Why Your Mental Illness Struggle Is Inspiring

Dear Fred,

Your mental illness struggle is inspiring. I know you will disagree, but I hope you will read this and come to understand that you really are an inspiration.

I see the efforts you make just to function. I know the risks you have to take, the faith you must show, simply to do what many people take for granted. Daily things that seem easy to so many. The fact that you do these things when you're feeling so empty, afraid, and de-energised is inspiring.

The strength you show in your weakness, to share so honestly when you can; I find that amazing. That you can be courageous enough to be vulnerable when you've possibly never felt so vulnerable. I want to encourage you. Keep it up. Keep being you!

The fact that you keep showing up the best you can, even on days when you're unable to leave the house, and especially when some days you feel hopeless and barren, says to me that you're a fighter and not a quitter. Even if you feel like a quitter.

You have told me you often have no vision for the future, and the present looks so murky. That you keep living each day the best you can, even if it's harder than anything you thought you'd ever face, portrays a hope in you that displays a powerful faith.

The struggles you face are sometimes so enormous, and yet you keep living the best you can.

I know that in reading these words you still won't believe me. That's okay. It's my truth. That you inspire me. It's real to me. I'm not just trying to flatter you. You of all people appreciate the truth.

I want you to know that when I thank God for people in my life, I thank Him for you, because He has used you to teach me much about resilience, faith, courage, and a never-give-up and never-say-die attitude.

I don't pity you, but I do ask God that you'd be rewarded with freedom for the faith you show.

Keep fighting the good fight!

Steve Wickham holds Degrees in Science, Divinity, and Counselling. Steve writes at: http://epitemnein-epitomic.blogspot.com.au/ and http://tribework.blogspot.com.au/


 By Steve Wickham


Article Source: Why Your Mental Illness Struggle Is Inspiring

Type 2 Diabetes - Are These Three "Healthy" Foods Raising Your Blood Sugar Levels?

As you go about managing your Type 2 diabetes, it is important you stop and consider all the foods you are eating, as some may not be quite as healthy as you had hoped. Many people get caught up in the notion of thinking if food is not processed and is in its natural condition it must mean it is a healthy choice. And, for the most part, it is.

But a few food choices are managing to slip under the radar. Let's take a closer look at three seemingly healthy foods Type 2 diabetics should consider passing on...

1. Milk. Milk is often touted as providing plenty of calcium for strong bones and also offers a good dose of protein. Seems great, right? Well, not so fast. The bigger issue with milk happens to be the sugar content. While no sugar is added, milk is naturally high in lactose and can contain up to nearly 10 grams per cup.

When milk is pasteurized, the process turns lactose into beta-lactose: sugar that is quickly absorbed into our bloodstream.

If you drink three glasses of milk each day - one with each meal as is often recommended by food guides, this is around 30 grams of sugar a day, which is more than most people diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes should be consuming on a daily basis.

Try unsweetened almond milk instead.

2. Carrots. Carrots are another food to be careful of. Now, you do not need to avoid carrots entirely. In moderation, they can be a healthy and delicious part of your healthy eating plan. But if you serve yourself a cup of boiled carrots, these have a decent GI rating and pack in an unnecessary dose of sugar.

Cooking carrots tend to increase the GI (glycemic index) ranking, so if you are going to eat carrots, consider eating them raw. And whatever you do, don't peel your carrots. The skin contains most of the fiber, which will help lower the GI value.

3. Bran Flakes. Bran flakes are another food to be on the lookout for. Here again, many people believe bran flakes are a nutritious way to start their day, but this is not the case. The fact is, bran flakes may contain just as much sugar, if not more, than some of the sugary cereals out there. With up to 10 grams per serving, or more depending on the brand, it is one food to pass on.

Keep these foods in mind as you go about preparing your eating plan. They may seem like the healthy choice where your blood sugar levels are concerned, but the reality is they are not, especially for someone who is dealing with Type 2 diabetes.

Although managing your disease can be very challenging, Type 2 diabetes is not a condition you must just live with. You can make simple changes to your daily routine and lower both your weight and your blood sugar levels. Hang in there, the longer you do it, the easier it gets.

For nearly 25 years, Beverleigh Piepers has searched for and found a number of secrets to help you build a healthy body. Go to http://DrugFreeType2Diabetes.com to learn about some of those secrets.

The answer isn't in the endless volumes of    available information but in yourself.


 By Beverleigh H Piepers


Article Source: Type 2 Diabetes - Are These Three "Healthy" Foods Raising Your Blood Sugar Levels?

Type 2 Diabetes - Stomach Bypass Surgery May Be Helpful in Diabetic Kidney Disease

Stomach bypass surgery, originally developed for weight loss in highly obese individuals, is now used for Type 2 diabetes control as well. Scientists at Heidelberg University in Heidelberg, Germany, found the procedure is also suitable for helping diabetic kidney disease.

The journal Deutsches �rzteblatt International reported in December 2016 on twenty people taking insulin for Type 2 diabetes and who saw improvement in their kidney function after the roux-en-y gastric bypass (RYGB). These Type 2 diabetics were moderately overweight or obese, with a body mass index ranging between 25 and 35. One year later and again at two years later, blood and urine testing showed their kidneys were working more efficiently and clearing more waste from their bloodstream. The researchers concluded the RYGB stomach bypass surgery could be a treatment option for overweight or moderately obese Type 2 diabetics with diabetic nephropathy.

Signs and symptoms of diabetic nephropathy include...



a protein, albumin, found in the urine,

high levels of blood urea nitrogen,

elevated levels of creatinine in the blood,

high blood pressure readings,

leg swelling and cramps,

urinating frequently at night,

a lower need for antidiabetic medications,

nausea and vomiting in the morning,

weakness, pale skin, low red blood cell count (anemia), and

unusual itching.

Controlling blood sugar levels helps prevent kidney disease and many other complications. Maintaining a healthy weight, eating a proper diet, getting enough physical activity, and taking medications on schedule, all contribute to the prevention of complications.

When diabetic kidney disease does strike, treatment begins with medications called angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors. When angiotensin II enters the bloodstream your blood vessels become narrower. ACE inhibitors allow the blood vessels to relax and lower blood pressure, putting less stress on the kidneys. The medications are also used to reduce the risk of heart disease and strokes. Some ACE inhibitors include...



Lotensin (benazepril),

Capoten (captopril),

Vasotec, Epaned (enalapril),

Monopril (fosinopril),

Prinivil, Zestril (lisinopril),

Univasc (moexipril),

Aceon (perindopril),

Accupril (quinapril),

Altace (ramipril),

Mavik (trandolapril).

When ACE inhibitors fail, dialysis or kidney transplantation are the next options...

1. Hemodialysis consists of using tubes to run the blood through a dialysis machine that contains an artificial kidney. Peritoneal dialysis filters the blood from inside the body. Both types of dialysis remove waste, salt, potassium, and water as needed.

2. A kidney may be transplanted from a donor if the donor and Type 2 diabetic have compatible blood and molecules known as HLA antigens. This compatibility helps keep the recipient's body from rejecting the new kidney. Medications to suppress the recipient's immune system also contribute to preventing rejection.

Although managing your disease can be very challenging, Type 2 diabetes is not a condition you must just live with. You can make simple changes to your daily routine and lower both your weight and your blood sugar levels. Hang in there, the longer you do it, the easier it gets.

For nearly 25 years, Beverleigh Piepers has searched for and found a number of secrets to help you build a healthy body. Go to http://DrugFreeType2Diabetes.com to learn about some of those secrets.

The answer isn't in the endless volumes of    available information but in yourself.


 By Beverleigh H Piepers


Article Source: Type 2 Diabetes - Stomach Bypass Surgery May Be Helpful in Diabetic Kidney Disease