From denial to action: Taking charge of diabetes with modern care

Research reveals 100 million Americans deal with diabetes. That’s a lot of people. Many aren’t aware of this diagnosis, making it a silent disease.

People react differently to this diagnosis. Some people talk about it; others deny it. Those who are not aware of it or ignore the inability to make or use insulin properly put their health at great risk.

Just because Grandma or Uncle Joe died of diabetes complications does not mean what goes around comes around. When your relatives of long ago dealt with this disease, not much was known about effective treatments. The story is different now.

Those dealing with diabetes know it is not a stress-free disease. It requires a lifestyle change, which is a huge challenge for many. If it were easy, no one would be talking about it.

The truth is explaining what you’re going through as you live your daily life with diabetes can be difficult. It can feel impossible at times. The stress of dealing with diabetes also can raise your blood sugar levels.

A woman once reported to me that no matter how hard she tries to make all the right choices to maintain her health, diabetes wins anyway and gets the best of her. If that is the case, a talk with a doctor to decide on a new treatment plan should be considered.

Another person put it flatly: “We don’t look sick, but we are.” Every day she puts her feet on the floor and a smile on her face is a gift to her. She knows her body is frail and failing, but her spirit is strong.

Dealing with diabetes is a call to take better care of your health. It is time to treat your body like a temple, not a tent. The earlier that self-management begins, the fewer unwanted complications.

Ask someone with diabetes retinopathy (blindness), nephropathy (kidney disease) or even diabetes-related heart disease, and many would say, “If I only knew then what I know now.” Ignoring the signs and symptoms of diabetes can affect future lifetime plans.

Managing diabetes is more than taking pills or shots, staying active, following a meal plan, or writing down results. Another key to stabilizing blood glucose levels is controlling emotional stress.

Every step on the diabetes pathway can be difficult. Each step moves into the unknown of the diagnosis. There is unknown knowledge, unknown endurance, unknown medical technology and unknown strength waiting to expose itself.

One in eight people is dealing with diabetes. Many may not even know or admit they have diabetes, but it is a fact of life. It is a unique disease that can be controlled with meal planning, medications, exercise and stress control.

Grandma or Uncle Joe may not have had the advantage of modern medical technology. Hope is encouraging. New research occurs daily, bringing hope. It is not easy to deal with a chronic disease, but allowing knowledge and techniques to improve quality of life just feels good.

Bobbie Randall is a registered, licensed dietitian. Email her at bobbierandallrd@gmail.com.