Bobby Inman
I remember that day very clearly about 2014. I had not been feeling well and had gone to the doctor. I hate going to the doctor so I had put it off as long as I could. He told me that he wanted to conduct a Blood Sugar Test. During the test, they withdraw your blood for 4 hours straight after giving you a very sickly sweet sugary drink. I went back for the results the next day.
On that day, I walked into the doctor’s office and waited for him and the results. He walked in and said “you have Diabetes.” I remember looking at him like he had spoken a foreign language. Me? Diabetes? Not possible. He further stated that “your blood sugar was so high before we started the test yesterday, we should have not conducted the test.”
Hmm, he must have me mixed up with someone else. But no, it was true. I was diagnosed with Diabetes Type 2. First let’s define the word Diabetes:
Diabetes: A disease in which the body’s ability to produce or respond to the hormone insulin is impaired, resulting in abnormal metabolism of carbohydrates and elevated levels of glucose in the blood and urine.
There are 2 types of Diabetes. Type 1 and Type 2.
Diabetes Type 1: Type 1 diabetes, once known as juvenile diabetes or insulin-dependent diabetes, is a chronic condition in which the pancreas produces little or no insulin, a hormone needed to allow sugar (glucose) to enter cells to produce energy. … Despite active research, type 1 diabetes has no cure. But it can be managed.
Diabetes Type 2: Diabetes mellitus type 2 (also known as type 2 diabetes) is a long term metabolic disorder that is characterized by high blood sugar, insulin resistance, and relative lack of insulin. Common symptoms include increased thirst, frequent urination, and unexplained weight loss.
Diabetes Type 2, which I have, is usually treated with medication and diet. It is believed that I actually had Diabetes for approximately 2 years before I was diagnosed. There are several symptoms of Diabetes. Some of these are:
– Hunger and fatigue.
– Peeing more often and being thirstier
– Dry mouth and itchy skin
– Blurred vision
– Slow-healing sores or cuts
– Pain or numbness in your feet or legs
– Unplanned weight loss
– Nausea and vomiting.
I had most of these symptoms but never realized or thought that I might have Diabetes. So, keep a check on your blood sugar. Keep going to your doctor for check-ups. With my medication and my diet (if I stay on it), my Diabetes is treatable and does not give me problems. I am going to leave you with a few facts:
Did you know these 10 facts about diabetes?
- About one third of all people with diabetes do not know they have the disease.
- Type 2 diabetes often does not have any symptoms.
- Only about five percent of all people with diabetes have type 1 diabetes.
- If you are at risk, type 2 diabetes can be prevented with moderate weight loss (10–15 pounds) and 30 minutes of moderate physical activity (such as brisk walking) each day.
- A meal plan for a person with diabetes isn’t very different than that which is recommended for people without diabetes.
- Diabetes is the leading cause of blindness in working-age adults.
- People with diabetes are twice as likely to develop heart disease than someone without diabetes.
- Good control of diabetes significantly reduces the risk of developing complications and prevents complications from getting worse.
- Bariatric surgery can reduce the symptoms of diabetes in obese people.
- Diabetes costs $174 billion annually, including $116 billion in direct medical expenses.
Bobby Inman is retired from Law Enforcement after 21 years of Service. He owns Hammer Down Gun & Pawn located in Sheffield, Alabama. He has articles published in Law & Order Magazine, Police Marksman Magazine, Guns & Weapons for Law Enforcement Magazine as well as several published ebooks on Amazon as well as Nook (Barnes & Noble). He is owner of Poopiedog, an Animal Rescue Dachshund, who is his constant companion. He is a Correspondent for the Quad Cities Daily.
