Diabetes Related Poem, "I know because my grandma had diabetes"

You know I'm not sure where this came from and I'm wary of posting something that I can't attribute to an author, but it might have come from HelloPoetry.com.  I tried searching for an author name there, but no luck.  If you are the author or know who the author is, definitely send me an email at megan.elizabeth.coker@gmail.com, and I'll add credits.  

Digital pills

They have new pills out that can sense when you take them, patients wearing a patch that gets sent electrical signals from digestible technology in the pill.  This may soon be standard in medication that is either given to unstable patients, or to patients who may have life threatening consequences if they don't take their medication.

Let me get up on the soapbox, here.  First of all, I was scared, reading the excerpt so that's why I clicked on it.  More knowledge, less fear.  They seem pretty safe.  I think this would be a good option for diabetics, who are already wired in by glucose monitors and insulin pumps.

Secondly, think how awesome it would be to psychiatrists to monitor if the patient has taken too many pills and tried to commit suicide.   So many lives could be saved. 

That is all. 

Immunotherapy Research Trial

So they are coming up with immunotherapy, which has injections once every two to four weeks. 

they have tested it with a small trial and are looking to test it in a bigger way. 

This is one of the experiments that my dream diabetes research team would take on. 

It's practical and better than using insulin because the shots are farther apart than pricking your finger and testing and taking insulin everyday.  It's less invasive to life, and comes farther down to the root of the problem, malfunctioning white blood cells than just ignoring rouge white blood cells and adding insulin. 

Read all about it here: https://medlineplus.gov/news/fullstory_167692.html

My Rant about the Mayo Clinic's Diabetes Page and the Direction Diabetes Research Should Go

"Different factors, including genetics and some viruses, may contribute to type 1 diabetes. Although type 1 diabetes usually appears during childhood or adolescence, it can develop in adults."

-Mayo Clinic, <http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/type-1-diabetes/symptoms-causes/syc-20353011>

Does genetics cause diabetes?  People always seem to be looking for that connection.  Has it been tested?  Can we for sure say that people are genetically diabetic?  

Does a virus cause diabetes?  There's the possibility, that like the harmless parasite that being around cats when pregnant, can give to children, that there is no cure for and lives harmlessly in your body and mind, but seems to encourage risky behavior in rats, that some sort of ignored, seemingly harmless virus or bacteria could be the cause for diabetes.  

That's the kind of thing they should be doing tests for.  Genetics, viruses, anything that could lead us to a cure.  

"Usually, the body's own immune system — which normally fights harmful bacteria and viruses — mistakenly destroys the insulin-producing (islet, or islets of Langerhans) cells in the pancreas. "

Immune system.  We at least know it starts with the immune system.  Maybe the genetics of the immune system?  A little research, please.   

"and other environmental factors"

Please God, research these.  It's like finding a needle in haystack.  But there's only one needle.  


"Geography. The incidence of type 1 diabetes tends to increase as you travel away from the equator."

If they notice this pattern, this trend, why isn't the temperature regulating part of the body examined to see if there is any relation to colder temperatures.

"Age. Although type 1 diabetes can appear at any age, it appears at two noticeable peaks. The first peak occurs in children between 4 and 7 years old, and the second is in children between 10 and 14 years old."

What develops most at these ages?  Kids are growing all the time, but what specific growth in mind and body is developing?  People need to not just see these patterns but make inferences about them.  Why is the body this way, not just thinking oh, these things are related, but why are they related. The ability to regulate body temperature decreases as you age so this coincides with the greater incidence of diabetes in older people.  

Inflammation is coming to the forefront of research, but the area has been so overlooked, people don't want to find a simple solution for such a complex disease so it has been rather untouched and ignored.  

My

Artificial Sweeteners, Mythbusters, and Diabetics Driving

People are claiming that artificial sweeteners can cause or contribute to Type II Diabetes.

I wish when people come up with a small study that claims something pretty major that more people do the same study to see if the results were valid.  

I wish I had a lab where I could test all these diabetes things like Mythbusters.  That's a dream of mine, don't wear it out.  I know nothing about science, but if I had all the money in the world, I would do this.   Just a bunch of scientists and researchers testing out theories.   Kicking butt and taking names on a large scale. 

I was reading this post on the ADA site where this person with diabetes complained that her friend wouldn't let her drive her around because she was afraid that she would get hypoglycemic and get in an accident.  People are so dumb. Obviously, if she were to get hypoglycemic, she would pull off to the side of the road and get some sugar into her.  Besides those people who manage their diabetes well, wouldn't have this problem anyway, especially if they have a continuous glucose monitor, which would alert them to any problems.  Some information from the information station.  

Venom

Venom

You entered our life through golden gates so suddenly, so matter of fact.
You interrupted a beautiful thing
destroyed a young child's life.
Here I am you say-pleased to meet you- I am here to stay
There is no turning back there is no escape.

If only you would have taken a moment to look into his eyes of blue that could light up the midnight sky - or see his smile so big like a beautiful rainbow parting the clouds making the day bright.

If only you could have taken a second to hold his tiny hand, or to tickle his little toes or to see him sleep so peacefully, so soundly, dreaming of puppy dogs and cheerios.

You too may have realized that he is too young, too precious, too innocent to be infected with your poison.

You've already attacked, you took your bite-but I will not allow you to take control of my life.
The morning will always wake, the sun will continue to shine, the moon will forever hang high.
And I will think of you as each day passes by.

I am constantly aware of your venom flowing through my sons veins,
So please be wise and know that I have the power to pulverize your game.

It's not fair that your pleasure is his pain.

Deah Fisher's son was diagnosed on November 16, 2000 with type 1 diabetes. He is 14 months old. Deah can be reached via e-mail at tri-fish@email.msn.com. Published November 26, 2000.

Diabetes in Youth

• About 208,000 Americans under age 20 are estimated to have diagnosed diabetes, approximately 0.25% of that population.
• In 2008—2009, the annual incidence of diagnosed diabetes in youth was estimated at 18,436 with type 1 diabetes, 5,089 with type 2 diabetes.

From <http://www.diabetes.org/diabetes-basics/statistics/?referrer=https://www.google.com/> 

First Prize In InsulinNation's Diabetes Poetry Contest

First Prize in InsulinNation's Diabetes Poetry Contest

Once a certain death
Diabetes is now
something a person can live with.

Once a certain death
of a boy I read about
reminded me
Diabetes isn’t something a person can ignore
and live with.

Once a certain death
standing in the darkness by the bed
as I came sweating and trembling to awareness
reminded me my death
is something I live with.
-Jerry Nairn

From <http://insulinnation.com/living/your-type-1-diabetes-poetry/> 

Number of deaths for leading causes of death:

• Heart disease: 614,348
• Cancer: 591,699
• Chronic lower respiratory diseases: 147,101
• Accidents (unintentional injuries): 136,053
• Stroke (cerebrovascular diseases): 133,103
• Alzheimer's disease: 93,541
• Diabetes: 76,488
• Influenza and Pneumonia: 55,227
• Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis: 48,146
• Intentional self-harm (suicide): 42,773

From <https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/deaths.htm