Warning Signs of Diabetes

 I found this article on Facebook.  Don't we find everything on Facebook these days?  It's a good article, though, with some good information.  Here is the link to the article, in case you want to read it yourself.  I copied  and pasted.

 

 Ten Early Symptoms of Type 2 Diabetes To Watch For

Diabetes can creep up without a sound, and start interfering with your body before you realize that anything is happening. In fact, millions of people have diabetes without realizing it, and many will go so long without treatment that they experience permanent damage to their organs and tissues.
But in other cases, there are some subtle yet unmistakable warning signs that your pancreas may be compromised, your insulin response is not working, and your blood sugar is out of control. If you know you have some risk factors for type 2 diabetes, it’s important to keep an eye out for these early markers of insulin resistance.

 1. Intense Thirst

If you find you’re drinking more water without a good explanation for your thirst – or an end to it – you might be in the early stages of diabetes. Typically, an insatiable thirst goes hand-in-hand with frequent urination: your kidneys begin to work overtime in order to rid your body of the extra glucose, which leads to lots of bathroom trips, more thirst, and more water intake.
This cycle can continue for some time before other symptoms begin to show up, so if you notice that your bladder is getting you up in the middle of the night on a regular basis, it’s important to consult your doctor and probably have your blood sugar tested.

2. Weight Loss

Gaining too much weight can put you at risk for diabetes, but losing a lot of weight quickly could mean you’ve developed diabetes. Sudden and extreme weight loss (10 to 20 pounds in the course of a few months) happens when your insulin fails to get the glucose from your blood into your cells, and your cells go into starvation mode.
Without the glucose they need to function properly, they begin to drain protein from the muscles to use for fuel, causing you to lose weight. Since your kidneys are also working faster to get rid of the glucose, your body will lose water weight and expend more energy, which leads to a calorie deficit.

3. Fatigue

Like many other early symptoms of diabetes, fatigue can hit when blood glucose spirals out of control. Your energy levels are very dependent on a steady blood sugar level, which keeps your cells functioning well, so you may begin to feel very tired when that level shoots up or dips down.
Once again, ineffective insulin is to blame: it can’t get the glucose into your cells, so your tissues don’t get the energy they need, and you feel tired and lethargic. Although fatigue could hit any time, diabetics often get tired after meals, especially when there is a lot of carbohydrate involved.

4. Itchy Skin

Diabetes is a systemic disease, which means it eventually affects every organ in the body, including the skin. Chronic itch (especially on or around the genitals) can point to poor circulation – a hallmark of type 2 diabetes. But there are other skin issues to watch out for as well, like a darkening of the skin around the neck and armpits (acanthosis nigricans), bacterial infections, and changes in the texture or appearance of an area of skin. In fact, over 30% of type 2 diabetics will suffer from a skin complication related to their diabetes.

5. Slow-Healing Wounds

Cuts, scrapes, or bruises that take a long time to heal are also indicative of circulation problems brought on by diabetes. When high glucose levels go on untreated, blood vessels are damaged and blood has a difficult time reaching the site of the injury to create a scab and then build scar tissue.
When the blood cells can’t do their work, wounds will remain open and exposed, and that can set the stage for bacterial and fungal infections. If you notice that your little cuts and abrasions aren’t healing as quickly as they once did, it’s time to see your doctor – don’t wait for an infection to set in, which could complicate things very fast.

6. Gum Problems

If you have red, swollen, or receding gums, there could be more than dental hygiene to blame. High blood glucose levels can prevent blood from circulating well through your gums, plus it can hinder your natural defenses against oral germs and bacteria.
Gum disease brought on by diabetes isn’t necessarily painful; bad breath, loose teeth, high gums, and changes in your bite alignment can all point to a major blood glucose problem. The relationship goes the other way, too – gum disease can make diabetes harder to control, so any painful or visible changes to your teeth and gums warrant some more investigation.

7. Blurred Vision

In diabetes, high blood sugar can drain fluids from every part of your body, including the eyes. Once the lenses of your eyes dry out, you may lose your ability to focus, and you’ll find that your vision begins to blur. Luckily, the blurred field of vision, flashes, and spots of light will likely disappear once your blood sugar returns to normal, but if your blood glucose continues to go uncontrolled, new blood vessels can begin to form in the back of the retina. When these new blood vessels begin to damage your existing blood vessels, they can permanently affect your vision, and in the worst cases, lead to blindness.

8. Numbness and Tingling

Nerve problems are a common consequence of diabetes, and they typically hit the arms, hands, legs, and feet. It could be a feeling of pins-and-needles, or else a mild burning or restlessness (sometimes with swelling), but any ongoing changes in sensation could point to nerve damage, especially when you have any other symptoms of diabetes.
If you visit your doctor soon after you notice the tingling or numbness, they will likely be able to help you reverse the discomfort; blood glucose levels that are left uncontrolled for a long time can lead to permanent and painful nerve damage.

9. Frequent Infections

Open wounds will eventually attract bacteria, but diabetics are prone to other sorts of infections, too. Women who suffer from diabetes are more likely to contract vaginal yeast infections, because a surplus of glucose compromises their immune system, and the delicate balance of natural flora and bacteria. Since fungi and bacteria thrive in a sugar-rich environment, and moisture helps them easily spread to nearby areas, a yeast infection can quickly lead to a urinary tract or bladder infection. Pay attention to itching, burning or tenderness in this area, and report any worries right away.

10. Hunger

When the pancreas continues to produce insulin but fails to transfer the glucose out of the blood, you’re left with a very high insulin level and volatile blood glucose levels. Your blood sugar will begin to soar and plummet in unpredictable waves, and your excess of insulin could leave you feeling hungry even after you’ve just finished a meal. When your blood glucose levels fall (for instance, after your kidneys have rid your body of the glucose), it confuses your brain, which then sends out hunger signals, hoping to get your body to take in more calories.
Many symptoms of diabetes can point to other health issues, or maybe nothing serious at all. However, early treatment can make a huge difference in prognosis, so don’t take any changes in your body lightly. See your doctor for a simple blood sugar test to make sure everything is functioning well; in the least, you’ll have reassurance and motivation to keep on a healthy track, and in the worst case scenario, you will be able to start treatment and limit the effects and discomforts that diabetes brings.

Diabetes and me........ ....sigh.....

 

I was diagnosed with Diabetes in 2001.  I was at the doctor's office because I had not been feeling well, to say the least.  I had been feeling really crummy, in fact.  The doctor drew labs and did an EKG, and told me the only thing wrong with me was that I was diabetic.  That's all he told me.  Literally "You're diabetic.  Go on a diabetic diet."  No referrals, no information on what a diabetic diet was, no handout, just "Go on a diabetic diet."  Not even how many calories a day!  He did write me a prescription for Actos, but that was it.  The Actos was not good for me.  My blood sugar dropped a lot.  We later tried Starlix, which, again, was not good for me.  These are both great meds, but they didn't work for me.  Later, a different doctor put me on Glucovance, which is a combination of Metformin and Glyburide.  This worked pretty well for me for a while.  Now, I am Insulin Dependent.  It is a journey.  It is a journey that will not end any time soon.  It is frustrating and sometimes downright hard.  I hate Diabetes.

 

 What has frustrated me the most about this journey is the lack of information I came up against.  This was 2001, fairly early in the internet game.  I could just plug something into a search engine back then.  Not everyone had internet.  Not only that, I am of a certain age.  In 2001, I was forty, and learning this whole internet thing was a challenge.  I didn't grow up in the internet generation.  The doctor said "Go on a diabetic diet."  What, exactly, is a diabetic diet.  Is there just one?  How do I know whom to trust?  Who do I call for this information?  And how do I frankly afford the information?  I was a stay-at-home mother with very, VERY limited resources.  I looked for a book, and found a couple that were very little help.  Where could I turn?  

So here's what I'm going to do.  I am going to share all the information I have found.  I am going to search out more information.  I am going to use this blog, among other things, to share this information.  I will read books, look online, meet with nutritionists and diabetic educators, and found out everything I can about how to deal with diabetes.  Then, I will post it.  Follow me in my journey.  Maybe we can all learn something together.  And feel free to comment, and share and information or sources of information, or questions you may have.  I'll try my best to find the answer.

November, come to find out, is Diabetes Awareness Month.  Who knew?  I didn't know. 

What a wonderful son I have....

This is my sweet son, Jon.  He was about six here, I believe.  He's a kind, considerate young man.  He loves to help others.  Jon at twenty is the same kind, giving young man he was as a little boy.

I'm remembering a story about that little boy today.  We were at a park, and the kids were swinging and sliding, doing all the things little boys do.  I was sitting on a little hillside watching them.  There was another little boy in the playground area, and another mother a few feet away from me on the little hillside.    Suddenly that other little boy started crying.  Jon grabbed him by the hand and said, "Here, go to your Mommy."  The other mother said, "No, don't come to me!  Go play!"  Jon stopped in shock, and you could see it all over his sweet little face.   That's okay, though, he quickly recovered, and just changed his path, saying "Go to my Mommy.  She'll help you."  I kind of looked at the other mother, because I didn't know if she would object.  She went back to whatever it was she was doing.  I soothed both boys. 

I just remember this as one example of my son's kindness.  He's always sharing what he has.  That day, he shared his Mommy.  It was, to me, an example of how Jon reaches out to others.  He does it easily, without thinking.  

Another day not so long ago, Jon and I were at Barnes & Noble when a young man with a trolley full of books did something that made him spill the books.  Jon and I were talking close by, but Jon jumped right in to help that young man pick up all those books, stacking them nicely on the trolley.  

This just illustrates how wonderful my son is.  I know God is going to use Jon in a mighty, mighty way some day.  I can't wait to see what that is. 

Houston!

Since I have last been blogging regularly, I have moved to Houston.  I was in the Austin area, then I thought I wanted to move back to Nashville, but that didn't work out.  My sons stayed in Texas, and I just didn't want to be that far from them, so here I am.  Funny thing.  I really like Houston, even more than Austin, though I like Austin.

 I love the beach!  Galveston is just a little over an hour drive from my home, so I go on a whim.  There's more than just the beach in Galveston, but the beach is the big draw for me.  There's another quieter beach down the road, too, called Surfside.

Houston has great parks, and a lot of them.  It's also a great city if you happen to play PokemonGo. Ha!

Houston has great museums, and you can get in for free on Thursdays.  These  were taken at the Museum of Fine Art.

I went and saw Wicked at the Hobby Center a few weeks ago.  It was fabulous!

And, of course, it's the fourth largest city in the U.S.  There is shopping, entertainment, anything you want  or need.  Yes, I really like Houston.  It's a great place to live.
 

I've discovered a new hobby.

 

    I'm a crafty person. By that, I mean I love crafts. I like to try new things.  Craft stores are some of my favorite places to shop.  

I've discovered a new hobby.  For years, I've admired my sisters' art talents.  It seemed that was a gift that had passed me by.  Then one day, I was out shopping and saw a shop called "Painting With A Twist".  Have y'all heard of these ?  They're all over. I looked them up online, and I got to thinking I might could do this.  After all, a few years back, I painted some Christmas ornaments, and they were pretty cute.  I mean, you don't have to  be Picasso.  When I look at some of the artwork on my walls, they're not advanced artwork, but they look really nice.  So I thought I'd give it a go.  

      

This pretty lady above is my version of a painting I saw online, I believe she was a project at one of the Painting With A Twist shops.  She's darling, I think.  She's ready to go out dancing.  I haven't decided where I'll hang her yet.

 

 This pretty dancer was another something I saw online, and I think it was also something that had been done at Painting  With A Twist.  I tried her, and I really like the way she turned out.  I like pictures of dancers.  They always look so joyful.

This little birdie was inspired by a plate  I saw at Hobby Lobby.  Cute, yes?

So I'm really enjoying this!  Maybe I have a little talent.  Or heck, maybe anyone can paint!  

I'm telling you, I have found a lot of great teachers on youtube.  I watch a lot of videos.  Look up theartsherpa, Painting With Jane, Ginger Cook, Clive5Art.... those are just a few.  They give good lessons for beginners and more advanced artists.  I like Giner so much I joined her online academy. 

A Castle! I've found me a castle!

I spend a lot of time on Realtor.com, because I dream of buying a house.  Sometimes I dream of a million dollar house, sometimes I dream of something more affordable for someone like me.  You know, a working class single lady.  Whatever. This house caught my attention today.

  
It's a castle, I do declare!  It's a castle.  I mean, look at it.  See that round tower on the side?  I mean, how castle is that?  All it lacks is a moat, right?  I mean, this is Houston.  How hard would it be to catch a couple of alligators?

  Now see here.  You walk into your castle you look to the left.....  yep, that looks very castle-y.  Maybe even a bit dungeonesque.... 

Uh-huh!  The queen is in the counting-house, meeting with the royal lawyer, counting out her money.  She sit's in her throne.  She has her choice.  There is more than one.

 The balcony.  How very Juliet.  That's right.  That's me.  Juliet. 

I included this picture only because, well, it's interesting, isn't it?  The stools, well, zebras.  The cabbage on the walls.... well, there you have it.

The breakfast room.  Pretty, yes.  For eating bread and honey.  Biscuits.  With honey.  Whatever.

This is a closet for a queen, no?  Jules would love this closet.

Very, um, interesting.  I like it.  I do.  I like it.  It's in the castle.

This. Is where you cook outside.  Very... very, yes?  I might be overwhelmed by this.  I could handle it, though.

There you go.  The pool.  Because you have to have a pool.  For royal bathing, you know?  It's hot in the summer.  The pool boy will make sure the royal alligators stay out of the pool. 

Now.  Don't you want this?  And get this.  This castle costs a mere million dollars.  Oh, yes, you read that right.  Just a million.  One.  One million.  For a castle.  Grab your  checkbook!