I was talking to a nurse colleague earlier this week. The topic of conversation centered on her taking care of her diabetic husband. In short, he had been diagnosed with type 2 (non-insulin dependent) diabetes almost 20 years ago. Since she was a nurse, and aware of the importance of all the factors that go into keeping a diabetic healthy and hospitalization-free, she made it her business to set up a plan for her husband that revolved around healthy eating, monitoring sugar levels, medication compliance, regular checkups, exercise and support. The result was that in the 20 years since his diagnosis at age 48, he had never been hospitalized for a diabetic complication.

Compare this to another family member that she remembered coming to live with her and her husband 15 years ago for fourteen months. He, too, was a type 2 diabetic. Upon learning of his medical condition, she implemented a plan for him to follow. It was similar to the one that her husband was on, but with some minor changes tailored to her relative’s lifestyle. She reported that in the fourteen months that the relative lived with them, he, too, was never hospitalized with a diabetic complication.

Here is where the stories diverge. In the time since her relative moved out and his coaching ended over 13 years ago, she regretfully informed me that he has had his left lower leg amputated below the knee and his eyesight is fading rapidly. Her relative is 12 years younger than her husband.

The story continues with a third family member, her sister-in-law, who came by to visit for a few weeks. One afternoon, in deep conversation between her husband and his sister, it was discovered that she was experiencing symptoms of excessive urination and thirst that was beginning to hamper her lifestyle. Realizing that these were signs of high blood sugar, he spoke to his wife (the nurse), who immediately brought out his glucose monitor and tested her blood. The reading was 343mg/dL (normal is 90-120mg/dL). Taking it one step further, the nurse brought out a blood pressure machine and took a reading. Her sister-in-law’s blood pressure was 165/101mmHg (normal range is around 130/80mmHg). She mentioned that her physician knows she has “a little sugar” and ” a touch of pressure”, but did not initiate any interventions. Calls were made at that time and care was initiated three hours later. To date, her sister-in-law thanks her for saving her from a much more complicated and expensive existence. 

While I am aware that we can’t all have health professionals as spouses, the take home message is NOT to ignore early signs and symptoms of potentially debilitating conditions. It’s also important to have a professional make up a patient-specific care plan and for the patient to follow it. In situations where the patient is not mentally strong enough to follow through, the benefit of having a coach to guide the patient will produce huge rewards – in prolonged good health and decreased overall costs.

Always remember, it is up to you, the patient, to talk to your primary healthcare provider. Ask the tough questions, demand answers, and do your own research to find out everything there is to know about your condition, including therapeutic options. If at any time you feel overwhelmed, seek out a knowledgeable health coach. The costs are minor in comparison to the benefits.