Homer J.

Simpson

Struggling With Type 2 Diabetes

By ERIN MUNS
It all started with my love of donuts....

I developed a taste for junk food as a

baby. I would drink chocolate milk out
of my bottle, eat pizza slices in my crib
and donut crumbs off the
floor...MMMMM Donut Crumbs...

MMMMM....
Melted
Chocolate

MMMMM....
Cheeseburger
it wasn't just the donuts. I ate
junk food all the time. I ate
high fat and high sugar foods
like cheesburgers, candy, chips,
pizza ..

FACT:
High blood pressure, obesity and High cholesterol caused by
eating a high fat, high sugar diet can lead to type 2 diabetes
 If I work
from home i won't
even have to leave
zzzzzzzzzzz my seat...

I found a job that allowed me

In my spare time I liked to work from home and move
to lounge on the couch as little as possible..around
and catch some zzz's... this time i began to gain weight

Working at the computer made me

sleepy...so I rested some more...

FACT:
Type 2 Diabetes usually occurs slowly over time
along with weight gain. the more fat you have, the
harder it is for your body to use insulin. that is why
those who are diagnosed with type 2 diabetes are
usually overweight.

I had been big boned before,

but i started really packin' on
the pounds...
 I..NEED...
WATer.

I started noticing the symptoms of I was so thirsty, so sleepy, and so

diabetes.. hungry all the time!

Fact:
Early Symptoms of diabetes include intense thirst, feeling
very tired and very hungry, blurred vision and increased Move Aside
urination. I have to
pee!!!!!!!!!!

MMMMM
..
Endless
food

that's weird. i
don't remember bart
and lisa being fuzzy
around the edges..
 Marge convinced me Homer. we are going
to go see dr. Hibbert to have to test for
diabetes. I will begin by
testing your blood sug
ar level
and if that is above 200
i will
have to test your fastin
g
blood sugar level...

I
thought
diabetes was
something you Dr. Hibbert explained that type 1-diabetes
were born
is the less common form of diabetes that a
with?
person is born with. In type 1 diabetes
people's bodies can't make the insulin that is
required to keep the amount of sugar
(glucose) in the blood stable.

Dr. Hibbert Explained that he would be testing for

the more common form of diabetes. this kind of
diabetes is acquired (usually over time) and is
called type 2-Diabetes. a person with type 2
diabetes produces insulin, but they are "insulin
resistant" meaning their body doesn't respond
properly to the insulin and sugar (glucose)
builds up in the blood. Your blood sugar
levels are above 200,
and your fasting blood
sugar levels are higher than
125. I will have to test a
second time to confirm but it
is highly likely you have
type 2 diabetes

Ok. Doc.
give me the
diabetes
medicine and
I'll be on my
way....

Dr. Hibbert informed me there was a lot more

to managing my diabetes then medicine...
Dr. hibbert Explained that i Fact:
needed to control blood Exercise and diet are the two
glucose levels by excercising, main treatments for type 2
eating healthy, and avoiding diabetes
alchohol and cigarettes

Must...Keep
..going...

1, 2,3....100

Fact:
Alcohol can alter blood sugar
No more beer levels. To prevent or control
and no more diabetes, alcohol should be avoided.
donuts makes
homer go crazy

FACT:
High Fat, High Calorie foods
like donuts cause increases in
blood glucose levels, so eat
a low fat, high fiber diet and
limit sweets...like donuts

Wait...that
says diet?
NOOOOOOOOOOO
OOOOOOOOO!

Fact:
Smoking can cause serious heart
complications, blood vessel
damage, strokes, and poor
circulation for those with diabetes
Fact:
If diet and exercise aren't
controlling blood sugar
levels, the doctor will
prescribe medication to lower
blood sugar levels.

Medications differ in how they

help with blood sugar levels:

*Thiazolidinediones help
cells better use insulin
*Sulfonylureas help your
pancreas make extra insulin
*Biguanides stop the liver
from excreting unneeded sugars
*Alpha-glucosidase slows
digestion of starch

Fact:
Those with type 1 diabetes have to
inject themselves with insulin every
day, those with type 2 don't require
insulin injections.

Fact:
Those with Diabetes must self monitor and
record their blood sugar levels throughout
the day (especially before each meal) by
testing drop of blood in a special machine
called a blood glucose meter.
 I wonder what's the worst
that could happen if i just have
a few donuts and beer....

Homer..controllin
g your type 2 Homer..I'm sick of
diabetes is these salads, let's
important. You can go to moe's tavern
have serious health and get some pizza
problems if you and beer..just a few
don't listen to dr. slices won't
hibbert's diet hurt..cmon don't be a
rules... wuss
 Not taking care
of your diabetes can lead
to eye problems such as
GLAUCOMA ( LOSS OF VISION)
AND cataracts (CLOUDY
EYES)

It could
also lead to
foot problems
such as sores or
even losing a
foot or leg

Even your
heart could be at risk.
By not controlling your
blood sugar levels your blood
pressure and cholesterol may
rise causing heart disease
and heart attacks
 *Call 9-11 right away if
you or someone you know
with diabetes is experiencing
chest pain, fainting, seizures
or shortness of breath*

Despite what dr.hibbert had advised i didn't return to see him

every 3 months for a diabetes follow up, nor did i change my
eating patterns.. one day i felt chest pain and could barely
breathe...Marge quickly called 9-11

Homer...you
experienced a
convulsion..this is
very serious and could
have led to a
hypoglycemic coma. As
your doctor i must insist
that you be more
careful and take your
diabetes care
seriously....

I should have been

more careful to watch
my blood sugar
levels.

Fact:
Diabetics are at risk of dangerously High and Low
blood sugar levels. the symptoms are as follows.
* High blood sugar (thirsty, blurry vision, dry skin,
weakness, increased urination)
* low blood sugar (weakness, sweating, irritable,
fast heartbeat, blurry vision, shaky hands)
 Like me, you may find it
hard to do the things you need
to do to prevent or manage Type 2
diabetes..But i've become
smart..s..m..r..t.. about my
health and you can be too..

Fact:
the prevalence of type 2
diabetes is increasing
worldwide, and childhood
type 2 diabetes is on the rise.
Diabetes
can't be cured
but it can be
controlled. To prevent & manage type 2
here's some diabetes:
helpful hints
to stay
healthy - Eat healthy foods every day ( High
fiber foods, foods low in
saturated and trans fat, and lots
of fruits and veggies)

-Stay active! make sure you exercise

every day

- keep alcohol consumption low

and don't smoke

- get regular check ups with your

doctor

-Maintain a healthy body weight

-drink 8 glasses of water a day and

limit salt

-know the signs & symptoms of

irregular blood sugar levels