World Diabetes Day 2013: The Invisible Condition

Happy World Diabetes Day, everyone! :) In true WDD style, I awoke this morning with a blood sugar of 3.6 - a true reminder of the fact that I have diabetes and, along with the other 382 million people with the condition, this day is partly for me.

Diabetes is so often referred to as the 'invisible disease', the 'invisible disability', or the 'invisible condition' (I prefer the latter terminology!)  It's true, diabetes is invisible.  No one would ever know, when they see me on the street, that I've already checked my blood sugar and injected myself with insulin at least once that day.  However, sometimes, it feels to me that diabetes isn't invisible at all.

I see my skin when it's covered in sore patches of blue and purple - bruises from my injections.  I see the remainder of unhealed wounds everyday - permanent scars, because of the poor circulation my diabetes causes.  I see hundreds of pin-prick holes on the tips of my fingers - the proof of regular blood sugar monitoring.  I see a ghost in the mirror - pale and drawn from unstable blood sugars.

It's at times like these, when it feels like I have 'diabetic' tattooed on my forehead, that I have to remind myself that not everyone knows diabetes like I do.  In fact, some have never heard of it at all.  To them, my bruises and scars could be from sporting injuries, my face pale as a result of late nights and, as for the pin-prick holes, they would probably never be noticed at all.

I realise that because diabetes is invisible, it's so important that we let people know what it is.  For me, World Diabetes Day is always about raising awareness.  It's about making people aware of the symptoms of undiagnosed diabetes and the symptoms of hypo/hyperglycemic episodes.  It's about letting people know the differences between the types, how it is treated and how it affects those dealing with it on a daily basis. 

If we can all go out today and learn something, or tell someone one thing about diabetes, we are contributing towards a future where an invisible condition becomes one which is understood.  If we can fall asleep tonight, or any night for that matter, with one more person in the world knowing something about diabetes that they didn't before, we should be proud! :)  So today I go out in the world, wearing blue and taking the invisibility cloak off the shoulders of diabetes - hopefully I'll learn something too!

JDRF Guest Blog Post: Could Garlic Help People With Diabetes?

With over 2.35 million people affected by type 2 diabetes in the UK the race is on to find a way to prevent deaths caused by diabetics complications such as kidney failure, heart disease and stroke. Indeed, heart disease is the leading cause of death in diabetics who are up to four times more at the risk of death from heart disease as non-diabetics. Used as a traditional treatment in Europe, Asia, and the Middle East for centuries and growing in popularity as a health supplement in the West, garlic is well known for its ability to purify the blood, regulate the bile ducts and activate gastric juices. In recent trials and studies findings have singled out garlic as the number one miracle food.

Rich in active biochemicals, it is thought that consuming garlic could offer metabolic benefits to those suffering with type 2 diabetes. Garlic is also helpful for diabetics as it helps to lower cholesterol levels by preventing the formation of cholesterol by the liver. As a fermentable carbohydrate, garlic is good at stabilising blood sugar levels and recent research has shown that these carbohydrates trigger the release of gut hormones that enhance insulin sensitivity – reducing blood sugar levels and controlling your weight.

Even eating moderate amounts or taking garlic supplements can help to regulate blood glucose and aid blood flow. Foods such as garlic are the key to helping in the war against diabetes by enhancing the body’s sensitivity to insulin. Scientists believe that the 400 chemical components found in garlic including allicin, allyl propyl disulfide and S-allyl cysteine sulfoxide work to raise insulin levels in the blood by regulating the liver’s activity so that more insulin is available in the body.

In terms of countering heart disease, garlic is believed to have significant potential for preventing cardiomyopathy a common form of heart disease that inflames and weakens the heart's muscle tissue. But how does it work?

Like onions, leeks and chives, garlic is rich in sulphur compounds. It is the presence of sulphur which provides its distinctive smell that is so very important in keeping the heart healthy. Garlic’s sulphur compounds combat the vessel inflammation associated with cardiomyopathy, easing the damage caused to heart valve linings caused by oxidizing free radicals. These sulfur compounds also lower blood pressure in the course of their conversion to hydrogen sulfide. This process dilates the blood vessels and lowers blood pressure. Furthermore, garlic has been shown to lower the risk of blood clotting by preventing blood platelets in the blood from becoming too sticky.

For those not fond of the herb’s unique taste, most experts agree that there is no need for garlic to be eaten in its raw form to benefit from its wonderful properties. Indeed, cooked garlic or garlic extracts and oils can likewise provide good protection against free radical. The charity Diabetes UK is now funding research into the health benefits of the herb which, if proved to be effective, could revolutionise treatments for obesity and type 2 diabetes for future generations around the world.

Written by Alexa Downing

Visit the JDRF website: Diabetes

Guest Blog Post: The Risk of Type 2 Diabetes Medications

Being entirely honest, I don't know a great deal about type 2 diabetes.  My grandma has it and I know the most common causes of it - I've heard of a few medications too.  However, before being sent Barb Stephen's article, I really didn't realise just how important it was to ensure that type 2 diabetics receive the right medication to suit them!  I guess it's just like type 1's being on the right insulin.  Thank you to Drugwatch.com for asking me to feature this blog post, it's really interesting!

The Risks of Type 2 Diabetes Medication

As you work with your doctor to determine your appropriate blood-sugar level, and diet and exercise requirements, you will want to make sure you choose the right medication with full knowledge of the risks of each one.

Type 2 diabetes patients can choose from a variety of drugs to help maintain blood sugar. Properly managing blood sugar can help to keep you from experiencing painful diabetes complications like heart attack, kidney damage, blindness and amputations.

Unfortunately, with most diabetes drugs you can expect some weight gain and also stomach pain, nausea, gas and diarrhea.  Over time, the frequency and severity of these side effects often decreases. 

If you have a pre-existing condition, there are some diabetes drugs that you should avoid altogether. Be aware of which symptoms to watch for.

Biguanides can cause lactic acidosis, which is associated with a low pH level and can be life-threatening.

Be aware of side effects like feeling weak, tired, dizzy or very cold; difficulty breathing; unusual muscle or stomach pain; or a change in the speed and steadiness of your heartbeat.

If you drink excessive amounts of alcoholic beverages, you may not want to take a biguanide.

Thiazolidinediones can cause heart failure, eye problems, weak bones and bladder cancer. Bladder cancer symptoms may include blood in the urine, an increased need to urinate and pain during urination.

Actos is part of the thiazolidinedione family of drugs. Patients who take Actos for more than a year face a 40 percent increased risk of developing bladder cancer. Thousands of lawsuits have been filed by patients who suffered complications from taking Actos. In most cases an Actos lawsuit was filed after receiving the prognosis of bladder cancer.

Sulfonylureas may increase the risk of fatal cardiovascular disease. 

If you have kidney or liver disease, sulfonylureas may be the best type 2 diabetes medication. If you are allergic to sulfa drugs, do not take sulfonylureas.

Meglitinides should be taken right before meals to avoid the possibility of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar).

DPP-4 Inhibitors occasionally increase the risk of diabetic ketoacidosis, which occurs when the body cannot break down sugar but instead breaks down fat.  It can lead to severe illness or death.

Be aware of side effects like deep, rapid breathing, dry skin and mouth, flushed face, nausea and vomiting, and stomach pain. 

Alpha-Glucosidase Inhibitors should not be used if you have bowel disease or other intestinal conditions.

As with any medication, speak to your doctor if you are pregnant or are planning to become pregnant. 

Once you have worked with your doctor to determine the right medication for you, take time to ask your doctor any questions you have, read articles on your medication to inform yourself about risks such as Actos side effects and other warnings that come with your medications.

Always follow the instructions concerning the best time to take your medications, as blood-sugar levels change throughout the day based on food intake and energy expended. 

Remember, the right medication should improve, not impair, your health.

Author bio: Barb Stephens is a writer for Drugwatch.com. She uses her knowledge of medications to help consumers learn about potential risks involved with certain medications and to help promote overall drug safety. 

Day 20: Diabetes Miracle Cure

Personally I don't like the idea of a 'miracle cure' for diabetes, mainly because I don't think I'd trust it.  I don't much believe in 'miracles', possibly because I don't believe it's something I've ever experienced and I'm yet to hear or read about any occurrence that I think warrants being called one.  I do, however, believe in luck, fate and that hard work results in a good outcome.

If there's going to be a cure for diabetes, I'm pretty darn sure that it will be a result of a heck of a lot of scientific research over many years.  That's the reason why I'm not going to fill this post up with inventing my own cure, because if it's going to be a miracle cure then I'd make it something like "RAINFALL ON TUESDAY 24th APRIL CURES TYPE 1 DIABETES!"

A few years ago, I encountered a middle-aged man who tried to tell me that I didn't have to have diabetes anymore.  I was at the pharmacy collecting my insulins, when the pharmacist came over to me with my prescription to tell me that they didn't have any NovoRapid in stock and did I want to order it in for the following morning?

The man, who had been standing behind me in the queue, obviously overheard the conversation and decided that he had something to inform me of.  As I left the pharmacy, he followed me out on to the street.  

"Excuse me" he said "are you diabetic?"  

I, of course, replied "yes"

"You do know you can get rid of it, don't you?"

"Erm, actually I'm a type 1 diabetic which currently has no cure.  Apparently type 2 diabetes can be reversed though, yeah"

"No, no, no.  I've read a book about it.  All diabetes can be cured by eating a raw carrot and seaweed diet.  You should try it!"

"Thanks, but type 1 diabetes CANNOT be cured.  If there were a cure, I'm pretty sure I wouldn't have just had to go and pick up my insulin because my doctor would have taken me off it and made me eat carrots instead"

"Well you should talk to your doctor about it."

I was intensely irritated by this point and ended the conversation by saying "Thanks for your advice" and walking away from the guy.  

I totally get that he was just either badly informed or had just completely misunderstood the book he had apparently read - a raw food diet has apparently shown type 2 reversal.  However, if I were to stop taking my insulin tomorrow and eat nothing but raw carrots and seaweed I would probably become very unwell or possibly even die.  So, just in case you were wondering, that is why I wouldn't trust a 'miracle cure'.