Type 1 Diabetes 101
This would have marked my 4th year participating in the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation’s annual 5K, but 2020 had other plans. JDRF is still doing virtual 5Ks, yet I wanted to use this time of year as another way to get folks educated, spread some awareness, and clear up a few misconceptions. It has been just over two decades since I was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes and it continues to be a part of my everyday life that I work hard to manage so that I can be happy and healthy for myself and my people. Because I have managed it since I was a teenager, it has certainly become second nature and I know a bit more than the average person about diabetes in general and Type 1 and Type 2 specifically.
Diabetes is also a bit omnipresent right now when we’re talking about “preexisting conditions,” “underlying medical conditions,” and COVID-19 stats and there is a lot that could happen within the next few weeks that could affect certain health outcomes. Research, funding, walks, and advocacy will all help bring a cure, but you know what will strengthen all of those things? Knowledge! So, let’s get to it. Check out some diabetes facts and some FAQs I regularly receive as well as some stats regarding the coronavirus and diabetes.
Type 1 vs. Type 2: There is a Difference
Type 1 diabetes and Type 2 diabetes are two very different conditions. I really wish they were just called two different names entirely.
Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is an autoimmune disease in which a person’s pancreas stops producing insulin (my pancreas produces zero insulin!), a hormone that enables people to get energy from food. T1D usually strikes in childhood, adolescence, or young adulthood, and lasts a lifetime—I will always have it.
Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is a metabolic disorder in which a person’s body still produces insulin but is unable to use it effectively—the body becomes insulin resistant. T2D is usually diagnosed in adulthood, does not always require insulin injections, and can sometimes be reversed through diet, exercise, and lifestyle modifications. Increased obesity has led to a recent rise in cases of T2D in children and young adults.
5% of people with diabetes have type 1 diabetes.
Unlike many other health conditions, T1D is managed mostly by the patient. It’s up to ME to know what my blood sugars are, how much my carb intake is, and how to counteract with insulin. And doing that multiple times a day.
In order to survive, I check my blood sugar several times a day and take multiple insulin injections throughout the day.
Type 1 diabetes is NOT: a lifestyle disease, something you outgrow, contagious, caused by sugar, preventable, or curable…
Researchers aren’t exactly sure what causes Type 1 diabetes but think that genes and environmental factors play a role. So, basically, we can’t predict who will get it, how to prevent it, or if you have it, how you got it. More research please!
My cheerleader for the past four years
Some FAQs
Q: I hear a lot about COVID and diabetes patients. Are you scared?
A: Absolutely. Managing my diabetes well gives me a better buffer if I were to get COVID-19, however it’s still scary to see the numbers. Having diabetes does not make me necessarily more susceptible to the coronavirus, but if I were to get it, my symptoms and outcomes could be way worse than, say, someone without any underlying conditions. If you’re wondering why we’re still trying to really hunker down and haven’t ventured much outside our little nucleus, that’s why. I don’t really want to take that chance.
Q: How do you know how much insulin to take?
A: I have a ratio of carbs: insulin that I follow. I’m sort of a wizard at looking at food and knowing how many carbohydrates there are. I had some pretty great training 20+ years ago at Cook Children’s in Ft. Worth. If you look at the nutrition facts on packaging I look at total carbohydrates, not just the sugars.
Q: How’d you get it? Someone in your family must have it.
A: No one in my immediate family has Type 1 diabetes. Researchers aren’t exactly sure what causes Type 1 diabetes but think that genes and environmental factors play a role. So, basically, we can’t predict who will get it, how to prevent it, or if you have it, how you got it. More research please!
Q: That must be terrible you can’t eat desserts! Wait, I saw you eat a cookie the other day, how is that possible?!
A: Thanks for monitoring my eating habits! I can definitely eat sugary things, I just have to compensate with insulin. However, in trying to maintain an overall healthy lifestyle, I try to limit those indulgences. But, I have a HUGE sweet tooth.
Q: Can you tell if your blood sugar is getting low? Why does it go low?
A: A big fat YES. It certainly depends, but it can range from disorientation and inability to focus to sweating to feeling lightheaded to some shakiness—even some irritability is thrown in. I’m a real joy to be around. Juice is the fastest way to get my blood sugar up so that’s why I have juice boxes stashed everywhere—the car, the nightstands, my office, the stroller, kiddo’s backpack. There are many things that can cause my blood sugar to dip, which contribute to the challenge of managing the whole thing. Working out, miscalculating for a meal, getting sick, stress, etc. I’m always prepared with those juice boxes.
Q: Can you feel if your blood sugar is too high?
A: Yes again. This may happen if I miscalculated my insulin for a meal or ate something with mislabeled or surprise carbs. I get a really dry mouth and want to down a gallon of water. Whenever I feel this way, I do a quick blood sugar test and counteract with insulin, if needed. Eating something really salty throws off my gage a bit, so that’s something I try to avoid.
Diabetes and COVID-19
A study in the UK looked at 61 million medical records and found that 30% of COVID-19 deaths occurred in patients with diabetes; the risk of dying from COVID-19 was almost three times higher for people with type 1 diabetes and almost twice as high for type 2, versus those without diabetes.
US CDC data indicates that diabetes was noted as an underlying condition in about 40% of patients
CDC data has also shown that of the patients who died under the age of 65, HALF had diabetes
Hope this helps answer some questions. Next time someone is talking about diabetes or you hear something on the news, hopefully this gives you a little more insight and you can clear up some misconceptions or help folks understand the T1D and T2D differences. What other questions should I add to the FAQ?
Want to donate to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation? Please do so here.