Living with diabetes
November is National Diabetes Month! And there is a need for more awareness. More than 37 million Americans have diabetes, and approximately 90-95% of them have type 2 diabetes. Many more are prediabetic, so all together, one in seven Americans have some form of a diabetes diagnosis.
There are several different types of diabetes, but perhaps the most common are type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Although they sound similar, they are actually quite different.
Type 1 diabetes is a chronic, autoimmune disease with an unknown cause. In someone with type 1, the body stops making insulin, a hormone required to regulate blood sugar levels. There is no known cure for type 1 diabetes, and those with type 1 must self-administer insulin multiple times daily, typically by injection or by wearing a medical device, called a pump.
In type 2 diabetes, the body still makes insulin, but does not use it properly, which leads to unstable blood sugar levels. Type 2 is typically managed by exercise and diet changes, medications, and sometimes insulin. Because the body still makes insulin, it’s possible for type 2 diabetes to be reversed.
For an individual with diabetes, regulating blood sugar levels can be a full-time job and affects nearly every area of functioning. There are many factors that impact blood sugar, such as food, sleep, stress, illness, exercise, and medication. Furthermore, diabetes management is unique to the individual. This makes it challenging to learn how to manage the disease since there is no specific framework for doing so, and it takes time for each person to learn their body.
What works for one person may not work for another. Even then, for someone with diabetes, the exact same routine and lifestyle habits from one day to the next can cause blood sugar levels to respond very differently. As such, there can be a lot of guilt associated with diabetes given the many factors outside of one’s control.
Diabetes awareness is vital due to the levels of stigma and misunderstanding about the disease. As mentioned previously, it is rare that a diabetes diagnosis is the result of any choice of that individual. Further, there is no right or wrong way to eat for a person with diabetes, and they can eat like anyone else, so it is important to avoid being the ‘food police.’
Foods that may surprise you that greatly impact blood sugar include: baked goods and grains, such bread, chips, crackers, oatmeal; pasta and rice; fruit; seemingly healthier alternatives like whole grain options, honey, maple syrup, milk; and even some vegetables like corn, carrots, potatoes and beans. Regulating blood sugar when eating often comes down to portion control, timing and dosing of medication, and other healthy lifestyle choices.
Any form of diabetes requires significant, long term medical oversight and support. Diabetes management is very costly and can include purchasing healthy foods, having access to exercise options, and medication and medical equipment.
Even with insurance coverage, the cost of diabetic supplies and insulin can be too much. This can be a significant stressor, which can sometimes impede appropriate blood sugar control – thus creating financial stress. And stress is a significant factor that negatively impacts blood sugar levels! As you can imagine, there can also be a lot of stress for parents and caregivers of those with diabetes.
Overall, to manage diabetes effectively involves significant support and medical care. There is a thriving diabetic community through support groups, social media, research organizations, and many resources. With support and medical care, people with diabetes can live thriving lives!
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