Diabetes


I have been a type 1 diabetic since I was 11 years old. It has affected my life in countless ways, and is responsible for who I am today. There are many misunderstandings about diabetes, so it is a goal of mine to educate as many people as possible.

The first thing to know is that there are two different types of diabetes: Type 1 and Type 2. Type 1 diabetes is not preventable. At least to this day, we do not know what causes it. Type 2 is the more common form of diabetes. When you read about the disease and the type is not specified, it is likely referring to Type 2. 

Type 1 diabetes is a lifelong, autoimmune disease that occurs when the pancreas does not produce enough insulin to properly control blood sugar levels. It is sometimes called juvenile or insulin-dependent diabetes, and is most often diagnosed in children or young adults.Within 5 - 10 years of onset, the insulin-producing beta cells of the pancreas are completely destroyed and the body can no longer produce insulin.The exact cause is unknown, but most likely there is a viral or environmental trigger in genetically susceptible people that causes an immune reaction. The body's white blood cells mistakenly attack the insulin-producing pancreatic beta cells. (Google health)

Type 2 diabetes is marked by high levels of sugar (glucose) in the blood and is the most common form of diabetes. It is caused by a problem in the way your body responds to insulin called insulin resistance, which results in high blood sugar levels. Type 2 diabetes usually occurs gradually. Most people with the disease are overweight at the time of diagnosis, however, type 2 diabetes can also develop in those who are thin. Low activity level, poor diet, and excess body weight increase your risk for type 2 diabetes. (Google health)

In order to treat my diabetes, I wear an insulin pump. It is a small (pager-sized) device that carries a reservoir of fast-acting insulin and connects into fatty tissue (the layer just below the skin) in my abdomen area through a small plastic tube. I program the pump to inject insulin in small doses throughout the day (called the basal rate), and I deliver larger doses after consuming carbohydrates (called boluses). I have worn this insulin pump every day of my life since I was 17. Before that, I gave myself insulin injections. At age 11, I started out on two shots a day, and moved up to 4+ a day as I got older. The more often you inject, the better you can cater to your body's needs, hence switching to an insulin pump and avoiding shots. I have always had fairly good control of my blood sugar levels, and I've even been called a "professional" by my endocrinologist. Make no mistake though, diabetes is something I have to work on every day. It will always be a work in progress.

If you are diabetic, I encourage you to try my recipes and keep me posted on how they affect your blood sugar levels. Please feel free to contact me with any questions or comments you may have!


























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