Wednesday, April 08, 2009

Wednesday morning and all is calmer

Isn't it wonderful that His mercies are new every morning? Yesterday was so scary and I had trouble sleeping just because I was emotionally (and physically) worn out. Christopher said he had trouble sleeping, too. However, we were both much better this morning.

I believe it is the phosphoric acid in soft drinks that leaches the potassium from the body the most (as it does with calcium). The doctor at the ER told him caffeine does the same thing. He would not only drink Mountain Dew at night to stay awake to study but an occasional energy drink. The doctor said energy drinks are one of the worst things you can drink, they are so bad for you. I don't think he's touching another energy drink and I'm hoping just looking at Mountain Dew will cause him to break out in hives.

Of course, the symptoms would not have been so severe immediately if it weren't for the trauma surgery brings to the body but over time they also cause illness. I have gone through two series of diabetes education and nutrition classes taught by four or five different nurses. I learned that the one "food" we ingest that could cause one to develop Type 2 diabetes were soft drinks. (An overall bad diet can lead to Type 2 diabetes, too.) They're not positive what causes Type 1 like I developed but they are pretty certain in my case that I had a "perfect storm" of trauma, stress, and an infection or virus"

I can't drink non-diet pop at all (a small can is often kept for those times I have seriously low blood sugar since it immediately causes blood sugar to raise). I don't know how many would be bad for the average person but each can is said to have the equivalent of eight teaspoons of sugar (in the form of high fructose corn syrup which is what the nurses told me is what the body has difficulty absorbing... whatever those new commercials say!).

On a brighter note, I need to take a few pictures of some pretty tea things to share later today and then tomorrow... plan to sign up for a give away! All I can share is this... Dayspring sent some pretty things.

11 comments:

Thickethouse.wordpress said...

Oh, Brenda, I am really happy to hear you and Christopher are doing better today. I knew someone who had this potassium deficiency and he actually went into a coma. I can't recall what caused it, it was in the 60s. But it is very serious, but easily treatable when one knows the cause. Does Christopher like banana bread?

Anonymous said...

Brenda, So thankful your son is doing better. I wish your message could be posted on the front page of every newspaper. But would most people listen? Probably not. I used to consume much diet soda but thankfully, quit years ago. It depletes bone calcium, among other things as you have noted.
Thanks.
Mrs. L.

Cheryl (Copper's Wife) said...

So good to hear that your son is feeling better and that the reason for his slow recovery has been found out.

Scrappy quilter said...

So nice to hear Christopher is doing better. I had heard those energy drinks were horrible for our bodies. Can't wait to see the pictures.

Anonymous said...

Thankyou for the lesson and the warning. Although we do not buy pop unless it is on a "very good" sale it is still not good for us or our budget!! Now I know for sure!! Jody

Patty said...

I am glad today is a better day...take care of yourself too.

Vee said...

So glad to find that things are going better! Phew! Hope that Christopher will find something that he enjoys drinking besides the soda. Personally, I love flavored waters without bubbles.

Looking forward to your pics...

Karen said...

In case he decides he wants to drink more mountain dews, you might tell him that our family doctor blamed my brother's kidney stones on excessive mountain dew. Believe me, that's an incentive to avoid them!

glad all is better...

Rain said...

So glad to hear Christopher is feeling better. Good job sending him off with a couple of bananas. : )

Anonymous said...

Glad he is doing better. Another thing about Mountain Dew: Diane Sawyer did a documentary about the people of Appalachia and the "epidemic" of toothlessness in that population and it is due to high consumption of Mountain Dew. No kidding. You can watch it on the ABC website. Apparently many of the people in that area are actually addicted to it.

Shan said...

Dearest Brenda,

I am so happy to hear that Christopher is much better. I keep you in my thoughts and prayers each day...you are very much cared for here in my home.

Yours so kindredly,
Shan
Honey Hill Farm