Dr.Robert Ligthelm, world renowned research diabetologist from Rotterdam,
Netherlands was kind enough to spent 2 hours with diabetic patients in the
city of Trivandrum, South Kerala to chat with them on diabetes related
matters, in a program arranged by Dr.Jothydev Kesavadev on behalf of
Diabscreen Kerala, P.Kesavadev Trust at Hotel Muthoot Plaza.
(The news was carried by all local media and entry for all patients and
public were absolutely free of cost)
He was bombarded with questions from the patients and their caretakers and
later expressed his excitement on the involvement of patients and the degree
of diabetes awareness prevalent among the community.Mr.Peethambara Kurup, Patron of Diabscreen Kerala co ordinated the event.
Some selected subjects of public interest discussed by Dr.Robert and
Dr.Jothydev are posted here:
(video will appear in the web site soon)
Diabetes should no longer be considered a disease of an individual.It is a
disease of the family.
If there is one person with diabetes in the family, the whole family should
be involved in his or her care, or else management will fail.
By far all studies have shown that introducing insulin shots very early in
diabetes will help in the long term prevention of complications.
Insulin is different from all other oral drugs in the sense that it is
natural and not artificial.It is the one otherwise produced by normal human
pancreas.
Earlier injections were painful, but now they are virtually painless.Newer
insulins are much better than older ones in many many ways.
Patients should take it without any fear and the one and only side effect is
low sugar which can be avoided by properly monitoring and titrating the
dosages.
The best method of treating type 1 diabetes as in kids is with insulin
pumps, if the parents can afford.Also in cases of brittle diabetes insulin
pumps are the best.
Advanced cases of type 2 diabetes behaves like type 1 when beta cells have
almost totally gone.
Diabetes being a very serious illness and silent killer, team effort is
necessary.
The aim of treating diabetes should be to reach the targets of blood
glucose, BP and cholesterol.Multiple medications will be necessary for
prevention.
When one elderly patient said that he is spending Rs.4000 per month for
diabetes treatment, Dr.Robert commented that in the absence of preventive
medications and daily exercise his expenses will go up by many many times in
future and he should be happy with what he is getting now and has not yet
had any complications despite 15 years of diabetes.
Dr.Robert and Dr.Jothydev highlighted the importance of team work in diabetes management.The role of educators, nurses, dietitians, etc., working
in unison with the doctors and the patient and his family members ensures
success in treating this life long illness.
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