Happy World Diabetes Day!

Today, November 14th, is World Diabetes Day! In other words, everyone should go find a diabetic and hug them. Preferably trying not to hit the buttons on their insulin pump if they have one....

I feel like today is a holiday. And it's not even one of the holidays that makes you feel bad for being single. Double whammy! Today I will eat every sugary thing I can get my hands on and then chug a gallon of OJ and regular soda simultaneously. (Ok, maybe not chug, more like drink it through a straw.) Then I will not check my sugar all day and then not give myself any insulin. That will really be a huge FU to diabetes!

Alright, you caught me, I kid, I kid. That would actually be a TERRIBLE idea. Not to mention I'd have the hyperglycemic hangover of the century. Think of a drinking hangover, and then having to pee every five minutes on top of that. Yeah, that's exactly what it is like.

But seriously, I think this is a great way to spread the awareness. I read that 2.8% of the US adults don't even know they have it. I know that number sounds insignificant, but think of how many people already have diabetes, and how many people there really are in America. It is EXTREMELY simple to find out if you do. Just a simple finger prick can tell you, or a blood test, or even a urine test. Believe me, it's a lot better finding out you have diabetes sooner than later. The later part is what can really kill you. In honor of today, please bring awareness to this disease. There's no cure, but there's an awesome treatment. Knowledge is power!

I figure I would post some of the symptoms, but don't freak out if you have to pee all the time. I did before, and I still do now =). These are all general ones, and I had most of the symptoms listed.

Symptoms for all diabetics:
-Unquenchable thirst
-Extreme Hunger
-Frequent trips to the bathroom
-Losing weight without trying (I lost 15lbs. in two weeks)
-Weakness and Fatigue
-Numbness or Tingling in hands, feet or legs
-And sometimes T2's have no symptoms at all

Again, this is not the end-all-be-all of symptoms. But do me a favor, if you do have a lot of them, as least get checked out. You owe it to yourself, and really this disease is not unbearable. I hope that people at least realize that much from my blog. If you do find yourself with the disease, you will manage, and there's a whole lot of us out there. I'm always here to talk!

Today is a great way to appreciate those with diabetes and those with other life-altering illnesses, that are still waiting for a cure. (Little shout-out to my sister with Celiac's Disease- Love ya and hope you're having a gluten free day!) I hope & pray that a cure will be found for diabetes and all other life-altering illnesses. To all the diabetics out there: enjoy this day and try to remember the positives Diabetes might have done for your life! =)

Peace, Love & God Bless

Rolling my sleeves up

I feel like I have a lot to say today. Maybe it's the gorgeous weather that has inspired this sudden spark of interest today? Maybe it's just my brain on over-drive? Maybe it's even that medium fry I ordered earlier? Well, all the same, I've been inspired.

I recently read in article in the Parade magazine about Type 1 (T1) diabetes becoming more popular. Ok, sounds normal enough. Except, T1 diabetes hardly gets the publicity it deserves. Many "normals" can't even tell the difference between the two. Unfortunately, in the event that they think they do, they usually describe it as T1 is where the little kids get it and type two (T2) is the one only fat people get. Both of the descriptions are misleading.

Truth: T1 diabetes is mostly diagnosed in younger children. It was formerly known as "juvenile diabetes," however, older people are diagnosed with it. I was 15 when I was diagnosed with diabetes. I have even had people come up and ask me if I got diabetes because I ate too much. (How rude!) Elliott Yamin, who came in third place on American Idol, was 16 when he was diagnosed with diabetes. I've heard of others in their 20's, and rarely, but it does happen, even later in life. 5-10% of diabetics are T1's.

T1 diabetes is when your pancreas produces no insulin. This means that in order to live, a diabetic HAS to take insulin through shots or a pump. T1 diabetics can not solely use medications and diet to control their disease and there is no cure. It is irreversible. You have to have a genetic pre-disposition in order to get it but there is usually an environmental factor that sets that gene off.

Truth: T2 diabetes is also genetic but depends highly on environmental factors. Having a family history of T2 diabetics is a huge risk factor but only if there lifestyle is not healthy either. You know those people you envy for being able to eat as much crap as possible, not exercise, and still be stick-thin? Well that's not doing the person any favors. Eventually it does effect there body, and if they have a genetic pre-disposition to T2, they very well could develop it. The reason why T2 is most commonly diagnosed in over-weight people is because the extra weight makes there pancreas work extra hard. Therefore, their pancreas is not producing enough insulin. Not all T2's are overweight, which I also want to make clear. And not all overweight people have T2. T2 diabetics can reverse the disease is some cases if they change their lifestyle and follow a strict regimen. Most T2 diabetics are put on pills, and many take insulin too.

Note: There is a blood test to differentiate between the two types. (Side note: there is also gestational diabetes and pre-diabetes but I'm not getting into that now.)

So back to my original rant. I use to read every diabetic article I could find in magazines and newspapers, but almost all of the time it is about T2. Not that it's not important, because it is, but I can't help but be offended that T1 does not get much attention. Even magazines dedicated entirely to diabetes mostly concentrate on T2. But I also think that the media is not doing nearly enough to squash the myths that are floating around, either. A lot of things out there are very misleading for both parties. I've had many people come up to me and say just down right rude things because they just don't know or understand. Unfortunately it is also very difficult to disagree with them after they've read something. Yes, I can have this bag of chips, I am the one living with the disease... just saying!

Oh, I definitely had a lot to say today.

Peace, Love & God Bless

P.S. Apparently today is dblog day (Diabetes blog day). I found this out after I posted. I guess I really was inspired by something else today. Also, this Diabetes Awareness Month. Make sure your loved ones get tested and make sure to hug a diabetic!