How Do You Adjust to Having Diabetes?

By Robin Brain

How do you adjust to the diagnosis of diabetes or to being told that you have one or more of the complications of the disease?

Reacting To The Diagnosis
If you have just received the diagnosis of diabetes or if you have just heard of someone else with diabetes who is suffering from a variety of problems, you may be somewhat fearful. In any case, you know that having this disease will have a significant impact on your life and on your family's life. As our mentor, Dr. Robert L. Jackson, has stated, " This is a disease that has the potential of helping families to grow." As complicated as the management program may seem, Dr. Jackson feels that it can be basically simple: eating nutritious foods to meet the needs of growth and activity levels, taking the amount of medication needed to cover the food and activity, and testing to see whether the decisions have been correct.

When you are first diagnosed, it is not helpful to you when others say that at least it's better than having cancer (or some other disease), however true this may be. Even when they say, " You'll become more healthy because you'll learn how to really take care of yourself," it does not help at first. You're too emotionally involved to be ready to learn at this point. Perhaps you'll even find yourself saying some of these things to others about your diagnosis. Your family and friends may feel awkward around you. You can guide them by telling them that they don't need to say anything; they just need to support you. Simply saying "I'm sorry this has happened to you" or giving you a hug can be enough at this time.

Seek out support people: those with whom you can talk comfortably and to whom you can display your true feelings and thoughts.

Ask your family to keep junk food out of the house; to not tempt you by offering you sweets; to give you an injection now and then (if you were really ill, this would come in handy); to learn how to treat an insulin reaction; and, especially for immediate family members, to attend diabetes education classes with you.

When the emotional edge is less and you start asking questions, then go to a source to learn as much as you can.

If you feel that you really haven't adjusted to the diagnosis of diabetes or to having a complication of the disease, consider some other ways of thinking. Consider the ways of healthy living that are part of your control of diabetes. This knowledge could be shared with others. In the case of a complication, consider being grateful that the complication was discovered at an early stage, if true, or that stabilization of the complication is more possible now than it was 10 years ago. Consider talking to a counselor, pastor, or psychologist. There may never be an answer that satisfies you, but once you can accept the reality that you have diabetes or a complication, grasp this as a challenge, then get actively involved. As noted earlier, in some situations early diagnosis of a complication and improvement of diabetes control can reverse or slow the progress of the complication.

Read more on New Diabetic Information. Check out for Diabetic Supplies US and Specializing Diabetic Supplies.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Robin_Brain

Bladder Cancer - Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment and Care

By Steve Batchelor

Over 10,000 people are diagnosed with bladder cancer in the UK each year and over 50,000 annually in the US. It accounts for 90% of cancers of the urinary tract (renal pelvis, ureters, bladder and urethra) and occurs mostly in those over 50 and about twice as many men as women gets this disease. Although bladder cancer cannot be prevented, tobacco use and working with certain chemicals are associated with a higher risk of developing the disease.
Drinking plenty of fluids daily can help to lower the risk. The symptoms of bladder cancer include pain and frequency of urination and blood in the urine.

Diagnosis of bladder cancer is by urological testing and image testing, potential risk factors can be determined by the patient's full medical history and things like smoking and exposure to dyes are taken into consideration. The NMP22®BladderChek® is a noninvasive urine test which detects elevated levels of nuclear matrix protein (NMP) caused by bladder cancer, the results of this test when used with cystoscopy have shown to be more effective than other diagnostic tests.

Various imaging tests can also be performed, these involve a dye being administered through a vein then x-rays are taken as the dye moves through the urinary tract. This provides information about the function of the bladder, ureters and kidneys. Other imaging tests include a CT scan, MRI scan, bone scan and ultrasound. If bladder cancer is suspected a cystoscopy and biopsy are performed. With a cystoscopy a thin telescope-like tube with a tiny camera attached is inserted into the bladder through the urethra to detect abnormalities. In biopsy, tissue samples are taken and examined for cancer cells.

Once is has been determined that a tumor exists, the next step is to clarify the tumor's status. The size of the tumor, where it lies, whether it has extended into surrounding tissue and whether it has spread to the lymph nodes or other sites in the body are all questions that need to be answered. The tumor's stage or depth of penetration is confined to one of two categories; (1) superficial, surface tumors which affect only the bladder lining or (2) invasive, deep spreading tumors which grow into the deeper layers of the bladder tissue, and may involve surrounding muscle, fat and nearby organs.

Treatment of bladder cancer depends on the stage of the disease, type of cancer and the patient's age and general health. Options include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation and immunotherapy. Surgery can include removing the bladder, prostate and lymph nodes which results in the patient requiring an external urinary appliance, but if caught in the early stages a tumor can be removed using instruments inserted through the urethra.

Chemotherapy is systemic treatment that uses drugs to destroy the cancer cells which are administered orally or intravenously. In patients with the early stages of bladder cancer drugs may be infused into the bladder through the urethra. Some side effects of chemotherapy can be severe and include headache, abdominal pain, blurred vision, fatigue, excessive bleeding, infection and weakness.

Radiation uses high-energy rays to destroy cancer cells. External beam radiation is emitted from a machine outside the body and internal radiation is emitted from pellets implanted into the tumor. Either type may be used after surgery to destroy remaining cancer cells. Side effects can include inflammation of the rectum, skin irritation, fibrosis and impotence.

Immunotherapy may be used in cases of superficial bladder cancer. The treatment enhances the immune system's ability to fight disease. A vaccine is infused through the urethra to the bladder once a week for 6 weeks to stimulate the immune system and destroy cancer cells. Side effects can be inflammation of the bladder, inflammation of the prostate and flu-like symptoms. Bladder cancer has a high rate of recurrence. Urine cytology and cystoscopy are performed every 3 months for 2 years, every 6 months for the next 2 years and then yearly.

Steve Batchelor is the webmaster at www.cancerhelpguides.info where you can find relevant and informative information on many different cancer types. He also recommends infogoldmine for more info on cancer treatments and care as well as many other subjects.