History of Diabetes – Causes, Prevention and Control
Aside from frequent urination syndrome, it was observed that the area where an individual urinated is swarmed with ants. Although diabetes was not yet named back then, it is already considered as a debilitating syndrome, as physicians back then is clueless to the nature of the condition and the possible treatments. The history of diabetes had a long hiatus. It has no progress for 1500 years. Galen, a Greek physician, concluded that the condition originates from the kidneys.
By 100- AD, the condition was named Diabetes Mellitus. The name was given due to the sweet character of the urine from those who are infected with the condition. Although the history of diabetes is already 2500 years old, the facts are sparse and there are still no effective treatments. Physicians during that time used assistants to taste urine samples to determine the degree of sweetness in order to make a diagnosis. Aside from recognizing it as a health condition, there is no progress that occurred to determine the cause of diabetes. By the 16th century, it was only then that Paracelsus declared the condition as life threatening.
After 200 years, there are still no significant discoveries for diabetes. During the 1800s, a reliable clinical test was devised in order to measure the amount of sugar contained in the urine of the patients, thus leading to a more definitive diagnosis. However, aside from a reliable diagnosis, no further progress was made. Treatments were still unavailable and considered as a haphazard. It even required the physicians to jail the patients in order to enforce and experimental diet.
Across Europe in the 1800s, physicians paid more attention to diabetes and its mystery. Some of these physicians found that the condition is implicated on the pancreas. By the 19th century, a diet was produced to help those who are suffering from diabetes. Patients were advised to consume oats, potatoes, rice and milk. One of the prescribed radical treatments is to starve the patient but no single case of diabetes was relieved.
A significant progress in the history of diabetes 1921 when insulin was discovered. Experiments were conducted using animals as test subject and it showed that diabetes could be treated using insulin. This became a turning point and resulted in rapid progress for the identification and treatment of diabetes. In 1940s, scientists came up with the connection between diabetes, kidney and eye complications. In thirty years, more progress was made on the devices that can be used for home testing in order to acquire levels of blood sugar.
In 1975, a distinction was then made between type 1 and type 2 diabetes. With the help of government funding, a research was performed in order to determine how to manage the condition and what are the possible medications that can help avoid or delay the onset of complications. The history has traveled for over 3500 years. However, modern medicine and scientific procedures still cannot find a possible treatment for the condition. They are still hoping that diabetes can soon be curable.
Common Causes of Diabetes
Some of the common causes of diabetes include genetic and environmental factors. The risk of developing this condition is higher for those who have a family history of diabetes. Environmental factors, on the other hand, may lead to the onset of the condition and this includes poor diet, obesity, stress and lack of physical activities. Diabetes is a condition that can be prevented and controlled when properly diagnosed.
Prevention and Control in Diabetes
The symptoms of diabetes are not life threatening but diabetes itself may lead to other serious illnesses. Individuals who are diagnosed with diabetes are also at high risk of having heart ailments, stroke, neuropathy and nerve damage, kidney diseases, blindness and foot conditions. It is of utmost importance that you control your diabetes condition to prevent the onset of any complications. Fortunately, there are medications and natural remedies that can help you control your diabetes conditions. However, the most important aspect of management is maintaining a healthy diet and regular exercise.
A diabetes patient’s diet should include fruits and vegetables, omega-3 fatty acids, complex carbohydrates, healthy proteins and natural fiber. Maintaining a healthy diet cannot only help you manage diabetes, but it is a major factor in maintaining your overall health. It can also help you prevent the onset of the symptoms of diabetes and doing so can reduce the risk of having serious illnesses that is associated with your diabetes condition. A healthy diet should be followed, especially if your family has a history of diabetes.
Performing regular exercises is also necessary not just for those who are suffering from diabetes but even to those with family history of diabetes. All parts of your body serve an important purpose and are designed to work in unison to sustain life. Keeping your blood circulating properly and your muscles toned, you can help your body against infections. This will be able to help you manage the symptoms, not just of diabetes, but also of any other health conditions. Having strong muscles in the area of your abdomen can help enhance the function of your digestive system as well.
