Diary of a Diabetic - entry 3
@gnatsmom (2490)
September 4, 2017 8:08pm CST
For those who are diabetic and the people who love them, understanding the changes, in a person, brought about by diabetes is a must.
1. Diabetic live on an emotional roller coaster. Loved ones, please don't accuse them of being irrational or bi-polar. That only makes things worse. Glucose fluctuations causes emotional outpours. It also causes confusion which affects the emotions. Then the crazy emotions causes glucose levels to rise. Its a vicious cycle. Diabetics need people to be patient and understanding.
2. Diabetics experience regular bouts with depression. It is usually short phases. It will pass. Just let them go through it. Do not criticize them. It will make the process longer.
3. Diabetics are under great stress. Along with the regular pressures of life, diabetics have a rigid schedule to follow for medications and diet. As with an illness providing constant attention, diabetics are chained to their regimen (checking blood sugars, checking keytones, diet, medications). Help out with the little things that may relieve life stressors.
4. Diabetics may gain weight. Keep any nasty comments to yourself. Don't criticize.
5. Diabetics are always thirsty. Understand the are not gluttonous with their liquids, but the way diabetes affects the kidneys causes them to urinate more, which leads to excessive thirst.
6. When battling low or high levels, excessive sleepiness becomes an issue. They do not need to be told they are lazy or slacking. Sometimes they need the extra sleep. Blood sugars level off faster during sleep cycles.
Diabetes can be hard on the whole family. Family members of diabetics must learn to be sensitive and helpful. Diabetics must understand that their condition is stressful for others, especially young children who do not understand what is going on. It is imperative to find a doctor who will treat you as an individual and then set up a regimen that works for you. We, diabetics, must work hard to control our levels, not only for our well-being, but for those around us.
2 people like this
2 responses
@sallypup (61117)
• Centralia, Washington
5 Sep 17
Your post makes me wonder if my husband has diabetes!! He is down to a low dose of Metformin. And meds for high cholesterol. Vitamins and minerals. We started eating a mostly vegetarian diet about a year ago and he is super healthy now. We've both lost weight- boy did I need to!
@sallypup (61117)
• Centralia, Washington
5 Sep 17
@gnatsmom He must not have diabetes 1. That's pancreatic issues. He must have diabetes 2. We try to keep down the amount of fat that we eat as well as processed food. We eat lots of carbs but its unrefined carbs- brown rice and barley and whole grain bread plus beans and vegies and fruit.
@gnatsmom (2490)
•
5 Sep 17
I have been a diabetic since 1999. I just found out 3 years ago that carbs are worse than sugar, but it is the processed carbs. Unrefined are actually good for diabetics. And many will tell us not to eat fruit, but fruit has helped me. Veggies and fruit are the best things to eat.
@deazil (4730)
• United States
5 Sep 17
Very insightful post. I think anyone that has diabetes or who has a family member that is diabetic, should be reading your diabetes discussions. They're so informative and intelligently written. I wonder if you write for any health forums or other health-related type sites? I think you should have a much broader audience. Your diabetes series here is so helpful, I think. But I also think you're really busy enough without any added responsibilities. 
@deazil (4730)
• United States
5 Sep 17
@gnatsmom You're welcome! 
I also research and have been doing it for years, although not nearly as long as you have. But not diabetes, mostly natural remedies. A medical degree isn't needed if it's not a medical site and you aren't promoting medication or medical solutions. Like this discussion - it's more like helpful tips on dealing with diabetes. I stay away from medical sites unless I'm looking for an opposing opinion to the truth about how to be healthy. LOL I don't know of any sites that are looking for writers, other than the content sites that sell your articles. But I think your information has value.
I also research and have been doing it for years, although not nearly as long as you have. But not diabetes, mostly natural remedies. A medical degree isn't needed if it's not a medical site and you aren't promoting medication or medical solutions. Like this discussion - it's more like helpful tips on dealing with diabetes. I stay away from medical sites unless I'm looking for an opposing opinion to the truth about how to be healthy. LOL I don't know of any sites that are looking for writers, other than the content sites that sell your articles. But I think your information has value. 