I have belly pouch, there's no denying it.
Even at my thinnest, when I was a size 4 and all muscle, my belly was not washboard.
My legs have always been skinny & muscular, my back nice and strong. I've been told I'm built like a swimmer. My arms have good days and bad, but are in no way misshapen, I can wear sleeveless.
But my belly has always protruded a bit.
Even as a gangly kid, who was Alfalfa skinny and whose ribs you could actually count - I still had slight belly pouch. My dance recital pics from my days dancing on the Steel Pier, show me as the tall skinny kid in the middle with the little pot belly.
Oh, there are muscles under there, and you can see them, but my belly has a protective layer of fat that just will not flatten.
I get nervous because I know that a potbelly, no matter how small is a good indicator of heart disease. I'm doing sit ups and tightening my stomach at timed intervals, but even in my size 8's,
There’s still more stomach than I'd like.
It's the first place I loose weight, and the first place I gain weight.
I know that most diabetics, including type 1's, have this issue to some degree.
My Diabetes Educator actually calls it a diabetic pouch or stomach.
I call it a diabetic pain in the "arse" by way of my stomach.
One of my favorite lines from pulp fiction is "Pot bellies are sexy."
I tend to take that line to heart, as I continually suck in my stomach.
Once at the gym, a woman saw me doing massive crunches with a 40 lb weight on my stomach and told me that if I just did more squats, spinning, and crunches my stomach would be flat like hers. - "You'll be able to bounce quarters of it in 3 months," she said with a smile.
I looked at her innocently, and said with a straight face, "Well.....Actually, I was born without stomach muscles. It's been an uphill battle, and learning to sit up was a real bitch, but I think I'm handling it well. Thanks for the advice though. Anything else you think I need to know?" She looked me at said,"OH MY GOD! I'm so sorry, u look great, God bless u!" She then high tailed it out town . What I really felt like saying was , "Shut up & mind your own business biotch!" But, I did get the results I wanted. Sometimes guilt via humor is better than anger when it comes to know –it-alls.
So as I aim towards a size six and munch on my tomato and turkey sandwich with gluten free Ezekiel bread, I embrace my good points and I tell myself that even if my stomach is never washboard perfect, I have kick-ass legs and thin ankles....And you can't buy thin ankles darlings! ;)
Dear Oprah & Dr. Oz- The Diabetes Show- Major FAIL
Dear Oprah & Dr. Oz:
It's me again. I already wrote you on Monday asking (and hoping from the bottom of my imperfect pancreas) that you'd explain and represent a TRUE picture 0f diabetes. And not only my diabetes (type 1) but every branch of the diabetes family, including type 2, gestational, and type 1.5.
Unfortunately, you did not.
So here I sit, in the Sanibel Island public library (on my vacation) writing about a your missed opportunities (on a public computer with a 20 minute limit) and perpetuation of diabetes myths and stereotypes,instead of hiking, going to the beach, taking a bike ride, and having a healthy and stress free vacation.
I'm disappointed - ON EVERY LEVEL.
As a type 1 PWD (person with diabetes,) for 30 + years; Diabetes Blogger & Advocate,
It's me again. I already wrote you on Monday asking (and hoping from the bottom of my imperfect pancreas) that you'd explain and represent a TRUE picture 0f diabetes. And not only my diabetes (type 1) but every branch of the diabetes family, including type 2, gestational, and type 1.5.
Unfortunately, you did not.
So here I sit, in the Sanibel Island public library (on my vacation) writing about a your missed opportunities (on a public computer with a 20 minute limit) and perpetuation of diabetes myths and stereotypes,instead of hiking, going to the beach, taking a bike ride, and having a healthy and stress free vacation.
I'm disappointed - ON EVERY LEVEL.
As a type 1 PWD (person with diabetes,) for 30 + years; Diabetes Blogger & Advocate,
I expected so much more from you both.
Dr Oz, your a Cardiologist - a Dr. of the heart, and for the life of me I don't understand why didn't you have an Endocrinologist & CDE (Certified Diabetes Educator) on your show?
Those medical professionals are experts at diabetes - and could have explained all aspects of the disease ( and it's many branches) much better than you.
Dr. Oz, you stated that Type 1 diabetics were born with the disease- and that is not the case.
I was diagnosed at the age of 8.
Dr Oz, your a Cardiologist - a Dr. of the heart, and for the life of me I don't understand why didn't you have an Endocrinologist & CDE (Certified Diabetes Educator) on your show?
Those medical professionals are experts at diabetes - and could have explained all aspects of the disease ( and it's many branches) much better than you.
Dr. Oz, you stated that Type 1 diabetics were born with the disease- and that is not the case.
I was diagnosed at the age of 8.
You stated that as type 1's we don't make "enough insulin."
NEWSFLASH: There's a lot more to that statement- your only mentioning a small part of the story. The area of the pancreas that makes insulin (the inslet of langerhans) is attacked by the body's own cells and in most cases, is completely destroyed.
You also state that type one is genetic (which I believe is the case in my family,) but that fact is certainly not the case for all type 1 diabetics. As a matter of fact, the majority of type 1's I've come in contact with are the only one's in their family diagnosed with the disease.
At the beginning of the show, you showed a type 1 worse case scenario. While I empathize and feel for her on every level, why only show the worst case scenario? Why not also show a type 1 who is living a great life, has their diabetes in check- and is an example of what living life with diabetes can be like?
Dr. Oz, you also stated that the majority of type 2's result because of life style issues. Also incorrect. Later on you briefly mention that genetics plays a part.
You also say it can be reversed with lifestyle changes such as; eating healthy, weight loss, and exercise. While these things certainly help ALL diabetics live a healthier life - it does not cure it.
Once a diabetic- always a diabetic.
You continually used the word sugar instead of carbs. If you were hip to the diabetes community' (including both patient and medical professionals,) you'd know it was all about carbs -which has been the general practice for the last 15 or so years!
Way to go Dr. OZ. Outstanding example of perpetuating the myth that people with diabetes (any type) cause their own disease.
If I had a nickle for every single time someone said: "IF you just gave up sugar you'd be off the dreaded insulin in a month," or "Your a type 1- but you look so healthy," I'd have more money than Oprah.
Every single day, those of us with diabetes must constantly fight the public stereotypes (we cause it ourselves, we can't have sugar, we shouldn't look or be healthy , we can't have kids, etc) about our disease, it's causes , and what it really means.
Your show did very little to help the diabetes community. Now our battle to educate the public and make them aware about people with diabetes, and procure funding for research for the cure has been severely damaged.
My computer time is up- the Sanibel librarian is kicking me off!
I'm sad, frustrated, with a half finished blog post and a librarian glaring at me for tying up the computer..
I expected so much more from you both regarding DIABETES -as did the diabetes commnunity as a whole!
NEWSFLASH: There's a lot more to that statement- your only mentioning a small part of the story. The area of the pancreas that makes insulin (the inslet of langerhans) is attacked by the body's own cells and in most cases, is completely destroyed.
According to the http://diabeteslivingtoday.com/ Type 1 involves the almost complete destruction of the beta cells over time. Eventually no insulin, or such a small amount (and C-peptide) is produced, leading to a complete dependence on exogenous (external) insulin source."
You also state that type one is genetic (which I believe is the case in my family,) but that fact is certainly not the case for all type 1 diabetics. As a matter of fact, the majority of type 1's I've come in contact with are the only one's in their family diagnosed with the disease.
At the beginning of the show, you showed a type 1 worse case scenario. While I empathize and feel for her on every level, why only show the worst case scenario? Why not also show a type 1 who is living a great life, has their diabetes in check- and is an example of what living life with diabetes can be like?
Dr. Oz, you also stated that the majority of type 2's result because of life style issues. Also incorrect. Later on you briefly mention that genetics plays a part.
You also say it can be reversed with lifestyle changes such as; eating healthy, weight loss, and exercise. While these things certainly help ALL diabetics live a healthier life - it does not cure it.
Once a diabetic- always a diabetic.
You continually used the word sugar instead of carbs. If you were hip to the diabetes community' (including both patient and medical professionals,) you'd know it was all about carbs -which has been the general practice for the last 15 or so years!
Way to go Dr. OZ. Outstanding example of perpetuating the myth that people with diabetes (any type) cause their own disease.
If I had a nickle for every single time someone said: "IF you just gave up sugar you'd be off the dreaded insulin in a month," or "Your a type 1- but you look so healthy," I'd have more money than Oprah.
Every single day, those of us with diabetes must constantly fight the public stereotypes (we cause it ourselves, we can't have sugar, we shouldn't look or be healthy , we can't have kids, etc) about our disease, it's causes , and what it really means.
Your show did very little to help the diabetes community. Now our battle to educate the public and make them aware about people with diabetes, and procure funding for research for the cure has been severely damaged.
My computer time is up- the Sanibel librarian is kicking me off!
I'm sad, frustrated, with a half finished blog post and a librarian glaring at me for tying up the computer..
I expected so much more from you both regarding DIABETES -as did the diabetes commnunity as a whole!
Why Homeopathy for fractured bones?
When a bone is broken or cracked it is sensible to go directly to your local hospital (Accident and Emergency Department) to have the fracture confirmed, by X-Ray, the bone set, and the limb immobilised to keep it in position until it heals. Healing usually takes place in about 6 and 8 weeks.
Obviously, a broken bone can be very painful, and involve local swelling and tenderness, and for post trauma treatment it is important to compare conventional and homeopathic treatment.
Conventional Medical Treatment of Fractures
Pain and Swelling.
Conventional medical treatment of pain and swelling is by painkilling drugs. Whilst these may reduce the pain, the dangers of painkillers are becoming increasingly apparent, and certainly need to be considered before taking them.
Assisting the fracture to heal.
Conventional medicine allows the bone to heal normally, and without further assistance.
The Homeopathic Treatment of Fractures
Pain and Swelling.
Homeopathy offer the remedy Arnica, which will help treat the trauma of the fracture, any bruising or pain associated with it. For pain that persists, the remedy Bryonia can often be helpful.
Assisting the fracture to heal.
Homeopathy has useful remedies that can be used to assist and promote the healing process. Foremost amongst these is Symphytum, which in the experience of many homeopaths can reduce the healing period by anything up to one-third of the time expected.
These remedy descriptions have been taken from an article on fractures on the Homeopathy Plus website.
Arnica treats a wide range of conditions but is best known for controlling bleeding and speeding healing of damaged tissue. When broken bones have been caused by trauma, Arnica is the first remedy of choice in the first 24-48 hours. Following this, one of the following two remedies usually produce better results.
Bryonia. A symptom that will always be present when Bryonia is needed is that any complaint will worsen with the slightest movement and improve for being still. For this reason it is often needed during fractured ribs where pain is always associated with the motion of breathing. Sometimes, people needing Bryonia even prefer to sleep on the side of their fractured ribs so that they can’t move at all with breathing. Unfortunately, as discussed, lack of movement also leads to pneumonia. Bryonia can reduce the pain so the person can breathe more deeply.
Symphytum is used to ease the pain of broken bones and speed their repair. Reports are common of fractures healing within one to two thirds of the time normally expected. Its common name is Comfrey or ‘Knit-bone’ indicating its herbal fame for “knitting” broken bones together. Unfortunately, it is no longer prescribed in herbal doses as it can also be toxic to the liver but if used in homeopathic potencies, is free of this problem at all. are used.
Randomised Controlled Tests (RCTs)
RCTs are the third, and decidedly the least important type of evidence supporting Homeopathy as a medical therapy. But this study supports what Homeopaths have known within their clinics for over 200 years.
“Accelerating the healing of bone fracture using Homeopathy: a prospective, randomised double-blind controlled study”. International Research Congress on Integrative Medicine and Health 2012. Portland, Oregon, USA. 15-18 May 2012. S. Sharma, N Sharma, R Sharma.
Results. “Faster healing was reported in the homeopathy group by week 9 following injury, including significant improvement in fracture line, fracture edge, callous formation and fracture union in comparison to placebo.
“There was also lower use of analgesics and less self-reported pain in the homeopathy group.
Conclusion. “The study suggests that Homeopathy could enhance anatomical and functional fracture healing”.
