The Ypsilanti daily press. (Ypsilanti, Mich.) 1928-1962, 1945-01-24

only, and then only through
his column.
doctor for dozens Of reasons, prin-
cipally because they are afraid TO
know what is the matter with
them. Anyway this friend Of mine
finally got examined and he told
me about 1t and said-"Thank God
all I've got Is diabetes"
That would have seemed .
peculiar remark twenty-five yeas
ago. 1t must seem peculiar to all
those people who write in and ask
ME if there Is any treatment for
diabetes, those letters which set
me wondering and which | de-
scribed in this column Monday.
But the doctors remark reflects
the change in the attitude Of an
informed medical man on the out
look for diabetes.
Sentence Of Early Death
Fifty years ago the verdict
would almost have meant q SEN
tence Of early death. Twenty-Five
years ago II would have meant
troublesome restrictions Of life.
Now il means, thanks to modern
methods of treatment, not only
very moderate change in habits,
but a prospect Of actually length
ening life through attention TO
health.
There are now living literally
thousands Of young diabetes who,
had they lived and been treated in
the seventeenth century would
never have reached maturity. The
middle aged diabetic can now be
assured not only that he will live
out his life expectancy, but prob
ably beat it provided he Is ordi-
narily careful in his observance
of treatment.
symptoms Hard TO Recognize
One difficulty in the way Of
achieving the best results is that
the symptoms of the condition are
not recognized so that treatment
can be begun. My doctor friend Is
an example of that: he knew
vaguely that there was something
wrong with him, but the symptoms
were not sufficiently intrusive TO
focus his attention on any one
thing.
There 10 seldom any pain asso-
lated with diabetes, and pain is
what brings people To the doctor.
There is quite a difference in the
symptoms as they appear in chill
dren with diabetes from the mid
die aged patient. have just seen
u child brought into the hospital
unconscious-in coma, the first
realization the parents had that
anything was wrong.
Children who lose weight, VINO
nave excessive thirst and hunger,
and pass large quantities Of urine
should be suspected. Any child who
goes spontaneously, that Is with
out previous injury, into uncon-
seriousness from which it cannot
be aroused 10 almost certain TO be
diabetic.
Older Person IL Overweight
The older person, especially the
one around fifty years old, is likely
TO be overweight rather than I'M
derweight. And one Of the saving
methods Of treating him and pro-
longing his life is to reduce him.
He notices, perhaps, some thirst
and q good appetite, but these
plain symptoms of trouble he
rather enjoys. Any excessive
amount Of urine he passes depends
on the severity of the condition.
II he gets q neuritis or an attack
Of angina that may send him to the
diagnostician's office and 10 .
blessing in disguise. II dimneSs Of
vision sends him to an oculist who
can expertly examine his eye
grounds, or if he gets q succession
of crops Of boils, the same may be
said. In general . vague fatigue
and lack Of sense of well being may
be all that he can describe. The
annual physical examination or
life insurance examination may
pick up the condition and be . real
surprise to him.
But the most important message
that have to tell the middle aged
diabetic is that the discovery may
make him take care Of his diet and
health so that his life is likely ae-
tually TO be prolonged. There is no
cause for encouragement at the
discovery. MANY q mans life has
been saved by acquiring q chronic
disease" said q wise physician.
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
B. C.:-Do you recommend
radionie treatments for early can
GER?
Answer: No.