Showing posts with label blood sugar. Show all posts
Showing posts with label blood sugar. Show all posts

Monday, 2 February 2015

News Release: Research Evidence Affirms that Good Nutrition Can Help Prevent and Control Type 2 Diabetes


Read the entire article, its too important to miss!
One major finding was that certain foods and dietary patterns can help prevent type 2 diabetes even without weight loss. “People who eat a Mediterranean diet, with foods such as olive oil, whole grains and leafy vegetables and fruits, have a lower risk of developing diabetes even when they don’t lose weight,” Dr. Hamdy says.
Foods such as oat cereal, yogurt and dairy products, green leafy vegetables, grapes, apples, blueberries and walnuts were associated with reduced diabetes risk. Drinking coffee and even decaffeinated coffee were also associated with lower type 2 diabetes risk.

Participants who followed a Mediterranean eating plan — without restricting calories — showed a greater improvement in glycemic control and insulin sensitivity than participants who ate other popular diets. In addition, overweight patients with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes who followed the Mediterranean diet had less need for antihyperglycemic medications compared with participants on a low-fat diet.

Overall, a variety of eating plans, including the Mediterranean, low-carbohydrate/low glycemic index and high-protein diets, improved glycemic control and cardiovascular disease risk factors in patients with diabetes compared with control diets. This offers patients a range of options for diabetes management.

Foods associated with a higher risk of diabetes include red and processed meat, sugar-sweetened beverages, alcohol in excess quantities and refined grains, such as white flour.

Test Strips reduced for Type 2 diabetics in Canada!

Have you heard about this?

The number of test strips available to diabetics in Ontario has been reduced, and drastically reduced for anyone not on insulin!!!!

How are people supposed to test a minimum of 5 times a day with only 200 test strips per year?

I usually get 300 test strips a month, I'm on 2 types of insulin, and I will now only get 250 test strips per month.

However, my husband, who had to stop taking metformin for health reasons, will now only get 200 test strips per YEAR! His doctor told him to test at least 5 times a day. Now he can only test once every other day. He'll have to start using some of my test strips, just to keep track.

This STINKS!

And the Canadian Diabetes Association supports it!

I can't believe this!



Why is all this misinformation circulating about type 2?

I'm amazed by the ignorance of people purporting to know about diabetes. This includes doctors and pharmacists, and even other diabetics.

One thing that keeps popping up for me is that everyone is quoting outdated and incomplete information regarding the genetics and causes of type 2.

There aren't 6 or 7, or even 13 genes that can involved in type 2.

In fact there are at least 38!

That's right - 38!

This information was published in the summer of 2010. Check the dates on internet sources you quote people! Please look for more up to date info!

And the more of these defective genes you have, the greater the likelihood of getting it.

Your family history should be a clue. Mine is rife with diabetes and weight problems caused by insulin resistance and defective genes, on BOTH sides of my family.

Other factors that contribute to the development of type 2 diabetes include, among many many others:

Beta blockers can increase your risk by 20 to 50%. If you already have the genes (look at your family history), and your doctor prescribes beta blockers, your chances increase dramatically even if nothing else changes.

Beta blockers can be enough to tip you over the edge into diabetes. I know because this happened to my husband and almost happened to my sister. Luckily I found out about this and let her know in time.

Other factors include under active thyroid - check, had that ALL my life! Its still undertreated because I can't tolerate the dose of thyroid hormone that I actually need.

Certain medications for other conditions - check, I was never told of the risks involved with certain treatments until well after the damage was done. This can include treatments for PCOS, asthma, infections, and much more.

Exposure to pesticides, and highway smog. Yep, been there, done that, it was not my choice, but none the less, I have to suffer the consequences of it.

Family history: I have not one, not two, but several people with diabetes in my close family. According to scientific research my chances of getting type 2 were pretty much 100%, given my family history. This probably goes back several generations. 

Other factors, for me include injuries from accidents that kept me from exercising.

Inflammation and allergies: Yes, this can have an effect!

Inherited joint disorders: which have not only kept me from riding my bike, roller skating, and dancing, (all of which I love). They have also put me into a wheelchair. I cannot get enough exercise to stay fit, let alone fight back against insulin resistance.

Insulin injections: yes, they saved my life, but they are also making me gain weight, and increasing my insulin resistance. Its a lose/lose situation for me.


Update, since this was originally written, I have read further articles that state that there are over 40 known genetic factors involved in getting Type 2 diabetes. 



Monday, 26 January 2015

Conversion Chart for Blood Glucose Readings

Here's a chart that you can use to convert
mmol/L to mg/dl and vice versa.
 


Protect Yourself at the Hospital!


Next time you're in the hospital, make sure you do your own insulin injections and that you keep your pen in your room, and label the body of the pen, NOT the cap. 

Thousands of hospital patients were exposed to HIV, Hep and other blood bourne diseases by nursing staff switching the CAPS of the pens, and using the pen on more than one patient. 

Pens MUST be specific to ONE patient. 

There is now evidence that there IS some backwash, which contaminates the insulin, making it very risky for more than one person to use a pen. 

In hospitals, there ARE going to be diabetics with HIV or Hep. 

Protect yourself! 

This is why I always keep my testing kit and insulin with my personal property and refuse to let nurses handle my equipment or insulin. If they want to test my blood glucose I insist that I do the lancing with my own lancing device and then let them collect the blood sample for their device. This way I am not exposed to any risk if proper proceedures have not been followed. Sharing lancing devices isn't safe, even if you change the lancet, because there is minute blood splatter all over and inside the lancing device. 

http://insulinnation.com/treatment2/medicine-drugs/pen-reuse/


Friday, 19 December 2014


Do you carry glucose tabs with you at all times? 

Do you have a glucogon kit for emergencies? 

Does anyone besides you know how to use it?


A really bad day...

This morning I took my Lantus as usual, but about an hour later I was shaking severely, nauseated, and my heart was pounding like crazy. I could barely speak, and it was hard to think. There's no way I would have been able to walk to another room to get help. 

I checked my blood sugar, which wasn't easy because the shakes were so severe. My blood sugar was 3.0 and dropping fast!  (54 in US scale). Yes I was in insulin shock. 

No idea why it happened except that I must have hit a vein. I didn't see any blood, and there was no vein visible where I injected, but I can't think of any other explanation. I must have nicked something. It was not a new cartridge and I dialed up the right dose.

I didn't accidentally inject my mealtime insulin (that pen records the dose and time, and it hadn't been used since yesterday). So not the wrong insulin.

I didn't inject too much. Just the usual dose in the usual area and suddenly I'm in big trouble.
Fortunately my husband was there and got my glucose tablets out, and helped me get my meter out. I couldn't even open the kit.

I also had him get out my glucogon kit, just in case. I really thought he was going to have to use it this time, it was so bad and so sudden. The glucose tablets just weren't working fast enough.
Insulin shock is nasty. I survived another day, but its still rough. It usually takes me 3 or 4 days to get over this type of thing. I felt NO symptoms until it was severe, no warning at all. If my blood sugar goes down from getting a little too much mealtime insulin, it usually happens slowly and I can feel it coming on and test and treat it. Not this time.  I was suddenly so weak and confused that I couldn't manage the stupid zipper on the kit. I needed assistance.

Normally 1 glucose tablet will bring my blood sugar up enough, but this time I had to keep forcing them down, it took about 12 to 14 tablets, plus a glass of Tang, (I keep Tang powder on hand just for emergencies in case I can't keep the tablets down). 

I didn't take any insulin until late today for supper, and believe me, I was very reluctant to use it. 
If you use insulin PLEASE keep Dex4 tabs on hand at all times. Have at least one large bottle, and make sure its already been opened because at times like this you won't have the strength to get it opened. I keep them in the kitchen, beside my bed, and in the living room beside my chair. If I hadn't been prepared, I'd probably be dead now. My husband wouldn't have been able to hunt them down in time. 

Fortunately I was prepared. 

I'm going to be getting some liquid glucose, and gel too, the dry tablets keep well, but in this type of emergency they're too hard to chew and swallow. 
Please get yourself some glucose tabs, plus gel or liquid,  and a glucogon kit too, someday it may save your life. 

If you need a quick increase in glucose, glucose tablets are the best option, however, in an emergency, if you are not prepared, you can use Lifesaver candies, or orange juice, or regular pop (NOT the sugar free kind!). You can even eat regular table sugar, but its a lot easier to use glucose tablets, and if you carry them, you'll know you're always prepared. 

When you get a glucogon kit make sure someone knows how to use the kit, besides yourself! 

PS. I 've heard that some of the tube icing for cake decorating is made from glucose. I'm going to be checking that out, because I'm sure it would be a lot cheaper than the glucose gel tubes at the pharmacy. Look for icing that has a peel away tab after you unscrew the cap. Some require using a pair of scissors to snip off the end of the tube. This is not something you need to worry about in an emergency! Either way, I'm going to have at least 2 gel tubes in each location, just in case, in addition to the tablets. 

New Mini-Dose Glucagon kit coming soon!  
http://www.diabetesdaily.com/blog/2014/12/update-mini-dose-glucagon-coming-soon/


Standard treatment for Low Blood Sugar   http://www.diabetesnet.com/diabetes-control/low-blood-sugars/treatment

Update: I did hit a vein, I developed had a huge bruise where I did that injection, lots of bleeding under the skin, and it has not cleared up yet (it's been over a month). 




Monday, 27 January 2014

Keeping Insulin Safe During a Heat Wave

Sometimes when you are traveling or even at home or work, your insulin will be subjected to temperature extremes, including freezing, or heat wave temperatures. Since insulin is very sensitive to temperature changes, it needs to be protected.

If you are just going for a short trip during the winter, then the safest place to keep your insulin is inside its case, on the inside of your coat. As long as you don't get overheated, your body temperature will keep your insulin warm enough. However, don't have it too close, or the temperature can get too warm for it. If you'll be in a heated car, not outside, then keeping it in your usual bag or pocket might be warm enough. Just don't store it right next to a heat source. Its a good idea to have some kind of insulin around insulin in any extremes to keep it from getting too warm or too cold so pack it in some sort of insulated pack or bag whenever the temperatures might go outside optimum ranges. Insulin can be very expensive, plus you don't want to be without a vital medication when you need it. Planning is essential.

For summertime, you should check the temperature range that is safe and have a plan for keeping your insulin in use cool during heat waves. You can store your supply in the fridge (as long as your fridge doesn't freeze things). However, for your insulin pen in current use, you need something portable, so read on.

One word about ice. NEVER use ice directly next to your insulin. It WILL freeze enough to make it useless. If you plan to pack your insulin in a cooler with your lunch, make sure your insulin is as far away from the ice pack as possible to avoid freezing it. I wrap a clean kitchen towel around my pen case. I put the ice on the other side of the cooler, as far from the insulin as possible. The towel keeps the insulin pen case where I put it, and protects it if it should shift in transport.

Once you open it, insulin is fine at average room temperatures, however, if its hot enough to use an air conditioner, then you probably need to take precautions about the heat. All insulin packaging comes with an insert that tells you the safe temperature range for your product. Always check the recommendations in the insert.

If you'll be traveling, or live where there are heat waves during the summer, I strongly advise you to get a FRIO wallet for your insulin.

Frio uses water evaporation to keep insulin and other temperature sensitive medications at a cool temperature without risk of freezing during a heat wave, without relying on any type of refrigeration. The wallets are small enough to carry with you, and you can also get larger ones for supplies needed over an extended period such as a vacation.

Frio can be used anywhere that you have access to clean water, its very portable, and simple to use, and you can even get one for a pump if you have one.

I've been using water evaporation to keep my insulin pens protected during heat waves for several years now, and have never had a problem. Frio is a reliable product and the concept is simple and effective.

I highly recommend it!

Here's the link: http://www.frioinsulincoolingcase.com/

I have no association with Frio, other than being a happy customer.

Freezing: As far as I know, the simplest way to tell if insulin has frozen, is to look for changes in appearance. It might have become cloudy or have particles in it that are not normally present. There might be a crack in the cartridge. If there are no observable changes, I test my insulin by using it. If it doesn't bring my  blood sugar down as it normally would, then it has indeed been frozen. The same applies to extreme heat. It renders insulin useless. I don't know of any other way to test insulin other than sending it back to the company.

I once sent insulin to the company to be tested, and it was fine, but instead of returning it, they threw it out! There goes my money! So now I just test by using it. This is how I test it, its up to you to decide if you want to do this or not. Consult your doctor first or call the company and follow their advice.

This blog is for entertainment purposes only. Always follow the advice of your doctor or diabetes nurse educator, or your endo.


Saturday, 7 July 2012

Glucose Tablets: An Essential Safety Measure for Insulin Users

Essential Safety Measures for Insulin Users

Something we all need once we start using insulin
 is a quick fix if our blood glucose goes too low.

If you're a type 2, and on oral meds, diet and exercise, your blood glucose may go low occasionally. However, when you start insulin, you'll experience more severe lows, that have a sudden onset, and you may not have the physical strength and presence of mind to deal with it, if you fail to prepare ahead of time.

One item you must have on hand is glucose tablets.


There are several brands, but I find the least expensive and most widely available brand is Dex4.


You can buy Dex4 in large jars of 50, which will treat about 15 lows, and there are also 10 tablet tubes. The tubes will only treat 3 lows or possibly 4.  The larger bottles are more economical. 



There are other brands of glucose available, these are simply the brand that I prefer, as it is easy to find, and not as expensive as the other ones. 

You should always carry glucose tablets with you when you go out, even in your own backyard. You should keep some in a small jar in every room of your home too. They should be easy to see at a glance, and easy to reach from whatever chair you normally sit in. For example, you should be able to reach them at your desk, your living room chair, kitchen table, in your car, your place of work, and where you sleep.

They should never be out of reach! 

Take the time now to break the seal on the bottle and open the lid, then screw it back on just enough to close, so its not tight. You need to keep moisture out, but have the lid loose enough for a weakened person to open in an emergency. If you go low, you will be weaker than normal, and probably confused as well.

If you take the time now to put at least 6 to 8 glucose tablets in small jars, label them, and put one in each location, it could save your life someday. It will certainly give you some security, knowing that you're prepared for the lows that will occur.

Why got to all this trouble you ask? Well, when a real low strikes, you may be too weak to walk, let alone hunt for and open a new, still sealed jar. You may not even have the strength to open a lid if its screwed on too tightly. Confusion is part of extreme low blood glucose, so be prepared now, so you can deal with it when it strikes.

Family members need to know what and where your glucose tablets are too. They need to know how to help if you get so low you can't even think of taking glucose tablets.

Here's a handy product that can be used to carry them when you're away from home, at work, etc.


This is the Quick Fix Key Chain for glucose tablets. The Dex4 tablets fit into these perfectly.

I rotate mine, as they do absorb more moisture when stored in these key-chain holders. You can find this product at  Quick Fix Key Chain

I've also seen these on Amazon.com 

 Dex 4 is available in tablets, gels and liquid form. The 50 count jar of tablets is the most economical form, and easier to find too. Other brands may be more readily available in your part of the world. The important thing is to get some, and have them on hand, where you'll need them, not stuck in the back of a cupboard somewhere, collecting dust!

Take the time now to get some glucose tablets and put them where you can easily find and use them, when the need arises.

You won't be sorry that you did! 

 

Wednesday, 21 March 2012

Control


 Control


What is this circle of testing,
counting carbs, and injecting insulin?


What does this tight control gain?
Why do I test over and over,
repeating the endless cycle of blood?



I celebrate each little victory,
a lower A1c, creating a new recipe
that doesn't send my glucose soaring,
finding a few moments of peace
when I actually forget my diabetes
and just live in the moment.

Control - I never knew
how much I would learn
to value that word.

I control my blood glucose 
as much as humanly possible,
instead of letting it...

Control me.


No comas, blindness, amputations,
no suffering like my grandmother,
had to go through.

Who am I to complain
about a few finger sticks,
counting carbs, injecting insulin,
getting labwork done,
overcoming my fear of needles,
when it can save my eyes,
save my feet, save my very life?

So what if I have to count carbs
and feel like a pincushion?
I'd rather count 
than die a little
every day...

Wouldn't you?


Control...

Its worth every moment that I give,
every day, month after month,
to stay here and enjoy
the spring blossoms on the apple tree,
the crash of waves on the shoreline after a storm,
the voice of my sweetheart in the starry dark,
my daughter's smiling face,
and someday...

the laughter of my grandchildren.


Petra


Sunday, 4 December 2011

Which Lancet is the Finest?


Want to avoid unneccesary pain when testing your blood glucose?


Doesn't any diabetic?

Well, how about using a finer lancet?

Here are two to consider:

The BD Ultrafine, which has a gauge of 33.





Here's a page comparing it to other popular lancets, its the one on the far left, the pretty peacock blue one:




I have found one other lancet which might be suitable for children, its the Tinyboy.
Its the pale blue lancet on the left in the picture below.  As you can see, its very very short.





And what about lancing devices? 

My favourite is the BD one shown at the very bottom of this photo

 
More Options: 

Another option to reduce pain when testing, is to use Alternate Site Testing 
Here's an excellent article on it, which explains when its appropriate and not appropriate to use it, and how to get the best results:





Where should I test if not on my fingers? 

http://gb.pinterest.com/pin/112801165641726163/





This shows the alternate sites you can use with their systems. It also shows alternate sites on the hand, (I find these just as effective as fingertip testing, you might too). As you see, you can use the base of your thumb, and the edge of your palm too.

Note that when you use fingertip testing, its usually less painful to use the side of your fingertips, rather than the flat part where your fingerprint is. 

Talk to your doctor about using alternate sites, and mention these alternate hand sites too.



Wednesday, 29 June 2011

Essential Resources for Diabetics



The best page for help with daily testing: Jennifer's Page at
http://alt-support-diabetes.org/newly-diagnosed/testing


Right click on this link and save to hard drive, for a printable page of Jennifer's testing guidelines, for the USA:
How to test to get results


Right click on this link and save to hard drive, for a printable page of Jennifer's testing guidelines, for Canada and anyone else using the mmol/L system:
How to Test to Get Results, for Canadians


Great reliable online information about diabetes:


Blood Sugar 101
Blood Sugar 101

David Mendosa's Diabetes NEW website

http://www.mendosa.com/

 and his blog at

http://www.mendosa.com/blog/




Recommended Books


Diabetes for Dummies, or

Diabetes for Dummies for Type 1, or

Diabetes for Dummies for Canadians

The First Year: Type 2 Diabetes: An Essential Guide for the Newly Diagnosed by Gretchen Becker. This is a really good book for anyone with type 2 diabetes, even someone whose had diabetes for a few years.

And for low carb recipes, have a look at The South Beach Quick and Easy Cookbook.

Also look at Protein Power: The High-Protein/Low-Carbohydrate Way to Lose Weight, Feel Fit, and Boost Your Health--in Just Weeks! (Paperback) By Michael Eades

Also, sign up at TuDiabetes...
http://www.tudiabetes.org/

If you're a Canadian  diabetic you can join a new group at Facebook called 
Canadian Sugar (Diabetics)
Canadian Sugar at Facebook!

If you're a Type 2 diabetic and English speaking, this group might interest you:

Diabetes - Type 2 - Living With It!
Type 2 - Living With It! (Group at Facebook)




What about herbs, supplements, and herbal "Cures" for diabetes?

What about herbs, supplements, and herbal "Cures" for diabetes?
 
First of all, it's vital that you inform your doctor about every supplement, herb and vitamin you take, as they can often affect prescription medications in a negative or even dangerous way! 


Some herbs or supplements can make prescriptions less effective, other can make them too powerful. With diabetes, either one can be dangerous. There are even problems with some foods. Grapefruit is one that comes to mind.

Herbal supplements can easily fall into this category and must be used with extreme caution. Some "herbal treatments" for diabetes contain hidden ingredients. For example, one imported "herbal treatment" was found to contain metformin, rather than herbs, and had to be withdrawn from the market. Profit can be the main incentive for some companies, you have to look out for yourself and protect yourself from these frauds. Many make false claims to cure or control diabetes. Its best to stick with a good diet, and proper medications, as the complications from this disease are so serious.

In my experience, most herbs, vitamins, and homeopathic remedies are useless when it comes to controlling blood glucose. This is a serious disease and you have to take it very seriously to get good results and avoid complications. A good multivitamin and mineral supplement can be helpful overall, but nothing can take the place of good diet, exercise, and the necessary prescription medications, especially insulin.

If you want to try supplements look for those that have been proven through independent studies to help, but approach them with caution and certainly don't rely entirely on supplements, herbs or homeopathy. Follow your doctor's advice. 


You just will not get good control with herbs and supplements, and the complications from this disease are not fun. Don’t risk your health further!

Just my 2 cents!

Why Do I Have To Watch My Carb Intake?


Carbs! They’re our primary source of energy from food. We need carbs, but when you have diabetes, your body can have difficulty dealing with them, causing a rise in blood glucose  that can lead to complications and organ damage, or even unconsciousness and death. 

Some diabetics can control their blood glucose by reducing carb intake and getting more exericse, or with oral medications. Others may need insulin. There are various types of diabetes, and you'll need to follow your doctor's advise on how to keep your blood glucose levels within healthy limits. 

Type 1 diabetics and Insulin Dependent Type 2 diabetics must take insulin to stay alive. Type 2's in the early stages may be able to manage with diet and exercise alone, but later in life progress to oral medications and finally, insulin. Type 2 is a progressive disease.

Other types include gestational diabetes, brittle diabetes, LADA, and MODY.


So which carbs should we eat?  

Carbs or carbohydrates, are either simple carbs like sugar, honey, white flour, white rice, etc. or complex carbs like whole grains, starchy fibrous veggies, etc.  
 

I'd recommend that you stick with the complex, high fibre whole foods type of carbs as much as you can and limit your intake of sugars and starches.

Processed foods such as cookies, donuts, cake, pie, candy and other treats are very bad choices as they contain a lot of sugar, white flour, and fat, and contain may contain no vitamins, minerals or fiber. They consist mainly of simple sugars that make your blood glucose go sky high fairly quickly and provide little if any actual nutritional benefit. There are healthier alternatives you will discover along the way.

When you choose a meal or snack ingredient, stick with healthy whole foods, as much as possible. In other words, eat for health, not for convenience. Avoid fried foods, processed foods, frozen convenience meals, sugar, salt, and most white foods, including most baked goods.

Processed foods provide  “empty calories”. They don’t have vitamin, minerals or even fiber in them. All they do is make your blood glucose high, and contribute to weight gain and disease. Most will also contain unhealthy levels of sodium (salt) and will raise your blood pressure, which is a dangerous condition, especially when combined with diabetes.

You should also cut back on fruit until things are under control. Fruit is high in fast carbs (simple sugars, which are the ones you want to avoid). You can eat some fruit when your diabetes has stabilized, but you’ll find that fruit will not stick with you as long, and you’ll tend to get hungrier faster when eating simple sugars like those found in fruits.

When things are under better control you can start to add in fruits that are high in fibre and lower in carbs and therefore better choices from this food group. These include: FRESH berries such as strawberries, blackberries, raspberries, blueberries, also watermelon, fresh pineapple, pears, and apples. The fiber in them will slow down absorption of the carbs a little bit, so you won’t get hungry so fast.  They are rich in nutrients.

Also look for high fiber veggies, and whole grains. If you eat potatoes limit the amount and avoid fried potatoes except for an occasional treat once or twice a year. Eat potatoes with the skins on for more fiber and a sensation of filling full longer.  There are some vegges which are low in carbs and high in nutrition: broccoli, greens, green beans, yellow wax beans, mushrooms, the list goes on.

Eat limited amounts of grains, as they are starches.  When you do choose grains, go for whole grains, not refined grains. Avoid white pasta, white bread, white rice, etc.

For treats, you can find recipes for low carb treats online. Just Google "low carb recipes".

I've learned to make cakes and muffins from almond flour, coconut flour, flaxmeal, and other high fibre/low carb ingredients. It takes time to get used to them and learn to bake with them, but its worth it for guilt free, healthy eating. I don't eat them very often, but at least when I do, I can stick with my carb count for the meal and eat in a healthy manner. I'm sure you'll find some new and healthier favourites when you have been doing this for a while.

I'd recommend the South Beach Diet Cookbook as a starting point for finding low carb recipes. There are several different version, all with different themes. You can probably borrow a copy from your local library. I haven't had to buy one, as I found all the recipes I needed online and then adapted them to suit my needs.

For example, my chocolate birthday cake is made from almond flour, and is very low in carbs, but still very rich tasting. Its a real treat!

And here's a couple of links on carb counting to get you started: 


http://www.diabetesnet.com/food-diabetes/carb-counting/how-count-carbohydrates

http://lowcarbdiets.about.com/od/lowcarb101/a/carbintro.htm



I hope this information is helpful. Please always follow your doctors advice first, and take it slowly. 

YMMV
(Your Mileage May Vary)

I wish you success!

  The above information is my opinion, and should not be taken as medical advice. It is for entertainment purposes only. Always follow the advice of your doctor and medical team.