal fat and may be higher in added hormones and antibiotics. Don't think that you have to avoid fruits because they're sweet. You should actually a variety of fruits and vegetables to get nutrients your body needs. Since the sugars in fruit are combined with the fiber, your body will slowly absorb the sugar. Try to eat fruits and vegetables with the peel so you get more fiber and select fresh versions instead of dried produce (which has higher sugar concentrations). You should also increase the amount of water you drink. The Institute of Medicine recommends that you drink 1 to 2 liters or about 6 to 8 eight-ounce glasses of water a day.
A:
Follow an anti-inflammatory diet to potentially reverse insulin resistance. Avoid processed foods because they’re often high in sugar. Eat more complex carbohydrates to help regulate your blood sugar. Reduce your sugar intake to manage your blood sugar. Include more fiber to lower your risk of type 2 diabetes. Choose lean meats and fish to meet your protein needs. Eat more fruits and vegetables to boost your nutrient intake.