When an issue with our well-being emerges then steps must be taken to remedy the situation. Monitoring our health is important if we want to live a long life. It is necessary to have bloodwork completed and visits to our primary care physicians. Bloodwork; ultimately gives your doctors crucial information to help keep you healthy and happy.
Diabetes is a health issue that will effect many in their life span. In fact; it is predicted by the World Health Organization that by the year 2050, one in three people will be diagnosed with diabetes. It is a chronic condition that effects the way the body processes blood sugar. With Type 1 diabetes the pancreas doesn’t produce enough or very little insulin. Whereas; Type 2 diabetes is a condition that affects the way your body metabolizes sugar. Type 2 diabetes is usually the result of a long term metabolic disorder. It is the most common of the two. Simply put…Diabetes takes it’s toll on the body. It can produce strokes and heart attacks. It may be the reason for lower limb amputations. It often causes kidney failure. It ruins your eye sight. It also causes hearing loss.
Diabetes causes hearing loss because the high glucose levels reduces blood flow to the entire auditory system. This reduced blood flow thereby damages the sensitive hearing cells in the inner ear. People with diabetes are twice as likely to develop hearing loss than their friends without it. Type 2 diabetes will usually develop a hearing loss called “presbycusis”. This is a bilateral (both ears) high frequency hearing sensory neural hearing loss. However, recent studies have shown that it can also effect both the low frequencies and the high frequencies. This type of audiogram (diagram of your hearing test) will provide a graph that looks like a “cookie bite”. This is also known as a metabolic audiogram.
If you are over the age of 50 and you have diabetes then you should have your hearing tested and be fit with hearing instruments if you have a loss. If you do not have a hearing loss then you should have annual hearing evaluations. Your hearing health care provider should be an integral part of your health care team. It is known that untreated hearing loss contributes toward the progression of dementia. Untreated hearing loss can result in embarrassment at functions, rapid changes in mood, depression and irritability. Untreated hearing loss may cause paranoia.
Treating a hearing loss will lesson isolation. The brain will absorb more sounds in the environment. This stimulation will help to keep the brain more active and therefore more healthy. Stimulation provides for happiness and a sense of fulfillment. All of this helps to diminish the onset of dementia.
There is more sunshine on the horizon. Many people with Type 2 diabetes can reverse it. It will take diligence. First of all… get active! Walk everyday. Walk at least 30 minutes and walk briskly. This will stimulate muscle growth and movement. This alone can drop your risk of Type 2 diabetes by about a third. Next, the walking will help you lose some weight and this will also reduce your risk of Type 2 diabetes. If you can drop 7% to 10% you can cut the risk 50%. Now that is huge! And another biggie is to dump the cigarettes. Smoking also reduces blood circulation and causes inflammation. If you are exposed to noise then have your hearing health care provider make a set of custom ear molds that will reduce damaging noise and protect your hearing.
So what else helps with the existence of a diabetic free lifestyle. Nutrition of course. There are foods that actually help to keep your blood sugar regulated. Get your “Greens”. Particularly, spinach and chard. They are very low carb and pretty tasty. Drink lots of water. If you are not a water drinker then add a lemon or even some fruit to add a little flavor. Our bodies crave water for proper metabolization. Berries will provide some sweetness and you can have a cup of them without raising blood sugar levels. Freeze some grapes for a different chewy texture. They are yummy. Foods like dried beans, raw veggies like red peppers and lentils will fill you up. The carbs are very low so your blood sugar stays stable. Remember to get some fat also. Salmon is a fish that always comes to mind. Incredibly beneficial for the body. Avocado also is always a good additive to many meals. Finally, very important to remember in your battle of balanced blood sugar levels is to get enough protein. These include cottage cheese, eggs, and meat as long as they are lean. If you develop cravings then try some celery and peanut butter, a cup of cheerios, or maybe a piece of beef jerky. Everything in moderation.
No time like the present! Take an active roll in preserving your health and your hearing. First step…get your hearing tested and get a plan. Failing to plan is planning to fail. To Hear Better Is To Live Better!