[Spidey's mom]

Continues to be an interesting thread.

My husband is the truck driver and there are no truck stops up here in the mountains. There are however, minimarts with greasy hotdogs.

steph

[pannie]

First of all, my husband is type II and not your stereotypical patient. He very rarely misses his DAILY workout, is not obese and loves grilled fish, salad, fresh veggies, etc. No soft drinks at all for him. He's very well controlled - his labs tell us that. He's educated about diabetes but we were bombarded with "diabetes educators" when he was hospitalized for orthopedic surgery. I'm NOT kidding, it got to the point we were avoiding them. We didn't ask for this "education". I can't believe this hospital is the only one that has this program. I know they have a monthly "class" that's completely free. They always have different speakers; healthy, but wonderful snacks, good and interesting handouts. Every single diabetic that is admitted to or treated at that large hospital is made aware, invited, encouraged and even beseeched to attend these meetings. There are usually about 20 of us and half of us are spouses.
Is that the health providers fault? I DON'T THINK SO!

[SharonH, RN]

Originally Posted by pannie

I'm NOT kidding, it got to the point we were avoiding them. We didn't ask for this "education". I can't believe this hospital is the only one that has this program.

At the last couple of hospitals where I worked, there was only 1 or 2 diabetic educators for the entire hospital and they were expected to focus on outpatient teaching as well as classes for the general public. There was no education for the new diabetic or the diabetic who had a lot of questions, that had to come from the staff nurse and as you know that type of education is labor intensive. I know of several situations in which the patient was taught how to give their injections within a few hours of their discharge and given a couple of pamphlets about their disease. There's no money in diabetic teaching but there is plenty of money in bariatric surgery, cardiac surgery and women's health.

[TheCommuter]

An estimated 16 million people in America are diabetics, but half do not know they have the metabolic disorder.

Earlier this evening I was watching a reality medical examiner show on the Discovery Health Channel. A young woman was bed-bound for 3 years while her husband cared for her at home. For 3 years she received no medical atention because she hated doctors. She suddenly died in the motel room that she and her husband called home.

This woman was blind with a gangrenous leg. She had pressure ulcers all over her body and her hair was matted. She had bruises all over her body due to lack of sensation, which caused her to trip over things. For 3 years she was unaware she had uncontrolled diabetes. The medical examiner determined that she died from septicemia, and that a limb amputation would have saved her life if done only 3 days earlier.

[Fairemaid]

[quote=grannynurse FNP student] My two youngest grandkids are in grade school. They receive one hour of PT a week and it is nothing like what I was use to. Their sister is in middle school and there, they receive 18 weeks of P.E. If they 'forget' their PE clothes, they can walk or do 'laps' around a field. Organized sports-if you consider kickball an organized sport, I guess it is all right. Why do I bring it up, you should see the number of over weight students in both schools. And my grandson is one of them. And I worry about him developing Type II."]

There certainly is an epidemic of precipitating factors for developing metabolic disorders in the country right now. I live with several of them personally and I see it in my own children and DH. It is a combination of inactivity (use of TV computer, video games by children), poor food choices learned from family as small children (portion sizes way too big for small kids, easy access to really bad food choices, sugary foods cheaper than good meat and fresh veggies). 3 out of 4 people in my family are overweight, currently, myself included. There was a day when I literally was in tears because I had no idea what foods I should be eating. We are bombarded by the media and advertising into believing food myths such as:

*breakfast should come in a bowl with a spoon
*a meal is not complete until there is bead and butter on the table
*the only square meals are hot and have a meat as the main subject

I think what is needed is for all of us to understand the longterm effects of giving our kids sugar and adult sized portions. I mean, would you give your kids cigarettes? No , of couse not. There is growing evidence that most diseaes are ultimately food-related. For those interested in one doctor's opinion of the link between food and chronic illnesses there is a link to her website: (as usual, no afilliation)

http://www.schwarzbeinprinciple.com

To Grannynurse, as adults we are responsible for our actions or inactions. It sounds to me that you need a few pats on the back or you will never find the motivation to change your life. Each small thing you do gets you that much closer The next thing I would try if I were you is to get some salad with all those carbs

Rebecca

[grannynurse FNP student]

[quote=Fairemaid]

Originally Posted by grannynurse FNP student

My two youngest grandkids are in grade school. They receive one hour of PT a week and it is nothing like what I was use to. Their sister is in middle school and there, they receive 18 weeks of P.E. If they 'forget' their PE clothes, they can walk or do 'laps' around a field. Organized sports-if you consider kickball an organized sport, I guess it is all right. Why do I bring it up, you should see the number of over weight students in both schools. And my grandson is one of them. And I worry about him developing Type II."]

There certainly is an epidemic of precipitating factors for developing metabolic disorders in the country right now. I live with several of them personally and I see it in my own children and DH. It is a combination of inactivity (use of TV computer, video games by children), poor food choices learned from family as small children (portion sizes way too big for small kids, easy access to really bad food choices, sugary foods cheaper than good meat and fresh veggies). 3 out of 4 people in my family are overweight, currently, myself included. There was a day when I literally was in tears because I had no idea what foods I should be eating. We are bombarded by the media and advertising into believing food myths such as:

*breakfast should come in a bowl with a spoon
*a meal is not complete until there is bead and butter on the table
*the only square meals are hot and have a meat as the main subject

I think what is needed is for all of us to understand the longterm effects of giving our kids sugar and adult sized portions. I mean, would you give your kids cigarettes? No , of couse not. There is growing evidence that most diseaes are ultimately food-related. For those interested in one doctor's opinion of the link between food and chronic illnesses there is a link to her website: (as usual, no afilliation)

http://www.schwarzbeinprinciple.com

To Grannynurse, as adults we are responsible for our actions or inactions. It sounds to me that you need a few pats on the back or you will never find the motivation to change your life. Each small thing you do gets you that much closer The next thing I would try if I were you is to get some salad with all those carbs

Rebecca

Do you want to know what my SIL thinks my grandson's biggest problem is? Soda. And my grandson doesn't drink regular soda. But he does eat a lot of his father's startchy foods. And he has an king size after school snack. And I can't say anything because it is not my home. Unfortunately, my grandson has inherited his great grandfather's built and appetite. And I am afraid he may also have inherited my diabeties Lets see, they had three days off from school. They spent an average of eight to ten hours, out of sixteen watching TV or doing things in the house.

Thanks for the pats on the back but I really do have some of the need motivation. I lack the energy.

Grannynurse

[mercyteapot]

[quote=Fairemaid]

Originally Posted by grannynurse FNP student

My two youngest grandkids are in grade school. They receive one hour of PT a week and it is nothing like what I was use to. Their sister is in middle school and there, they receive 18 weeks of P.E. If they 'forget' their PE clothes, they can walk or do 'laps' around a field. Organized sports-if you consider kickball an organized sport, I guess it is all right. Why do I bring it up, you should see the number of over weight students in both schools. And my grandson is one of them. And I worry about him developing Type II."]

There certainly is an epidemic of precipitating factors for developing metabolic disorders in the country right now. I live with several of them personally and I see it in my own children and DH. It is a combination of inactivity (use of TV computer, video games by children), poor food choices learned from family as small children (portion sizes way too big for small kids, easy access to really bad food choices, sugary foods cheaper than good meat and fresh veggies). 3 out of 4 people in my family are overweight, currently, myself included. There was a day when I literally was in tears because I had no idea what foods I should be eating. We are bombarded by the media and advertising into believing food myths such as:

*breakfast should come in a bowl with a spoon
*a meal is not complete until there is bead and butter on the table
*the only square meals are hot and have a meat as the main subject

I think what is needed is for all of us to understand the longterm effects of giving our kids sugar and adult sized portions. I mean, would you give your kids cigarettes? No , of couse not. There is growing evidence that most diseaes are ultimately food-related. For those interested in one doctor's opinion of the link between food and chronic illnesses there is a link to her website: (as usual, no afilliation)

http://www.schwarzbeinprinciple.com

To Grannynurse, as adults we are responsible for our actions or inactions. It sounds to me that you need a few pats on the back or you will never find the motivation to change your life. Each small thing you do gets you that much closer The next thing I would try if I were you is to get some salad with all those carbs

Rebecca

It amazes me, but at my son's middle school, they have PE 4 days a week (and one of those days is a double period, as they have block days twice a week in which they attend only half their classes for two combined periods). They had it every day at the elementary school, too. What I wish the school would also focus on is how some healthful choices for lunch. There isn't a dark (or light) green to be found amongst the hotdog, hamburger, pizza offerings. And although they've dispensed with the soda, there are still plenty of sugary drinks like Gatorade offered up for sale.

[midwife2b]

Originally Posted by TheCommuter

Actually, I think you are being very fair by raising this point.

As a person of color, I will also mention another point that may be construed as controversial. The aforementioned ethnic groups tend to be very present-oriented, meaning that they take the day as it comes and avoid pondering the future too intensely. If the doctor attempts to tell the minority diabetic patient that heart disease, hypertension, kidney failure, blindness, and amputation are future complications of uncontrolled diabetes, the patient may often avoid doing the necessary things to prevent these future afflictions. The doctor may see this as noncompliance, but the patient is merely doing something that is culturally ingrained.

Perhaps healthcare providers could utilize cultural sensitivity when attempting to provide effective patient education.

Excellent point. When I worked on the Navajo Reservation I saw many people with diabetes and other chronic diseases. Once I was having a discussion about the meaning of time with one of the Native RN's. Her idea of "stat" was "as soon as I can". It helped me understand why people were late to appointments or didn't take medication like "we" thought they should...

[HomeRN]

I am amazed at some of the responses coming from my profession.
My husband was diagnosed with Diabetes 10 years ago. Prior to a professional diagnosis he and I determined that diabetes was his problem. He immediatly stopped eating anything high in sugar/high fructose corn syrup, regular sodas, cakes, cookies, you name it. He is physically active on our farm but does not work out or participate in an exercise regimen. He is diet controlled, his HgbA1C is excellent, and he has no other physical problems other than some age related vision problems (according to his eye Dr.). This means of control for his disease process was his choice. He did not receive any information from his physician other than the generalized "New Diabetes Pt." packet. He did read some on his own as well as information I was able to provide him as an RN. HE made the choice. And yes he is very disciplined...because he chooses to be.
Working in Home Health I see so many diabetics. I live in the Appalacian mountain region and you can guess the educational level. We as Home Health nurses teach and teach and teach but the patients/families still choose to maintain the same way of life they had before. They choose not to make the necessary changes in order to live life to the fullest.
Yes, it is a choice. I love my patients, but I don't love the choices they sometimes make.
To Grannynurse - how about some simple "in your chair" yoga? Muscles burn 50-80 calories/day naturally. Try some tightening/relaxing exercises to burn a few more. And have you tried to talk to your SIL about making fresh veggies or other healthy snacks available to you so you don't feel hungry when you go to bed. Is he financing all the food you consume?

[TheCommuter]

Originally Posted by HomeRN

Muscles burn 50-80 calories/day naturally. Try some tightening/relaxing exercises to burn a few more.

Actually I had been taught that each pound of muscle burns 50 calories hourly, and that each pound of adipose tissue burns 2 calories hourly. Conversely, I might be incorrect...