Diabetes in the African American Community – Part 3: Symptoms/Treatment

This is for all the “real men” out there who don’t get check-ups.

How often do we, or someone we know, get a headache, complain about blurred vision or feel like we need a quick pick-me-up? Usually we’ll take an aspirin, apply eye drops, gulp down an energy drink, etc., anything to make us feel better, if only temporarily.

These remedies, for the most part, are effective. But when our home remedies don’t correct the ailment we may need to get another opinion. A professional opinion . . . like, hmmmm, maybe a doctor’s?

Stethoscope

That’s where, for many in our community, and I’m guilty of it too, the buck stops. We, especially men, tend to do it later; we’ll get around to it or say, “I know how I feel.” Until one of the women in our lives says something, or puts her foot down, we will do nothing.

Yes, I have used excuses instead of handling my business too . . . until I had a rather serious ailment that I initially tried to treat with cough drops, etc.

After my wife insisted that what I was doing wasn’t working, I had to consult with a doctor. Now I have to say, that method is not good enough. We really need to get a handle on our health and become pro-active.

Today’s article is a brief run-down of symptoms of Diabetes. These symptoms usually develop over a short period of time and may seem minor at first.

Some Symptoms of Type 1 Diabetes

  • Constant or Increased hunger, even after a good meal.
  • Significant or Unexplained loss of Weight
  • Increased thirst
  • Frequent or increased urination
  • Blurred vision
  • Extreme fatigue
  • Dry mouth.
  • Headaches.
  • An additional symptom of Type 1 Diabetes: loss of consciousness; rare but very serious.

Insulin

Treatment:

Insulin

People with Type 1 diabetes must take insulin for the remainder of their lives. If a person has type 1 diabetes and is not diagnosed and treated, they can lapse into a coma or worse.

Some Symptoms of Type 2 Diabetes are the same symptoms as Type 1, but also include:

  • Feeling ill
  • Frequent infections
  • Slow-healing wounds
  • Frequent yeast infections
  • Itchy skin around the vagina and groin area, that is not cured by thrush medication.
  • Weight gain.
  • Decreased vision
  • Impotency.
  • Boils (higher blood sugar levels provide food for bacteria)
  • Evidence of bruising
  • Acanthosis nigricans: Light-brown-to-black, velvety, rough areas, or increased skin markings on the back and sides of the neck, armpits and in the groin.

Treatment:

  • Until recently, Type 2 diabetes typically developed in people who were middle aged and could usually be controlled by diet and drugs. In some cases people may have to take insulin as well. Type 2 diabetes is rapidly becoming detectable in children as young as adolescent.

Treatment of Diabetes

To contact the National Diabetes Education Program (NDEP) for more resources on preventing and/or controlling diabetes:

  • Call 1-888-693-6337
  • Website: Http://YourDiabetesInfo.org.

Information for this article was researched an adapted from information including but not limited to the following:

  • National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.
  • National Diabetes Statistics, 2007. Bethesda, MD:
  • U.S. Department of Health and Human Services,
  • National Institutes of Health 2008: http://diabetes.niddk.nih.gov/dm/pubs/statistics/

Hope this article helps in some way. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms on a regular basis, quit “being a man” and get yourself checked out.

If you liked this article, share it with a friend. Join CreateVitality.Com’s Better Health for Boomers Free Newsletter by filling in the Sign Up form on the upper right panel of this page.

Click here To read Segment 1

Click here To read Segment 2

Thanks for reading.

“Good Health and Success are a Lifestyle . . . Let’s Choose to Live Well,”

CK Dillon

Contact: Charles@CreateVitality.Com

On the Web: Http://CreateVitality.Com

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Diabetes in the African American Community

One Saturday morning back in ‘64, I was sitting in our community’s”pinnacle of opinion”, Red’s Barbershop, waiting for my turn in the chair.

There was a heated discussion going on between several of the Saturday morning regulars and as usual, I learned something.

After a considerable amount of friendly bickering, finger-pointing and debate over his symptoms, John, who was sitting in the barber’s chair at the time, finally agreed with the others.

He said something like, “I guess for all intents and purposes, I’ve ‘caught’ the Sugar.”

Sugar Rush!

By that time, I’d heard of a few people who had “caught” the disease, but I’d never been told what it actually meant to have the ‘Sugar.’

What I did know was if someone actually caught the “Sugar,” it was serious. Up until that day, when people spoke of it around me, it was with a hushed voice.

Looking back I don’t think many people in my community knew exactly what it was, or how to combat it, they just knew it was not a good thing to have.

I have learned of parents who had diabetes back then, but hid the fact from their children. Later in life one or more of their children contracted, or most likely inherited, the disease.

One thing I remember about the barbershop conversation was when Jeremiah, who was  in his late seventies, asked, “I got just one question. So what’s that mean, I’m Black, so I’m probably gonna catch the ‘Sugar’ too?.”

His observation was met with a loud chorus of, “Hell Yes!,” followed by more bickering, finger-pointing, debate and laughter. Barbershop conversations always seemed to end like that, with laughter.

Well, it’s over fifty years later and to paraphrase the gentleman’s question, “Is it ’cause I’m Black?” The answer to that hit closer to home than he would have ever imagined.

I’ll explain my theory, but first we need to determine exactly what we are dealing with as a community in the next segment.

Segment #2: What is Diabetes or ‘The Sugar’?


Dictionary

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Join CreateVitality.Com’s Better Health for Boomers Free Newsletter by filling in the Sign Up form on the upper right panel of this page.

Thanks for reading.

“Good Health and Success are a Lifestyle . . . Let’s Choose to Live Well,”

CK Dillon

Contact: Charles@CreateVitality.Com

On the Web: Http://CreateVitality.Com

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Boomers: For a Headache or a Heart Attack … Take Two Aspirin

Hello There Baby Boomer, and thanks for dropping by. I have a few questions.

  • “Do You Keep Aspirin by Your Bed?”   Yes or No?

What if you awoke from a deep sleep and thought you were having a heart attack.

Would you first:

  • Lie Back Down
  • Ignore the symptoms
  • Call 911
  • Take Aspirin

Here’s a Tip: Do NOT LIE BACK DOWN!

Do you know any of the Symptoms of A Heart Attack?

Your first thought was probably ‘left arm pain’, and you’re right. However like the TV ads state, “But wait, there’s more.”

Other symptoms that someone may be having a heart attack, include:

  • Chest Pain, intense or mild
  • Intense Pain around the Chin
  • Nausea
  • Heavy Perspiration

One caveat: some of the symptoms may not occur at all. For instance, there may be no pain in the chest during a heart attack.

I read an article that stated, the majority of people ( nearly 60%) who had a heart attack during their sleep, did not wake up due to chest pain.

What steps should be taken if we suspect we are having heart attack symptoms?

  1. Immediately dissolve two aspirin in your mouth and swallow with water.
  2. CALL 911.
  3. Say, “Heart Attack; I’ve taken 2 aspirin.” (They may stay on the line until help arrives).
  4. Unlock the front door.
  5. If 911 hangs up, phone a family member, friend or neighbor.
  6. Say, “Heart Attack; I’ve taken 2 aspirin.”
  7. DO NOT LIE DOWN!!!
  8. Sit on a chair near the front door.
  9. Stay on the phone and await their arrival.

It has been said, “If every person who reads this sends it to 5 people, possibly one life can be saved.” I’m sharing this information with you. Who will you share it with?

One final question. “Will you keep aspirin by your bedside now?” Yes or No?

If this information seems pertinent, share this message with your friends and family, it may save a life .

Till Next Time,

To Your Good Health and Success … Live Well,

CK Dillon

http://CreateVitality.Com

mailto:support@createvitality.com

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