Diabetes is nothing to take lightly. It's nothing to get all worked up about, either. Many people with diabetes live long, healthy lives. The secret is good self-care, proper diet, monitoring and exercise if you have Type 2. For some Type 2 diabetics and all Type 1's, you need to take insulin. But diabetes is not a death sentence, and insulin is nothing to fear.
Prevention
You can't prevent Type 1 diabetes. It just happens, and science isn't sure why. It usually starts in childhood, but can occur at any age. Basically, the pancreas quits working and no longer produces insulin. The only remedy is to inject insulin.
Type 2 diabetes is largely genetic, and your risks go up if you have a parent or sibling who has the disease. However, you can become a Type 2 diabetic even without the genetic predisposition if you are obese or have unhealthy eating habits. Type 2 diabetics make insulin, but can't metabolize it properly. Maintaining a normal weight, eating a healthy diet and getting plenty of exercise are the best defenses.
Unfortunately, many people don't practice good eating habits or exercise, and Type 2 diabetes is at epidemic levels among Americans. Sadly, many children are now being diagnosed with Type 2. In the past, it was primarily a disease of adults, hence the name: adult onset diabetes.
Monitoring
People with either type of diabetes need to monitor their blood sugar. Many monitors are available, from the strictly utilitarian to fashion colors and bling. Because monitoring is so important, many insurance programs pay the full cost of monitors and test strips. New monitors also allow alternate site testing. This means you no longer have to prick your finger to draw a small drop of blood. Now many meters allow you to draw blood from your arm where there are few nerve cells.
Medications
Type 1 diabetics must take insulin for the rest of their lives. Type 2 diabetics may not require medication, may take pills only or may require a combination of pills and insulin.
Don't be afraid to take insulin. New delivery systems and tiny needles make it almost painless. Insulin pumps are painless to use. For those who choose injections, you can give the shot in several sites that have few nerve endings. The fewer the nerve endings, the lower your chances of hitting one.
Insulin comes in different strengths. The American standard is U-100. If you have to get insulin while traveling outside the United States, you may have to find out what the conversion rate is and buy different syringes.
Sugar and Diabetes
Many people believe that diabetics can't have sweets at all. That is a myth. As long as you count the sweets into your meal plan, and include protein with your sweets, there is no problem. The key is moderation.
History
Diabetes has been around for centuries. Ancient physicians used to diagnose it by sipping the patient's urine. The advent of blood tests and urine test strips, and then monitors, made diagnosis and control much easier. Even as late as the first half of the 20th century, diabetes was hard to control, and many people died or suffered serious complications.
Famous Diabetics
Diabetes does not have to stop you from achieving success in whatever field you choose. Many famous people from all walks of life are diabetics.
Famous athletes with diabetes include tennis player Arthur Ashe, baseball player Ty Cobb, boxer "Smokin' Joe" Frazier, baseball's Jackie Robinson and boxing's Sugar Ray Robinson.
Famous entertainers with the disease include actresses Mary Tyler Moore, Halle Berry, Carol Channing, Della Reese and Mae West. Actors include James Cagney, Jerry Lewis, Spencer Tracy, Jerry Mathers and Ben Vereen. Singers include David Crosby, Phife Dawg, Jerry Garcia, Patti LaBelle and Elvis Presley.
Even politicians get diabetes. Former presidential candidate Mike Huckabee and Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor are both diabetic.
