The Diabetic Debate: Is Anyone to Blame?

By Kai Colvin - Senior Medical Research Editor | January 21st, 2012

Heart disease. Stroke. Death.

Three bold reasons to stop diminishing and defining the 18 million people in the United States alone that have received a diagnosis of diabetes identified by age, race, wealth, or genetics.

Today, the world is consumed by the diabetic debate for whom and what is to blame when an individual is diagnosed with Type 1 or Type 2 Diabetes.

For a disease that is preventable and controllable, it is astonishingly abating for individuals to look the other way or to pull the blame card. The blame game has exhaustibly undermined efforts to contribute to the care and research for those individuals battling diabetes day in and day out.

Regardless of each singular diagnosis, health-care structure should be absorbed on prevention, early diagnosis, effective treatment research and supportive admiration for anyone with diabetes on a quest to stay healthy or get healthy.

Diabetes is a medical condition that inhibits the body from creating or responding to the hormone insulin. The pancreas manufactures insulin after ingesting food, which aids in the transfer of glucose to our blood and cells.
Without enough insulin, the body is unable to process glucose efficiently. Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes are chronic, lifelong diseases.

Anybody can progress diabetes; from children to adult women and men. Those most at risk of developing type 1 diabetes are individuals with a genetic link to the diabetic disease. The risk for type 2 diabetes is increased due to a genetic link; however other triggers include obesity, lack of exercise, low birth weight, smoking and high blood pressure.

Diabetes is overwhelming. Helping one individual cope with the overwhelming disease can make a difference. How can you help someone stay on track with diabetes?

1. Start with research. Knowing and understanding the disease will help you communicate and clearly understand.
2. Give friendly reminders to check blood sugar levels on a regular basis.
3. Provide support when there are diversities in blood sugar levels. Gaining control over blood sugar can be lifesaving.
4. Help prepare healthy meals.
5. Attend a diabetes support group.
6. Exercise regularly together.
7. Arrange a safety plan in case of a diabetic emergency.

Do you know someone with diabetes? Do you define them by their age, weight, ethnicity, laziness, low-Income or high-Income level, balding pattern or lifestyle? Perhaps they are a 5th Grader at New Jersey Middle School, a graduating senior at Virginia Tech, top executive at IBM, or a world-renowned Chef.

Diabetes is a serious health condition, but it’s not the end-all. Instead of placing blame, it is much more important to support loved ones with this condition by encouraging healthy habits like regular exercise and healthy, well-balanced meals.

To learn more about diabetes treatments, contact a physician near you.

References:

The Washington Post. “Diabetes affects millions; society should not stigmatize its victims”. Web. Jan. 9, 2012. http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/diabetes-affects-millions-society-should-not-stigmatize-its-victims/2011/12/19/gIQAB44CmP_story.html?tid=sm_btn_tw