Discovery, treatment and management of diabetes

The history of diabetes started in Egypt, Arab and Asia 3,500 years ago. From the 16th - 18th century diabetes has been diagnosed and treated more methodically starting in Europe but the remedy for the diabetes was only discovered in the last century. Discovery of insulin for the treatment of diabetes represents one of the major humanitarian and scientific milestones of the 20th century. But health care providers have no awareness of the history of diabetes. Knowledge of the history provides a better understanding of contemporary issues and a clearer vision for the future. Ancient physicians recorded their observations in an attempt to better understand the nature of the ailment, its origin, and treatment. Diabetes was recognized in antiquity but its history has been characterized by numerous cycles of discovery, neglect and rediscovery.