OT - International Diabetes Day

[Arianddu]

For the first time in a very long time, I'm not out doing something with my three (diabetic) former flatmates raising awareness on this day. So instead, I'm doing something here:

1. People - our modern lifestyle and eating habits aren't good for us, and diabetes, especially type 2, is on the increase. Take a couple of minutes to learn about the symptoms, and the rest of your life working to avoid going down that path, okay?

2. Knowing what to do can save the life of a diabetic person, so:

Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar level) - a 'sugar crash' happens when a diabetic's blood sugar levels get too low. Most diabetics can tell when it's happening in enough time to try to do something about it, but not always, and it can kill. Please take the time to read about the symptoms - a few teaspoons of sugar, a few pieces of chocolates, a couple of sweets can actually save someone's life! And when a diabetic crashes hard and fast, they are often unable to tell you what to do or ask for help
http://diabetes.niddk.nih.gov/dm/pubs/hypoglycemia/

Lastly, but importantly, please don't ever assume someone with diabetes is disabled. Those with it are perfectly capable of leading active, full lives, they just need to consider a few things differently. I've got three very cool friends who are spending today shaking their booty to prove a point: Jenny, Mark, Christie - love you guys, sorry I had to bail this year. But come Sunday, the sugar-free cheesecake is going to be waiting for you!

[Enigma869]

Diabetes is a horrific disease that not enough attention is paid to. While obesity is certainly a contributing factor to this awful disease, there are many people afflicted with this disease who have zero weight issues. An interesting medical development is that every single person who has had weight-loss surgery has been completely cured of Diabetes. Now the FDA is exploring trials for this surgery that involve patients who have no weight issue at all. Right now physicians simply don't understand why this procedure appears to eradicate the disease, but they do know that its efficacy has been 100%.


John from Boston

[Angel]

Thanks Ari! As most of you know, I lost my left kidney to diabetes....well, OK, I didn't but someone very dear to me lost function of both of his due to diabetes so I gave up one of mine. So naturally, diabetes awareness is important to me.

[bluejeangirl76]

I didn't know there was a "day" for this. As an offshoot of two diabetic parents I worry about this.
And I know I don't know as much about it as I probably should. Thanks for the link.
I'll read that.

[Escape Artist]

Thanks for posting this.
I was recently diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and can tell you it wrecked havoc w/ me until it was diagnosed. I should have recognized the symptoms earlier as my Mom had type 1 her entire life and it eventually killed her at 62 years old.

Diabetic Symptoms include: extreme hunger, weight loss, extreme/ unquinchable thirst, frequent urination, exaustion, irratabillity, blurred vision if you experience most of these get it checked out, your health depends on it!

[Rhiannon]

I didn't know there was a "day" for this. As an offshoot of two diabetic parents I worry about this.
And I know I don't know as much about it as I probably should. Thanks for the link.
I'll read that.

Here's a tip: Stay away from my sweet tea.

[Rick]

I didn't know there was a "day" for this. As an offshoot of two diabetic parents I worry about this.
And I know I don't know as much about it as I probably should. Thanks for the link.
I'll read that.

Here's a tip: Stay away from my sweet tea.

Fuck that, I drink it daily. I make the best sweet tea, anywhere.

[Rhiannon]

I didn't know there was a "day" for this. As an offshoot of two diabetic parents I worry about this.
And I know I don't know as much about it as I probably should. Thanks for the link.
I'll read that.

Here's a tip: Stay away from my sweet tea.

Fuck that, I drink it daily. I make the best sweet tea, anywhere.

Wrong. I do.

[Rick]

I didn't know there was a "day" for this. As an offshoot of two diabetic parents I worry about this.
And I know I don't know as much about it as I probably should. Thanks for the link.
I'll read that.

Here's a tip: Stay away from my sweet tea.

Fuck that, I drink it daily. I make the best sweet tea, anywhere.

Wrong. I do.