Making Family Understand Your Diabtic Life is Sometimes Worse Than Testing Yourself Daily

Well as you know by now I am a full fledged Diabetic with Complications.  I am sure it is no surprise that daily I am fighting with issues to keep them in check.

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

More-specific signs of diabetic ketoacidosis — which can be detected through home blood and urine testing kits — include:

• High blood sugar level (hyperglycemia)
• High ketone levels in your urine

Source:
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

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.

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. 

Work out The all over Medicine for Diabetes

I know that the cartoon image up above may seem a little on the harsh side, but being diabetic I have learned one thing and that is without exercise we risk much more than just high blood sugar. 

Diabetes brings with it much more for us to be concerned about, like Heart Disease, Kidney Disease, Liver Disease, and a broad range of Brain, Eye, and Nerve issues.  Circulation and getting blood flow and Oxygen to our vital organs and lower extremities is key to better health and saving our lives as Diabetics. 

Taking the time to at least get 30 minutes of exercise a day can better your chances of  lowering your Blood Glucose levels, keeping blood flow to your legs and feet, making your Heart stronger and aids in better and Liver function.  It is even better if you can put in an 60 minutes a day.  But if you can not find the time then 30 minutes is standard.

Walking of course is one of the best exercises for Diabetics.  It is low impact and brings great results for our Blood Glucose levels.

"George Griffing, MD, professor of endocrinology at the Saint Louis University School of Medicine says that small bouts of exercise per day is fine.  He says that as long as they equal to 30 minutes a day it will work. "

Source:   http://www.health.com/health/gallery/0,,20425548_2,00.html

It is important that Diabetics maintain movement and keep that oxygen and blood flowing throughout our bodies.  We should try to increase any type of activity that we would normally do, such as housework, or walking up and down our stairs.  Any type of exercise that will get that heart pumping.  Be sure you connect with your physician before you begin an exercise program to be sure it is safe for you.

I have used a pedometer for about 3 years now.  I had a mild Heart Attack in 2010 and since then have relied upon my pedometer to make sure I am getting enough steps in per day.  I was recommended 10,000 steps to equal five miles. This can make your Blood Pressure lower,  and lower your Blood Glucose and Cholesterol.

It is also important at the time to consider what caloric intake you have.  Keep yourself a daily journal there are applications you can put on your smart phone to keep track of your calories and how many proteins, fats, and carbohydrates your calories equal. You can also use programs on your computer to do the same as well as a regular notebook and do a handwritten one.  The Application I use on my Android Phone is :  My Diet Diary by GE healthymagination.  You can find this app on Google App Store
Find more Information out @ http://www.medhelp.org 




Source:  http://www.webmd.com/depression/guide/exercise-depression


Source:  Fifteen tips for Diabetic Exercise

What a wonderful source of happiness.  It is so much safer and better than pain medications and sleep medications.  It is also much better than us having to take medications for Depression and Anxiety Disorders.  Side affects of Chemicals can damage our bodies, but with exercise we are okay for better ways in which our bodies handle stress and sleeplessness.  The benefits of exercise outweigh the alternatives of no exercise.  Happier, Healthier, and alive.

Together we as Diabetics must keep the conversations happening.  We need the information and communication that can get us healthier and keep us strong.  If you would like to write a blog post information or have an idea or comment or question please contact me at:  diabetic.day2013@gmail.com