Defeating diabetes, from panic to caution
They say man is not afraid of death but dying. Here, dying stands for a long and painful process that begins in the wake of the onset of a lifelong or fatal disease. With advancement in the field of medicine, diabetes is no more a fatal disease in present times. Still many lose their lives to different health conditions that originate from the prolonged uncontrolled glucose levels in blood.
Twenty years ago, I got a shock. As I reported the frequent visits to the toilet, especially at night, to my doctor, he advised me to get my fasting glucose level monitored. Using my own half-baked knowledge (as every man thinks that he is wiser than all others), I countered my doctor and reiterated that I could not be diabetic. Most people normally believe that disease and death will never pounce on them. These are only for other mortals. The illusion continues until they are diagnosed with a chronic ailment.
Under the impact of that illusion, I fearlessly went for the blood test. But all hell broke loose when the diagnosis was put under my chin. The glucose levels in my blood serum had spiked considerably high. I was declared diabetic but my mind could not accept this fact. The mounting stress, borne out of the shock, began to make matters worse. Initially, most patients don’t suffer on account of the disease but the realisation debilitates them psychologically.
As I came to terms with my condition, I did not follow the right line of treatment. Every next Indian is a doctor. So instead of taking the medication prescribed by the endocrinologist, I relied on homemade concoctions that friends and relatives suggested. Here, I do not question the efficacy of ayurveda but self-medication without the supervision of a doctor simply complicates the situation.
When home remedies failed to yield the desired result, I had no chance but to swallow the bitter pill. By then, fear was substituted by caution. They say discipline is the key that unlocks the door to success. Stern discipline was brought in the dietary regimen and the sedentary lifestyle was bidden adieu. Early to bed and early to rise was the first rule. Regular morning walks and mild to moderate exercise coupled with a healthy diet got me good results in a few months. My lethargic body had begun to gain a new lease of life. Drooping energy levels bounced back and the lost lustre on the face was restored.
In a nutshell, I defeated diabetes. Two decades have rolled by and I’m leading a healthy lifestyle. In our fast-paced, junk food-driven life, diabetes has become a household disease. One must first strive to adopt an active lifestyle so that one does not fall prey to this condition. But if one is already a diabetic, life does not end there. Like blood pressure, diabetes is simply a medical condition that can be managed with caution and care. Only the panic attached with diabetes has to be dealt with. It’s World Diabetes Day today and the message is loud and clear.
DIABETES HAS BECOME A HOUSEHOLD DISEASE. LIKE BP, IT CAN BE MANAGED WITH A HEALTHY LIFESTYLE, EXERCISE AND DIET CONTROL