November is Diabetes Awareness Month for those living with Type 1 Diabetes, and even though I have Type 2 Diabetes I still feel it is a topic that many people need to be educated on. It can become quite frustrating to hear many people say, "oh well you should just loose weight" or "maybe you should lay off the sugar".
REALITY CHECK - Diabetes is NOT caused by Sugar Intake, in fact Type 1 Diabetes is a chronic condition that is caused by the Pancreas producing little to no insulin at all. Type 2 Diabetes is caused because your body either doesn't produce enough insulin or it is insulin resistant. Now lets break down a little bit more knowledge about each.
Type 1 Diabetes: "A condition characterized by high blood glucose levels caused by a total lack of insulin. Occurs when the body's immune system attacks the insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas and destroys them. The pancreas then produces little or no insulin. Type 1 Diabetes develops most often in young people but can appear in adults." (1.)
What is Blood Glucose: The main sugar found in the blood and the body's main source of energy.
Insulin: A hormone that helps the body use glucose for energy. The beta cells of the pancreas make insulin. When the body cannot make enough insulin, it is taken by injection or through the use of an insulin pump.
There are many aspects to living with Type 1 Diabetes. You have your medication management (Insulin), Exercise, Nutrition as well as Emotional support from those closest to you. Type 1 Diabetes affects those of all ages from New Born to Elderly.
Type 2 Diabetes: A chronic condition that affects the way the body processes blood sugar (glucose).
"More common in adults, Type 2 Diabetes increasingly affects children as childhood obesity increases. There's no cure for Type Diabetes, but you may be able to manage the condition by eating well, exercising and maintaining a healthy weight. If diet and exercise aren't enough to manage your blood sugar well, you also may need diabetes medications or insulin therapy." (2.)
There are many symptoms, causes and risk factors when it comes to Type 2 Diabetes. I encourage everyone to educate themselves and to get screened if you feel you may have Type 2 Diabetes.
Something that really grinds my gears are the jokes that are constantly made by those who are uneducated about diabetes... Example: someone seeing a candy store and making a joke about getting Diabetes from just walking into it. SUGAR IS NOT THE CAUSE OF DIABETES. These types of uneducated jokes are not funny. They may seem funny in the moment but how would you feel if you had a chronic illness and someone was constantly throwing around jokes about it?
My Type 2 Diagnosis came in February 2016 after a lot of medical testing for an imbalance in my hormones and other factors that I wish not to disclose. I also have Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) which causes the imbalance in my hormones and contribute to my insulin resistance and Type 2 Diagnosis. Yes, my weight could be considered a factor in both my PCOS and Diabetes Diagnosis' but these are also a contributing factor as to why it is even harder for me to loose weight no matter how active I am. I also eat a rather healthy diet with the occasional splurges we all do. I am quite lucky in the fact that I only have to take medication daily for my medication and I go in for check ups with my doctor every few months. I am constantly working on my diet and exercise regime. Diabetes is something I have but it does not define who I am.
From someone with Diabetes, someone who knows other with Diabetes.... Please educate yourself and others.
~Chrissy~
References:
1. American Diabetes Association
2. Mayo Clinic- Type 2 Diabetes
