Life with diabetes - then and now!... Contd

Add as a preferred source on Google

Then we have glucagon injections, which can be kept at home and given by non-medicos like family members/friends in case of severe hypos. Prior to this, one had to be rushed to the hospital whenever unconscious with a severe hypo! We are also lucky to have material on diabetes on the net and various diabetes associations' magazines to update our knowledge, which helps keep abreast of news on diabetes and helps to control it better. There are various diabetes groups/associations, which also have meetings, picnics and camps for diabetics, so that they can exchange views with fellow diabetics and learn from each other, besides mutually providing support to each other.

And now with the various new human insulins in the market, the control is so much better and predictable. Like Humalog insulin, this has very rapid action so there is no need to wait for half an hour after injecting insulin to have a meal, which was done with the previous insulin. One can even eat after a meal, if need be. When one is in a hurry to leave for office, this half hour really is a real boon and it really saves time if you need to inject in the work place. Then there is the latest, Lantus the longest acting insulin, which acts for 20 to 24 hours and does not have any peak action and therefore averts nocturnal hypos. Now I can take a lantus shot and sleep peacefully without the fear of hypos and the bother of getting up in the middle of the night to monitor sugars.

Then we have so many new tests to help us, like the microalbumineria test, which helps detect kidney problem at a very early stage, so treatment can be started earlier. We have the GDX test to detect glaucoma at a very early stage and thus protect our eyesight. And now with the advent of insulin pen, carrying and traveling with insulin has become so much more convenient. Then, for those who can afford it, there is the insulin pump. The pump makes your life injection free and the control is much better with the continuous supply of insulin and it gives you much more freedom in your lifestyle. The only intimidating factor is the high cost.

We also have sugarless chocolates, ice creams, jellies, jams, chewing gum, sweets and even "mithai" in the market, so we do not feel deprived of sweets! One can even have diet pepsi /cola drinks and sweet halwa, kheer etc made with various the artificial sweeteners available in the market today

In the near future we have new discoveries in the pipeline, which would make life much easier - like nasal spray instead of injections, new insulin pumps which would also reflect blood sugars, transplants of islet cells, new painless methods of testing sugars without pricking fingers etc.

So thinking of all the above made me reflect with a smile that life is not very difficult after all and definitely not what it used to be.

Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for general informational and educational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or a qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.