All About Diabetes
I learned about diabetes by reading diabetes publications, trial and error and most importantly questioning my doctor, I would try to challenge the doctors advice and this allowed me to understand exactly what and why I should follow certain procedures and also discover alternate courses of action and the pros and cons of each, so I feel confident I can react quickly in any situation without being restricted. If I think it might work I'll give it a try....
Most definitions of diabetes follow the same line, the body either cannot produce or use insulin properly, which affects blood sugar levels and other internal systems. Insulin is used by the body to break down carbohydrate, sugars and other foods we eat each day into a usable energy source.
Two sources of further information on Diabetes include Diabetes UK and JDRF (Juvenile Diabetes Research Fund) as pictured below:
Based on information from the Diabetes UK website a national study indicated that there are 2million people in the UK with diabetes and almost a further 1million who may no be aware that they have diabetes. There are two types of diabetes, Type 1 or Insulin Dependant Diabetes and Type 2 or Non Insulin Dependant Diabetes.
In my view the difference between a diabetic and a none diabetic is that I have to inject insulin and a none diabetic doesn't, and that's it, it doesn't mean I have to become house bound or have to give up sweets and other treats, if you look after yourself and do all the things we all should be doing anyway your halfway there,
The classic view's I've come across from people not familiar with the condition are "Does that mean you can't eat sugar" or "If your having a fit should I give you insulin". I say no, if I want to eat sugary things I need to compensate just like a none diabetic's insulin function does and the only person who should touch my insulin is myself, if in doubt give me food and that doesn't just mean chocolate, as long as it has carbohydrate it will work,
Diabetes, just like anything new can and most probably will be difficult at first, even now I make mistakes but I've never beaten myself up about it, it's impossible to fail, if I get it wrong at least I know what not to do or that a change is needed.
Even in the short time I have been diabetic things have improved dramatically, for example new generation insulins and other equiptment (which is getting small, easier and quicker to use) means I dont consider my diabetes as a handicap.
