| Diabetes was noticed by primordial civilizations and | | | | body's blood glucose level and keeping it as close to |
| even treated in the Middle Ages; however the | | | | normal as possible helps patients feel better in their |
| specific cause of this disease remains a mystery to | | | | day to day life and reduces the risk these long term |
| modern day science. Also for unknown reasons, rates | | | | complications. |
| of diagnosis steadily increased over the last 20 years | | | | Every patient should have a blood glucose meter, |
| and the American Diabetes Association now declares | | | | using their doctor's guidance in choosing such a tool. |
| diabetes an epidemic. | | | | This meter gives a blood glucose level at any one |
| Adequate care and funding for years was | | | | time and the number on the monitor should be |
| substandard despite the spike in diagnosis - and only | | | | documented. Keeping a log of these levels is an |
| recently has the bar been raised to where it is today. | | | | essential addition to the process; the pattern can |
| Through grassroots efforts, both international and | | | | potentially shed light on the body's response (or lack |
| national, the standard of care has been raised. This | | | | of) to treatments. Changes can then be made |
| has been vital in the life expectancy, quality of life | | | | accordingly and systematically. |
| and equal opportunity employment for those | | | | Medical management of diabetes, for many, is not as |
| affected by the disease. | | | | frustrating as the emotional management. Meters and |
| The disease is not to be taken lightly as resulting | | | | tools spit out numbers, levels and percentages - |
| complications can include but are not limited to heart | | | | tangible, comprehensible data that can be adjusted. |
| disease, blindness, nerve damage, kidney damage, | | | | These numbers however, if not up to par, can |
| and blood vessel damage. A dedication to rigid | | | | trigger feelings of anger, depression, and frustration |
| management and control is the fundamental armor | | | | within the patient. |
| needed for the daily battle against the disease. | | | | Patients should always keep in mind that numbers |
| Diabetes is a physiological syndrome in which the | | | | and levels should not be used as the mode for |
| body does not produce or adequately use insulin; the | | | | judgment. They are simply a way to track patient |
| vital hormone needed to convert sugar, starches and | | | | care plans and do not reflect the person behind the |
| other food into energy. Climbing rates and jumping | | | | disease. |
| statistics now lead researchers to believe that | | | | However, this is always easier said than done. The |
| genetics is not the only role in a diabetes diagnosis. | | | | American Diabetes Association maintains a thorough |
| Obesity, specifically a "Western-diet," may be key | | | | website loaded with information and should be used |
| players in this potentially debilitating disease. | | | | as an available tool for gaining knowledge and support |
| Whether newly diagnosed or a life long diabetic, it is | | | | ( ). For many diabetics, as well as their loved ones, |
| never too late to begin a diabetic care regimen. As | | | | volunteering in the fight against diabetes is a |
| an active participant in their own health care, the | | | | rewarding way to gain control and find community |
| patient should work out a detailed health plan stating | | | | support. Gaining power over diabetes is not only |
| diet and exercise requirements, as well as consistent | | | | physically beneficial, but mentally and emotionally |
| intake of pills and insulin. Specifically, managing the | | | | stabilizing. |