Coping with diabetes typically involves a combination of physical treatments and psychological adjustments.

Over time, diabetes can affect the kidney, eyes and other vital organs and systems. The kidneys may filter less efficiently. Eyesight may become less sharp. But all those physical circumstances can be managed through careful diet, exercise, and (if needed) drugs.

But coping with the disease and its effects involves another dimension, one less easy to quantify and treat, and one which has both physical and mental consequences.

The chief emotional aspect of diabetes is stress. Stress can start a vicious cycle for the diabetic, because stress diminishes the body’s ability to fight infection. This hampering of the immune system, can promote infections, and more stress as the person worries about becoming ill from infections.

To break this vicious cycle, people with diabetes must use an arsenal of diabetes management strategies. Taking care of your general health is the first step. The second step involves learning to cope emotionally with the problem and reaching a positive outlook.

This may be difficult at first, but in time most diabetics learn to cope. The greatest difficult may be coming to terms with the fact that diabetes is a long-term condition, one you will likely have to manage as long as you life.

Careful monitoring of blood glucose levels is a basic and essential factor. Controlling that level - by diet, exercise, and (if necessary) medications - is vital. That helps reduce the physical strain on body systems. That helps reduce the worry. Monitoring and management will need to become a daily routine, as common as brushing your teeth.

Knowledge can help motivate the patient to engage in that practice. Being fully aware of the possible complications, and the near certainty of having them if inaction is the choice made, can provide an incentive to take action. Knowing what your body will do can help you control both the potentially harmful physical effects and your attitude about them.

Of course, being an informed patient does not necessarily mean you will be a proactive patient. You must make a determined commitment to stick to a diabetes management program. This requires both patience and bravery.

You will not be overwhelmed by the need to make changes, if you begin making a few changes gradually. Commit to walking ten minutes a day every other day. Make changes in your diet, one change at a time. After a short while you will feel like doing daily exercise and trying more challenging exercises.

Gradually, conquering the management and control of diabetes increases your confidence that you can do so in the future. In time, diabetes management will become part of your lifestyle and no longer a burden, merely another bump in life’s road.

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