I was scrolling back through some posts that I wrote over a decade ago, and came across this one. I decided to include it here once again to highlight the message that diabetes is reversible. A great many people feel that their diagnosis is inevitable, and that once it appears on their list it will stay forever. Not true.
Further, it isn’t exactly diabetes that’s the problem. It’s high blood sugars. It isn’t a diagnosis of diabetes that’s the problem; it’s uncontrolled diabetes. When I was practicing, I made the point with my patients that I would do whatever it took to help them keep their blood sugars normal. Activity, food choices, mindfulness, and, yes, medication. That’s how important it is to maintain your blood sugars in the normal range. Elevated blood sugar levels are like glue. They interfere with circulation, digestion, immune system function, brain function, and more. So here goes.
Just over a year ago, a near and dear friend was lying in a hospital bed. He had been admitted several days earlier for a leg infection, but it was not responding to the appropriate first-line IV antibiotics. He was frightened, and in terrible pain.
When I first heard about my friend’s hospitalization, I expected that he would soon feel better. But this was not the case. As a physician, I began immediately to sort through the medical reasons that he might not be responding to the treatment. It didn’t take long for me to ask the right questions. What do his blood sugars look like? They were far above normal.
What is the first reason to consider when an infection isn’t healing? Uncontrolled diabetes. Though he had never actually said so, I surmised that my friend was likely diabetic. I called him. And it was true. He had actually been diagnosed with diabetes several years prior, but never wanted anyone to know. I shared a few basic recommendations, and the very next day his blood sugars and pain began to improve. The infection resolved over the following days. As you will see for yourself, he never looked back. With his permission, here is the update my friend sent a week later:
“I’m thinking of you and smiling as I eat my breakfast. Starting my day today with King Oscar brand “Finest Brisling” SARDINES packed in Extra Virgin Olive Oil. …Delicious! They are just sooo good swirled around in that rich, delicious olive oil. I love my food. Now, I know some people might turn their nose up at sardines for breakfast …. but I also know that there is a doctor in Ohio who thinks sardines are a great breakfast. So I think of you and smile.”
Many months later, I received another message. “You were there for me in my darkest moment, so I feel a little medical update is in order when I have nice news to share. My endocrinologist has sent me away! Dismissed! Doesn’t want to see me anymore. For three followup visits in a row (the last two being 6 months apart) my numbers have been spot-on, boringly normal with little or no medication. Weight. Blood pressure. Blood sugar, etc. Even the cholesterol is normal. I’m taking a vitamin, a baby aspirin, and 10 mg/day of Lipitor. That’s it. And the endocrinologist is recommending that my regular doc followup in four months and remove the 10 mg of Lipitor and we’ll see what happens. That would mean zero prescriptions. Not too shabby.”
“I’m flabby [personal part] so I won’t be posing for playgirl magazine, but I’ve got no gut hanging over the belt whatsoever. Went from waist size 54″ to 32″. And the 32’s are loose and comfortable. It’s amazing.”
Peace,
R…”