Benjamin+Conze

Benjamin Conze // First Semester in the LSTE Program // [|www.ualr.edu]
 * University of Arkansas Little Rock **

//** I would use wikis as a forum for posting assignments and weekly discussions in the same manner that we are doing for this assignment; so that in addition to storing information that can be available anywhere there is internet connection, students can also practice using various technology tools. **//

I find the following links on how to use wiki in education quite informative: http://educationalwikis.wikispaces.com/Classroom+Wikis []

This is my personal story about my bout with diabetes. On June 6, 2010, I was in the emergency room severely dehydrated and with a blood glucose level of 388; I was going into a diabetic coma. I learned that day that I had diabetes type II. There are two forms of diabetes: type I which is insulin dependent and type two which does not require that one takes insulin shots.

The unusual aspect of my story is that I did not fit the profile of the typical diabetic patient. I was not overweight and had been physically active throughout my life. My normal day begins with a five mile run, in addition to weight training at least three days a week and soccer training with my boys. I thought I was doing the right thing by eating a healthy regiment of beets, carrots, and fish, among other perceivably healthy foods, but I was ignorant of a little thing called the **GI (Glycemic index)**. I quickly learned that even though everything a person eats turns into sugar after digestion, **low GI** foods are digested slowly, whereas foods with **high GI** content such as boiled carrots, beets, and bananas, turn into sugar very quickly as they enter into the bloodstream at a faster rate. High level of excess sugar in the blood stream can eventually damage the kidney, the heart, and other vital organs. If left untreated, diabetes can cause blindness, heart attack, and eventually death.

The reason I feel compelled to tell this story is because reliable statistics indicate that millions of Americans who are diabetic go undiagnosed because the symptoms may not be manifested until severe damage, even to the point of irreversibility, is done. The good news is, once I was diagnosed, I educated myself rather quickly about this illness. I learned to observe a strict low carb diet and I exercise religiously. My vision which was severely affected has returned to normal. I am currently taking Metformin but my glucose level is within normal range. However, my ultimate goal is to wean myself off the medication in the near future.

My advice is for every reader is to be conscious of their diet. Eat responsibly and in moderation. Stay clear of sweet drinks and all types of sugary foods and beverages. Be leery of artificial sweeteners, the popular Aspartame in particular. Robert Hotchkiss has some reliable information pertaining to Aspartame on his wiki page; I recommend that everyone reads it. Investigate, investigate, and investigate all products that claim no "sugar added." Make it a habit to read the ingredient labels. Finally, I leave you with these statistics.

DIABETES STATISTICS: In the USA - 2007 17.9m people are diagnosed with diabetes 5.7m people are undiagnosed with diabetes 57m people have pre-diabetes 186,300 (0.22%) people under 20 have diabetes 1 in every 400 to 600 under 20-year olds have Type 1 diabetes 2m adolescents have pre-diabetes 23.5m (10.7%) of those over 20 have diabetes 12.2m of those over 60 have diabetes 12m men (11.2%) have diabetes 11.5m women (10.2%) have diabetes American Diabetes Association

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Part of my therapy is listening to uplifting messages in song. The story would not be complete without //**MY MUSIC IS MY LIFE **//

//Jars of Clay //

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// Robert (Bob) Nestor Marley // media type="youtube" key="Wa0hf_vfHaA?fs=1" height="172" width="215"

//singers! //
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