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Summer has arrived after the most spectacular spring that I can recall in years. As I sit here writing this editorial I ponder why the spring was so amazing: was it just fate, or has mankind had something to do with it by contributing to global warming? There have been so many natural disasters surrounding us recently—earthquakes, volcanoes and tornadoes—that one must stop and wonder what role we have played by not taking better care of our planet. Mankind is also responsible for the BP oil spill currently defiling the Gulf of Mexico, and the ecological and financial consequences of this catastrophe will be evident for decades to come.
You must be wondering why I am writing about these things and how they could possibly relate to diabetes. But I can’t help but think that if man took greater responsibility for his actions some of these disasters could have been avoided. In the same vein, I believe that if we as patients and physicians and other healthcare professionals took this epidemic of diabetes more seriously we could avert the consequences that this chronic disease will impose on our healthcare system. Individually as patients we have a responsibility to look after ourselves in the best way possible. That includes working with our healthcare team to prevent the complications of diabetes and the financial toll that those complications impose on our healthcare system.
Having said that, looking after ourselves is not always so easy. Depression is often associated with diabetes, and can get in the way of self-care. The first feature article in this issue of Dialogue examines the unique psychological challenges of diabetes and gives practical suggestions on how to protect your mental health. The article also discusses the barriers to getting better when treating mental health combined with diabetes and suggests helpful resources.
I mentioned above the importance of a healthcare team, and one of the key members that we sometimes overlook is the pharmacist, who is playing an increasingly important part in diabetes management. The second feature article looks at the emerging role of pharmacists in helping patients with their diabetes. If you have not already thought about speaking with your local pharmacist about your diabetes you might want to after reading this article.
The third feature article strongly emphasizes the importance of quitting smoking when you have diabetes. I think that most of us are aware of the consequences of smoking on our health, but this article clearly shows that many people do not realize that the negative impacts of smoking are amplified when one has diabetes. The article describes how smoking is an addiction but one that can be successfully overcome if one truly has the desire to stop.
So while you are enjoying your summer I hope you will all consider this a time to better look after yourselves. Changes in your diet, increasing your exercise, dealing with mental health issues and quitting smoking are all initial steps that will help you prevent the complications of diabetes. I urge you all to read this issue and stop and think about how you can take better care of yourselves. Have a safe summer!