27th June 2022
Diabetes in a post pandemic world.
What does the future hold for diabetics in a post pandemic world?
The facts we know are this! You are no more likely to catch any coronavirus, including COVID-19 than any non-diabetic. This goes for Type 1's, Type 2's, gestational diabetics, or other types. If you are unlucky enough to become infected with COVID-19 coronavirus, for most diabetics again, the virus will manifest with mild cold/flu like symptoms.
The problem for diabetics lies with those who are more vulnerable.
This includes older diabetics, diabetics with other underlying problems, sufferers with a history of diabetic problems. BMI can also be a factor as can ethnicity and, importantly, diabetics who have a tendency toward a higher blood/sugar level than is recommended.
COVID-19 is here now, and like the flu jab, we will become accustomed to having another little prick in our lives. The whole ethos of this website is about taking control of your life and your condition. This is more important than at any other time, looking after yourself and managing your diabetes must now be the most important health decision you can make. It really is 'Time To Take Control'.
Diabetes in a post pandemic world.
What does the future hold for diabetics in a post pandemic world?
The facts we know are this! You are no more likely to catch any coronavirus, including COVID-19 than any non-diabetic. This goes for Type 1's, Type 2's, gestational diabetics, or other types. If you are unlucky enough to become infected with COVID-19 coronavirus, for most diabetics again, the virus will manifest with mild cold/flu like symptoms.
The problem for diabetics lies with those who are more vulnerable.
This includes older diabetics, diabetics with other underlying problems, sufferers with a history of diabetic problems. BMI can also be a factor as can ethnicity and, importantly, diabetics who have a tendency toward a higher blood/sugar level than is recommended.
COVID-19 is here now, and like the flu jab, we will become accustomed to having another little prick in our lives. The whole ethos of this website is about taking control of your life and your condition. This is more important than at any other time, looking after yourself and managing your diabetes must now be the most important health decision you can make. It really is 'Time To Take Control'.
14th June 2022
Diabetes: The Truth
Diabetes KILLS, that is the truth. Sometimes it is difficult to give a patient such a blunt prognosis.
A lot of doctors will struggle with telling patients this stark fact, particularly if a young child is involved.
You cannot blame individual doctors for this, they have time restraints and a lot of other patients to deal with. They tell you what you need to know.
That you must monitor yours, or your child’s blood/sugar levels and maintain them at a healthy level, normally between 5mmol/L and 7mmol/L (90mg/dL and 126mg/dL), that you must watch what you or child eats, at every mealtime. That you or child must exercise regularly and watch your weight constantly. They will make insulin dependent patients aware of the dangers of hypos, what signs to look for, how to effectively treat a hypo and avoid it happening in the future. Some doctors will go further, offering advice and reassurance.
But truly, how many doctors will actually tell you.
‘IF YOU DO NOT MONITOR AND MANAGE YOUR DIABETES VIRTUALLY EVERY DAY FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE, KEEP YOUR WEIGHT IN CHECK AND EXERCISE REGULARLY, YOU ARE QUITE LIKELY TO DIE AT AN EARLY AGE DUE TO ANY ONE OF A NUMBER OF WHAT ARE KNOWN AS ‘DIABETIC COMPLICATIONS’.
WOW. When you put it like that!
Heart attack, stroke, kidney disease, liver disease, amputations, (survival statistics after a diabetic amputation are quite bleak), ulcers which can cause killer infections including sepsis.
I could go on but, like the doctor, I think I have given you enough to think about. Diabetics who do not control their condition can and do die in their 50s or 60s. On the other hand, diabetics who manage their condition and control it effectively will, in the main, go on to live a normal healthy life.
There are always exceptions to both rules and sometimes, not even science can explain why an 86-year-old type 2 diabetic who smokes, drinks and is morbidly obese, still lives an active and social life. Or what about the 44-year-old who died after having a stroke brought on by type 1 diabetes.
I will say it again, there are always exceptions!
The reality is that most diabetics will live or die based on how they manage their condition. Knowing this should make most diabetics want to establish a ‘Management and Control’ strategy which, going forward, will help them live a healthy and hopefully ‘diabetic complication free’ life.
I am not trying to be intentionally alarmist, believe it or not! I just want every diabetic and prediabetic to understand, your future is in your own hands, what you decide to do about your condition will determine your health and fitness for the rest of your life.
Importantly, teaching your diabetic children as early as possible to take ownership of their condition and understand themselves, the importance of effective management and control of the condition, is so vital because, as they grow and become young adults, you are not going to be there for them constantly. They need to be able pick up the baton, so to speak, and manage the condition themselves. You need to give them the confidence at a young age to deal with all aspects of what this horrible condition will do to disrupt their lives. It can sometimes seem a cruel disease but, it does not have to and really should not, control your life. It is down to each individual to control it and live their life as normally as they can.
Diabetes: The Truth
Diabetes KILLS, that is the truth. Sometimes it is difficult to give a patient such a blunt prognosis.
A lot of doctors will struggle with telling patients this stark fact, particularly if a young child is involved.
You cannot blame individual doctors for this, they have time restraints and a lot of other patients to deal with. They tell you what you need to know.
That you must monitor yours, or your child’s blood/sugar levels and maintain them at a healthy level, normally between 5mmol/L and 7mmol/L (90mg/dL and 126mg/dL), that you must watch what you or child eats, at every mealtime. That you or child must exercise regularly and watch your weight constantly. They will make insulin dependent patients aware of the dangers of hypos, what signs to look for, how to effectively treat a hypo and avoid it happening in the future. Some doctors will go further, offering advice and reassurance.
But truly, how many doctors will actually tell you.
‘IF YOU DO NOT MONITOR AND MANAGE YOUR DIABETES VIRTUALLY EVERY DAY FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE, KEEP YOUR WEIGHT IN CHECK AND EXERCISE REGULARLY, YOU ARE QUITE LIKELY TO DIE AT AN EARLY AGE DUE TO ANY ONE OF A NUMBER OF WHAT ARE KNOWN AS ‘DIABETIC COMPLICATIONS’.
WOW. When you put it like that!
Heart attack, stroke, kidney disease, liver disease, amputations, (survival statistics after a diabetic amputation are quite bleak), ulcers which can cause killer infections including sepsis.
I could go on but, like the doctor, I think I have given you enough to think about. Diabetics who do not control their condition can and do die in their 50s or 60s. On the other hand, diabetics who manage their condition and control it effectively will, in the main, go on to live a normal healthy life.
There are always exceptions to both rules and sometimes, not even science can explain why an 86-year-old type 2 diabetic who smokes, drinks and is morbidly obese, still lives an active and social life. Or what about the 44-year-old who died after having a stroke brought on by type 1 diabetes.
I will say it again, there are always exceptions!
The reality is that most diabetics will live or die based on how they manage their condition. Knowing this should make most diabetics want to establish a ‘Management and Control’ strategy which, going forward, will help them live a healthy and hopefully ‘diabetic complication free’ life.
I am not trying to be intentionally alarmist, believe it or not! I just want every diabetic and prediabetic to understand, your future is in your own hands, what you decide to do about your condition will determine your health and fitness for the rest of your life.
Importantly, teaching your diabetic children as early as possible to take ownership of their condition and understand themselves, the importance of effective management and control of the condition, is so vital because, as they grow and become young adults, you are not going to be there for them constantly. They need to be able pick up the baton, so to speak, and manage the condition themselves. You need to give them the confidence at a young age to deal with all aspects of what this horrible condition will do to disrupt their lives. It can sometimes seem a cruel disease but, it does not have to and really should not, control your life. It is down to each individual to control it and live their life as normally as they can.
31st May 2022
Taking Control
Thank you for visiting our discovery page today.
We are all about owning and controlling your diabetes or your prediabetic disposition.
Management of diabetes is absolutely critical if you wish to live a reasonably complication free life, and it is possible. The most important thing about monitoring and managing the disease is YOU. Only you can decide if you want to take control instead of allowing your diabetes or disposition to have the control.
If you are a diabetic, you already know what I mean. The disease literally pulls you down.
You feel tired all the time. You can get restless, sometimes feeling agitated. You can also feel overwhelmed and emotional on a regular basis. Need I go on?
By taking control of your condition and making the necessary adjustments to your life/lifestyle you are already one step ahead. It is maintaining that control which can sometimes drag you down to the point of giving up. You must stick with it.
The only way to be in control and stay in control is to start monitoring and logging, not just your measured results, but also your emotional and physical results. After time, you will find it becomes an automatic daily routine which will ultimately give you the freedom you deserve.
Freedom to go where you want, do what you want and eat what you want. (Though you should always consider the portion size of your meal). But that freedom comes at a price! The price is a total commitment to monitoring your diabetes on a daily basis. Spare just thirty to fourty minutes per day managing your diabetes. That is twenty minutes exercising and ten to twenty minutes filling in your logbook (the time spent entering data/information into your logbook will be split over the day). For instance, your diabetic team may recommend taking blood/glucose reading at different interval each day to get an overall picture of how well you are controlling your sugar levels. You may want to add notes through the day. 'Had a latte this afternoon, perhaps I should have eaten something first, felt a bit giddy after drinking it'. / 'Had to dash to get the bus today, it made me feel very breathless'. / 'Felt really good this morning, levels are good, and my exercise felt easier to do today' (I had an early night last night!!). Make notes on anything that you think is relevant, this gives you a chance to understand why things are happening and enables you to modify your behaviour accordingly.
Taking Control
Thank you for visiting our discovery page today.
We are all about owning and controlling your diabetes or your prediabetic disposition.
Management of diabetes is absolutely critical if you wish to live a reasonably complication free life, and it is possible. The most important thing about monitoring and managing the disease is YOU. Only you can decide if you want to take control instead of allowing your diabetes or disposition to have the control.
If you are a diabetic, you already know what I mean. The disease literally pulls you down.
You feel tired all the time. You can get restless, sometimes feeling agitated. You can also feel overwhelmed and emotional on a regular basis. Need I go on?
By taking control of your condition and making the necessary adjustments to your life/lifestyle you are already one step ahead. It is maintaining that control which can sometimes drag you down to the point of giving up. You must stick with it.
The only way to be in control and stay in control is to start monitoring and logging, not just your measured results, but also your emotional and physical results. After time, you will find it becomes an automatic daily routine which will ultimately give you the freedom you deserve.
Freedom to go where you want, do what you want and eat what you want. (Though you should always consider the portion size of your meal). But that freedom comes at a price! The price is a total commitment to monitoring your diabetes on a daily basis. Spare just thirty to fourty minutes per day managing your diabetes. That is twenty minutes exercising and ten to twenty minutes filling in your logbook (the time spent entering data/information into your logbook will be split over the day). For instance, your diabetic team may recommend taking blood/glucose reading at different interval each day to get an overall picture of how well you are controlling your sugar levels. You may want to add notes through the day. 'Had a latte this afternoon, perhaps I should have eaten something first, felt a bit giddy after drinking it'. / 'Had to dash to get the bus today, it made me feel very breathless'. / 'Felt really good this morning, levels are good, and my exercise felt easier to do today' (I had an early night last night!!). Make notes on anything that you think is relevant, this gives you a chance to understand why things are happening and enables you to modify your behaviour accordingly.