This Young Boy Is His Mother's Care Taker As His Mother Struggles To Move

Brittany suffered many tragedies in her life, including the passing of her loving husband. She had no time to process and grieve his death because she had a son to raise. Brittany immersed herself in work and made food her coping mechanism. She would stuff herself full to fill the empty hole her husband left behind. 

Brittany got so big. She couldn't move. Her unhealthy eating habits persisted until she lost consciousness and suffered from a diabetic coma due to the high sugar level in her blood. Physicians explained that such a condition would resolve with weight loss and a healthy diet, though it may take some time. Brittany surprised medical professionals when her glucose level crashed to normal and she lost weight in just a few days. Brittany now sticks to her healthy eating habits and made it her mission to help those who suffer from the same condition. 

Figure: Anatomy of the Pancreas

The pancreas is an organ and gland located in the upper left abdomen behind the stomach. Enzymes are pancreatic juices produced by the pancreas that break down sugars, fats, and starches. The pancreas aids the digestive system by producing hormones that act as chemical messengers traveling through the bloodstream, regulating blood sugar levels and appetite, stimulating stomach acids, and signaling your stomach to empty. These processes fuel the food we eat, which in turn fuels the cells in our bodies.

Figure: Overview of the Exocrine and Endocrine gland

An exocrine gland in the pancreas produces enzymes essential for digestion whereas the endocrine gland produces hormones. Hormones are chemical substances that control or regulate specific bodily functions. They are typically produced by specific organs and transported through the bloodstream to stimulate normal body processes.

The main hormones secreted by the endocrine gland in the pancreas are insulin, which lowers blood sugar levels, and glucagon, which raises blood sugar levels. These hormones maintain body equilibrium by regulating blood sugar levels since sugar is one of the vital nutrients for healthy functioning organs such as the brain and liver.

Diabetes is ranked as the 8th leading cause of death in 2019 all around the world. It is prevalent among middle-aged people with a large appetite for glucose-filled food coupled with a sedentary lifestyle. Diabetes is the major cause of blindness, kidney failure, heart attacks, stroke, and lower limb amputation. It is one of the most common illnesses of our generation, as food becomes tastier and plenty.

It occurs when the body cannot absorb sugar into its cells and fails to utilize it for energy leading to glucose accumulation in the bloodstream, resulting in high sugar levels. Persistently high blood glucose levels can lead to irreversible damage to body organs, including large and small vessels, causing a heart attack, stroke, and kidney problems.

Elevated free insulin in the blood resulting from the cell's inability to respond to insulin can cause weight gain. This would alert the pancreas to produce and release more insulin in the bloodstream in hopes that it might stimulate the cells. As a result, there is excess insulin and glucose in the blood, leading to further insulin resistance and will cause weight gain as the body responds by storing the glucose in tissues as fats. Weight gain can also happen with insulin therapy for diabetes, as the body begins absorbing glucose again while converting the excess into fat.

Types of Diabetes Mellitus:

Type 1 Diabetes Type 1 diabetes is prevalent among children and young adults, although it can affect anyone at any age. People diagnosed with this type of Diabetes are insulin-dependent, meaning they require insulin every day for the rest of their lives to prevent high blood glucose levels.

Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus occurs either when there is insufficient insulin production, there is not enough free insulin in the blood to stimulate the cells to respond or the cells in the body are ineffective, lacking normal insulin response. This is the most common type of diabetes, prevalent among middle-aged people. It is characterized by late onset, occurring later in life, and developing over many years.

Gestational Diabetes develops in pregnant women who have never been diagnosed with diabetes. It usually resolves after the baby is born. However, it increases the risk of acquiring Type 2 diabetes later in life.

Prediabetes occurs before type 2 diabetes. Glucose level is higher than normal parameters but not high enough to be diagnosed with type 2 diabetes.

Diabetes could manifest in increased thirst, weakness, fatigue, blurred vision, numbness, slow-healing sores or cuts, unexpected weight loss, frequent urination, frequent unexplained infection, dry mouth, presence of ketones on the series, and easily irritable.

Figure: Chrysocolla stone

Greek Chrysocolla is a hydrated copper phyllosilicate mineral, first used by Theophrastus in 315 BCE. It is considered a master healer in the world of gemstones. Its name came from the Ancient Greek word χρυσός κολλα (chrysos Kolla), meaning "gold glue" in reference to the material used to solder gold. It has a bright Turquoise blue color known for its peaceful and harmonious works on energy. 

Ancient Greeks believed that chrysocolla engages all chakra by providing energy to regain balance and shield against illnesses, improving overall health. Chrysocolla is a positive energy primarily used to combat feelings of distress and negativity by alleviating nervousness and irritability. It is a powerful stone highly regarded for its healing properties, operating on improving muscle strength, lowering blood sugar levels, and lowering blood pressure. 

Chrysocolla is notable for its ability to detoxify the liver, intestine, and pancreas to aid digestion. It increases blood oxygen levels and aids in insulin regulation beneficial for people diagnosed with diabetes. It also helps in weight loss by enhancing metabolism, which eliminates accumulated fatty deposits while regulating insulin levels, helping to provide a stable and balanced blood glucose level, all while promoting fat burn. Additionally, it suppresses hunger by curbing cravings and binge-eating urges.

Olly is a 35-year-old writer. He started his journey with chrysocolla when he started to experience fatigue, frequent urination, thirst, unexplained Urinary tract infection, and a paper cut that has yet to heal after four weeks.

Prior to using Chrysoccola, Olly had been a fan of eating and took pleasure in exploring the city streets for a variety of food. He loved fast food and loves cakes even more. Olly tends to crave pastries and junk food. Olly would tell others that his eating habits fuel his writing skills and that he wouldn't function without either one. Olly was so big. He could no longer take public transportation. He could barely move and refused to go outside, fearing the judgment in other people's eyes. He relied on his aging parents for everything. They had to call the doctor over for frequent bouts of infections, frequent urination, fatigue, double vision, high blood pressure, and a thirst that would not abate, no matter how many liters of water he drank. 

Day 5

Olly was in misery. He lay in bed unmoving, rethinking every life decision he has ever made. Olly is ashamed that his parents, who will soon turn eighty, are still providing for him. He felt sorry for all the challenges he put them through. Big, fat, ugly tears trailed down his cheeks, fearing that he would not get better. Olly couldn't figure out his exact weight because even a weighing scale would give out every time he steps on one. He is irritable and has bed sores resulting from his inability to move. After only five days of using chrysocolla, Olly experienced a significant weight reduction, enough to move from one position to another! His blood glucose levels returned to normal parameters, and he began to lose appetite for fast foods and sweet pastries. Olly's parents were proud of his achievement and continually supported him throughout his healing process wearing big smiles on their faces.

Day 10

Olly's weight is borderline normal now. His urinary tract infection resolved and he took care of himself without depending on his parents. He developed healthy eating habits and would go to the gym for one hour daily. His double vision vanished, and he no longer felt exhausted. For the first time in years, things are looking great for Olly. He couldn't be any happier!

Day 15

Olly is now lean and fit, and is now eating healthily. He doesn't miss a day in the gym, his blood pressure is normal, his bed sores have fully healed, his blood glucose levels are normal, and he no longer suffers from infection or slow-healing wounds.

"I am beyond grateful for chrysocolla. It pushed me to become a better version of myself. The tiny yet mighty stones forced me to look at the harsh reality that anything in excess is unhealthy, forcing me to mature and be independent. The experience left a deep lesson I will surely remember for the rest of my life. Chrysocolla gave me another life, a life without late-night meltdowns, a life without shame, and a life without the burden of my weight. I am now in a much better mental state and I owe it all to chrysocolla!"

- Olly, 35