Diabetes is a dreaded disease and its rate of incidence in Sri Lanka has reached alarming proportions in recent times. Though the health authorities are striving to make patients in particular and the public in general more aware of how to deal with it through awareness programmes, it seems many do not heed this advice and face amputation of limbs, loss of sight, renal and heart failure and other complications.
As a diabetic patient for the past 25 years having followed the advice of medical officers to the best of my ability, I have led a healthy life. What follows is based on my extensive reading on diabetes and experience gained through the interaction with my doctors.
As every human being is unique, one’s experience with diabetic control may not be fully adaptable to another, as each person’s metabolism differs. According to Webster’s Dictionary, metabolism is the chemical changes in the cells of a living body which provide energy for living process and activities. Nevertheless one can work out his or her own diabetic management mechanism.
Diabetic control is mainly based on three cornerstones: Medicine, Diet Control and Exercise. But there are many factors contributing to it.
Even though diabetes is common the harmful effects of it on one’s health is not diminished. So don’t take it lightly. Let your office, friends and family circle know that you are diabetic. This will help you to avoid consuming unnecessary calorie-rich food at social gatherings.
Stress is an impediment for diabetes control but no one can be free from stress in modern society as it comes with your career, work and family commitments. But leading an active social life with your family members and friends; being optimistic about anything you encounter etc may help in this regard.
Good habits and practices
Sleep –Sound sleep is indispensable for a healthy life, as most of the hormones are generated and activated while the body is in deep sleep. So have a sound sleep for about 7-8 hours. This can be achieved by organizing your daily routine, engaging in regular exercise, proper diet, meditation and reading books before going to bed.
Meals and personal hygiene - Having a daily bath helps and also taking meals at a regular time. Drinking plenty of water also is desirable. As diabetic patients are more prone to wounds, it is better to use suitable foot wear such as gum boots and gloves when working.
Medicine : For most patients, medicine is a lifeline and life long. Take your medicine as prescribed. In layman’s term there are two type of medicine –i.e: tablets and insulin. Generally the tablets are given to stimulate the less functional pancreas to produce more insulin or regulate insulin production in the body, so that it will help to burn more glucose. Normally diabetic treatment commences with tablets. But sometimes with the passage of time it becomes difficult to manage with the tablets alone.
This is explained in an interesting way with an analogy of whipping a horse to run a race .The horse may run faster when whipped at the beginning. But when the horse is tired and weary after a certain distance it will not run even though you whip it. Likewise the tablets will not be effective in managing the diabetic long-term. Then the doctor may switch you to insulin.
Many get frightened at the thought of injections and opt to persist on tablets. This is caused by the misconception that the injection of insulin is the last resort for terminal illness. But when I was switched over to insulin, my doctor allayed my fear stating that it is the best way of controlling diabetes as it diminishes the complications more effectively. With modern developments, the administration of insulin has become so simple with the invention of insulin pen type that causes less pain than the bite of an ant.
Diet : A well planned and balanced diet is one of the major tools in the management of diabetes as the intake of food is directly linked to the sugar levels of the body. The motto of having meals should be “Eat to live but not live to eat”. There are three types of food i.e: carbohydrates, protein and fats. We Sri Lankans are used to having more carbohydrates which generates more sugar very fast. The energy required to run a human body can be obtained from all the three types of food similar to how a car is driven by using petrol, diesel or gasoline. So your meals should consist of carbohydrates, protein and fat appropriately. It is said there are three W’s which are not desirable for diabetic patients i.e. white rice, white bread and white sugar.
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The most important factors with regard to diet are the type of food, the quantity and the time interval of food intake which is determined by the tests of Fasting Blood Sugar (FBS) and Post Prandial Blood Sugar (PPBS). In my case PPBS after lunch was always higher than 180 when I used to have three meals a day. But my doctor advised me to have five smaller meals. This worked well. It is also better to avoid snacks or fruits for two hours after the principal meals. The food we eat should be more fibrous such as cereals, vegetables and fruits in natural form and plenty of sugar free drinks such as water, tea and coffee.
Exercise : Regular physical exercise plays an important role in the management of diabetes. Brisk walking is the best. Doctors recommend exercises of more than 30 minutes on 3 to 4 days a week, which I follow. Exercises should be at least repeated within 3 to 4 days to sustain and replenish the effect and vigour gained. Exercise helps to increase the blood circulation through every part of the body which is hindered by the high level of sugar in the blood stream of diabetic patients.
Yoga
In addition to aerobatic exercises I also practise yoga twice a week which has helped me immensely to control the illness more effectively, increase flexibility and maintain vigour. The special benefits of yoga over physical exercise is said to be the toning of internal organs which generate various type of hormones. However yoga should be learned under a yoga teacher rather than practising on your own with books.
By following the foregoing and under the medical treatment my doctor whom I have consulted throughout , I have been able to control my diabetes to go ahead with my life successfully.
The main contributor for managing diabetes is none other than the patient himself with your doctor as the guide. Note the maxim “Health is your choice”. |
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