Retired Husband Syndrome - day one!!

Retired Husband Syndrome!!!  (Really!!!)

https://retirementjobs.com/career-advice/articles-and-news/retired-husband-syndrome/

First - from the article:

“The unflattering terms many Japanese women use to describe their retired husbands, “Sodaigomi” or oversized garbage, and “nureochiba” or wet fallen leaves serve as markers along our own road to retirement and suggest the need for alternative paths. For older Japanese, brought up to believe women were subservient to men, the husband’s retirement can be so difficult that experts estimate as many as 60% of wives of Japanese retirees suffer debilitating physical symptoms. These health problems, now known as “Retired Husband Syndrome” include stomach ulcers, slurring of speech, rashes around the eyes, growths in the throat, palpitations, tension headaches and depression (www.thestar.com) as well as “agitation, gas, bloating, muscle aches, and other symptoms of stress.” 

*****

WOW - That is somewhat graphic to me - “Oversized Garbage”, or “Wet Fallen Leaves”!!!  

Not very loving terms - like “My dear retired husband” or “My loving-and-helpful-around-the- home man!!!”

So, this article suggests a scene like this:

Husband John retires from his long time job - retires and now is a pest (or oversized garbage) around the house.  The lady of the house has such trouble adapting to her husband being home, she physically becomes sick (ulcers, rashes, headaches, and depression)!!!  

Hmmm - I retired in 2016, came home, and by spring 2017 had a major health issue, and depression and found peace in becoming a woman.  

******

From the United States National Institute on Health we have:

“During the first years of marriage, each partner tries to please the other by socializing, dining out, going to movies and engaging in recreation of all types, but as a husband becomes successful and takes on more responsibilities at work, he has less time for his wife and loses interest in many of the niceties they formerly enjoyed. She then replaces this lack of attention by seeking out her own recreation, such as bridge, gardening, golfing, tennis or club, volunteer, or church work. She becomes dependent on these as a part of her day-to-day living and happiness.

“As children begin arriving, many of these extracurricular activities are dropped and the former leisure time is replaced with the finalities of raising a family. The husband contributes little because he is busy being successful-sometimes traveling for days and often absent from home from early morning to late evening. When he arrives home, his mood is often one of silence because of his preoccupation with the day's activities, or he often finds time to depreciate or complain of her day's unproductiveness. His demeaning attitude can be tolerated because he is around the home for only short periods of time. But, lo and behold, now he is retired!  https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1021891/pdf/westjmed00182-0112.pdf - 1984.

*****

That article continues with this:

“With retirement comes a whole new life for both spouses. His is one of finding leisurable activities while hers becomes more involved with details. When a husband retires from his routine workday, his whole attitude toward life turns to doing what he pleases whenever he chooses to do it. She had never-in 35 or more years of marriage been aware of the unpleasant personality that suddenly now becomes evident (Figure 2). His normal aggressiveness has now become that of ruling sovereignty; yet, in some cases, his dependency takes a major portion of her previously free time. "There is no retirement for me," she exclaims. "In fact, picking up around the house, cleaning the ashtrays, and picking up the beer bottles all day makes my workload much worse than it was before." I have frequently heard wives rage with such allegations as, "I am going nuts," "I want to scream," "He is under my feet all the time," "He is driving me crazy," "I'm nervous" or "I can't sleep." These emotional statements are frequently associated with symptoms such as tension headaches, depression, agitation, palpitations, gas, bloating, muscle aches, and so forth. Not infrequently a woman will state that previous social functions, such as playing bridge, golfing, or meeting with her friends, have had to cease because of his demands for her attention. Even grocery shopping means accompanying her husband and being hit in the heels with a grocery cart”

*****’

Now, let’s be honest - this is NOT just a wife/spouse problem.  (My opinion) The man used to have value - he left the house in the morning (say 6:30) and arrived home (exhausted) at 5:30.  But, he had VALUE - he got a paycheck.  That paycheck was his goal for the week, month, year!!  The man was to be the “bread-winner”, to “bring home the bacon”.  And, now in this long-awaited retirement - he gets to enjoy the fruit of his labors.  And, many men find themselves with nothing to do.  They heard of a long-awaited dream called “retirement” and for years worked towards that wonderful goal - and then found it was a pipe dream.  It wasn’t read, it wasn’t ‘heaven on earth’.  

I have commented about Howard Buxton before  Howard and Mary were neighbors three doors down from where I grew up.  Howard had a job in a food processing company and was a supervisor.  He came home and within a year had a heart attack and died!!!!  I vowed not to let that happen to me - and yet it did!!!  (Except mine wasn’t a heart attack and I didn’t die!!)

For the next couple of days, I’m going to look at RHS - Retired Husband Syndrome - from both the man’s view and the woman’s view.  And, I’m going to throw in another retirement factor - “Gray Divorce”!!!

See you tomorrow for day two of “Retirement Husband Syndrome”!!

Hugs!!

Karn 

Saturday Story - 3B - Mom with Dementia - part II

Saturday Stories #3B - Dealing with an aging mother.

*****

Recap:  Last week Anne Briggs was on her way to visit her aging mother in Enid Oklahoma.  While originally she didn’t want to go as it seemed as if her mother was becoming senile or had Alzheimer's or some form of dementia.  In the car, she was remembering all that her mother had done and all she had done for her children.

And, of course, it isn’t Saturday - but Monday!!!  (Holidays can do that!!!)

*****

(Anne continues)

I made it to Enid about 3 in the afternoon.  Traffic was light as I got into Oklahoma and even got through Oklahoma City in good fashion. I stopped in Ardmore at a McDonalds just off the Interstate for a grab-and-go lunch and to use the restroom.  

I called her when I got off I-35 and on to highway 412.  I again sensed hesitation in my mother’s voice in recognizing me and remembering I was coming.  Those last thirty miles brought me memories - of basketball games on the road and coming home in a school bus in the snow, of my friend Nancy who lived on a farm about five miles east of Enid, and I remembered the state trooper pulling me over and giving me a speeding ticket on highway 412.  

I pulled into ‘our’ driveway.  It seemed like ‘ours’ - even though I had been gone for years.  I walked onto the front porch and rang the doorbell.  When my mother answered, she looked so much older.  It took about five seconds before her eyes recognized me.  I wasn’t the awkward 17-year-old coming home from school or the confident 21-year-old coming home from college, or the married 40-something with a husband and two girls six months after Dad’s funeral.

We hugged long and hard.  Tears ran down my cheeks.  I had a ‘boo-boo’ that needed a bandage, but it wasn’t on my leg or arm, but in my heart where she couldn’t reach it.  And, I longed to fix the hurts and ‘boo-boos’ in her life - if I could!!!

It was both a joyous reunion and an anxious weekend with my mother.  I tried to watch her coping mechanisms.  I heard her call me Linda a few times instead of Ann.  I let her drive me to the grocery store on Saturday as we walked down the aisles together.  I thought of her blue ribbons from the Garfield County Fair that she had won for her cakes and goodies as she bought a cake at the store. I knew she had been in Jumbo Foods a million times over the years, but she seemed to have to think where things were.  Coming home she missed the stop sign at Elm and Grand Avenue - fortunately the other traffic at the four-way stop waiting for us as we barreled through the intersection.

On Sunday, we went to the First United Methodist Church in Enid - the church where I had been baptized and raised.  It seemed smaller to me - maybe because I was bigger.  She sang the hymns in her beautiful soprano voice - although with a few misses on the words.  She introduced me as her daughter Linda once before correcting herself.  On the way to her ladies' Sunday School class, Mrs. Wilson, the pastor’s wife and the teacher of her Sunday School class called me over.  “Your mother is getting fairly forgetful.  I’m worried about her,” she said.  As my sister Linda had said, Mom had trouble finding the right place in her Bible for the lesson.  

She no longer went to the bridge-group on Tuesday.  She said “It was becoming just too hard for her.  I asked if she had seen her doctor and she reiterated that she hadn’t because she didn’t like him. 

I slipped out and talked to the neighbor, Mrs. Sample, on Monday morning.  There were more instances of memory problems.  I knew in my heart that it was hard for Mom to live on her own and alone.

After the coffee with Mr. Sample, I gave my sister Linda a quick call. “She is slipping mentally” was about all I could say as my sister had a student in her office.  I promised to call her back that evening.

When I returned Mom had forgotten to put the wet clothes in the dryer.  I helped her and watched as we finished moving the clothes from the washer to the dryer.  We had been talking about Jared, my brother and as we finished moving the clothes, she forgot to turn the dryer on.  She laughed and said she was getting forgetful.  

Oh how much I loved her, and my heart was breaking for her as I realized more and more that we had to love her in her old age and find ways to care for her.

After lunch on Tuesday, I dropped her off at her house and headed back to the interstate.  I texted Linda, Mark and Jared and asked Linda to set up a conference call about 6 p.m. as I would be through Oklahoma City and could pay attention to the phone call.

*****

We decided on the conference call to move Mom into my house in Georgetown.  I was happy that my husband Mark agreed to let Mom stay at our house.  With Dyana in college and with Bethany going off to college in the fall, we thought we could manage it.

Jared suggested that it might be necessary to move Mom into a Memory Care Facility eventually.  I anticipated it would be enough of a challenge to get Mom to my house - and we could observe her there.

(Little did I know the fight I was going to have.  I’m glad that Linda, Mark and Jared were with me!!!)

*****

I called Mom’s neighbor, Mrs. Sample the next day with the news that we were planning on moving Mom to my house.  She sounded happy to know that Mom would be taken care of.  

I also call Reverend Wilson and Mrs. Wilson from the Methodist Church.  They too agreed with me that Mom was at that point of not being fully able to take care of herself.  

I also called Mom to check on her.  I didn’t want to directly confront her at this point.  I had heard from others (and the internet) that losing one’s freedom was frequently the beginning of the end.  While I hoped that an easier life would be good for Mom, that she would complain about moving away from her house, from her church, from her friends, and from the community where she had lived all of her life.

I said something about my girls being gone and how the house was so quiet and how much I loved her and about how I liked to cook (not quite true, but I wanted to put the message in her mind that she would get fed).  I called her every few days to check on her and tried to tell her how nice Georgetown was in the fall

I was pretty well booked into mid-November with my assistant registration and voting clerk for Williamson County.  The November election was going to be big for me and it was a presidential election year and the candidates were busy crisscrossing the country looking for votes.  And, for a change, Texas was a ‘toss-up’ state, so the candidates made several appearances in Austin and the area.  

I had talked extensively with my boss, Kay Pronts about my pending moving Mom to my house.  Kay had some advice.  “Hornets are generally calm when they have their own nest, but can really get provoked when you remove their nests.  My family had moved their mother into assisted living - and she kicked and screamed every step of the way. Make sure you have the legal documents - power of attorney, a medical analysis that she is incapable of living on her own.  And, assisted living wasn’t the place for her - and she found she could get outside and walk around in neighborhoods she didn’t know and got lost.  Eventually, we had to move her to a memory care unit and she went downhill from there.”

Linda did have Mom’s power of attorney, but we didn’t have the other documentation - just the knowledge (unsubstantiated) that she was having problems.  

That night I woke up about 3 a.m. and sat in a chair in our living room.  It was a time for prayer and reflection.  About 4 a.m. I somehow felt God’s peace on the situation and returned to bed.

*****

Linda got a call while she was at work on the following day.  Mom was at St. Mary’s Regional Hospital in Enid.  Seemingly she fell and broke her hip.  Somehow she managed to crawl to her phone and she dialed “0” (for the operator, not 911 for an emergency - maybe she didn’t remember that).  Mrs. Sample, her neighbor, helped the paramedics to get into the house and they found Mom on the floor moaning.  The hospital contacted her doctor’s office who gave them Linda’s phone number.  Linda passed on what she had heard to both Jared and myself.  I volunteered to go to Enid to be with her.

I let Kay, my boss know that I was going to be gone and didn’t have an idea of how long.

*****

As before, the drive was pretty uneventful.  I have an audiobook of Brene Brown on my iPhone that I listened to - although stopping from time-to-time to pray and reflect.  I was viewing this fall and broken hip as good things.  We could move Mom to be closer and be with family. 

I checked in at the hospital at about 4 p.m.  I first found out where Mom was.  She was in surgery for a hip replacement as her hip was severely fractured.  I sat in the waiting room and a nurse appeared and called me to a small conference room. I was with a physician assistant, the nurse, and myself.  

Megan, the PA welcomed me warmly.  She had X-Rays of Mom’s fracture and she pointed out the need for a hip replacement.  At Mom’s age, her bones were weak and the replacement was definitely the best option for her.  Medicare and her Medicare supplement would cover the costs.  She would need physical therapy when she was released.  

Megan then turned to the issue I wanted to hear about - dementia.

“Our staff gave your mother two standard dementia tests and she failed both of them.  Both required some memory and recall.” Megan gave me some of Mom’s answers and I was amazed to hear that George Bush was president, that Puerto Rico was a state, and that 12 minus 5 is 5. Megan continued “She didn’t get any of them correct.”

Megan looked up from her sheet of questions.  “Ann, I am pretty sure your Mother has some form of dementia.  And, it really doesn’t make much difference whether it is Alzheimer’s or some other form. 

She continued “With that, I strongly recommend that she get help.  There are probably several options - depending on her finances and preferences.  One option that I don’t recommend is that she stay at home.  She is a nuisance to herself.  I would suspect more falls and more troubles.  Definitely, she should not drive as she seems to miss traffic signals and seems to get lost.  Enid is not that big of a place and she has lived her for all of her life and she should know every street.”

“The second option is to move her to a memory care facility.  The third option is to move her to an assisted living facility.  

“And, the last option is that she moves in with you or somebody in your family.  That has good points and bad points.  She would have people who cared about her in her life daily.  Some studies suggest that having loved ones in your life will prolong the parent’s life.  The downside is that she will not be in Enid and not close to her friends, but I’m guessing her friend pool is already shrinking. You could find a Bible Study, church, activities in your area.  Some communities have a “Senior Daycare program where you could drop her off for the day, like a kids daycare.”

Megan continued “She will also need some physical therapy with her hip replacement.  For the next few weeks, I suggest she go to a residential rehab facility.  They will get her up and walking and do various physical and mental activities.”

Megan added “Not that it is my place, but I think that if she moved in with you or your family, and got into a rehab program, she would be happier and would live longer.  Her quality of life will be better than being in a facility, but it also takes a lot of work.”

She asked me “Do you work or are you retired?”

I told her about being the assistant director to the elections department.  

She then asked, “Do your sister and brother work?”  

I answered “Yes.  My sister is 67 and could retire, but I think she isn’t ready yet and she has a dog and Mom isn’t a dog person.  Our brother is 61 and still works.  My bias is that he is about three-and-one-half hours away from my sister and myself.  I think I could either retire or take an extended leave of absence.  I could enroll her in an adult daycare program while I work and between my sister having the summers off as a school psychologist and my work which tends to have very busy times and very light times we could make it happen.”

I swallowed hard and whispered “I think she could stay with me.  I could quit my job or take an extended leave of absence.”

*****

The family, including the spouses all, got on the conference call on my drive to Georgetown from Enid.  In the end, I volunteered to put her in Dyana’s bedroom and when Dyana comes home from college at Christmas she can sleep in Bethany’s room.  I knew of some places that did physical therapy for seniors and I would contact them when I got home.

*****

The next several months were challenging.  We did move Mom to my house, she did physical therapy,  

More next SATURDAY!!  (Back on Schedule)

Independence Day 2020 - Part II

Independence Day - Part II

https://www.americanheritage.com/we-mutually-pledge-each-other-our-lives-our-fortunes-and-our-sacred-honor#1

Here are the last sentences of the Declaration of Independence - proclaimed on July 4th, 1776’

“That these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States; that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as Free and Independent States, they have full Power to levy War, conclude Peace, contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent States may of right do. And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes, and our sacred Honor.

I want to highlight that last line.  The signers of the Declaration of Independence anticipated what would happen when the United Colonies (aka The United States) declared their independence from Great Britain.  Already British soldiers had fired on - and killed - citizens of the colonies (primarily in Boston).  Yes, it was not an easy journey from Great Britain to the “colonies”.  All transportation was on sailing vessels - and dependent on the winds and ocean currents.  But, the colonies were somewhat ‘cash cows’ for the British.  Cotton, tobacco, wood, and other goods were shipped back to England.  

These signers anticipated that they might die in declaring the colonies as free states.  Not only that, but they might also lose their fortunes, they might lose their lives.

Snopes (the Internet Fact Checker) says that not all were subjected to hardships beyond the normal.  

But, they were WILLING to pledge their lives, fortune, and honor.  There have been “popular” versions of the fortunes of the signers - many (according to Snopes) are just not true.  The Revolutionary War was a difficult one to wage for both sides.  It was on American soil - and maybe a little like Vietnam was fifty years ago, it may not have been a popular war at home in Great Britain - although British media of 1776 to 1783 was very different from American media of 1965 to 1975. There were no news wire reports, no photographs of battle scenes.  Even within the colonies, the army had its problems with supplies and manpower.  Yes, many of the men at Valley Forge in the winter of 1777-1778 did die.  

Warfare was different.  You could take one shot and then reload your gun.  Frequently one line proceeded ahead, took their shot, and went to the rear while the second line took their shot and the third line.  No rapid-fire guns.  At times the American troops had inferior equipment.  

But, back to the signers, they did pledge their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor!!!  In a few cases, maybe they did lose a fortune (but, it wasn’t necessarily at the hands of the British).  Some had their houses used as military headquarters - for both British - or American forces.  (The signers of the Declaration were relatively rich people - who else could leave home and travel to Philadelphia for weeks on end).  

But, they were WILLING!!  They counted the cost - and were WILLING,  They deemed independence from Great Britain as a necessary step in the development of the American country and North American continent.  (Our neighbor, Canada, opted to stay part of the British Empire and develop as a country within that constraint - but that is a different story.  

Because one is WILLING to pledge their lives, their fortunes and their sacred honor doesn’t mean that they will lose their lives, fortunes, or honor - but it shows their commitment!!!

*****

So, today, what are you WILLING to pledge your life to?  Are you willing to pledge your life to love, to holiness, to reconciliation between peoples?  Are you willing to pledge your life to peace instead of hatred?

There is a story about the farmer who was very nice to his animals.  The animals decided to give the farmer breakfast.  The chicken (and chickens) were very willing to donate eggs for the farmer, the pig was willing to donate his life to give bacon to the farmer.  There is a difference in the level of commitment.  Are you willing to write a check to a group to help the homeless children in your community?  Or, are you willing to be a foster parent to a homeless child?  There is a difference in commitment.  

Hugs!!!

Karen

JULY FOURTH 2020

July 4th, 2020

Welcome to my blog for July 4th, 2020!!  Independence Day!!  

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colossus_of_Rhodes 

https://placesjournal.org/article/sentinel-the-statue-of-liberty/

America is 244 years old!!  Sometimes I wonder if we can survive, but I am a “Pollyanna” and I believe in LOVE!!!

First an excerpt from a famous poem - “The New Colossus” by Emma Lazarus in 1883

“Give me your tired, your poor,

Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,

The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.

Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me,

I lift my lamp beside the golden door!"

The poem was placed on a monument called “Liberty Enlightening the World” (but, of course, very few know this monument by this name).  

The poem refers to the “Colossus of Rhodes” - one of the seven wonders of the ancient world.  

Wikipedia says this about the Colossus of Rhodes (abridged and edited):

“The Colossus of Rhodes was a statue of the Greek sun-god Helios, erected in the city of Rhodes, on the Greek island of the same name, by Chares of Lindos in 280 BC. One of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, it was constructed to celebrate its successful defense against Demetrius Poliorcetes, who had besieged it for a year with a large army and navy. According to most contemporary descriptions, the Colossus stood approximately 108 feet - the tallest statue of the ancient world”

(The Colossus of Rhodes was destroyed in an earthquake in 226 BC.)

So, this “New Colossus” that Emma Lazarus is the Statue of Liberty in the Hudson River between New York and New Jersey.  It technically is in New Jersey.  

The Statue of Liberty is also about 108 feet in height as the Colossus of Rhodes and was formally dedicated on October 28, 1886.  Ellis Island, the main point of entry for many immigrants was completed about four years later in 1892. After that immigrants to the United States that entered through Ellis Island would see this monument.  

The Poem “The New Colossus” is written on the tablet that Lady Liberty carries in her left arm.  

*****

Let’s talk about the excerpt above:

“Give me your tired, your poor,

Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,

The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.

Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me,

I lift my lamp beside the golden door!"

The United States has been a melting pot for immigrants. “Give me your tired, your poor”.  Many immigrants were tired and poor.  Yearning to be free.  

I think of Gottfried and Mary Quaas - my ancestors I know the most about.  Gottfried was born less than a month after Mary in 1823 - the fifth child of Christoph and Elizabeth (Gentsch) Quaas - out of eight children in rural Saxony providence Germany (not too far from what is now the Czech Republic). Seemingly a drought ravished the area where they farmed and the family moved to an industrial area - Chemnitz, Saxony.  

Germany was not a county as such but many city-states and other states.  But, there were movements to unify Germany - and the two biggest regions were Prussia and Austria - and were jockeying for leadership. In 1848, there were revolutions around Europe - and of course - in Germany.  Gottfried was being drafted into the army.  (My history doesn’t say which one, but i’m guessing the Austria army since Austria was closer to Saxony).  

There was very little for Gottfried in Saxony.  He was being drafted to fight in wars for unification against other Germany.  He wasn’t going to inherit any land, and he and Mary decided to emigrate to the United States with their two young children.  They took trains across Germany to Bremen and a sailing ship to America (steamboats were not developed).  I think of their journey - with what little money they had, saying goodbye to the family that they would never see again, and head out to the great unknown.  They were ‘tired and poor, and yearning to be free.  

While I don’t know the other stories as well as Gottfried and Mary Quaas, I also have English, Irish, Dutch, and Scottish ancestors.  

They ended in a new, wide-open land called America and made their way to Iowa.

Yes, I have a romantic view of these immigrants - but I also have a realistic view.  Gottfried almost died on the voyage but a German Physician in New York City nursed him back to health.  It wasn’t easy - little for roads, having to clear land, build houses to survive the Iowa winters, and raise a family - without much for ‘infrastructure’.  

Other immigrants came on slave ships.  Some people came earlier and were part of the 13 colonies.  Some have European backgrounds, some Chinese and Asian backgrounds, some came from Africa, others immigrated from the Middle East, and finally, others came from south of our border, Mexico, Central, and South America.  

But, recently, we have fought the ‘melting pot’ idea.  We have had “Black Lives Matter” - and they DO - because they are AMERICANS.  I have written that we all are made in the image and likeness of God - ALL!!!  Black Lives DO Matter!!!  They made the United States Great.  

We also have stopped “tired and poor, yearning to be free” on our border and built a wall to keep them out.  I’m glad the Native Americans (Indians) didn’t erect a wall to keep my ancestors out!!!  

On this fourth of July - do think of our many heritages, AND - LET’S GET ALONG!!!

Hugs!!

Karen

*****

Here is the New Colossus Poem - complete:

Not like the brazen giant of Greek fame,

With conquering limbs astride from land to land;

Here at our sea-washed, sunset gates shall stand

A mighty woman with a torch, whose flame

Is the imprisoned lightning, and her name

Mother of Exiles. From her beacon-hand

Glows world-wide welcome; her mild eyes command

The air-bridged harbor that twin cities frame.

"Keep, ancient lands, your storied pomp!" cries she

With silent lips. "Give me your tired, your poor,

Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,

The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.

Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me,

I lift my lamp beside the golden door!"

Lower Blood Sugar

!5 Ways to Lower Blood Sugar

https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/15-ways-to-lower-blood-sugar

In the past two days, I shared suggestions on conquering diabetes.  I want to cover a few different a few additional items here.  

The main point of the past two posts and this new post - is DON’T GET DIABETES!!!  Yes, you can live with diabetes - with insulin shots and control - but it is better is you don’t need to control it from outside.

So, quickly (before a Fourth of July post tomorrow) about 15 ways to lower blood sugar.

-1 Exercise regularly

Yup - we’ve heard that before - and it is still is there!!!

-2 Control you carb intake

Maybe a little more on this.  (1) Count Carbs; (2) using a food exchange system; and (3) Plan your meals better!!  Eating out is generally a carb mistake - eating at home with good plans can help you control carbs better!!!

-3 Eat more fiber 

Another one we have seen before!!

-4 Drink Water and stay hydrated 

-5 Implement portion control

If you don’t overeat and eat an appropriate amount, you will do better with your blood sugar

Keep a good journal, read the nutrition statement.  

-6 Eat foods with a low glycemic index

We didn’t have this one before.  The article says:

“Foods with a low glycemic index include seafood, meat, eggs, oats, barley, beans, lentils, legumes, sweet potatoes, corn, yams, most fruits, and non-starchy vegetables.

-7 Control stress level

The article says “One study showed that exercise, relaxation, and meditation significantly reduced stress and lowered blood sugar levels for students

-8 Monitor your blood sugar levels

Keep track of these levels in a log

** In the past (before COVID-19) I went to my local HEB grocery for their “Second Saturday Testing” One of the tests that were done was blood sugar.  But, I have not had blood sugar tests since March.

-9 Get enough sleep

Poor sleeping habits and a lack of rest also affect blood sugar levels and insulin sensitivity. They can increase appetite and promote weight gain.

-10 Eat Foods Rich in Chromium and Magnesium

The article says:

“Chromium-rich foods include egg yolks, whole-grain products, high-bran cereals, coffee, nuts, green beans, broccoli, and meat.”

“Magnesium-rich foods include dark leafy greens, whole grains, fish, dark chocolate, bananas, avocados, and beans.”

-11 Try Apple Cider Vinegar

Okay - I’m not sure of this.

“To incorporate apple cider vinegar into your diet, you can add it to salad dressings or mix 2 teaspoons in 8 ounces of water.

-12 Experiment with Cinnamon

“Studies show cinnamon can also lower blood sugar levels by up to 29% 

-13  Try Berberine

“Berberine is the active component of a Chinese herb that's been used to treat diabetes for thousands of years.

I’m not familiar with Berberine - maybe I should look it up!!!

-14 Eat Fenugreek Seeds

“Many studies have shown that fenugreek can effectively lower blood sugar in diabetics. It also helps reduce fasting glucose and improve glucose tolerance

“Fenugreek seeds are also considered one of the safest herbs for diabetes

-15 Lose Weight!!!

*****

Okay - my friends - we saw that about 2/3 rds of the United States population is overweight is obese - and the rest of diabetes is much higher with overweight folks.  Overweight/diabetes is life-threatening and can lead to many negative issues!!

Hugs!!!  Fourth of July is tomorrow - be safe - avoid crowds - practice social distancing!!!

Karen

Avoiding Diabetes - part II

How to avoid Diabetes

https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/prevent-diabetes

I started looking at this article yesterday - with 13 suggestions for avoiding diabetes, avoiding obesity!!

Some of these ideas can be combined, so we will move faster today.

-5 Don’t smoke!!!

The article says, “Smoking is strongly linked to the risk of diabetes, especially in heavy smokers. Quitting has been shown to reduce this risk over time.

Where diabetes and obesity are bad enough, smoking makes everything worse.  STOP SMOKING and don’t take it up.

Aside:  The only time I smoked was about a three month period where I thought smoking a pipe would make me look so “professorial”.  Didn’t Sherlock Holmes smoke his pipe?  I pictured professors in their tweed coats and a pipe.  I didn’t really like it!!  (Hurray!!!!)

-6 Follow a low carb diet.

Yes - but item #1 yesterday said “Cut Sugar and Refined Carbs From Your Diet” - so a bit redundant

-7 Watch portion size.

Item #4 (yesterday) said lose weight.  Portion size can be part of losing weight.  

And, do you know a good way of watching your portion size?  Having smaller plates!!!

-8. Avoid sedentary behaviors

OUCH!!!  This one hits me.  I spend way-too-much-time sitting!!!  

This comes from the article “A large analysis of 47 studies found that people who spent the highest amount of time per day engaged in sedentary behavior had a 91% increased risk of developing diabetes “

And, this “Changing sedentary behavior can be as simple as standing up from your desk and walking around for a few minutes every hour.”

I don’t have TV, but I do need to get up frequently!!

Suggestion - item #3 says ‘drink a lot of water’.  Do you know what happens when you drink a LOT of water? You need the restroom - which means getting up and walking to the restroom!!!

-9.A little different - Eat a high fiber diet

Recently I have found lentils.  I didn’t really know what lentils were - but my package of lentils says one serving of lentils (about ¼ cup) is about 62% of my daily requirement of fiber!!!  I have been throwing lentils, pinto beans, and barley into my crockpot with my boneless chicken breasts (and some spices).  Delicious - and lots of fiber!!!

I also eat my oatmeal (every other day)

-10 Get vitamin D

The article says “One study found that people with the highest blood levels of vitamin D were 43% less likely to develop type 2 diabetes than those with the lowest blood levels”

“Consuming foods high in vitamin D or taking supplements can help optimize vitamin D blood levels, which can reduce your risk of diabetes.

-11 Minimize your intake of processed foods

-12 Drink Water or Tea

From the article, “Although water should be your primary beverage, research suggests that including coffee or tea in your diet may help you avoid diabetes.

Studies have reported that drinking coffee on a daily basis reduced the risk of type 2 diabetes by 8–54%, with the greatest effect generally seen in people with the highest consumption.

-13 The last one -consider taking some natural herbs

The article says ”The herbs curcumin and berberine increase insulin sensitivity, reduce blood sugar levels and may help prevent diabetes.”

I don’t know what these are, but maybe I need to look for them!!!

*****

Bottom line -you are what you eat and what you do.  Eat right, exercise, don’t smoke - and enjoy a stronger, better life - with much (much) lower risk of diabetes - and consequently dementia and even COVID!!!!

Hugs!!!

Karen