Diabetes, though a very common condition the world over today, is often a lesser understood disease, shrouded by many myths and fears. The very name, 'diabetes', instills an untold fear in most people's minds. But the fact is, that it is can be brought under control easily and maintained that way, provided one takes adequate care. So what dies diabetes care involve and what it your own role in it, as a diabetic?

The most important factor - YOU!

First and foremost, you should understand that YOU AND ONLY YOU are responsible for regulating your disorder. The kind of lifestyle you lead, your food habits, your mental attitude and how strict you are with your treatment, all these go into making your care more effective. The more positive your outlook, the lesser trouble the disorder will give you!

Team of professionals

There are many General Physicians (GPs) who are very competent in handling your treatment by themselves. But there might be times when you may need a team of healthcare professionals to back you. This team will conduct a thorough checkup and then advice you on further course of action.

1. The Primary Team

If you are new to diabetes, the best place is a local clinic specializing in diabetes. Juvenile diabetics, on the other hand, are taken care of by hospital-based teams.

The supporting team will comprise the following:

* The Practice Nurse is one who has completed extra training and performs a regular routine check on you.

* A District Nurse visits people in the mornings, performs a test and also gives a shot of insulin if necessary.

* A Health Visitor is more or less like the Practice Nurse, but visits you in your own home.

* The Dietitian helps you regulate your diet and weight in accordance with your disease.

* A Chiropodist does a regular foot check, as it is a very vital indication to diabetes.

* An Optometrist performs an annual check on your eyes, so as to rule out a chance of disorder in the eyes.

* The Pharmacist can advice you on the right medication to be taken for your disorder. Of course, you should ideally rely on the doctor's advice.

2. Diabetes hospital teams

A hospital team specializing in diabetes will house the following:

* Diabetes Specialist Nurses give you all the required information you may have about your disorder - how to adjust your dosage, what kind of syringe you can use, how you can inject yourself and so on. These highly experienced professionals work with the primary team and so, will be able to give you the right advice on your condition.

* Consultants look through the patient's history, performs checkups and also advice the GP about the treatment, changes if required and so on.

* Ophthalmologists in hospitals use state-of-the-art instruments, so they can immediately catch an eye disorder before it has a chance to create serious future problems for you!

Diabetes care has advanced by leaps and bounds today. Do take advantage of that and keep a close watch on yourself through the course of your treatment. That is the way to lead a fuller, richer life, in spite of diabetes!