Diabetes Awareness: But she's too skinny to have diabetes......

We have been extremely busy the last few months and I have gotten behind on my bloggin'.....A lot has happened in the Dean house since my last post so I have plans for several posts over the next few weeks!

However, with this post I want to discuss type 1 diabetes misconceptions.  I've touched on this topic in the past, but this issue has been coming up a lot more lately.  I used to get defensive when people would make these types of comments, but then I realized its because they don't know any better.

There are many misconceptions about this disease, but I've put together the ones I feel strongly about.  Here is my top 5 list of type 1 diabetes misconceptions:

1. "But she's too skinny to have diabetes." Although diet and weight are factors for type 2 diabetes, it is not the cause of type 1 diabetes.
2. "She can't eat that cupcake." As is should be for us all, moderation is key.  Also, there are times when sugar levels can drop too low and sugar is needed to raise it.
3. "She can't play sports because her sugar will drop." Exercise is important for everyone including those with diabetes.  Precautionary measures like eating snacks and frequent bg checks can help avoid hypoglycemia.
4. "She'll never be able to have children."  Diabetic pregnancy require closer monitoring, but there is no reason,  with excellent blood sugar control and diabetes management, that mother and baby will remain healthy throughout the pregnancy and birth.
5. "Taking insulin will cure diabetes." Insulin is not a cure, it is their life support.  Unfortunately there currently is no cure for diabetes.

Diabetes doesn't define who you are....

Today was our church's Memorial Day Service.  This is a service where family and friends honor those who have passed on during the last year and a special guest speaker talks to the congregation about life and death and how we, as Christians, should not take for granted the time we have before we go on to glory.  This year's  guest speaker's subject was "Who are you?"  He believes when most people are asked this question, their first response is their name and then their profession when describing who they are.  His hope was that the congregation would see they should define themselves as how they live their life through acts and service for others.....as a child of God.  A person is more than their name; more than what they do for a living; more than some one's spouse or some one's parent or child. 

This question got me to thinking about my daughter and how many may think her disease defines who she is.  My daughter has type 1 diabetes, but that is not who she is.  Diabetes is just one part of her life.  Although, the disease can be overwhelming and attribute to how she feels, it is important to remember that this does not decide who Alyssa is or who she is going to be..... if anything, diabetes will make her stronger.

Type 1 Diabetes Misconceptions....

When you have type 1 diabetes you're pancreas does not produce enough or any insulin that lowers blood sugar and in many cases, glucagon, which raises blood sugar when it's low. Ultimately, a t1's body doesn't regulate glucose. So, I think there is a huge misconception that if you are diabetic that you can NEVER eat sugar... not true.... Anything in moderation... and as long as I test Lu's blood sugar and adjust her insulin dose to cover the extra sugar, there are no spikes. Also, believe it or not... there have been times sugar has SAVED HER LIFE!! 

Another misconception is that type 1 and type 2 diabetes are the same.  Type 2 can be linked to obesity, but that is not always the case.....in some cases it's in our genes.... and type 1 has no known cause.  Also, another fallacy is that diabetes is cured by insulin.  Insulin injections help keep diabetics alive, but is NOT a cure.  

Finally, many people think that diabetics cannot participate in athletics.  Not true... exercise is good for everyone.  Exercise does affect glucose levels, but as long as they are checked and precautions are taken, exercise can be very beneficial to diabetics by helping keep bg's within range.