I wanted to write about this subject because I know that many families and friends and co-workers, bosses etc., don't understand the whole package of living with this lovely Disease, Diabetes. I want to share with you how I feel, and what I think needs to happen for the PEOPLE in our lives to really get it.
I love my husband, I love my children, and my friends, but sometimes when things are going crazy for me they do not really get it. I feel that I have to repeat things to them frequently for them to hear what I am going through, even then it seems like it doesn't sink in.
My average day is filled with trying to keep my blood sugar down and I have a problem that I am constantly trying to make sure it doesn't drop to low, or it doesn't climb to high. Either of these two problems can land me into either a diabetic coma, or diabetic shock. To understand these things let me give you the medical definitions so you can understand better and share them with your loved ones.
Diabetic Coma:
A diabetic coma is a life-threatening diabetes complication that causes unconsciousness.
If you have diabetes, dangerously high blood sugar (hyperglycemia) or dangerously low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) can lead to a diabetic coma.
If you lapse into a diabetic coma, you're alive — but you can't awaken or respond purposefully to sights, sounds or other types of stimulation. Left untreated, a diabetic coma can be fatal.
The prospect of a diabetic coma is scary, but fortunately you can take steps to help prevent a diabetic coma. Start by following your diabetes treatment plan.
Source:http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/diabetic-coma/basics/definition/con-20025691
Diabetic Shock: severe hypoglycemia that is associated with the presence of excessive insulin in the system and that if left untreated may result in convulsions and progressive development of coma.
Source: http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/insulin%20shock
Signs and Symptoms:
Diabetic ketoacidosis signs and symptoms often develop quickly, sometimes within 24 hours. For some, these signs and symptoms may be the first indication of having diabetes. You may notice:
- Excessive thirst
- Frequent urination
- Nausea and vomiting
- Abdominal pain
- Weakness or fatigue
- Shortness of breath
- Fruity-scented breath
- Confusion
- High blood sugar level (hyperglycemia)
- High ketone levels in your urine
http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/diabetic-ketoacidosis/basics/symptoms/CON-20026470
As I struggle constantly to explain just the regular things we have to watch I am constantly trying to explain the complications part of the disease...why? I have them that is why. So as everyone else goes about their daily business I live with the prospect of a serious disease that could take my life in a heart beat.
I don't really think about that aspect of the disease though, because I am trying to deal with things like diabetic neuropathy, if I get cuts or scrapes, injuries to my feet or legs, cracking dry skin, dental issues, eye sight issues, kidney issues, liver and heart issues. These are just my regular everyday things I have to live with and deal with. Making your family and friends understand is hard. Especially since they don't have to deal with it in their personal physical life.
Things like stress, illness (cold, flu, viruses, infections etc..) these all affect your blood sugar, even just having a little hangnail or dry skin on hands and feet. Pressure on your feet from shoes, and socks. I have to check myself daily for nicks, cuts, scrapes, hangnails, burns, cracks in my skin on my feet, etc.
I don't really feel pain in the tips of my fingers so when I am cooking if I burn myself I really never feel it. My feet feel like I am walking on a bed of nails and there is a crazy amount of shooting pain in my toes.
You have to watch your diet daily not to much salt, protein, fats, because all of these things can damage your heart, kidneys and liver. Because your pancreas isn't working correctly and your liver isn't either because it is what breaks down your sugars, then your kidneys, filter out the things that make your body toxic, it also plays a part in your hormones, you must be careful of everything that goes into your body.
As a diabetic if you do not get proper sleep as well it can raise those sugar levels in your body making it hard to heal and also making it hard to balance your diabetic life.
Scheduling a routine of good eating habits, good medicine habits, exercise habits, and sleep habits are all helpful along with good hygiene and proper shoes and socks, wearing things that will not cause pressure sores and making sure you have no wrinkles or folds in your clothing are all really important daily practices.
So my diabetic life as many of yours is very busy and requires a lot of self care. It is important for our families and those who are a part of our daily lives to understand what we go through and what to help us watch for. If we act a little unusual or if we are confused, it is important to understand what could potentially lead to hospitalization and coma or even that D word, Death.
I am adding this article to this blog post so that you can share it and do some reading and remember there are support groups on line and in communities to help you stay on track and to help families to understand better about the disease. I encourage you to all share information because this is what helps us stay healthy and informed.
Article: List of Complications of Diabetes.
Source: http://www.livestrong.com/article/74433-list-complications-diabetes/
If any of you are interested in being a guest blogger on this blog or if you have any questions or comments regarding this blog please contact me Gwen Johnson at: diabetic.day2013@gmail.com or find me on twitter @DiabeticDay, or Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/gwen.diabeticday
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