What's up With Being So Tired...Sleepless in Diabetes.

As a Diabetic I find that I am extremely tired out.  I am a not sure that it is not from a couple other health issues I have but for sure I know part of it is my Diabetes.  I'm Yawning right now as I do this blog. 

I was reading a couple of forums and the answers to that very questions, "Why am I so tired all the time?"  Many different answers from a lack of exercise to coming down from the high glucose levels.
Some even going so far as to say there is a lack of vitamins B-12, B-6 etc.  The one thing it really didn't even mention was depression.  This came from several diabetics and a couple of pre-diabetics.

Depression comes along with Diabetes.  I do know though that exercise does help fight depression and so does proper diet and nutrition. 

In addition, high blood glucose can cause fatigue through inflammation. Blood vessels get inflamed by the sugar. When this happens, according to new research, immune cells called monocytes come into the brain, causing fatigue. 
Source:  http://www.diabetesselfmanagement.com/Blog/David-Spero/what-causes-diabetes-fatigue/

Depression, Stress, Diet are other things that have some bearing on weather or not your fatigue is actually caused by Diabetes, or if your Diabetes are causing issues with these things.

Depression is very common with diabetes. Most depressed people feel fatigued, even if they don’t feel sad. Even at low levels, depression can sap your motivation. Why get up? You can take a free test to see if you are depressed here.

Too much carbohydrate — especially refined carbs — can make anyone tired, especially with diabetes
Source:  http://www.diabetesselfmanagement.com/Blog/David-Spero/what-causes-diabetes-fatigue/

I'm sure by now you are realizing that there are many things related to or caused by Diabetes that can cause fatigue.  I hope that understanding some of these things will help you to understand more about why you may be feeling tired and then solving the issue of your tiredness or at least lessen it. 

I hope you will share this blog with your friends and family and that each one of us as a member of the Diabetic communities around the world can share information so that we can get healthier and feel better. 

If you are interested in being a guest blogger or if you have questions or information you wish to share please contact me @ diabetic.day2013@Gmail.com or  @DiabeticDay on Twitter or on Facebook at Gwen Johnsons Diabetic Day. 

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Im Living With a Killer...it's Name Diabetes

So I am wondering how you really feel about your Diabetes?  When I was diagnosed with it I really didn't take it as serious as I should have, maybe that was because what I knew about diabetes I sure didn't see it as a killer.  Boy was I wrong! 

The thing about Diabetes isn't the fact that most of us die from the disease it's the fact that most of us who die from having Diabetes die because of the complications associated with the Disease.  That is why learning and communication and management of the disease is so important.  Getting a good knowledge base of what the complications are and how to treat each one is a key factor to how long of a survival rate you will have as a diabetic.  Listening to your healthcare professional asking questions and doing the best we can to care for our disease.

Recently there was a video that was put out on you tube by the International Diabetes Federation.  It is a harsh reality because it expresses the idea that Diabetes is a Killer.  Well, in my opinion it is.  Diabetes affects whatever part of the body it chooses to.  Most of the time it interferes with heart health, circulation, brain and kidneys, liver and skin.  These are all major parts of major systems in our bodies.  Once again if not managed Diabetes can kill you from its complications.  I am sharing this video here on my blog in hopes that it can gain a better understanding and wont be criticized as much.  If we really take a look at our disease it has the potential to do very bad things to our bodies along with an end through dying from complications. 

The thing is we need to continue to share and talk and campaign and work as hard as we can as a community to get noticed about the problems across the globe with Diabetes.  It is one of the most serious diseases that is growing more and more rapidly.  We must educate on healthy foods and better nutrition, as well as better health care for many with Diabetes who are under the poverty levels or those who are aged without having proper medications and health care that they need.  I'm wondering if you will let me know your thoughts on this video and also there will be a new video they want to ban regarding Diabetes killing us at alarming rates. 

I hope you will find time to share this information, and to join us in the community of care givers, family and diabetics to help keep knowledge flowing and keep the conversation open. 

If you have any ideas for a blog or would like to be a guest writer for this blog or if you have questions or something you would like to share you can find us @ #DiabeticDay and diabetic.day2013@gmail.com.

Sex and the Diabetic, No it's not a Movie it's Real Talk

Lets face it having Diabetes takes away the hey babe ya wanna excitement.  It isn't that you don't want to, more like your urges might not be there as they were before.  Sometimes you just become depressed and other times your medication or complications can play a part in why you don't want some. 

Each of these factors can play a part in what is physiologically happening inside of your body and to your emotions and mental state.  Take for instance Depression.  Often in Depression you feel as though your tired and sad and things just are not worth the effort if you can even find enough energy to make an effort.  You may be sleepy and want to sleep much of the time and things that used to be fun and exciting may no longer make you feel the same way. 

If you are taking medications for your Diabetes and it's complications often the medications have side affects so make sure to read them or ask your Pharmacist about the side affects.  Talk to your doctor and let him or her know what is going on with you.  Heart medications can interrupt things in the body, and Diabetic Neuropathy affects many part of your body including female and male parts.  Sensation that would create feelings to help are often just nil or non existant.  Blood flow is often slowed down because of damage done to the cardiovascular issues that Diabetics often deal with from complications of the disease making it harder to obtain erections for men and stimulation to the clitoral area for women.

It isn't something you really want to talk about very often as a Diabetic, but it is a very real thing that happens to many of us.  It is a sensitive subject but one you need to speak about to your spouse and to your health care professionals.  There are numerous things that you can do for yourself and things that you can do for each other.  Doctors also have some things they can discuss with you.  Don't be afraid to discuss your Sex Life with your spouse and your healthcare professional, great things can be accomplished to help the situation.

I am going to post some really good information regarding this and remember it isn't just because someone has no need for it or want but that there can be many things affecting the why's of  Diabetes interrupting yours or a spouses sex life.

Evidence of Neuropathy in your feet may mean that nerves in other parts of your body are affected as well, possibly affecting your sexual functioning.
Source:  http://www.diabetesselfmanagement.com/articles/sexual-health/when-diabetes-affects-your-sex-life/all/

There’s a lot you can do on your own, too, to improve your sex life, whether you are able to actually change your physical functioning or simply learn new ways to enjoy what you have. 
Source:  http://www.diabetesselfmanagement.com/articles/sexual-health/when-diabetes-affects-your-sex-life/all/

10 sex tips for Diabetics
http://healthyliving.msn.com/diseases/diabetes/10-sex-tips-for-diabetics

Sexual problems in women are also common although not always reported. It is estimated that one third of women may have problems with sexual desire, vaginal dryness, and the ability to reach orgasm.

 Sexual problems in men with diabetes are common with over half of men being impacted. Age and the progression of the disease both increase the risk of erectile dysfunction and low testosterone, the two most common sexual health issues.

Source:  http://healthpages.org/self-care/sex-diabetes/

There are things we as Diabetics can do to help ourselves get through a difficult period in our Disease, but remember the Disease doesn't just affect us it affects our mates as well.  Talking a direct communication with your mate will make it easier to find solutions and answers to these all to often common issues Diabetics have with Sex.  Keep open communication flowing it will help resolve any issues you may be having in your relationship.

There are so many great articles out there.  Just open up your web browser and ask the questions.  It will have several answers for you but most of them are very common facts and will answer your questions quite well.  Don't forget to speak to your healthcare professional, ask if they are comfortable in discussing the physical aspects of what your Disease may be creating for you, if not ask them if they have suggestions on who to speak to about it.  The only questions that are not good questions are those that don't get asked.

If you have comments or a blog Idea, if you have a subject you want to discuss or just a question please feel free to connect with me at diabetic.day2013@gmail.com.  Together we can make us knowledgeable about our Diabetes and we can share and help each other in our journey. 

Difficult Diabetic Days.

So many times I have had bad days.  I have woke up and felt very bad, in the middle of the day or playing with the grandson the bottom drops out on me and I end up with low blood sugars.  I can't think right, making choices or decisions at that point it's probably the hardest thing in the world because I can't get my brain to work.What the worst is, when it happens in the middle of the night and no one but me is awake.

I hate it when I run into walls, or am dizzy and it feels like I have been on a two day drunk. What happens if you think you have eaten enough carbs for lunch and realize that the exercise of cleaning house has used up the carbs and the proteins are fast to break down, then you get close enough for Diabetic Shock.

I had a mild heart attack in 2010 and didn't even know I was having one.  I went to the doctors and of course I was placed on high blood pressure medication and a cholesterol pill.  It was mild I only had to take the bare amounts of each.  That was 3 years ago and now I am being upped because I am having a difficult time keeping them in check or maintained.  So I am working on a higher dose of each, added a cardiologist to my doctors plans and a neurologist now as well.

I guess you never really can understand what others go thru until you experience it yourself.  I know it may sound like complaining but really its not.  I do have to make others realize what it feels like to the best of my ability, and that would be through my personal experiences.

Everyday and Night something is happening to me as a Diabetic.  In the morning I am usually so dizzy it is difficult to walk because I stumble into walls.  My sugar is usually at about 174- 202 waking no matter what I chose to do before bed.  In the middle of the night my sugar wakes me either with the shakes and the excessive pounding of a rapid heart rate or having to get up in the middle of the night from either urinating or leg and feet cramps nightly.  In the day my blurred vision is making it difficult to see things, and if I want to spend time doing things I have to always remember I can make my sugar drop by over doing it.  If I don't do it then it raises high.  I have medication all throughout the day, and I have to remember to eat on time, snack on time, and wear shoes all the time.  I have burned myself on the stove many times and I do not feel a thing, yet sometimes I end up with peeling skin from the burns.

 http://howmed.net/pathology/diagnostic-criteria-and-complications-of-diabetes-mellitus/

Can you believe that those things are only a drop in the bucket when it comes to Diabetic Difficulties or Medical Issues that I have living with Diabetes and so do so many others.  The thing I hate the most though is when I cant remember things and they could be small, or large.  I have learned to make notes for myself and do things right then and there.  I hate it when people say to me, "Oh that's okay don't worry about it, you will remember later then you can tell me."  Not true!  If I do it is days or weeks or Months.    I'm tired because it is always so up and down with me even though I do whatever I can to keep it regular, my Diabetes hates me.

Each Day is a challenge a struggle, but I am alive and willing to learn and review and share so others can know what we go through so we can come together as a community.  Remember if you are not Diabetic that it is a very difficult Disease and it is not always curable by losing weight sometimes its in the genes.  It affects your Brain, your Heart, your Eyes, your Kidneys, your Liver, your Pancreas, your Gallbladder, your Skin, your Thyroid and so much more.

I would love to know your stories.  I would love to share your living and your work with your disease or that of those you take care of.  If you would like to share or have something to offer, please connect with me @diabetic.day2013@gmail.com.  Together we can help make things better through communication and information.