I am a diabetic. Advances in medical technology have helped diabetics lead normal lives. The most important tool I use is a glucometer. This device is as small as one of those split rubber change purses we used to use. It takes only a small drop of blood from anywhere on the body and gives results in 15 seconds. Accuracy counts a great deal and these devices are accurate. Used three to four times a day, a diabetic is able to control their blood glucose level.
I take a pill called Glucoltrol XL. If, later in the day, my blood glucose is greater than 150, I take insulin on a “sliding scale”. This means the dose of insulin is directly proportionate to the blood glucose level,i.e. if the level is 155, I will take 4 units of insulin, then check my blood glucose in 1/2 hour. If the glucose level is down, I continue with normal checking. Usually, I do not have to take insulin if I watch my diet.
The old method of checking glucose was a urine dipstick. Blood glucose has to be quite high before it “spills” over into the urine. The blood gucometer will tell you if your blood sugar is high, even if it is not high enough to spill over into urine. This, in itself helps diabetics control their blood sugar before it becomes extremely high. This results in an almost instant way to regulate the blood glucose level and keep it within normal limits every day.
The only time I have severe problems, and I am speaking for most diabetics, is if I have pneumonia or a severe cold and I am given triamcinolone, or steroid injections to help clear up the infection. I have gone legally blind when this was administered. It took two weeks and a lot of insulin to get my vision back. At other times, the steroids had no effect on my blood sugar.
Splenda, a great sugar substitute has allowed diabetics to enjoy sweets without fear of increased blood glucose. I crave sweets unrealistically and unrelentingly. This started when I became diabetic. Splenda helps curb this craving.
There are new types of insulin (although I use regular insulin) that have come out recently, that take a smaller amount to do the same job for a longer period of time.
There are also insulin pumps, that can be embedded under the skin of the patient and automatically administer the required amount of insulin. This is usually for severe and “brittle” diabetics. Brittle diabetics swing from one extreme to the other easily and rapidly. They are extremely hard to regulate because of this extreme extraordinary variation in blood glucose.
Ultimately, for me, the glucometer is the greatest thing that technology has invented. Diabetics now have hope to lead more normal lives.
