Colour Vision of Diabetics - Report Example

An estimated 16 million people in the United States have diabetes mellitus a serious, permanent condition. About half of these people do not know they have diabetes and are not under care for the ailment. Each year, about 798,000 people are diagnosed with diabetes. Despite the fact that diabetes takes place most frequently in older adults, it is one of the most recurrent chronic disorders in children in the United States. Nearly 123,000 children and teenagers age 19 and younger have diabetes.Diabetes is one of the primary causes of death and disability in the United States, contributing to the deaths of almost 200,000 persons a year.

Diabetes is generally considered permanent and all effort is directed at controlling or managing it. Nevertheless, it is now believed not only that most cases are curable although that early diabetes 1 and all diabetes 2 are rather easy to treat with a suitable diet. In other words, radical diet changes are required to take on as much as possible a more natural diet. For some this is easy and a small price to pay for the recovery of health, at the same time as for others it is not worth living without their favorite foods, and for these, the accepted medical treatment will be best.

‘Diabetes mellitus creates a considerable clinical and economic burden on society’ (Songer and Ettaro, 1998; American Diabetes Association, 296-309; Rubin et al, 809A-809F). ‘For 1998, direct and indirect expenses of diabetes mellitus and its complications are estimated at $98.2 billion in the United States’ (Songer and Ettaro, 1998; American Diabetes Association, 296-309). ‘Standards of care for diabetes mellitus have been generally disseminated since the 1980s’ (American Diabetes Association, 296-309)in the belief that ‘improved processes of care can improve patient outcomes’ (Alberti and Zimmet, 539-553; Conseil Superieur du Diabetes, 539-553), however ‘primary care providers have been slow to apply patient care guidelines and recommendations’.

Kenny et al, 1507-1510; Stolar Endocrine Fellows Foundation Study Group, 701-707).