Accepting, learning about and taking control of Type 2 Diabetes Published Jan. 15, 2007 By Mike Wallace Skywrighter Staff WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, OHIO -- -- A year ago, I began to lose weight. I just assumed it was because a bad sinus infection somehow kick-started a remarkable change in my metabolism. I also stepped up my exercise program and in less than six months I'd lost 50 pounds. Losing weight was good, and another good but puzzling thing was that my nearsightedness changed. When I was in the car, I actually could see street signs without my glasses, something I hadn't been able to do since I was in the fourth grade. But I also noticed my mouth getting dry, really dry at times to where I could barely talk, and it seemed like I had to go to the bathroom every 20-30 minutes. This may sound funny, but it made my 45-minute commute home in the afternoon an excruciating exercise in pain endurance. Family members began asking if there was something wrong with me, and my wife told me I was unfocused and confused more than usual. I saw my doctor for a regular checkup, but I stupidly didn't mention all these things because maybe deep down I didn't want to believe anything was wrong. During the visit though, my doctor drew some blood, had it analyzed and called me the evening of Oct. 31 to tell me I had a "big problem." The big problem was type 2 diabetes, meaning that my body produces insulin, but not in a timely manner or in the amount needed to control blood sugar levels (People with type 1 don't produce insulin at all.) My doctor prescribed some pills and a device to allow me to monitor my blood sugar. He also told me to attend diabetes nutrition classes because I needed to learn what and how much to eat. I learned that eating right goes a long way in controlling blood sugar levels. Diabetes doesn't just mean high blood sugar. Oddly, diabetic people also can suffer episodes in which their blood sugar levels inexplicably and quickly fall. When this happens, your heart may pound, you may sweat, you may become pale, you may shake uncontrollably, you may not be able to think clearly, and I guarantee you will feel like death is near. In fact, I was told that low blood sugar is more immediately dangerous than high blood sugar. To counter a drop in blood sugar, you must eat as soon as possible or face going into a coma. Incidentally, the first time I monitored my blood, my sugar level was 449. Normal levels are between 70 and 100. A doctor told me to go to the emergency room if the level went to 500 or higher. To be sure, there are worse things that can happen to you than diabetes, but if left uncontrolled, it can do horrible things. It can affect your kidneys, liver, eyes, circulatory system and other areas. Eventually, it can kill you. Symptoms can include blurred vision, numbness or tingling in your hands and feet, sores that won't heal, dizziness and other things equally as depressing. My "big problem" is real and forever. I have ample motivation to control it because I'd like to see my grandsons graduate someday. Besides, I'd known two people who didn't take their diabetes seriously, and both went blind and one suffered multiple amputations. So now it's been a couple of months since my doctor's scary call, and I've lowered my blood sugar levels to an acceptable range. My chances of achieving a reasonably normal lifespan probably are as good as anyone's. And I'm back to being nearsighted. I'm telling you all this because diabetes happened to me, and it could happen to you. Seriously folks, if you're overweight, have high cholesterol, have a family history of diabetes or have any of the symptoms I mentioned, see your doctor as soon as you can. And if it turns out that you have diabetes, don't despair too long. The situation is not hopeless. Accept it and educate yourself. Then you can take control of it and be healthy again. One more thing: I'm an Army veteran of Vietnam, and I learned that there's a link between diabetes and Agent Orange, the infamous defoliant used there. If you were on the ground during the war in Vietnam and developed type 2 diabetes, Veterans Affairs presumes that it's due to exposure to Agent Orange, and you may be eligible for disability. It's worth checking out. Visit the VA Web site at http://www.myhealth.va. gov or call (877) 222-8387 (VETS) for more information.