Latest Stories
Most recently published stories in Longevity.
My Road Through 2 Chronic Illnesses
My life has always been a bit different. At 8 I was diagnosed with type 1 Diabetes, although my only question to the doctor at the hospital was "Will I ever get to eat oreos again". Wish 8 year old me knew was how life changing this disease would be if I took it seriously from the beginning. Through my teens years I would take my insulin pump out while hanging with friends to feel more normal, more like them. With no care in the world of how those silly decisions may affect me so many years later. I thumbed my nose up at my Doctors who told me "You need to take this seriously" or "This could affect you later on". At 15 years old I started cutting myself, not knowing the deep down reason was I was tired of being different, of being the girl with diabetes, of being the girl that couldn't take part in any fun festivities because my diet wouldn't allow it. At 17 years old I was admitted to the hospital with a bloodsugar of 17 after leaving my insulin pump on while being sick and not eating. My doctor made the decision to remove me from my pump as I was not mature and responsible enough to have one. She put my on a long acting insulin which would cause me to have ketoacidosis 6 months later. After another 5 day stay in the hospital I was just over it. Over the diabetes, over the restrictions, over the shots, over the lectures. I just didn't want to care about any of it anymore. It was all so overwhelming. I luckily had great insurance until 21 when I decided to move across the country. I went 6 years without insurance so without the correct insulin, without a doctor to oversee my care, without enough supplies. I would buy the cheapest bottle of insulin I could get without a prescription ($74 bottle or NPH). This insulin was not what I needed and really had no idea where my bloodsugar was at at any given time. When I was 28 I got pregnant with my daughter. Immediately I was sent to the high risk doctor. The high risk doctor was quick to put me on an insulin pump, quick to get me on a continuous glucose monitor and even quicker to require me to send in my bloodsugar results everyday or risk losing her as my doctor. Under her I was able to get my bloodsugar to levels I have NEVER been at before. My last a1c test right after I gave birth was a 6.1, a prediabetic level. After having my daughter and wanting a healthier and longer life I tried to keep my bloodsugar under control but little did I know the damage from my teenage years had already been done. Fast forward 2 years. I go to the doctor with some shoulder pain. After 1 year it is detemined that my shoulder pain is from scar tissue that has stayed in my shoulder due to the diabetes. 3 weeks after the surgery I am hospitalized and diagnosed with MS. My know it all attitude about my diabetes changed immediately to feeling lost and confused. MS is scary but I can handle the diabetes. I was set up with a neurologist who would quickly put me in my place. I went to see him because I was having some eye issues, my vision was tinted red and I had the most annoying floaters. Absolutely convinced this was due to my new illness I went right in and he broke my heart telling me that this was not due to MS but a complication of years of diabetes. After a rush to the doctor I was scheduled for eye surgery. Now 30 years olf and have been through a c-section, shoulder surgery and double eye surgery. All 3 caused from the diabetes (not that I may not have needed a c-section if I was completely healthy but it was determined early on in my pregnancy that I run the risk of a heavier baby and c-section was the safest delivery method).
By Kimberly Hildreth5 years ago in Longevity
Meaning of Numerology
We are just born, and we become numbers: we are a number for the hospital registry, for the civil registry. We have a registration number at the school. Likewise, we are part of the demographic statistics of a country. When we grow up we need a bank account number, a social security number. We are controlled by means of a code, which is nothing more than a number. Our life could be explained, and in fact it is explained, through the numbers.
By Cadi Jackson5 years ago in Longevity
How To Add More Weight To Your Squat TODAY!
How would you react if I told you you could add anywhere from 5-20lbs more to your squat today? You would probably react the same way I did before I became a personal trainer with a corrective exercise specialization. I soon learned through my schooling that proper mechanics can lead to an increased performance and there was a way to seriously have an impact on your workout THAT DAY. Flabbergasted at what I had learned I wanted to try it out for myself. At that point in my life I had hit a hard plateau on my squat, no matter what I did I couldn’t squat more than 225lbs. Wanting to break through that plateau I did a self assessment on my lower body to find any movement dysfunctions. Come to find out I lacked ankle mobility on my left leg that caused me to distribute most of my weight to my right leg as I dropped into the squat and came out of it. Using corrective exercise techniques such as mobility and foam rolling to bring me back to my optimal movement patterns. Once I got under the bar I knew I was going to do It! I worked my way up to 225lbs and now I was going to attempt 230lbs. As I descended into the squat I got nervous. “What if I fail the rep?” I thought as I hit the bottom of the squat. Driving my feet through the floor I came out of the squat with some gas left in the tank. I finally broke through my plateau! Jumping with excitement as I thought to myself “I could do 235lbs for sure!” After taking my rest break, I got under the bar with my newly found confidence and 235lbs. I had completed the 235lb squat too! Knowing my limits, I stopped there and finished the rest of my workout elated with the result of correcting my movement patterns.
By Nicco Libertini5 years ago in Longevity
NURSES FOREVER
Causes for Charley Horses in your legs A charley horse is a muscle contraction that may occur when your muscle suddenly tightens up on its own. These cramps can happen in any part of the body but are most common in the legs. These muscle spasms mostly occur in the skeletal muscles as they are attached to the bones which we typically control voluntarily such as the muscles of our hands, legs and feet. Though generally harmless, muscle cramps may result in temporary loss of mobility of the muscles that may be affected. Long periods of physical exercise can lead to muscle cramps, especially during hot weather. However, there are other more significant reasons that result in charley horses in our legs.
By Dandelionclub5 years ago in Longevity
TEXAS FOREVER
A tummy tuck improves the appearance of the lower abdomen by treating a stubborn "pooch" that is frequently resistant to diet and exercise. It is common among women after pregnancy, as well as both men and women after a major weight loss. This operation removes excess fat and skin while tightening the internal muscles of the abdominal wall. Patients considering this surgery should be in good physical health and at or above their target weight. Abdominoplasty helps individuals to have firmer, flatter stomachs, giving them the confidence to wear swimsuits and tighter clothes.
By Dandelionclub5 years ago in Longevity
5 Proven Benefits of Organic Turmeric Powder
Turmeric is a spice that has been used by different generations in cooking. Some consider it a miracle spice. The turmeric root powder is derived from the Curcuma longa plant, which, according to specialists, is a kind of ginger that was born in Southeast Asia.
By Linda DeCann5 years ago in Longevity
Soft tissues and Neuro-vascular structures
A comprehensive understanding of structures at risk is essential for the treatment of pelvic fractures. Because the large number and the high density of para-pelvic organs and soft tissues not only play a vital role in the integrity of ligaments to pelvic but also has its significant role in relation to the acute prognosis for e.g. hemorrhage and late prognosis for e.g. urological and neurological, injuries.
By Siora Surgicals5 years ago in Longevity
