by Kathy Hillary, RN, CDE, CFCN

Dr. Joslin is considered the pioneer of diabetes. He was the first doctor in the U.S. to actually specialize in the disease. He had a vision of how to treat it. His theory was strict control of blood glucose, diet control, testing frequently and daily exercise. For years, his approach was highly debated amongst endocrinologists and scientists. Unfortunately, he did not live to see his theory validated. He died in 1962 at the age of 92.

It wasn’t until 1993 that his approach to diabetes care was validated by the Diabetes Control and Complication Trial. This study demonstrated that the onset of diabetes complications could be delayed or prevented by tight blood glucose control. To honor Dr. Joslin’s foresight, buttons were created that read “I told you so.”  Because of this study, we now know the importance of good control. Dr. Joslin was right on tract.

Dr. Joslin also expanded the role of nurses. He referred to his group of nurses as the “wandering nurses.” These nurses would go out into the community and teach people with diabetes about insulin management, diet and exercise. We now know these nurses as certified diabetes educators.  Again, Dr. Joslin was a man of vision.

In every diabetes class I teach I refer to the words of Sir William Osler, “To live a long and healthy life, develop a chronic disease and take care of it,” to help people realize that the diagnosis of diabetes should not be thought of as a death sentence, but more of an opportunity to take back control of their life. If you have diabetes, do something about it!  Attend a class, go to support meetings, find a reputable Web site and follow these helpful tips: 

1. Seize the opportunity to be the best you can be and educate yourself.
2. Exercise and keep exercising, making it a permanent part of your life, not just temporary.
3. Make healthy eating choices. Encourage your family to do the same. Remember type 2 diabetes is hereditary.
4. Surround yourself with supportive family and friends and attend a support group. 
5. Develop a spiritual awareness. Examine all you have learned about your diabetes, you may discover your higher sprit purpose in life.
6. Control your own destiny by being an active participant is your diabetes care. Remember 99 percent of diabetes care is self care.
7. Have your A1C test done regularly. Keep it below seven.
8. Know what your lipid panel is -- HDL (healthy), LDL (low down and dirty), triglycerides (fat in your blood). 
9. Check your blood glucose. Much like how you use your car’s speedometers to know how fast you are going, your blood glucose numbers help you determine how food, activity and medication are working for you. Don’t just guess!
10. Have a stress plan. Know what helps you relieve stress and use it when you need to.

 The better you manage your diabetes, the healthier you will be.