Diabetes is far more prevalent today than ever before. And it is appearing in younger age groups than in the past. Traditionally, diabetes would normally only be seen in adults over 45. But, now younger generations and even teenagers are developing diabetes.
The cause of diabetes isn't completely clear. The disease might be influenced by genetics and lifestyle. But regardless of the causes, diabetes impacts patients' lives.
Patients with type-1 diabetes need daily insulin injections. Whereas type-2 patients may be able to manage their condition with lifestyle changes. However, all diabetes patients need to monitor their blood sugar levels, and for many, this can become a bind.
How many individuals in the world have diabetes now?
Indications are that over 37 million people have diabetes in the US. There are 28.7 million individuals with a diabetes diagnosis. But, estimates point to another 8.5 million remaining undiagnosed.
Across the planet, around 422 million people have diabetes. The World Health Organization indicates that most of these people live in deprived areas with poor health care. The condition sadly causes around 1.5 million deaths every year.
Diabetes impacts health and is the cause of many other conditions. There is a link with high blood sugar and heart disease, as well as kidney disease.
What does a diabetic patient's daily routine involve?
Diabetes needs careful and constant management. Patients need to monitor blood sugar levels and inject insulin when required. Health firms such as Hello Pip provide lancets for checking blood sugar levels. And this represents a major part of a diabetic's daily routine.
A type-1 diabetic might need to test their blood sugar up to 10 times a day. A type-2 patient at least twice. People with type-1 diabetes also face injecting insulin up to 5 times a day. Even type-2 diabetes patients may need two or more shots of insulin.
All this testing and medication can be painful and frustrating for diabetics. There are different types of lancets available, and fortunately, some are painless.
Apart from testing blood sugar levels, diabetics must monitor what they eat. Many patients use carb counting to help keep blood sugar at optimum levels. Many experts recommend diabetics eat smaller meals but more often to help manage blood sugar. Exercise is also an important part of a diabetic's routine, but blood sugar levels need to be monitored before and after physical activity.
What happens if a diabetic patient's blood sugar level drops?
People can help others with diabetes in several ways. Encouraging healthy eating and exercising together is a positive way to help a diabetic improve their lifestyle. Another useful skill is being able to notice blood sugar level drops.
When blood sugar drops in a diabetic, they will experience several symptoms. Many of these are visible when a person knows what to look for.
Signs that blood sugar levels are dropping include these:
Dizziness
Seizures
Slurred-speech
Blurred vision
Confusion
Problems concentrating
Numbness
As blood sugar levels drop, the brain begins to be starved of glucose. If this continues it may result in coma or seizure. This is why regular blood sugar testing is critical. But, many patients neglect this too often.
What problems do diabetic patients and their carers face?
Diabetics too often fail to follow nutritional advice. They may undereat, or overeat, leading to blood sugar problems. Problems faced by diabetic patients include mental health issues such as depression.
Blood sugar level changes lead to mood swings and anxiety. A major issue for many diabetics is regular blood testing and injecting insulin. Millions of people have a fear of needles. And continually having to jab oneself can be distressing.
This can lead them to poor medication adherence which in turn leads to bigger health problems in diabetics.
Why don't patients adhere to medical advice?
There are a number of reasons for diabetics or any patients failing to follow medical treatment plans.
Poor medication adherence can be caused by the following:
Cost of medication
Education
Trust issues
Poor communication
Misunderstanding
Patients have been known to believe that medication adherence was unnecessary. Some patients believe they don't need medication, while others are worried about the cost of prescriptions.
With diabetics, one major reason for poor medication adherence is trypanophobia or fear of needles. Indications are that up to a quarter of adults have a fear of needles, or at least strong feelings.
If these figures are true, then there are potentially 9 million Americans with diabetes who are averse to needles. Healthcare equipment manufacturers have recognized this, and are helping to improve medication adherence through painless lancets.
Are modern lancets genuinely painless?
A fear of needles leads to unpleasant symptoms including dizziness and heart palpitations. But, painless lancets may be a more acceptable route to testing blood sugar levels.
Modern lancets require no additional lancing devices making them simple to use. The easier a blood sugar test is, then the less anxiety will surround it.
To make it easier for diabetics who are anxious about needles to test their blood, the lancet needle is also hidden. This takes away the visual aspect which is a concern for many with trypanophobia.
There are fewer concerns about pain too. Patients report minimal to no pain with modern lancets. Living with diabetes is painful, and the daily routine of testing and taking insulin becomes laborious. For any diabetic with a strong dislike of needles, testing time can be stressful, and even depressing. But, painless, concealed lancets are one way to push back against the fear of needles.
What help is there for diabetic patients?
Healthcare businesses are far more aware now of the concerns of diabetic patients. Small innovations such as modern lancets make blood testing simpler and painless.
Technology has led to the creation of smart socks. These socks send signals warning the patient of potential foot problems before symptoms manifest themselves. This type of preventative medicine helps diabetics avoid ulcers and other foot conditions.
But apart from painless lancets and diabetic socks, patients can receive care through other means.
Diabetic support groups
Support groups for diabetics help patients understand and accept their condition. Diabetics can learn strategies to cope, and ideas for improving daily life.
Nutritionists
Nutrition and a balanced diet are vital for anyone with diabetes. Managing blood sugar levels is important through lancets and tests. But, eating the right food is also crucial.
Tests have shown that some foods help maintain good blood sugar levels. There is some indication that a Mediterranean diet reduces the risk of diabetes altogether.
Blood sugar levels should be taken before eating. And a nutritionist will help provide an eating plan that provides the right balance for a diabetic.
Podiatrist
Foot health care is vital in diabetic patients. Podiatrists are a good form of preventative medicine as they can spot and diagnose issues before they become a problem. Regular visits to a podiatrist will help a diabetic avoid many issues
Summary
While diabetes is a common disease, it isn't always easy to live with. It can be demoralizing for many to have to regularly take blood tests. And for some, needles are a cause of major anxiety.
Painless lancets with concealed needles may not seem a huge innovation. But, to the millions of people who struggle to adhere to a necessary daily routine to manage diabetes, they are a welcome addition to the other help available.
