When I was 10 I read a book titled “Sugar Isn’t Everything” by Willo Davis Roberts. It wasn’t a completely random choice – I had already read a couple other books of hers from my elementary school library, but what caught my eye was that it was about Amy, an 11 year old, who is diagnosed with diabetes. My dad has had type 1 diabetes since he was about 20 months old, so I had a personal interest! I enjoyed it and it was educational. The book talks about her care, treatment, and adjustment, but more importantly, her initial symptoms, mainly extreme thirst and frequent urination. So the next spring when I developed those same symptoms, I told my mom I thought I had diabetes. And unfortunately, I was right.
My dad and I have type 1 diabetes, along with 5% of diabetics. Type 1 used to be referred to as juvenile diabetes, but it can be diagnosed at any age. More specifically, it is insulin-dependent diabetes. My pancreas does not produce the hormone insulin. Insulin acts as a key, unlocking a cell’s ability to use the energy received from food. Without it, cells begin to use fat stores for energy, creating a byproduct that is toxic in high levels. Scientists do not exactly understand what causes type 1 diabetes, but one theory is that something causes a person’s immune system to go into hyperdrive, and attack the cells in the pancreas that create insulin. There is no prevention, no cure, and the only treatment is insulin injections (I have a very cool insulin pump!)
Type 2 diabetes is very different – it is usually preventable, sometimes reversible, and there are multiple treatment options, from diet, exercise, and weight loss, to pills or injections. Type 2 diabetics have the issue of their body not being able to use insulin properly. Type 2 affects 95% of American diabetics, and its prevalence is unfortunately on the rise – currently the numbers predict that 1 in 3 Americans will develop type 2 diabetes. The biggest risk factor is being overweight, with a sedentary lifestyle and a high fat diet also contributing.
There are currently 387 million people with diabetes worldwide, 8.3% of the population, with another 200 million expected to be added to that number over the next 20 years. Every seven seconds, someone dies because of diabetes. Unmanaged diabetes affects every cell in your body, starting with the smallest, such as those in the retinas, kidneys, and blood vessels in the extremities. In diagnosed diabetics, cardiovascular disease death rates are about 1.7 times higher, heart attack rates are 1.8 times higher, and stroke rates are 1.5 times higher. Diabetes was listed as the primary cause of kidney failure in 44% of all new cases in 2011 and about 60% of non-traumatic lower-limb amputations occur in people with diagnosed diabetes. See the infographic below for more stats and a link to the American Diabetes Association website.
The saddest thing is that most of those numbers are unnecessary! Even type 1 diabetics can lower their rates of complications almost to the national averages just by taking care of themselves. I have had two perfect babies thanks to being a diabetes control freak in the months before and during my pregnancies. I basically got permission to get pregnant from my endocrinologist before my husband. I have been diabetic for almost 18 years and have zero signs of it as far as my retinas and kidneys are concerned. (Thanks to my parents for taking care of me and teaching me the importance of caring for myself!) And what’s even more unnecessary is the rise in diagnoses of type 2 diabetes. It is extremely sobering to think about how many children are or will be affected by diabetes. Genetically my children have about a 4% chance of getting type 1, but by being American they have a 9% chance of getting type 2, BUT being the generation they are, potentially a 30% chance unless something changes?! How terrifying. We have got to be diligent at getting these kiddos away from technology, off of the couch, and eating real food. I am in NO way perfect – anyone who knows me can tell you the irony of my sweet tooth (although, FACT: sugar does not cause diabetes and I don’t have to avoid it, just enjoy it in moderation). BUT I want to be aware of creating healthy habits in my son and daughter. Sugar isn’t everything – their futures are my everything.
I love this, so true! So many people can prevent or better control their diabetes!! I work in Healthcare, and it is so frustrating for people to just not care about their diabetic management, and believe complications won’t happen to them!