Diabetes -- Taking Control: Will the Real Diabetes Enemy Stand Up and Step Out...

Diabetes -- Taking Control: Will the Real Diabetes Enemy Stand Up and Step Out...: "When there is no enemy within, the enemies outside cannot hurt you." ~ An African Proverb As a person living with type 2 diabetes...

Will the Real Diabetes Enemy Stand Up and Step Out!

"When there is no enemy within, the enemies outside cannot hurt you."

~ An African Proverb

As a person living with type 2 diabetes and a professional diabetes educator, I am always saddened to read or hear other people living with diabetes state that they feel so despondent.  Diabetes, like any other chronic illness, is only an enemy if you choose to let it control your life.  The goal of diabetes health is to prevent, delay or minimize diabetes-related complications - i.e., blindness, kidney disease, loss of legs/feet, heart disease, stroke, nerve damage, digestive problems, sexual dysfunction, etc.  Don't be a victim.  Don't choose to live in your future reminiscing 10-20 years backwards into your past, regretting the decisions that you make now at this present moment.   (Remember the choices that you make about your diabetes health today affects your future health).  Choose wisely by choosing to control your health.  Choosing to control health in diabetes is choosing to do whatever is necessary to control your blood sugar, blood pressure and cholesterol.  Diabetes does not require perfection but it does require healthy changes.  For some people this means taking one or more daily medications or injections.  For others this means healthier meal choices or exercising and/or weight loss.  Or, it may mean to control and minimize the stressors in your life.  So what if you have to take medications everyday?  Your goal is to live and thrive so every time you swallow a pill or inject yourself with medication then look towards the heavens and say "thank you God for a healthy heart"  or "thank you Lord for my healthy and functional kidneys" or simply say "thanks (whomever) for allowing me life again today to share with my family and friends".  After all, most of us would take whatever daily medications/injections (or make whatever lifestyle changes) necessary in order to survive if diagnosed with cancer or another chronic disease so why not with diabetes.  Lastly, forget the naysayers and finger pointers.  Remember that the measures to control one person's diabetes may be ineffective for another and vice versa so work closely with your health care provider(s) and health care team(s) to discuss your own personal overall health.  We are all in this together so stand tall, slap the diabetes devil off of your back, and let's do this!  Peace!

"He who conquers others is strong;
he who conquers himself is mighty." 
~ Lao-Tzu 

Type 2 Diabetes - An Imperfect Disease

"What are my options? I don't have any, so I have to work 

with what I have, with what they are going to give me, 

and then I have to help myself. 

~ Tony Flores, DiabetesHealth.com

Diabetes is an imperfect disease that imperfect people imperfectly try to manage.  The following link takes you to Tony's story from DiabetesHealth.com.  Tony gives a realistic view of what it is like to live with diabetes.  What I love about Tony's story is his realistic reminder that people living with diabetes will have rough, imperfect moments but they can get back on track with a positive attitude and a change in diet, exercise, weight loss, and (when needed) medication.  Tony also reminds health care providers of the importance of explaining to patients in simple frank terms the complications that can occur when diabetes is not under good control instead of repeatedly asking patients to take medications and make lifestyle changes without explanations. Lastly, Tony reminds health care providers that encouragement in small changes toward management of blood sugar control carry a lot of weight in helping patients continue to improve their health.  I only know you through your story Tony but thanks for sharing a part of your life as you seek to live perfectly with such an imperfect disease!

http://www.diabeteshealth.com/read/2011/03/15/7087/type-2-profile-tony-flores/#commentpost

"People have to be explained about diabetes. There's got to be someone who will tell you what's going to happen if you don't do what you're supposed to do. They can't just tell you, ‘Okay, this is the medicine. Take it and you'll be okay.' No. You have to let them know that there is something else behind it, that they're going to die if they don't change. A lot of people that I know, they tell me, ‘Oh Tony, I don't know how you manage. I've been trying hard, and I'm still at 300." Meanwhile, they're drinking soda. They are still just playing with the idea. Diabetes doesn't make you feel anything. There's no pain until they tell you, ‘Okay, that's it, you are done, the game's over.' You don't want that. You have to let people know in advance, ‘This is what's going to happen, and when it is happening, it will be too late: We're not going to be able to help you."  ~ Tony Flores

Meal Planning To Right Or Create Your Plate

Healthy eating is an essential treatment for blood sugar control.  Contrary to popular belief, there is no diabetic diet.  People with diabetes are encouraged to eat healthy meals with a combination of foods from all food groups.  Many meal plans are available to assist people with diabetes to plan healthy meals.  Do you find carbohydrate counting to difficult?  Are you unsure of how to stick to a healthy meal plan when eating out and away from home?  One of the most simple ways to stick to a healthy meal is to use the plate method to "right" or "create" your plate.  The following video from the American Diabetes Association demonstrates an easy way to structure your foods on your plate so that you can enjoy a healthy, nutritious meal without worrying about counting carbs, remembering the glycemic index of foods, or remembering service sizes for food exchanges. 

For more information on meal planning visit http://visionsofcontrol.com/HealthyMealPlanning.aspx

Diabetes, Intimacy, and Sexual Dysfunction

Sex and intimacy is an important part of any relationship and "problems in the bedroom" can wreck havoc on relationships. Women may experience problems such as vaginal dryness, frequent yeast infections, vaginal pain, and a lack of sexual desire. Men may experience lack of desire and/or erectile dysfunction. Sex is not only a physical act, it is also an emotional, intimate connection that bind couples together. If you are experiencing sexual dysfunction you may feel depressed, embarrassed, and alienated and may find it difficult to openly approach your health care provider to discuss these issues. But your sexual health is a part of your overall health and your health care provider is readily available to discuss your problems or prepared to refer you to the appropriate resources to get the assistance that you need for your problems. A few key issues that will probably be screened/discussed in your conversation with your health care provider are:

• Depression
• Stress
• Blood sugar control
• Blood pressure control
• Medications, particularly blood pressure medications.  You may benefit from a change in medication or a change in dose.

Following are 3 videos that discuss sexual dysfunction:

1. Erectile dysfuntion


2. Female Sexuality


3. Sex, Intimacy, and Diabetes

If you are experiencing challenges with intimacy and sexual dysfunction then I encourage you to speak with your health care provider today. Take care.

Bittersweet

Diabetes can sometimes feel self-defeating because it seems too overwhelming to do all of the "right" things every single day to keep the blood sugar, blood pressure and cholesterol under good control.  But like the  videos below emphasize, if you believe in yourself and don't give up, your victory will be bittersweet.  Take a moment to exhale then breathe in the inspirational messages in the 2 videos below.  If you are feeling defeated reach out to your health care team TODAY and always, always, always ... believe in yourself and think control!

Code Red Alert

Why Aren't Physicians Being Trained to Treat Diabetes
(click on article to open link and read article)

The article "Why Aren't Physicians Being Trained to Treat Diabetes" is a code red alert for anyone with diabetes.  If we can't trust health care providers to have the knowledge and skills to treat people with diabetes then who do we trust?  When patients challenge me and make comments about what their doctors did or did not say or do I address their concerns and I also politely respond "you are your own best advocate".  I am in no way making excuses for physicians or any health care provider to not be knowledgeable about treatment for diabetes but there is a wealth of information available for patients with diabetes, even for patients with low literary comprehensive skills.  Diabetes is a multi-faceted disease and require skills beyond physician management.  Learning self-care management skills is also an important aspect of diabetes care.  Health care has changed and it is not always for the better so be proactive.  If your physician does not know how to treat your diabetes then find another physician.  Also, attend a diabetes education class every 3-5 years, attend a local diabetes conference, join the American Diabetes Association or at least access their website for free, join a diabetes support group, ASK for a referral to a dietitian and a Certified Diabetes Educator, etc., etc.  In other words, don't let a physician or any health care provider be a barrier to your care because if you do, you alone may be the one to suffer the ill-fated consequences of poor diabetes control.  Take care of yourself and be proactive so that you will live a long, healthy, comfortable life.  Peace!