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A Look Back

Since it is the last day of the month, I thought we would take a look back at February.

We’ve talked about neuropathy, what it is and how it affects the body. battlingforhealth.com/2008/02/what-is-diabetic-neuropathy/

Reviewed The Big Book of Diabetic Desserts, which will be given away in just a few more days! Don’t miss out on the contest to win your own copy. battlingforhealth.com/2008/02/the-big-book-of-diabetic-desserts/

Talked about making healthy choices. No matter who you are, diabetic or otherwise, healthy food is important to your health. battlingforhealth.com/2008/02/healthy-choices-healthy-eating/

One of my favorite entries is on going green. Recycling can be a part of your routine. You don’t have to toss out all of that packaging! Bottles, syring caps, boxes, all of it can be reused or recycled. battlingforhealth.com/2008/02/get-green-diabetics/

My next favorite post is the links to diabetic recipes. The internet is such a vast resource for all of us. You do not have to eat ‘blah’ food to be healthy. The links in this post will help you find recipes for children or adults. battlingforhealth.com/2008/02/food-food-and-more-food/

I’ve also found new blogs that are interesting. I have placed them in my blog roll, but yesterday I spoke with a blogger I hadn’t met just yet. His name is Ken and his blog is www.battlediabetes.com . Who could resist another fighter in the battle?

March is going to be an amazing month. We are going to discuss how to ‘clean’ out our lives. Since March is the month when most people in North America are beginning to feel the effects of spring, we’re going to have a month of springing into action, breathing fresh air, and planting the seeds of good health into our lives.

If you have any suggestions, questions, or would just like to talk about you diabetes, feel free to contact me via the site or through my email.

battlingforhealth.com/contact/

julie@BattlingForHealth.com

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Surviving The Suicide of a Child

By Terrye Harris

On December 13, 2004, my world shattered into a million pieces. After a 2 year long battle with schizophrenia, my youngest son, Jonathan took his own life at the age of 19. The day Jonathan died, I kept telling myself this is the worst day of my life. Little did I know through the haze of shock that surrounded me,that there would be many more worse days to follow.

The first six months, it was all I could do to keep breathing. During this time I believe I could have actually laid down and willed myself to die. The only thing that stopped me was knowing that I could not leave my remaining sons and my grandchildren, as they also were trying to deal with this horrific loss. I was acutely aware that they needed me, their mother, now as never before. So somehow, I managed to keeping breathing and keep moving through life one step at a time.

At the six month point, I began to realize that I had to find help dealing with my loss and heartache. Rage consumed me, rage that the mental health system was ineffective in dealing with my son, rage that my son had to fight this mental illness to begin with, rage that I lost my beloved son. I started grief counseling and I joined a parents of suicide survivor support group. The parents support group has helped me with every step that I have made on this journey. It was not long before I realized that being able to talk to other parents who had suffered the same loss, was as essential to my well being as the air I need to breathe. Through the counseling and support group I have come to understand that what I feel is completely normal, that I am not losing my mind.

I strongly urge anyone who has lost someone to suicide, to find a support group to connect with.

It has only been a little over 15 months for me, I am still new on this journey which lasts a lifetime. I have been through the first birthday, the first memorial day, the holidays where the empty place at the table stabs at my already broken heart. I think of Jonathan 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The pain is so all consuming there are no words to adequately describe it.

But I have survived, I am surviving and I will survive, but it is not an easy road. I take one day at a time and deal with that day as it comes. That’s all I can do right now, that is all any of us in this nightmare can do. I survive for those that I love who remain here with me. I survive to make sure that my son, Jonathan is remembered. As long as I live he will not be forgotten.

There are a lot of statistics on suicide, I survive to remind people that there are faces behind those numbers. Faces of children, brothers, sisters and spouses who were loved by family and friends. That behind those faces were wonderful people who had much to contribute to the world we live in.

When I heard about the memorial quilt for Tennessee, I knew that my son’s picture had to be there. Jonathan’s picture is on one other quilt, a suicide memorial wall and in a memorial book. I don’t place my son’s picture and name on these memorials for me, I do it for him. To show the world how much he is loved and how deeply his absence hurts.

I try to tell Jonathan’s story every time an opportunity arises. Schizophrenia,depression, bipolar diseases are serious mental illness, often terminal. Suicide occurs when these diseases become fatal. I survive to try to raise awareness that the mental health system must be improved, to prevent others from having to walk in my shoes. I look at my grandchildren and worry for their futures if they or their children ever have to face the disease.

The day I buried my son, I also buried a piece of my heart. I will miss him until the day that I take my last breath. Any joy that I experience is bittersweet knowing that he is not here to share it with me. Some days, the blanket of shock still cushions me, it all seems so surreal. He’s not really gone, he is just in the other room. Other days the pain rips through me as if it will tear me completely in two. This is the way of the journey of grief.

My faith in a loving and merciful God , my faith that Jonathan is happy and no longer suffering, my faith that I will see my son in eternity sustains me on this road. And I draw comfort from knowing that death cannot destroy what is important. That Jonathan is still my son and always will be, that I am still his mother and always will be and most importantly that I will love him for all eternity. Love is all powerful and cannot be destroyed by death. Often, the world is changed one person at a time. And because of this, it is my obligation to the world and my son to survive.

Terrye Harris
www.pos-ffos.com
www.pos-ffos.com/groups/soc.htm

Article Source: EzineArticles.com/?expert=Terrye_Harris

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All my grandmother’s problems have been solved

Since I come from a family of lawyers and politicians, you wouldn’t be surprised to hear that my grandmother was the center of much debate. We tend to think that debate actually solves problems, even incurable, terminal diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease. One of her children told me that having my motives constantly questioned would keep me on my toes so I could offer my grandmother better care. Actually, she went beyond questioning – she called the Department of Elderly Services a few times to investigate us.

If it took thirty years, in essence, to settle my great-grandparents’ estate, it should come as no surprise that we spent twenty years deciding where my grandmother should live. Of course, she pretty much ignored everything we said (if she could hear it at all) but it made us feel better.

Linda at God, Mom, Alzheimer’s, and Me hasn’t gotten much respect either, not even from her mother. But the thought came to her recently, “You could be out of a job.”

Sometimes, when I think about my grandmother, that’s all I care about. I don’t care about how I was treated or whether I was provided for. I spent thousands of dollars to provide for her. I don’t care about what low-pesticide, high-antioxidant foods we could have given her to make her live to 96 instead of 95. I don’t care about what we could have done to make her children happier. I just miss her.

We debated all the possibilities, accused each other of good faith and bad faith, and guess what? All my grandmother’s problems have been solved. But not because we were so smart, skilled, clever, or educated. Because my grandmother died two years ago, almost as soon as her professional caregivers took over and I moved out.

I will be moving out too, someday to go where my grandmother has gone (perhaps). Someday I may be diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, perhaps sooner than I think. Next week, someone else will be taking over as the writer of this blog, just as someone has taken over care of my grandmother’s house. In the end, it’s foolish to hold onto the pain. Let’s just hold onto the joys.

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Diabetes Foot Care

Our Poor Feet.

In yesterday’s post, I mentioned that you should be checking your feet daily. So many people, diabetic and non, fail to do this. We pause to hop into the shower or bath, scrub, but never really give our feet a good once over.

This is not a good thing! Our feet are essentially the workhorses of our bodies. If our heart and brain are the organs pulling tough duty, then our feet are the appendages getting double work. Each day our feet are pounded against the ground, often in ill-fitting shoes. Toes crushed together, shoe parts poking into the skin, and laces drawn too tightly.

Is it any wonder that foot problems affect everyone?

Get to Know Lefty and Righty

Each day, take the time to get to know your feet. Before and after bathing, inspect your feet carefully from the ankles, to the toes, and the soles. Before bathing, look for areas that may be cracks or wounds with soil in them. By knowing where and injury is, you can clean it thoroughly. After bathing, check the same areas and make sure you did not miss any other possible injuries.

Look for nail problems, blisters, swelling, and raw areas. If you are diabetic, do not use hot water to wash your feet. I know this can be hard to stick to, so when you bathe, use a gentle hand in scrubbing. If you are a caregiver to a diabetic who is unable to bathe themselves, use water that is slightly warmer then room tempatures to wash their feet. Never rub the skin to dry, only blot. Use a soft material like micro-fiber or cotton for drying between the toes.

Care of DaFeet

Cut and file your nails with care. Cut straight across and file the sharp corners. If you are unable to cut your nails or are worried you may do it incorrectly, see a podiatrist. While you are cutting your nails, please do not cut on anything else! Your podiatrist should be the only one to remove corns or calluses. Wounds caused by cutting these types of skin build-ups can cause infection, leading to possible toe or limb loss.

Wear socks that are clean and dry. White socks with loosely woven ankle areas are best for diabetics. This reduces the risk of cutting off circulation. You can find these socks at flea markets of all places! Recently I was able to purchase 6 pair of diabetics socks for only $2 USD by finding them on accident at a flea market. Happy accident! Wear them to bed if your feet are always cold. Try to always keep your feet warm and dry in the winter. If you have nerve damage, you may need to touch them with your hands to know their condition. Do this during the day, often in cold weather.

Furthermore, always wear shoes. Walking barefoot can cause small wounds you do not feel which can become infected. Avoid smoking, as this lowers circulation. Massage will help circulation, if done correctly, but smoking can reduce this benefit.

Just remember, take care of your feet so they can carry you ever on towards good health.

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Alzheimer’s Disease in the Blogosphere, 2/28/08

Alzheimer’s disease is such a hot topic, it’s hard to keep up with everything that is being said about it. Here are some blog posts and articles that you may have missed earlier this month.

The February 7 issue of Nature, quoted by HealthCentral, reports that amyloid plaques, considered the main sign of AD, can form in one day in laboratory mice. At least one doctor cautions that, despite the headlines, this doesn’t mean that AD can form in one day. AD develops more slowly. The study also found that soon after the plaque appeared, specialized cells called microglia appeared. Doctors wonder if microglia might actually fight the growth of plaque.

The Alzheimer’s Association is reaching out to African-Americans, who are more susceptible to high blood pressure, diabetes, strokes and heart disease, problems that have been linked to increased Alzheimer’s symptoms. They offering a Healthy Heart and Brain Kit. Some assembly required?

Drugs called amyloid inhibitors, which were supposed to fight brain clumps and plaques, actually cause clumping themselves, according to a report last month in Nature Chemical Biology. HealthDay and Yahoo News quote the leader of the study as saying these drugs “seem to act not in the way people expect them to and want them to.”

Mona at The Tangled Neuron wonders if people with AD are steered into creative activities, whether the disease affects the brain in a way that actually makes people more creative, or whether people with AD just realize that they need to seize the moment. By the way, Mona’s blog includes a list of blogs written by people with dementia.

French president Nicolas Sarkozy wants to spend $2.4 billion to fight AD. That is, he wants to establish a research facility and a network of nursing homes.

Joanne at Writing After Dark takes care of her 84-year-old mother, and says that Seroquel (quetiapine) is helping her mother sleep through the night. The drug was intended to treat schizophrenia and the depression and manic episodes in bipolar disorder, but it’s given to many people with Alzheimer’s. Researchers say it can actually make cognitive functioning worse. But every drug works differently for different people, and a daughter ought to know when a drug seems beneficial for her mother. My grandmother tried to stay away from them all. She took only aspirin and Namenda, though I’m not certain that they helped her.

You’re supposed to ingest lots of antioxidants (such as leafy green vegetables) because oxygen can actually hurt our cells, make us older, and cause brain deterioration. The process, called oxidative stress, is being studied at the University of Michigan. It helps me to compare the process to rusting.

Some herbs not only make food taste good, they’re good for your health. Mint is said to be a natural antiseptic. Garlic, and to a lesser extent, leeks and onions, fights infection, possibly by making people want to stay away from you (just kidding). Now a component in rosemary may help prevent oxidative stress in the brain, which means that it may be good for people with Alzheimer’s disease, stroke, and ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease). The active ingredient in rosemary is carnosic acid. Rosemary is good on fish, chicken and even asparagus.

If spending more on medicine makes people live longer, why do impoverished Albanians live almost as long as the socialized French, when Albania spends about $400 a year per capita on health care, and France spends ten times a much? That’s what Panda Bear, MD wants to know. If longevity were tied to health care spending, I calculate the French would live an average of 780 years.

I’m far from being a Tibetan Buddhist, but The Literate Kitten quotes from Living Without Regret: Growing Old in Light of Tibetan Buddhism by Arnaud Maitland: “Change is the dominant flavor of reality. What if we could take taste change as if it were a delicacy? No longer would be have to cling to the illusion that ignoring time lets us hold it at bay.” I’m convinced that many people can’t deal with Alzheimer’s disease because they can’t deal with aging. But what’s the alternative to aging? You tell me.

SharpBrains reports that the market for “brain fitness” software is expected to reach $227 million in 2007. Even Nintendo is developing these programs, and nursing homes (and baby boomers) are buying them. Clinical evidence shows they have a positive short-term effect, but the jury is still out about their long-term effects. Notice that Nintendo is not advertising BrainAge as a cure for Alzheimer’s disease. Not yet.

Patrick Meade gave a seminar on Alzheimer’s disease at Ohio State University this month, but he had to revise his notes pretty severely. He writes, “It’s interesting to look at my notes from two years ago and see how dated everything is. Two of the possible causes of Alzheimer’s are now discarded entirely and one other is questionable. Most of the drugs we were pushing back then are also history…”

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Pretty colorful language for an old lady

Alzheimer’s disease takes away language in pieces, not all at once. You may think of people with that disease as being mute, but in the early stages, many people with Alzheimer’s are not mute at all. For some, their gift of gab can help reassure themselves and others that they aren’t quite gone.

In my grandmother’s case, I’m not sure how much to attribute her unusual language to the disease. I think she always used unusual, colorful language. I know my mother always did. I know the uncles/poets in the family always have. It’s hard to get a straight answer out of them sometimes.

But my grandmother’s speech was probably made more colorful at times by her inability to remember the conventional words for things. So she needed to come up with the unconventional word, any word that might serve her purposes.

When I say colorful language, I don’t mean of the nautical variety. She didn’t swear like a sailor. (Mrs. Watson says if her mother had ever heard her using that sort of language, she would have had part of her skin removed.) I think she sometimes used a few mild oaths, but not like her children do.

No, my grandmother loved poetry, and had written some verse of her own, when she was much younger and more confident. She loved language, and loved variety in language.

She would often call me “Children”, even though I’m her grandson and middle-aged. I think it was one of her quiet, persistent delusions, that there were children around the house still, even though they had been gone for thirty years.

We tried to get her to stay up as late as she could, and to eat as much as she could, knowing that weight loss in the elderly is linked to approaching death. But eventually, she would tell us she could eat no more, and always with a fresh simile:
“I’m as full as a stuffed piggy.”
“I’m as full as a stuffed sock.”
“I’m as full as a stuffed pillow.”

Once she complained to me, “Children, I feel like I’m nine… er, like I’m one hundred years old.” She had caught herself. She was ninety years old.

But the all-time language winner came one night after we finally allowed her to collapse into bed.

“Children, your care for me is beyond human endurance.”

Thank you, Grandma. It’s good to be appreciated.

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Food, Food, and More Food!

Planning healthy meals as a diabetic is important. You do not need to settle for plain fare, much like I tell others who are interested in eating healthier; all food can be delicious. All it takes is a bit of imagination to change boring food to spectacular meals.

Here are a few links to help you plan and cook better meals. You can find recipes, the diabetic food pyramid, a food planner, and even a virtual grocery store tour.

Diabetic Recipes

Diabetes Food Pyramid

Diabetes Food Planner

American Diabetes Association Virtual Grocery Store

Most recipes above are geared towards adults. Kids with diabetes want to have fun, tasty food, too! Here are some links to sites where you can grab recipes for your diabetic children.

Diabetic Recipes For Kids

More From Kid’s Health (not just diabetes, other conditions, too)

Children’s Diabetes Foundation Recipes

Juvenile Diabetes Site

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102 Great Running Songs For A Fun And Fast Paced Workout

I have obtained this list directly from the playlist of the mp3 player of a fitness expert – MY WIFE! – Even I listen to this mix from my musicmatch while I am on the Exercise Bike in the mornings .. and there’s not even one B-52’s song on the list!

You see .. my wife just upgraded her 500MB mp3 player to a 2GIG mp3 player and we were looking for some fun and fast-paced workout songs to add to our playlist. We asked a few friends, we searched the internet, and we reviewed my vast 3500+ mp3 library on my computer. Here is what we came up with!

Feel free to add these songs to your playlist and keep your heart moving and have some fun and listen to music while you exercise! I have added a YouTube link beside each song to give you an idea how the song sounds like – in case they are new to you.

Starting Off With One Of My Favorite Videos (1-1)

* REPUBLICA – Ready To Go – U.S. Mix

(click PLAY while you are scanning this list! :D)

The rest are in alphabetical order, by Artist ..

#’s (2-2)

* 2 UNLIMITED – Get Ready for This (YouTube)

A’s (3-5)

* ADAM & THE ANTS – Goody Two Shoes (YouTube)
* ASHLEY SIMPSON – La La (YouTube)
* ATC – Around The World – la la la la la la (YouTube)

Readers’ Choices

~ Alanis Morrisette – You Oughta Know
~ Alice Smith – Dream
~ Amanda Lepore – My Hair Looks Fierce

B’s (6-13)

* BEASTIE BOYS – Sabatoge (YouTube)
* BECK – Loser (YouTube)
* BEE GEES – Alone (YouTube)
* BLACK EYED PEAS – Hands Up (YouTube)
* BLACK EYED PEAS – Hey Mama (YouTube)
* BLACK EYED PEAS – Pump It (YouTube)
* BLONDIE – Maria (YouTube)
* BODY ROCKERS – I Like The Way You Move (YouTube)

Readers’ Choices

~ B-52’s – Rock Lobster
~ Basement Jaxx – Red Alert
~ Beyonce – Single Ladies
~ Birds of Tokyo – Desperate

C’s (14-18)

* C & C MUSIC FACTORY – Everybody Dance Now (YouTube)
* CAKE – The Distance (YouTube)
* CHARLIE BROWN JR. – Tudo Que Ela Gosta De Escutar (YouTube)
* CHINGY – One Call Away (YouTube)
* COLDPLAY – Clocks (YouTube)

Readers’ Choices

~ Camisra – Let Me Show You
~ Chemical Brothers – Hey Boy Hey Girl
~ Client – 6 in the Morning
~ Client – Drive

D’s (19-23)

* DAFT PUNK – Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger (YouTube)
* DAFT PUNK – Technologic (YouTube)
* DANZEL – Pump It Up (YouTube)
* DARUDE – Sandstorm – Best Techno Club Mix (YouTube)
* DEELITE – Groove Is In The Heart (YouTube)

Readers’ Choices

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E’s (24-27)

* ELVIS vs JXL – Little Less Conversation (YouTube)
* EMINEM – Lose Yourself (YouTube)
* EMINEM – Without Me (YouTube)
* ERUPTION – I Can’t Stand The Rain (YouTube)

Readers’ Choices

~ Eric Prydz – Call On Me

F’s (28-33)

* FATBOY SLIM – The Rockafeller Skank (YouTube)
* FERGIE – London Bridges – Oh Sh*t (YouTube)
* FINGER ELEVEN – Paralyzer (YouTube)
* FINGER ELEVEN – Suffocate (YouTube)
* FRANKIE GOES TO HOLLYWOOD – Relax (YouTube)
* FRANZ FERDINAND – Take Me Out (YouTube)

G’s (34-39)

* GEORGE BAKER – Little Green Bag (YouTube)
* GEORGE MICHAEL – Faith (YouTube)
* GLORIA ESTEFAN & MIAMI SOUND MACHINE – Conga (YouTube)
* GNARLS BARKLEY – Crazy (YouTube)
* GODSMACK – I Stand Alone (YouTube)
* GROOVE ARMADA – I See You Baby – Shaking That A** (YouTube)

H’s (40-40)

* HOOBASTANK – Crawling In The Dark (YouTube)

I’s (41-43)

* ICE CUBE – You Can Do It (YouTube)
* INCUBUS – Pardon Me (YouTube)
* INXS – Pretty Vegas (YouTube)

J’s (44-47)

* JENNIFER LOPEZ – Let’s Get Loud (YouTube)
* JET – Are You Gonna Be My Girl (YouTube)
* JIMMY EAT WORLD – The Middle (YouTube)
* JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE – Sexy Back (YouTube)

K’s (48-50)

* KELIS – My Milkshake (YouTube)
* KILLERS – When You Were Young (YouTube)
* KYLE MINOGUE – Can’t Get You Out Of My Head (YouTube)

L’s (51-53)

* LIMP BIZKIT – Faith (YouTube)
* LINKIN PARK – One Step Closer (YouTube)
* LIVE – I Alone (YouTube)

M’s (54-61)

* MADONNA – Beautiful Stranger (YouTube)
* MADONNA – Die Another Die (YouTube)
* MADONNA – Ray Of Light (YouTube)
* MARILYN MANSON – Beautiful People (YouTube)
* METALLICA – Enter Sandman (YouTube)
* MOBY – Bittersweet Symphony Remix (YouTube)
* MOODY BLUES – English Sunset (YouTube)
* MUSE – Stockholm Syndrome (YouTube)

N’s (62-64)

* NITTY – Nasty Girl (YouTube)
* NO DOUBT – Hellagood (YouTube)
* NO DOUBT – Running (YouTube)

O’s (65-65)

* OUTKAST – Hey Ya! (YouTube)

P’s (66-67)

* PORNO FOR PYROS – Tahitian Moon (YouTube)
* PRINCE – I Would Die For You (YouTube)

R’s (68-78)

* RADIOHEAD – Creep (YouTube)
* RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE – Killing In The Name Of (YouTube)
* RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE – Know Your Enemy (YouTube)
* RAMMSTEIN – Du Hast (YouTube)
* RAMMSTEIN – Ich Will (YouTube)
* RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS – Can’t Stop (YouTube)
* REDNEX – Cotton Eyed Joe (YouTube)
* RICKY MARTIN – Livin’ La Vida Loca (YouTube)
* RIHANNA – Hey Mr. D.J. Turn The Music Up (YouTube)
* RIHANNA – S.O.S. – Rescue Me (YouTube)
* ROBBIE WILLIAMS – Let Me Entertain You (YouTube)

S’s (79-87)

* SALIVA – Click Click Boom (YouTube)
* SCOOTER – Faster Harder Scooter (YouTube)
* SCOOTER – Maria – I like It Loud (YouTube)
* SEAN PAUL – Get Busy (YouTube)
* SEAN PAUL – Temperature (YouTube)
* SHAGGY – I like To Move It Move It (YouTube)
* SHAMEN – Move Any Mountain (YouTube)
* SIR MIX A LOT – Baby’s Got Back – I Like Big Butts (YouTube)
* SNAP – I’ve Got The Power (YouTube)

T’s (88-95)

* TAG TEAM – Whoomp! There It Is (YouTube)
* TEA PARTY – Temptation (YouTube)
* TECHNOTRONIC – Pump Up The Jam (YouTube)
* TEDDYBEARS STOCKHOLM & MAD COBRA – Cobrastyle (YouTube)
* TOM PETTY – Running Down A Dream (YouTube)
* TRAPT – Headstrong (YouTube)
* TV ROCK FEAT – Flaunt It (YouTube)
* TYKWER/KLIMEK/HEIL – Lola Rennt – Run Lola Run (YouTube)

U’s (96-97)

* U2 – Elevation (YouTube)
* UNDERWORLD – Underneath The Radar (YouTube)

V’s (98-100)

* VENGABOYS – Boom Boom Boom Techno Trance Dance Mix (YouTube)
* VERVE – Bitter Sweet Symphony (YouTube)
* VOODOO GLOW SKULLS – Charlie Brown (YouTube)

W’s (101-102)

* WILL SMITH – Wild Wild West (YouTube)
* WISEGUYS – Start The Commotion (YouTube)

SUGGESTIONS?

If you have any other suggestions for songs to add to our RUNNING playlist .. please add your choice in our comments! Feel free to add a link too 🙂

Need something from Amazon?

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Special thanks to additional suggestions from Char, Brian, and Raj

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Diabetes and Stress

How stress affects diabetics.

Stress can cause higher glucose levels in people with diabetes. While in diabetics who have Type 1 Diabetes, the levels can be higher or lower, in Type 2 diabetics, the glucose levels are almost always higher when stress is a factor. This can be from lowered self care, abuse of alcohol, or other factors.

Stress affects everyone in different ways. How each person reacts to stressful factors is also different. Some people choose to use anti-depressants, some may use herbal remedies, and others try natural stress reducing methods like music and meditation.

Deal With It

No one can live entirely without some sort of stress. Of course, there are those who are able to let everything ‘roll off their back’, but even these people experience stress at some point in their lives. It is how they deal with the stress that is different. Your personality is a huge factor in how you will react.

Personally, I have two ways of dealing with stress that is built into my personality. One, High alert! I go into a super alert mode and deal with each thing that comes my way in an analytical manner. Mechanically driving myself through every problem, eradicating anything in my way.

Two, Oh my gosh what do I do?? This one happens when another stressful situation suddenly rears its’ head when I am in the first ‘mode’. Dealing with one, two, or even three things at a time is fine, but sometimes all it takes it the tiniest thing to set me spinning out of control. I know quite a few other people who have agreed this is how they are, as well.

So, got any ideas?

Well, I can’t tell you exactly how to deal with your own stress, only give you ideas on how you may be able to combat it. As a diabetic, you cannot rely on herbal remedies or ‘drinks’ like people who do not have the disease. The reason is that you must take care in everything you put into your body. Herbs are like any other medicine, they can react with your insulin or presciptions. Before taking any herbals supplements, talk with your doctor. Research the herb and check to see if there are any listed drug interaction warnings.

Aromatherapy is a safe method of stress reduction for diabetics. You are not eating or injecting anything, so no drug reactions should occur. Candles, oils, herb sachets, and potpurri are all great ways to introduce a calming scent to your home or office.

Massage therapy is also safe for some. Massage can loosen muscles and give you a very calm feeling. Foot massages are easy to give to yourself and if you are checking your feet each day (as you should be!), you can give yourself a quick foot rub.

Music, especially instrumental music is great. Nothing to cause an allergy, drug reaction, or unplanned pregnancy. (hey, we all know sex can be a stress reliever!)

Sex as a stress reliever

I bet you thought I would forget to go into this one. Sex is an amazing stress reliever. If you are still healthy enough to participate in sex, then by all means, have as much safe sex with your partner as possible. Orgasm is a wonderful, proven stress reliever. If you are in a committed relationship, the intimacy from being close to one another, whether or not you have full intercourse, is perfect to reduce stress. Those who are in love are the first to tell you that when in their lover’s arms, they forget everything else.

So…if you are going to try sex, why not integrate all of the above ideas, too! One perfect evening of stress reduction!

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Alzheimer’s disease is harder on the caretaker

I find such help from Kris’s blog Dealing with Alzheimer’s, because she can describe so clearly what it’s like to have it, beginning in her 40s. After three years of being turned down, Social Security finally granted her disability benefits. When she first began her blog in 2004, she was still working full-time, but now she spends time as a member of the Early Stage Advisory Group and makes handmade cards, and does other things that a wife and mother (and sports fan) like to do.

Kris says:

I cannot explain to someone when this is happening to me. Like for example, when I find that I can’t make dinner — at the time I can’t tell my husband why I can’t — I just tell him I can’t do it and he does it.

On my “foggy days” nothing seems to really be in focus. It is like I am a step behind things. I don’t think clearly…….not enough to really throw me off, but enough to know that I am not myself.

This disease is so much harder on the caretaker and I always feel guilty about that. It’s hard for us to explain what is going on and you’re supposed to know — it isn’t always that easy, is it!!!

My 95-year-old grandmother would often say, “Children, I’m just blank.” She said it without any visible strong emotion, and I would always reassure her that it was all right to be blank, as far as I was concerned. But I don’t think it was all right as far as she was concerned.

Still, I forget how important it is not to probe and add new confusions and distractions. With my grandmother, I tried to keep things in order, but I made a point not to do it at my grandmother’s expense. If something bothered me but didn’t bother her, why then, it needed to stop bothering me. Incontinence was one exception, of course. She may not have felt uncomfortable, but she would be healthier if she stayed clean.

One-tenth of those with Alzheimer’s disease – more than half a million in the United States alone – were diagnosed before age 60. Mary at the Alzheimer’s Awareness Source says she has had five loved ones with early onset. Early onset Alzheimer’s must be worse, because people can’t blame their confusion on their age. They still feel young, or at least middle aged – most commonly in their 50’s. I just saw a TV ad that proclaimed, “50 is the new 30.” But when you have Alzheimer’s disease, 50 is the new 80. I will be 50 next year.

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Medication Mishaps and Doctor Issues

Know Your Medications

This is a topic that bothers me quite a bit. Here of late I discovered that my mother, who I have talked about as being diabetic, was receiving medication she did not need. When she moved here from North Carolina, I took her to a doctor’s office I trusted, as the one she had been using for years had just struck me as very unprofessional. She would be in and out of the hospital for things that made no sense. Her doctor did not seem to have a good grip on what a diabetic needed. This has been bothering my husband and I for years.

On her very first visit to the new doctor, we found out she was receiving two medications that were not for the ailments she had complained of. One medicine she had been prescribed for acid reflux, it turns out it was only normally prescribed for nausea. Another medication she had been given that was not recommended for diabetics as it can cause very high glucose levels. The medication actually warns that diabetics can suffer from this on the packaging.

Her new doctor discontinued the medications, thankfully. As a diabetic, you should research your medications and know what side effects can be caused, discuss them with your doctor if you have doubts.

Do Not Rely On Your Doctor Alone.

A few days ago I was speaking with a friend who thought she had no recourse if a doctor chose a specific treatment for her. I was shocked that some people still feel this way. While doctors do go through years of medical school, they are not infallible. Doctors are human and make mistakes like the rest of us. If you have any doubts about your treatments, you should express your concerns to your doctor. He or she should consider your feelings in any treatment.

You are not stuck with the opinion of one doctor. When you have a doctor, please remember that they are employed by you to care for your body. Your body is the most valuable item you own, so of course you need to have the best care possible. Choose wisely, but never feel as if you have to keep the same doctor for eternity. You have the right to change doctors on any basis. Even if you just do not like the particular doctor’s hairstyle! That sounds a little fruity, I know, but everyone needs to know that they have a choice, no matter what.

You can have second, third, and fourth opinions on any treatment. Your doctor is not the only authority on your condition, in fact, you may find another who is more specialized and can help you further.

Your Doctor Is Human, Too.

I mentioned earlier that your doctor is human, just like you and makes mistakes. When you have a conversation with him or her, try to remember this. Just like the rest of us, your doctor has good days and bad days. At one meeting they might seem put off by your questions. No one likes to be questioned about things they know well. No one likes to have mistakes shoved under their noses in a confrontational manner. Be open and understanding in your conversations. Asking to have something explained, then offering your opinion is one thing, yelling at your doctor and refusing to try any approach is quite another.

If you and your doctor fail to reach any agreements, it is probably time to search for a new practitioner. Both for your sake and for your doctor’s.

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Rheumatoid Arthritis Molecule from Glenmark Pharma Enters Phase 1 Clinical Trials

Glenmark Pharmaceutical’s molecule for rheumatoid arthritis (RA), dubbed as GRC 4039 has entered Phase I trials.

The said clinical trial has been approved by the U.K.’s Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA).

Glenmark Pharmaceuticals plans on developing GRC 4039 (a PDE 4 inhibitor) in rheumatoid arthritis – its primary indication. Completion of the Phase 1 trials is expected by Glenmark by October 2008, while the initiation of Phase II by January 2009.

GRC 4039, a selective PDE4 inhibitor is intended for rheumatoid arthritis [RA] and inflammatory disorders. After the withdrawal/setback of COX-2 Inhibitors and the void that exists in RA therapy for orally available potent small molecules, this is a potential block-buster opportunity in the global market.

According to Mr. Glenn Saldanha, MD & CEO, Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Ltd.:

“We are happy to take GRC 4039 forward into Phase I trials. This is Glenmark’s fourth molecule to enter the clinics from our pipeline of eight NCEs and NBEs, and demonstrates our steady progress in the drug discovery space.

RA has been selected as the primary indication for its commercial attractiveness, the unmet medical need for potent and convenient oral therapies and the sound biological rationale for PDE-4 inhibitor–based treatment in RA.”

During pre-clinical testing, GRC 4039 demonstrated over 3700 fold selectivity to PDE4, indicating the potential for a once-daily regimen.

Additionally, there was no emesis in the pre-clinical models. The molecule demonstrated favourable results in early toxicology studies, a good safety margin and also exhibited good efficacy in in-vivo RA and TNF- α inhibition models.

PDE4 (phosphodiesterase) inhibitor is a drug that can block the major cAMP-metabolizing enzyme found in inflammatory and immune cells — thus have the potential as anti-inflammatory drugs that can fight against an inflammatory condition such as rheumatoid arthritis.

Find more details from the Glenmark Pharma PR (a pdf file).

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Cognitive impairment is striking fewer elderly people today

I shouldn’t be surprised by this: according to Alzheimer’s and Dementia, cognitive impairment (such as dementia) is affecting a smaller percentage of elderly Americans today that it did fifteen years ago. HealthCentral quotes the study as saying that these problem affected from 12.2 percent in 1993 and 8.7 percent in 2002.

Now, that doesn’t mean that the number of people with Alzheimer’s disease isn’t increasing. We’re still facing a coming Alzheimer’s epidemic as more people live long enough to show the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease. But of those who live long, fewer of them are having problems with their memory.

The most important reason? Fewer strokes, fewer mini-strokes, and less vascular dementia (from poor blood flow to the brain), thanks to healthier diets and medications. The discovery that aspirin can prevent cardiovascular disease has probably helped millions. My grandmother took an aspirin pill every day.

The study suggests that using your brain can build up reserves that can withstand troubles such as strokes, head injuries, plaques and tangles. But don’t wait until you turn 80 to take up video games and crossword puzzles. You should build up those reserves as soon as possible, as young as possible. The American Psychological Association finds benefits in short mental workouts. They say,

“Memory devices such as mnemonics, routines, visualization, linking new learning to something personally meaningful, and other strategies can boost memory. The greatest gains come from combining memory skill training with cognitive restructuring – in other words, accepting normal age-related changes and actively compensating for them.”

Why is working out so hard for people, even mental workouts? I think that we associate work with drudgery. There aren’t many sweatshops in the West, where people are expected to do the same thing hour after hour, over and over, all day long, for years. Or are there? It seems to me that that idea of division of labor, where some people do one thing and never do anything else, makes people want to do nothing at all when they get a chance. They long for retirement, and when it comes, they often die.

If we all did different things all day long, we could do them longer. We could do them happier. If writing poetry or researching plants was considered something that anybody could do, then everybody might try it. Brains would get more exercise.

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Princess Birthday Cake and Ice Cream

Birthday goodness denied

A friend of mine once lamented that she would be unable to make a traditional birthday cake for her diabetic daughter. This really made her feel down, because parents love giving their children the best that they can for their birthday. She was positive her daughter could not have a birthday cake at all.

Never fear, Julie is here! Ok, so I did not say that exactly, but close enough. I did a search for Angel Food Cake, grabbed a recipe and designed a cake any little girl would love. Do you all remember ‘doll’ cakes? A cake was the skirt for a Barbie or other Barbie-type doll? It takes a lot of icing, but even for a diabetic child, this can be managed with an Angel food or chiffon cake, and a little creativity.

The Recipe

*3/4 c. sifted flour
*1/2 c. sugar
*1/4 tsp. salt
*1/2 c. sugar
*1 1/2 tbsp. liquid sugar substitute(or ¼ cup powder sugar sub.)
*2 tblsp cocoa powder
*10 egg whites
*1 tsp. cream of tartar
*1/2 tsp. vanilla extract

Beat egg whites, salt, and cream of tartar until the mixture begins to form peaks. Beat in ½ of the sugar. Beat until stiff peaks form. Beat in vanilla, remaining sugar, sugar substitute. Very gently, fold in the flour a small amount at a time. When it is completely incorporated, spoon batter into an ungreased angel food cake pan.

Sprinkle the cocoa powder over the top of the batter, then swirl in with a butter knife. This will make very pretty chocolate swirls throughout the cake.

Frosting

2 pkgs. low-calorie whipped topping mix
1 pkg. instant pudding
Sugar substitute to equal 1/4 c. sugar
1 1/2 c. cold water
1 tsp. vanilla extract
Pinch of salt
Food coloring

Mix all of the ingredients together in a bowl, If you want to make several different colors, separate into small bowls. Add in drops of food coloring until your frosting is the desired color. Add the water slowly during the mixing to help you decide when the frosting the right consistency for your preference.

The How-To

After your cake is baked, you might have a perfect sized hole in the middle for the doll. If not, here is a simple tip to get her to fit just right. Take a thread and hold each end tight in your fingers, then ‘saw’ off portions of cake that rose over the top of the pan. This will allow the cake to sit level and give you extra cake to fill in the middle hole, giving the doll some stability. Put the doll right into this hole, then stuff some of that extra cake into the hole, just around her waist.

Trim the blunt edges of the cake to give the top a more rounded look. If you need, you can put this into the doll section, as well. If not, just snack on it. I won’t tell. If you used a mold that did not have a flat top, you’re ahead of us right now. Go sit in the corner until called. Thank you.

Ok, you can come back now. Begin frosting the cake at the doll’s waist. A piping bag can come in handy here, pipe the frosting into the hole and up the doll’s waist a bit. Then, radiate out from the doll in rings. You can use a spatula or continue piping. I have seen doll cakes with dresses made entirely with the star tip! Use your imagination. Perfection does not count nearly as much as the look on your little girl’s face when she see’s a doll cake made by mommy (or aunt, or sis, or grandma!).

If you are using several colors, don’t forget to add in little garnishes here and there. You can even ‘dress’ the doll with frosting. And with this low-sugar frosting, you won’t feel guilty one bit.

Remember!

Even though this cake and frosting is low sugar, the recipe does contain sugar. You should check your child’s blood glucose levels before and after eating to ensure their birthday fun is, well, fun. Serve low/no sugar drinks, main course, and snacks to go with the cake. I found a great sugar free home-made ice cream recipe that would go great with a little girl’s party. It’s pink! (strawberry)

Home Made No Sugar Strawberry Icecream

*3 cups nonfat dry milk powder
*6 tablespoons butter, melted
*1 cup boiling water
*24 packages Sweet ‘n Low sweetener, or Equal
*1 small pkg sugar free vanilla pudding mix
*4 cans sugar-free strawberry soft drink
*16 ounces frozen strawberries, sliced*
*3 cups skim milk, (or 4 cups)

Mix all ingredients in a bowl, pour slowly into your ice cream maker to the ‘fill’ line. Follow manufacturer’s directions to freeze the ice cream.

Other Guests

If your other guests are coming to your child’s party, then they are probably already aware that your child is diabetic. The above recipes may not taste the same as traditional, but they should be pretty enough to satisfy any little girl. If you take a moment to register for the contest for the copy of The Big Book of Diabetic Desserts we’re giving away, you can find a lot of other cakes and treats you can offer your little one. No one, not even you, will belive that the desserts you make are low in sugar and diabetic safe. So safe, the book is endorsed by the American Diabetes Association!
Pretty cool, huh? A whole book full of super tasty treats you can bake for your child and not have to feel a bit guilty over.

Ok, Where Is The Boy Cake?

Hey, I’m working on it! I have a little boy, only 18 months old, so I am still learning about all the stuff little boys love. We have a construction cake for him, so I’m thinking of offering a Dirty Boy Birthday. No, don’t look at your husband, I am not offering AXE Bodywash or anything like that.

I think dirt cups are great, but they’re packed with sugar. So how about I experiment with some low-sugar dirt cups just for your little boy? Coming up soon!

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What Happens During A Mammogram?

About 1 in 12 women will contract breast cancer some time during their life, with the odds increasing as they age. But with modern medicine, treatment can be relatively simple and effective. Key to that success, though, is early detection. A regular mammogram is one traditional and still highly useful tool to do so.

A mammogram is a simple x-ray photograph of the breast area. The plates are then examined by a radiologist, who is trained to look at the subtle differences in the picture for indications of tumors. It is an important part of the regime to distinguish between benign cysts and cancerous growths.

When getting a mammogram you will partly disrobe and lie against a flat surface that is, unfortunately often cold. Be prepared for some mild discomfort. That discomfort will continue as the procedure progresses.

As the technician prepares you for the x-ray photograph, they’ll typically place a device called a compressor over your breast. That’s needed in order to flatten the tissue, in order to get the clearest possible x-ray photograph. The discomfort isn’t pleasant, but the procedure often takes only a few minutes so it’s well worth it for the information gleaned.

X-rays will be taken from several angles in order to provide the radiologist with several views. Since tumors begin small, and can reside deep under tissue, the more visual information the doctors get, the better chance they have of spotting anything that exists. Likewise, the better look they get, the more confidently they can rule out the possibility of any tumor being present.

Some contemporary hygiene products can lessen the clarity of that view. Deodorant with aluminum oxide (a common ingredient), sunscreen, skin ointments and other substances may obscure the view by absorbing some of the x-ray energy. Take a good shower the day of the test, but otherwise leave off any powders, creams, lotions, sprays or other product.

As part of the test, physicians will sometimes perform a manual exam similar to a breast self-exam. They’ll be looking for much the same thing as you would. Though they can’t know your body history as intimately as you, they are skilled at detecting subtle thickening, lumps and other indicators.

In the mammogram and the exam they’ll be looking for hardened cell clumps, which are often immobile and irregular in shape. Soft, mobile lumps may be nothing more than a benign, fluid-filled cyst.

When the patient desires it, usually when the insurance company is willing to cover the expense or there is good reason for extra tests, other procedures can supplement the mammogram. Ultrasound, for example, is becoming more common. They are limited in their ability to detect very early cancer development, but so is a mammogram.

More sophisticated tests have been developed, such as the QM-MSP (quantitative multiplex methylation-specific PCR), that can detect cancer growths as small as a clump of 50 cells with high reliability. As time progresses, such accurate tests will move into the mainstream. In the interim, a mammogram continues to be a good tool for providing peace of mind to the overwhelming majority of women.

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Transfers Made Easy With Leg Lifters

By Michael Russell

Before you had Multiple Sclerosis, getting into and out of the bed or a chair was a piece of cake, but that was before you had Multiple Sclerosis. Now some days you can barely lift even one of your legs without some help and you never know when you’re going to have one of those days. Life is rarely ever that convenient. You can, however, plan ahead instead of letting those days catch you by surprise. You can take control and be prepared for those occasional set backs that will eventually come.

Become familiar with and take advantage of handy and easy to use products like Leg Lifters and other similar lifter straps and other aids that make life easier for those living with Multiple Sclerosis. Keep them nearby and accessible as your back up plan for those lazy or weak leg days. Most of the leg lifters on the market today are lightweight, are from 32 to 42 inches in length and are made of some type of durable heavy-duty woven fabric. They feature two loops, one for your wrist and the other for your foot. Most also have a bendable metal rod that keeps the strap or lifter rigid but also allowing you to shape it for your own individual needs. Some companies also carry additional models for pediatrics or shorter individuals.

These wonder aids that give many increased freedom of mobility, often times are designed by the disabled and can assist you in moving your legs around in the bed while lying down or sitting down. They can help you reposition your legs in chairs, wheelchairs and scooters and are invaluable in transferring from chair to wheelchair to scooter or bed and back again.

The prices of these little miracle workers range from $10.95 to $16.99. Be sure to do your own comparative shopping for the lifter aid that might work best for you. Below is a list of companies that carry a leg lifter or some sort of lifter strap. This list isn’t exhaustive though. There are many more companies out there that also carry some type of leg lifter. This will at least get you started. Make sure you carefully check out the shipping policies, discounts and sales any company might have. Sometimes any one of these factors could drive up the price of your purchase.

If you’re not one who likes to try new things, consider looking for a lending closet nearby. Most lending closets carry living aids that makes moving around easier. Sometimes as a courtesy, they will even send someone out to show you how to use the items. If that fails give MSAA (Multiple Sclerosis Association of America) a call at 1-800-532-7667. Ask them about the availability of a leg lifter and a list of other available items. Be sure to ask to talk to someone who could encourage you to try new things to make your life easier. Here’s a toast to your freedom.

1800wheelchair.com carries the Leg Lifter for $11.95, order no. SKU: M159-2 Ameds.com carries two leg lifters: Rigid Leg Lifter (41 inches long) for $15.44, order no. AA8621 and Soft Flexible Leg Lifter (34 inches long) for $14.72, order no. AA8619 Jansenmedical.net carries the Leg Lifter (Navy Poly 42 inches long) for $12.82,order: Regular size #60 Devinemedical.us carries the same Leg Lifter (Navy Poly 42 inches long) for $13.25,order: Code: CM-10611. Check out the differences in shipping, discounts, etc. 4mymedicalsupplies.com carries the Leg Lifter (42 ½ inches long) for $10.95, order: Product# D29500 Amazon.com offers a Duro-Med Brand Leg Lifter Strap (32 inches long) for $13.99, order: Item model number: 640-8222-0000 Target.com carries the Leg Lifter (available online only-not in stores) for $16.99, Catalog # 10136461 Dynamic-living.com carries the Leg Lifter (39.75 inches long) for $10.99, order no. DL2450.

Michael Russell

Your Independent guide to Multiple Sclerosis

Article Source: EzineArticles.com/?expert=Michael_Russell

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Alzheimer’s that appears overnight? No.

You can’t always trust the headlines. Most journalists summarized the February 7 issue of Nature, quoted by HealthCentral, as a report that amyloid plaques, considered the main sign of Alzheimer’s disease, can form in one day in laboratory mice. That was interesting, That attracted the readers. That frightened many readers. It wasn’t the whole story.

According to Scientific American, the real story may be the opposite of what many readers expected. The real story revolves, in part, around the question, “Does amyloid plaque cause Alzheimer’s disease? Or does Alzheimer’s disease cause amyloid plaque?”

At least one doctor cautioned that, despite the headlines, the researchers weren’t saying that Alzheimer’s disease can form in one day. Alzheimer’s disease develops more slowly. The study found that soon after the plaque appeared, specialized cells called microglia appeared. Doctors wonder if microglia might actually fight the growth of plaque. Glial cells seemed to fill in spaces to stop further plaque formation.

As it turns out, says the study’s co-author Bradley Hyman, they didn’t see malformed neurons before the plaque appeared, but only after. Hyman is director of the Alzheimer’s Unit at Massachusetts General’s Institute for Neurodegenerative Disease, and his researchers decided that the plaque was causing the neurological damage, not the other way around. So this study seems to have answered one of the most important questions that Alzheimer’s disease researchers have been asking.

The real point of the research is not shock but hope. The story was not a warning that “you could get Alzheimer’s overnight!” but an inquiry into whether watching the formation of plaque can teach us what really causes the disease and how might it be prevented. And as the authors of The Myth of Alzheimer’s Disease have emphasized, not all dementia features the plaques and tangles of Alzheimer’s disease. Maybe dementia is the real monster.

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Nine Days Left!

Just a reminder that there are only 9 days left until the winner of The Big Book Of Diabetics is drawn. Don’t forget to enter today!

Did I mention all of the great recipes in this book?

*Chocolate Chip Banana Bread
*Devil’s Food Snack Cake
*Cherry & Toasted Almond Pie
*Strawberry Cream Cheese Tart
*Chocolate Velvet Pudding
*Cappuccino Crème Brulee
*Raspberry Lemon Pudding Cake

That is not even the tip of the iceberg. You will forget you are eating a diabetic dessert, in fact these desserts are so decadent that no one would know. You will feel like you are cheating just by indulging in these truly wonderful creations.

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Insulin Shock

What Is Insulin Shock?

Insulin shock is characterized by a drop in blood glucose levels, often triggered by a diabetic trying to reach normal levels of blood glucose by using insulin. The glucose levels fall below 50 dl and can cause symptoms of shock.

The Symptoms

The Symptoms of Insulin shock can often be confused with symptoms of high blood glucose. Be sure to check the blood sugar levels before administering treatment.

*Pale or clammy skin.
*Cold sweats
*Irritability
*Shaky or weak movements
*Rapid heartbeat
*Strong hunger
*Clumsy

Treatment

First and foremost, give yourself or the diabetic a dose of sugar. It can be in pure table sugar form, candy, fruit juice, or soda. If you or the person you are helping is having trouble understanding to chew and swallow, try dissolving sugar in water and drinking it. (or giving them to drink). In some cases a diabetic you are treating may not be conscious and in that case you can put sugar under the tounge. While it dissolves, the sugar will be absorbed through the oral mucosa. Never just pour anything into the mouth of someone who is not awake, this can cause even bigger problems such as choking and drowning.

Aftercare

After blood glucose levels have been brought up enough to stabilize, feed your diabetic or yourself a meal packed with carbohydrates. This is important as often glucose levels will again drop not long after being raised. Check the glucose levels often after an insulin shock episode, it can fall again without warning even after sugar has been introduced into the body. Keep a stock of sugary items close at hand during such an episode.

Items to Have

A diabetic should always have an emergency insulin shock plan. The best plan of action is to know glucose levels before going on a long drive, hiking, or shopping for an extended period of time. Hyperglycemia is not nearly as dangerous as hypoglycemia, so while it is important to take your insulin, missing a dose will not cause a reaction in the same deadly areana as taking too much! But, just in case you do have too much insulin in your body have these items:

*Identifying jewelry or card for diabetes.
*Glucose gel or tablets
*Packets of sugar
*Hard candy
*Chocolate bar.
*Nutritional drink for after care (Ensure)
*Protein bar (for prevention)

Any of these items will help you in case of an insulin shock episode. If you find yourself feeling hungry, the best prevention for insulin shock is to eat. Having just a few of these items on hand in your purse or pockets can make a world of difference. Men can always carry a protein bar in their pocket and a few packs of sugar in a small ziptop bag, too. Not carrying a purse is not an excuse!
Always be on top of your glucose, before it is on top of you.

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Understanding Multiple Sclerosis – Typical Symptoms And Signs

By Steve Dempster

No-one likes to think they may ever develop a disease as serious in its implications as Multiple Sclerosis (MS). However, to be forewarned is indeed to be forearmed and early diagnosis can make a great difference to a patient’s progress. This article looks at some of the main early onset symptoms of the disease.

Due to the constraints placed on space within this article, only a brief overview of symptoms is possible. If you suspect you may be affected by any of the following symptoms of MS, consult your physician.

Visual symptoms include

* Optic Neuritis: This causes loss of colour vision, eye pain, blurred vision and (ultimately) blindness.

* Afferent Pupillary Defect: This gives rise to abnormal response of the pupil of the eye.

* Movement and sounds phosphenes: These can cause ‘flashing lights’ to be seen when moving the eyes or in response to a sudden noise.

* Nystagmus: this causes the eyes to move jerkily instead of smoothly.

* Diplopia: The medical term for ‘double vision’.

* Ocular Dysmetria: this causes constant under- or over-shooting of eye movements

Motor symptoms include

* Paresis; Monoparesis; Paraparesis; Hemiparesis and Quadraperesis: all names for muscle weakness, up to and including partial or mild paralysis.

* Spasticity: this causes stiffness, pain and restriction of free movement of limbs due to loss of muscle tone.

* Muscle atrophy: the wasting away of muscle tissue due to lack of use.

* Restless leg syndrome: these are involuntary leg movements, particularly bothersome at night.

* Hypotonia; Clonus: posture problems.

* Footdrop: this is when the foot drags along the floor when walking.

* Dysarthia: speech problems including slurring of speech.

Co-ordination and balance symptoms

* Dystonia: Slow feedback of limb position.

* Intention tremor: Shaking when fine movements are attempted.

* Ataxia: General loss of co-ordination.

* Speech ataxia: stuttering and general problems with speech co-ordination.

* Vestibular ataxia: abnormal functioning of the inner ear – can cause vertigo.

These are just some of the main symptoms of MS. There are many more in other areas but to list them all is well beyond the scope of this article. It is important, however, to realise that ignoring any of the above symptoms – particularly if they are tending to grow more severe or frequent – can lead to greater problems as the disease advances.

Although no cure is known for MS, there are many treatments available that do help control the condition to a greater or lesser extent and life expectancy – though perhaps not life quality – is roughly the same for those affected by Multiple Sclerosis as those who are not.

Again, if any of the above symptoms seem relevant to you, it is important to consult your doctor or physician. The symptoms you are having may be totally unrelated to Multiple Sclerosis but the old adage – better sure than sorry – certainly applies here.

If you’d like more information about aids to mobility or have mobility issues, pay us a visit at Electric Mobility World

Article Source: EzineArticles.com/?expert=Steve_Dempster

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