Struggling With Type 2 Diabetes

Homer J. Simpson

By ERIN MUNS

MMMMM....Melted

Chocolate

MMMMM....Cheeseburger

It all started with my love of donuts....

it wasn't just the donuts. I ate junk food all the time. I ate high fat and high sugar foods like cheesburgers, candy, chips, pizza ..

I developed a taste for junk food as a baby. I would drink chocolate milk out of my bottle, eat pizza slices in my crib and donut crumbs off the floor...MMMMM Donut Crumbs...

FACT: High blood pressure, obesity and High cholesterol caused by eating a high fat, high sugar diet can lead to type 2 diabetes

If I work from home i won't even have to leave

my seat...

In my spare time I liked to lounge on the couch and catch some zzz's...

I found a job that allowed me to work from home and move as little as possible..around this time i began to gain weight

Working at the computer made me sleepy...so I rested some more...

I had been big boned before, but i started really packin' on the pounds...

FACT: Type 2 Diabetes usually occurs slowly over time along with weight gain. the more fat you have, the harder it is for your body to use insulin. that is why those who are diagnosed with type 2 diabetes are usually overweight.

zzzzzzzzzzz

MMMMM..

Endless food

I..NEED...WATer.

Move Aside I have to

pee!!!!!!!!!!

I started noticing the symptoms of diabetes..

I was so thirsty, so sleepy, and so hungry all the time!

Fact:Early Symptoms of diabetes include intense thirst, feeling very tired and very hungry, blurred vision and increased urination.

that's weird. i don't remember bart and lisa being fuzzy

around the edges..

I thought

diabetes was something you were born

with?

Marge convinced me to go see dr. Hibbert

Ok. Doc. give me the diabetes

medicine and I'll be on my

way....

Homer. we are going to have to test for

diabetes. I will begin by testing your blood sugar level and if that is above 200 i will

have to test your fasting blood sugar level...

Dr. Hibbert explained that type 1-diabetes is the less common form of diabetes that a person is born with. In type 1 diabetes people's bodies can't make the insulin that is required to keep the amount of sugar (glucose) in the blood stable.

Dr. Hibbert Explained that he would be testing for the more common form of diabetes. this kind of diabetes is acquired (usually over time) and is called type 2-Diabetes. a person with type 2 diabetes produces insulin, but they are "insulin resistant" meaning their body doesn't respond properly to the insulin and sugar (glucose) builds up in the blood. Your blood sugar

levels are above 200, and your fasting blood

sugar levels are higher than 125. I will have to test a

second time to confirm but it is highly likely you have

type 2 diabetes

Dr. Hibbert informed me there was a lot more to managing my diabetes then medicine...

Wait...that says diet?

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

No more beer and no more

donuts makes homer go crazy

1, 2,3....100

Fact:Exercise and diet are the two main treatments for type 2 diabetes

Dr. hibbert Explained that i needed to control blood glucose levels by excercising, eating healthy, and avoiding alchohol and cigarettes

Must...Keep..going...

Fact: Alcohol can alter blood sugar levels. To prevent or control diabetes, alcohol should be avoided.

Fact: Smoking can cause serious heart complications, blood vessel damage, strokes, and poor circulation for those with diabetes

FACT:High Fat, High Calorie foods like donuts cause increases in blood glucose levels, so eat a low fat, high fiber diet and limit sweets...like donuts

Fact:If diet and exercise aren't controlling blood sugar levels, the doctor will prescribe medication to lower blood sugar levels.

Medications differ in how they help with blood sugar levels:

*Thiazolidinediones help cells better use insulin*Sulfonylureas help your pancreas make extra insulin*Biguanides stop the liver from excreting unneeded sugars*Alpha-glucosidase slows digestion of starch

Fact: Those with Diabetes must self monitor and record their blood sugar levels throughout the day (especially before each meal) by testing drop of blood in a special machine called a blood glucose meter.

Fact:Those with type 1 diabetes have to inject themselves with insulin every day, those with type 2 don't require insulin injections.

Homer..I'm sick of these salads, let's go to moe's tavern and get some pizza

and beer..just a few slices won't

hurt..cmon don't be a wuss

Homer..controlling your type 2 diabetes is

important. You can have serious health

problems if you don't listen to dr.

hibbert's diet rules...

I wonder what's the worst that could happen if i just have

a few donuts and beer....

Not taking care of your diabetes can lead

to eye problems such as GLAUCOMA ( LOSS OF VISION)

AND cataracts (CLOUDY EYES)

It could also lead to

foot problems such as sores or

even losing a foot or leg

Even your heart could be at risk.

By not controlling your blood sugar levels your blood pressure and cholesterol may

rise causing heart disease and heart attacks

I should have been more careful to watch

my blood sugar levels.

Despite what dr.hibbert had advised i didn't return to see him every 3 months for a diabetes follow up, nor did i change my eating patterns.. one day i felt chest pain and could barely breathe...Marge quickly called 9-11

*Call 9-11 right away if you or someone you know with diabetes is experiencing chest pain, fainting, seizures or shortness of breath*

Homer...you experienced a

convulsion..this is very serious and could

have led to a hypoglycemic coma. As your doctor i must insist

that you be more careful and take your

diabetes care seriously....

Fact:Diabetics are at risk of dangerously High and Low blood sugar levels. the symptoms are as follows. * High blood sugar (thirsty, blurry vision, dry skin, weakness, increased urination)* low blood sugar (weakness, sweating, irritable, fast heartbeat, blurry vision, shaky hands)

Like me, you may find it hard to do the things you need

to do to prevent or manage Type 2 diabetes..But i've become

smart..s..m..r..t.. about my health and you can be too..

To prevent & manage type 2 diabetes:

- Eat healthy foods every day ( High fiber foods, foods low in saturated and trans fat, and lots of fruits and veggies)

-Stay active! make sure you exercise every day

- keep alcohol consumption low and don't smoke

- get regular check ups with your doctor

-Maintain a healthy body weight

-drink 8 glasses of water a day and limit salt

-know the signs & symptoms of irregular blood sugar levels

Diabetes can't be cured but it can be controlled. here's some helpful hints

to stay healthy

Fact:the prevalence of type 2 diabetes is increasing worldwide, and childhood type 2 diabetes is on the rise.