Surprising Stroke Symptoms

Every 45 seconds someone in the United States experiences a stroke. Although an attack can come on suddenly and without warning, some people are more at risk than others. Here are two surprising stroke symptoms you should be aware of:

Do you get migraines frequently and are they accompanied by an aura? If so, according to studies, your risk of a stroke may be 21 percent greater than those who don’t suffer with migraines.

Do you avoid exercise? Experts agree that moderate exercise can lower your risk of a stroke by up to 30 percent. According to researchers, all you need is half an hour of brisk walking five times a week to make a difference. By Robin Westen

Mr. Divabetic plays his nutrition game, Serve, Taste or Trash! with New Yorkers at the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk in Central Park

TUNE IN: Free Diabetes ‘PINK FRIDAY’ Podcast Inspired by Nicki Minaj saluting Breast Cancer Survivors living with diabetes and  raising awareness for Domestic Violence with guests: Connie Frazier RD, CDE, Kathy Gold RN, CDE, Catherine Schuller, Connie Elder, Mama Rose Marie and Leola C., from Grand Rapids, MI living with type 1 diabetes http://ning.it/PUQy9B

See Mr. Divabetic’s nutrition game, Serve, Taste or Trash!  You must decide which one you’d serve, which one you’d taste and which one you’d trash.

Before you decide to “trash” a veggie for good, why not try to eat it raw? Raw veggies can be more appetizing than their cooked counterparts to people who aren’t crazy about vegetables. The flavors of raw veggies can be milder than those of cooked ones.

Meet Mr. Divabetic on his quest to glamorize good health at the American Diabetes Association’s Diabetes Expo in Pittsburgh, PA.

Stacey Keach Is Back on Broadway After Suffering Stroke

Actor  Stacey Keach is back on Broadway after suffering a stroke a few years back.

He tells the Los Angeles Times newspaper, “I can’t tell you how grateful I am and relieved. I feel deeply blessed.”

Recalling the events which led up to his stroke two years ago, Keach explains he felt “a little tingling” in his right arm during a performance of the play in Cincinnati, Ohio and it returned during the play’s first night in Los Angeles.

Keach says, “I quickly tried to focus and refocus.”

The actor knew he had a big problem when he found himself slurring his speech during a radio interview the following morning: “I realised I wasn’t making sense… I knew something wasn’t happening properly with my motor response.”

A doctor gave him a shot of vitamin B12 and Keach figured his health issues had passed as he appeared in five weekend performances and then hosted a cast get-together at his home in Calabasas, California.

The following morning he awoke with severe pain in his right arm, and his wife called the paramedics, who took him to hospital. After a series of tests he was told he’d suffered a series of minor strokes.

Keach insists the health scare has forced him to take better care of himself – he has vowed to stop smoking

Today, Stacey Keach is back on Broadway having  just completed a run in Other Desert Cities with  Stockard Channing, Rachel Grifiths, Judith Light and Justin Kirk.

In Other Desert Cities, Brooke Wyeth, a once promising novelist, returns home after a six-year absence to celebrate Christmas in Palm Springs with her parents, former members of the Reagan inner-circle, her brother and her aunt. When Brooke announces that she is about to publish a memoir focusing on an explosive chapter in the family’s history, the holiday reunion is thrown into turmoil and the Wyeths are both bound together and torn apart as they struggle to come to terms with their past.

The happy healthcare host, Mr. Divabetic stops by the 66th Annual Tony® Awards at the Beacon Theater in New York to talk about divas, dazzle and diabetes. Mr. Divabetic wants to know what you’re wearing as well as eating!

LISTEN NOW: Free Father’s Day Diabetes Podcast inspired by Rev Run   http://www.blogtalkradio.com/divatalkradio1/2012/06/12/diabetes-roundtable-inspired-by-rev-run

Diabetes & Feet

The happy healthcare host, Mr. Divabetic is joined by Divabetic Club – Philadelphia Leader, Neva White, DNP, CDE and podiatrist Dr. Ronald Renzi to discuss proper foot care for people living with diabetes.

Dr. Ronald Renzi, podiatrist at Abington Memorial Hospital, in partnership with vascular surgeon, Dr. Lee Kirksey of the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, are working to publish information in professional journals to highlight key information to vascular surgeons and other healthcare professionals in the area.

African American men in Philadelphia, PA are four times more likely than white males to have foot amputations. Save Your Soles is a grassroots program focused on eliminating this disparity. Save Your Soles works with community churches and other groups to heighten awareness of this disparity and to ultimately reduce amputations. The program teaches the importance of keeping blood sugar under control, taking medications as prescribed, eating healthy foods, and getting regular exercise.

The main message is to increase awareness of the need for people living with diabetes to take care of their feet to avoid future amputations.

Divabetic Club – Philadelphia presented at the Thomas Jefferson University Hospital thanks to the support of Thomas Jefferson University Hospital and the American Diabetes Association (ADA) in Philadelphia, PA. Visit: www.divabetic.org

Diabetes In These Shoes?

Spring is about new fashions. But divas living with diabetes who are  in step with style choose to wear shoes that fit well.

If you don’t,   you may develop a blister from shoes that do not fit. You do not feel the pain from the blister because you have nerve damage in your foot. Next, the blister gets infected. If blood glucose is high, the extra glucose feeds the germs. Germs grow and the infection gets worse. Poor blood flow to your legs and feet can slow down healing. Once in a while a bad infection never heals and it may lead to amputation.

KEEP YOUR FEET: Listen to Diva TalkRadio: Studio d Diabetes Foot Care  hosted by the happy healthcare host,  Mr. Divabetic  #BlogTalkRadio  http://www.blogtalkradio.com/divatalkradio1/2012/04/01/studio-d-diabetes-foot-care

I’ll Have What She’s Having: Sex & Diabetes

When most people hear the words “diabetes and sexual dysfunction,” they automatically think it’s the man’s problem. But women with diabetes can also experience sexual problems related to their blood sugar levels.

When glucose isn’t under good control, a woman’s sex life can suffer.

In a study by the journal Diabetes, 35% of women with diabetes reported being unable to have an orgasm during intercourse, compared to just 6% of the women who didn’t have diabetes.

Ann Albright PhD, RD says one reason women with diabetes may have trouble achieving orgasm is that high blood sugars can affect vaginal lubrication.

“The lubrication issues not only can impact sensation, they also can make sex very uncomfortable, even painful,” she says.

In a 1986 study now considered a cornerstone of research on the topic, nearly half the women in the study had a sexual problem. Of these, 32% of women reported experiencing problems with lubrication. Eighty-nine percent said the problems started after their diabetes diagnosis.

Albright says there are many health benefits of good blood sugar control, but many women don’t realize that better lubrication, and, ultimately, a better sex life may be among them.

R & B Singer, David Peaston, Dies at 54

Singer David Peaston, 54, who had a string of R&B hits in the late 1980s and early 1990s, died Wednesday of complications from diabetes, said a niece, Neuka Mitchell.

David Peaston was born into a St. Louis family with deep musical roots. His mother, gospel singer Martha Bass, was one of the Clara Ward Singers. An older sister, Fontella Bass, is a noted singer whose single “Rescue Me” reached No. 1 on the R&B charts.

His highest-charting song was “Two Wrongs (Don’t Make It Right),” which reached No. 3 on the Billboard R&B chart in 1989. His first album, Introducing . . . David Peaston, reached No. 7 on the Billboard R&B chart in 1989. At the height of his career, he toured with Gladys Knight.

One of our favorite David Peaston song is ‘Can I.’ We’d like to offer the song as a way to  encourage you to believe ‘you can’ avoid, prevent and delay a diabetes health-related complication and live a long healthy life.

Evelyn Champagne King’s “Shame”: Diabetes Myth #11

In celebration of National Diabetes Awareness Month, Divabetic’s kicking to the curb all the common myths associated with diabetes. Of course, were going to do it with style! Evelyn Champagne King’s disco twirler, ”Shame” helps us to dispel DIABETES MYTH #11: People diagnosed with diabetes are doomed.

FACT: NO! And frankly, it was even hard to print out the words to this myth. While it’s true that diabetes doesn’t have a cure and that people living with diabetes might experience some very serious health-related complications if their blood sugar levels are allowed to soar sky-high for years, they can avoid that fate. Of course, the first step on the path to living well with diabetes requires learning to accept your diagnosis.

Many people living with diabetes can and do lead busy, active, spontaneous lives.  We like to call them, DIVAS!!! A diabetes diagnosis alone doesn’t rule out travel, having fun, or partaking in many common pastimes or pursuits. Simply put, you can still enjoy the good life while living with diabetes. The key is you must follow a self-care treatment regimen, plan ahead, and take extra precautions when necessary, such as checking blood sugar more often if they’re traveling across the country, or packing the right foods if they’re taking a long car trip. With a little help and support from your healthcare entourage (family members, co-workers, friends and a good healthcare team) it’s possible to live and feel like a DIVA even with a diabetes diagnosis.

Tune into Diva TalkRadio hosted by by the happy healthcare host, Mr. Divabetic and featuring celebrities, doctors and beauty and fashion experts.  Learn how to makeover your diabetes! Enjoy over 30 Diva TalkRadio show are available for free on i-tunes (search ‘Divabetic’) and at: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/divatalkradio1.

Anastacia’s “Why’d You Lie To Me”: Diabetes Myth #7

In celebration of National Diabetes Awareness Month, Divabetic’s kicking to the curb all the common myths associated with diabetes. Of course, were going to do it with style! Anastacia’s uptempo song ”Why’d You Lie To Me” helps us to dispel DIABETES MYTH #7: Nothing can be done to prevent diabetes complications.

FACT: Nothing could be further from the truth. Studies show that diabetes-related complications can be prevented by following a self-care treatment plan that keeps blood sugar levels under control and by getting regular medical checkups. Many people with type 2 diabetes also have high blood pressure and cholesterol. Keeping these twin conditions in check as well can also go a long way toward warding off diabetes-health complications such as nerve damage and kidney failure.

Glam More, Fear Less: Tune into Diva TalkRadio hosted by by the happy healthcare host, Mr. Divabetic and featuring celebrities, doctors and beauty and fashion experts.  Enjoy over 30 Diva TalkRadio show are available for free on i-tunes (search ‘Divabetic’) and at: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/divatalkradio1.

World Stroke Day – Learn More

Today, October 29, 2011 is World Stroke Day.  The goal to raise awareness of the fact that one in six people worldwide will have a stroke in their lifetime. Divabetic supports World Stroke Day’s simple life-saving message on World Stroke Day:

Do not take chances. One in six people is at risk for stroke – it could be you. Learn the facts. Save a life today. Act Now!

Here are the facts:

• Regardless of age, stroke can strike anyone at any time
• Stroke can be prevented
• Stroke survivors can regain their quality of life with appropriate care and long-term support

Learn more:

• Know your personal risk factors: high blood pressure, diabetes, and high blood cholesterol
• Be physically active and exercise regularly
• Avoid obesity by keeping to a healthy diet
• Limit alcohol consumption
• Avoid cigarette smoke. If you smoke, seek help to stop now
• Learn to recognize the warning signs of a stroke and how to take action

Stroke is a non-communicable disease that attacks 15 million people worldwide every year and claims a life every six seconds – can be beaten.

Tune into Diva TalkRadio hosted by by the happy healthcare host, Mr. Divabetic and featuring celebrities, doctors and beauty and fashion experts.  Enjoy over 30 Diva TalkRadio show are available for free on i-tunes (search ‘Divabetic’) and at: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/divatalkradio1.

Pre-Hypertension Is Considered To Be A Stroke Risk

Divabetic: Hypertension In The Headlines

While high blood pressure is considered the most important risk factor for strokes, new findings target even slightly high blood pressure as a danger.

People whose blood pressure was above normal – known as pre-hypertension – were 55% more likely to have a stroke compared with people with normal blood pressure.

Current treatments for lowering pre-hypertension, defined by a systolic blood pressure  (when the heart is pumping) of 120-139 or a diastolic blood pressure (when the heart is at rest) of 80-89, include losing weight, exercising, reducing salt intake and stopping

smoking. In addition, physicians might recommend drug for patients with pre-hypertension plus other diseases, including pre-diabetes and diabetes. smoking. In addition, physicians might recommend drug for patients with pre-hypertension plus other diseases, including pre-diabetes and diabetes.

Normal blood pressure is below 120 (systolic) and below 80 (diastolic.) Medicine for lowering blood pressure isn’t typically started until patients have hypertension – blood pressure that is 140/90 or higher.

Tune in to our free eye-popping podcast  Diva TalkRadio for more health headlines. It’s the first and only diabetes radio variety game show on the internet. Enjoy over 30 Diva TalkRadio programs (Diabetes Roundtable, Diabetes Spotlight, Studio D) , hosted by the happiest healthcare host, Mr. Divabetic, available anytime, anywhere on demand.  Fast-paced, fun-filled and featuring interviews with newsmakers, doctors, health professionals, chefs, stylists and entertainers at: divabetic.org  Laugh A Little, Learn A Lot!!