Ten years ago, an astute physician diagnosed me with Type 2 diabetes. I exhibited none of the classic symptoms of rapid weight loss, extreme thirst, and frequent urination. I attributed fatigue to my job. For about a year before diagnosis, I experienced what I thought were yeast infections and treated them with over-the-counter medications. I later learned that this condition is a symptom of diabetes. I am non-insulin dependent.
According to the American Diabetes Association statistics in the 2007 National Diabetes Fact Sheet (most recent available), there are 23.6 million persons diagnosed with diabetes in the U.S.; 57 million with pre-diabetes; and another 5.7 million undiagnosed. The study was done three years ago. The numbers are increasing at an alarming rate.
Uncontrolled diabetes can have devastating effects such as blindness, heart and kidney disease, nerve damage, kidney failure, and leg amputation. I am motivated to keep myself well.
When I was growing up, my parents had a general store. Candy, chips, soft drinks, ice cream, and bologna were readily available. My family ate meat-and-potatoes. The only exercise we got was working long hours. Recently, I learned from Bruce Lipton's Biology of Belief (a scientific read) that "your DNA is not your destiny." That theme helped me to realize that I am not inherently doomed by my family's disease(s).
Over the years, I ate what I knew. Working full time, keeping a household, raising two children, and moving frequently with the military left little time for researching and planning meals.
An epiphany came fifteen years ago when I met the lady who is my best friend. She was a vegetarian (now a vegan). She educated herself in nutrition when problems developed with her then seven-year-old son. Jethro Kloss's Back to Eden became her Bible.
I was experiencing cramping in my stomach and not sleeping well when we met. She suggested it might be due to my diet; it was filled with red meat. After I began sticking to the "no red meat," the cramping stopped, and I began to sleep well. I tried lamb once because it was "lighter." It rewarded me with the former symptoms. I have not eaten red meat for fourteen years.
In January 2010, my A/1C spiked to 8.0. Cholesterol, HDL, LDL, triglycerides and blood pressure were in the normal range "thanks" to prescription medications, along with their side effects such as intermittent dry coughing from the blood pressure medication; elevated liver enzymes and severe leg cramps from the statin. Diligent attention to diet brought the AlC down.
The next step of the journey, for seven months, brought a whirlwind of traumatic events, medical procedures, tests and bills that continue to arrive in my mailbox despite payments of thousands of dollars made by Medicare and a secondary insurance. My own savings account is decimated.
Since 2007, I have kept Excel spreadsheets on meds, supplements, and medical procedures for tax purposes, but also to have records for results of testing and to know when the next doctors' appointments are due. The following list (in no particular order) lead to the decision to try a path other than allopathy-homeopathy.
The first symptom of ill health was unbearable itching over the entire body. The bruises on my back from scratching to get relief brought me to an appointment with my primary care physician. The itching was found to be caused by highly elevated liver enzymes. There followed:
- Blood draws (8)
- Liver enzyme panels (3) 40 is normal; mine rose to 200+
- Emergency room (3)
- Ultrasound (1)
- Medical histories (4)
- Endoscopic procedures (2); one to remove gallstones; one to remove a pancreatic second stent
- Falls (2), one requiring four stitches
- Virus infections (3) for a week each
- Treatment by different doctors (9); total includes dentist, ophthalmologist, radiologist, and gynecologist
- X-rays (3)
- Hospital stay overnight (2)
- Refusal of additional testing (2)
- Elevated liver enzymes returned three months after the endoscopies. I am grateful for the past seven months; otherwise, I would have continued on the same non-productive journey.
Two weeks after dramatically changing my diet, coupled with naturopathic treatment, the following changes are evident:
- Increased energy brings an ability to be in perpetual motion throughout the day
- Dark circles under the eyes are disappearing
- Pain in the left hip, buttock area, neck and shoulder is diminishing
- Elevated mood is present-being happy, smiling, laughing and singing
- Weight is being lost and clothes are getting looser
- Intense itching caused by elevated liver enzymes has stopped. (A month ago, my primary physician took me off the statin.)
- Sleep patterns are improving, and I am waking refreshed.
- Numbness in the feet, caused by neuropathy, is decreasing
- My N.D. recommends Dr. Dooley and Dr. Bernstein's (comprehensive study of diabetes) books.
Suggestions:
- Make the healthcare team a trio-you, the primary care physician, and the naturopathic physician
- Read labels for ingredients. While shopping, I purchased a "multi-grain, no artificial flavors or colors" cereal emblazoned on the box front. I scanned the nutritional facts of 100% daily value in a long list of vitamins. After I got home, I read the small print at the bottom of the listing. The third ingredient is sugar, followed by corn syrup, brown sugar and a plethora of unpronounceable chemicals. Advertisers desire to make money, not look after the health of consumers.
- Avoid artificial sweeteners, sugar-free, fat-free, diet products. They kill your liver.
- Drink, in ounces, distilled or spring (not purified) water equal to one-half of your weight. Hydration also lessens the pain of needle-stick blood draws.
- Shop at a local farmers' market and health food stores for fresh fruits and vegetables
- Prepare foods in advance to avoid impulse eating
- Buy a diabetic, vegetarian or vegan cookbook for varied recipes
- Find support from a knowledgeable friend and/or health food store employee who can recommend products like the best-tasting almond milk or healthy grain breads like spelt, for example
- Research the Internet. Be aware that all information found may not be accurate. If a company is selling a product, the information may be biased. Kathy Schrock's site, e.g., gives five questions to consider when evaluating a website.
- Rest as your body heals itself
- Exercise 5-6x a week for 30 minutes. Walking, yoga and stairs are ideal. My blood glucose went down 70 points after a brisk walk.
- Maintain a normal weight. Two years ago, I lost seventeen pounds in three months by eliminating the "whites"-pasta, bread, rice, white flour, and sugar-while watching starches and carbohydrates. No diet pills.
- I learned, on my own, that a high carb diet not only raises glucose level, but also prevents weight loss. The appendix of Dr. Sears's book lists the glycemic index of individual food carbs, which are inducers of insulin. Lower percentages are best.
- Keep records. An Excel spreadsheet provides a record of medical expenses for tax deductions. Categories might be Date; Check #, Visa or Debit; Provider; Mileage; Notes; and Cost. "Meds" (prescriptions and supplements) and "Medical Procedure" Word docs provide quick medical references
- Explore resources that propose the power of the body to heal itself.
Good health is a journey of personal empowerment, making informed decisions and choices.
(Diabetes Health)
Photo: Desi Dieter.
Technorati tags: Diabetes, Type 2, Homeopathy, Natural Remedies, Natural Cures.
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