Wiser Brain

Diabetes? Once you've got it, you'll have to deal with it for the rest of your life. But this may or may not apply to the third type.

To begin with, there are 3 kinds of diabetes: Diabetes mellitus type I, Diabetes mellitus type II and Gestational diabetes. But I'll focus more on the first two.

The first type of diabetes calls for an insulin. Hence, they are insulin-dependent. This type is usually inherited. The body cannot produce enough insulin or there is no insulin at all so they have to administer insulin for the rest of their life.

The second one is more related on lifestyle. This type of diabetes is actually preventable. In this type of diabetes, the body (particularly the pancreas) is producing insulin but there is a resistance to it. The people who are vulnerable and are most likely to be at risk are those who are obese or overweight and more often than not, those that lead a sedentary lifestyle. Do you know that it doesn't mean that if you look a little chubby, you are already considered overweight? You can be slim-looking but remember that looks can be deceiving. In order to check if you have a normal weight, you have to compute for your body mass index (BMI) and check what category do you belong. Normal? Underweight? Overweight? Obese? I remember my professor telling the class that her BMI was normal in the United States but was overweight in the Philippines. So I guess, the BMI range for each country/race differs.

As we age, our body's ability to produce insulin decreases. Insulin makes energy and glucose metabolism possible. In simple words, insulin enables the body to use glucose. Now, how do these connect with the development of Diabetes mellitus type II? For every carbohydrate that we consume, there is a corresponding insulin necessary in order for the body to utilize it.

There is a saying that goes "Anything more or less is bad." If we eat carbohydrates that goes beyond the amount of insulin produced, the first thing that the pancreas will do is to compensate. It will try to produce more insulin. And more and more insulin until such time that the pancreas will be exhausted. When that happens, there will be no glucose metabolism. Afterwards, there will be a lot of glucose in the blood. If there is a lot of glucose in the blood and this goes on for a long period of time, then... taadah! Congratulations, you may have acquired diabetes.

But of course, diabetes does not happen overnight. Diabetes type II is lifestyle-related. So before you have it, take it to heart that prevention of diseases is always way better than cure.

From Manila: Take a jeep or fx bound to SM Fairview or SM North/Trinoma or Project 6. Do not ride on a jeepney bound to Project 2, 3 or 8. Drop off at Pantranco Overpass. Landmark is Jollibee. You will not take the overpass. On the other side of the street, you will see a 7-11 store. When you walk on the street nearest to the overpass, you will see a dunkin donuts and a sogo hotel. Walk straight ahead until you find a barangay hall. The rotary center is just beside that barangay hall.

Atlas, you've finished your degree in Bachelor of Science in Nursing. Probably your next stop would be taking the nursing licensure examination. But wait, where do you start?

Of course you may check and accomplish first the important requirements needed which includes:

* 3 pieces of colored passport size picture with name tag in white background (scanned or photocopied picture is not allowed)
* Transcript of Records (TOR) and NSO birth certificate (Bring the original & produce a photocopy of these two which will be the one submitted to PRC)
* Summary of Related Learning Experience (Original & Notarized)
* Cases (Original & Notarized)
* Fee of 900 php
* Metered documentary stamp and envelope (it cost me 83 php. You should buy only at PRC since they don't accept those that were bought outside -->fake)
* Notary fee of 50 php (for NAF)
* if married, Marriage Certificate

Bring the following aside:
* Paste/ Glue
* Pen
* Long plastic envelope

Bring these just in case:
* Any valid identification card (too bad SCHOOL ID is not considered valid)
* Latest cedula (Community Tax Certificate)



I didn't go to the PRC in Paredes Street but instead went to their Service Center located at Ever Gotesco Mall 2nd floor. The PRC Service Center is just across the Gapuz Review Center and beside CD-R King.

Okay. Now you're at the entrance of the Service Center, you may get your Nurse Application Form (NAF) at the guard provided that you present your original transcript of records and birth certificate.

Get your metered documentary stamp and envelope first. You will be given 3 documentary stamps in which you will be the one to paste it to your documents. One is glued on the NAF, the second on the summary of RLE and the third on the cases. Be sure to fill-up the application form. Application number will be given by a PRC officer/staff. Paste 1 picture on your form, get your rururban codes, PRC board code, School code, etc. Then proceed to PROCESSING.

When it is your turn, present your TOR and Birth Certificate (Original & Photocopy) and Summary of RLE & Cases (both original and notarized) to the officer. He/She will check them. If there is no problem, 2 forms will be given. The PERRC and the NOA. Fill-up those two forms, paste another piece of picture on NOA and on PERRC. Afterwards, proceed to the CASHIER. After receiving the official receipt issued by the cashier, put the amount, official number and date on the middle right portion of the NOA.

Next, move to the NOTARY where you will pay 50 php. They will sign under the PRC Administering Officer and then you put your right thumbmark on your NAF and PERRC. Be sure to recheck your forms. All forms must be filled up without mistake.

Here comes the sweetest and (at last!) the last part: ISSUANCE. Give NAF, photocopy of TOR & Birth Certificate, original summary of RLE & Cases, NOA, PERRC and Official Receipt to the officer. The NOA and the Official Receipt will be returned back to you.

You are now done filing. Brace yourself for this coming NLE! Good luck and God bless!