Insects of Diabetes

The Insects of Diabetes – A Different Take

Having to deal with insects is unpleasant. But it often has to be done, right?  Careers have been exhilarated through the care and most probably the removal of bugs: household spiders, fleas, flies, ants, slugs, snails, beetles, mosquitoes, etc.  Add more for emphasis if you would like.  You get the idea.

Diabetes has its own specific insects – of a sort. I call them “EIDS,” an acronym for Exercise, Insulin, Diet, and Stress.  Not too many people are in favor of attention toward EIDS, but these have to be attended.

Entomologists study such critters, bugs, that not only occupy this planet of ours, but are necessary in the chain of life. Entomology is the scientific field of study that specifically addresses all species of insects.  “At some 1.3 million described species, insects account for more than two-thirds of all known organisms, date back some 400 million years, and have many kinds of interactions with humans and other forms of life on earth.” (Wikipedia.com.)

Using entomology as an analogy to diabetology, this is the study of diabetes. It has become a field of expertise, often referred to “endocrinology” pertaining to the practice and concentrated care in diabetes patients.  With diabetes having become a pandemic, 400,000,000 people are singularly affected and effected.  This does not include the numbers of diabetes caregivers (e.g., parents, siblings, spouses, extended family members, medical personnel, friends, etc.) that witness the daily actions or inactions of their diabetic counterparts.  (Wikepedia.com.)

To my astonishment, author Gail B. Stewart wrote that diabetes dates back to “1500 B. C. in the Ebers Papyrus, an Egyptian compilation of medical works containing a number of remedies for passing too much urine.” On to “400 B. C., Susruta, a physician in India, recorded diabetes symptoms and classified types of diabetes.”  (Stewart, Gail B. Diabetes. © 1999.) Continuing into A. D. 10, 2nd century A. D., onto 1869, and 1921, Ms. Stewart further explains the history of diabetes.  Not unlike our earthly insect participants, its history has been unstoppable.

Exercise – difficult to accomplish on a daily basis no matter your age.  Motivation, encouragement and self-discipline are ingredients to control this particular “insect.”  No, it’s unnecessary to join a gym and make yourself promises that you know you won’t keep.  Debt enhancement may be your only self-promise!  Just start moving!  Start small.  Move slowly.  Begin by walking the length of your driveway and back.  There’s no competition.  No one is watching you.  Do it for yourself.  Increase your walking space every day.  Every day is important.  Pick a time and go for it!

Insulin – don’t forget your insulin!  Never ever forget your insulin!  No matter if you inject it daily, wear an insulin pump, or pop a pill to help manage this disease, your medications are vital!  Medicine is medicine and invented for a purpose – to help you live!  It is available for you.  It was invented for you.  Take advantage of your special-ness.

Diet – Ugh.  This ‘insect’ has to be balanced as in acquainting yourself with food groups, portion sizes, times of eating, blah, blah, blah.  Everyone in the world is acquainted with this topic!  Caloric intake, carb or no carb, low protein or vegetarian, a diet is a diet is a diet.  It’s the strictures of diets along with the act of dieting that need your attention.  Repeated research has shown that a healthy diet is absolutely necessary – and not just for a diabetic!  Medical professionals are in abundance to guide you with this factor.  Too many books have been written on this factor!  Why?  Because it is important!  Think about it.  What you ingest is part of your daily self-care.

Stress – I think this is the worst insect to even try and avoid!  If it crosses your path – and it will, be sure of it – and it approaches you unawares, be still.  Just be still.  Breathe, listen, blink breathe.  Many things are out of your control – accidents, management blame, financial upheavals, etc. – except for you, your self.  It is how you control your stress level that will determine your self-health.   Many choices are available – for you – in which to indulge and keep your inner peace.  That is a healthy state of mind, a healthy state of being.  You want to be healthy.  Healthy is happy.  Happy is a good thing.

Each of these ‘diabetes insects’ effects the other. As in the circle of life or knowing that history repeats itself, diabetics do what needs to be done in order to function on a daily basis.  This sounds simple, but it is not.


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