Physicians caring for patients with diabetes encounter recurrent frustration. Demanding diseases of this kind enervate caregivers. It can be difficult to generate enthusiasm for treating diabetes despite its domination of the lives and long term health prospects of those affected. But diabetes is treatable, and the rewards of good treatment are great. Good diabetes care is important for many reasons.
Diabetes can be rapidly fatal.
Diabetic ketoacidosis, hyperosmolar hyperglycemic nonketotic coma, alcoholic ketoacidosis, and hypoglycemia are medical emergencies. More often than not, they are preventable. Chronic hyperglycemia causes debilitating symptoms. The polydipsia, polyuria, and nocturia of diabetes can make life miserable. Wide excursions of glycemia affect vision.