That's a Wrap...

This month has been filled with diabetes awareness events, conversation, celebration and myth busters. Now that it's winding down, I thought I'd give a wrap up of 30 myth-busting awareness statements.  These are the things I most want the world to know about diabetes...because, really, without awareness and knowledge, our dream of a cure will not be realized. There is still far too much mystery about it, at least in the general public.

1. Know the warning signs of diabetes and tell others...it could save a life!...extreme thirst, frequent urination, fatigue, weight loss and more...go to worlddiabetesday.org to learn more.
2. No one gets diabetes from eating too much sugar.
3. Sugar can actually save a diabetic's life.
4. There are several types of diabetes: type 1, 1.5 (LADA), type 2, gestational and several other rarer forms.
5. The onset of type 1 diabetes sometimes masks itself as flu...if your child's flu symptoms do not add up, ask the pediatrician for a blood glucose test and don't take no for an answer.
6. All types of diabetes are bad.
7. Making Sense of Diabetes is a great educational video compiled by the Diabetes Hands Foundation with the help of many friends from the diabetes online community.
8. There are theories, but not even the experts know why a person gets T1 diabetes...there's nothing that was eaten, done or said that gave them that disease.
9. People w/diabetes can and do enjoy just about any food that people w/out diabetes can enjoy...that means cupcakes too!
10. November 14th is World Diabetes Day...the birthday of Frederick Banting, one of the men who discovered insulin.
11. Knowledge is power...and power brings change...we need a cure.
12. Diabetes is not contagious.
13. W/diabetes, the total carbohydrate count on food (not just sugar) must be balanced w/insulin, which is on a very individual basis.
14. Kids w/type 1 diabetes grow up to be adults w/type 1 diabetes...they will not grow out of it...we need a cure.
15. Type 1 diabetes is sometimes termed juvenile diabetes.  However, it can be diagnosed at any age.
16. The main difference between type 1 and type 2 diabetes:  In type 1 diabetes, the pancreas ceases to produce insulin, a hormone which enables the body to convert food into energy...In type 2, the pancreas does not produce enough insulin or the cells ignore the insulin that is produced...sure wish there were different names for them.
17. Insulin is not a cure.
18. For insulin-dependant diabetes, there are several ways to deliver insulin...syringe (several times a day), insulin pen (still a needle) or...insulin pump, which goes into the person's fatty tissue via a catheter that is changed every few days (still with a big "needle" poke)...did I miss any?
19. This is not an easy thing to do -- People w/diabetes strive for blood sugar readings anywhere between 70-120...(some people's range numbers may differ slightly)...It is a constant balancing routine that requires diligence and thought.
20. The term hypoglycemia refers to a blood sugar reading below 70...symptoms vary among people...but some are shakiness, dizziness, sweating, pale color, difficulty communicating, sudden behavior change like becoming weepy for no apparent reason.  Hypoglycemic episodes (insulin reactions) MUST be remedied immediately w/a source of fast-acting sugar or seizure, coma and death will occur.
21. Diabetes is an expensive disease.
22. The term hyperglycemia refers to a blood sugar reading that is too high...It is the main cause of complications...Symptoms include frequent urination, increased thirst...If undetected, it can lead to ketoacidosis (diabetic coma) and can include shortness of breath, fruity-smelling breath, nausea/vomitting and extreme dry mouth...If undiagnosed, it can lead to death.
23. Sometimes diabetes isn't manageable at all.
24. Contrary to popular belief, yes, a type 1 person can eat that.
25. Exercise can lower a blood glucose reading...However, if the reading is extremely high (over 240), the exercise can cause it to go even higher...This varies from individual to individual...crazy diabetes!
26. A personal favorite...having a type 1 daughter and loving the movie Steel Magnolias...type 1 women can have wonderful, healthy pregnancies when supported by a great medical team, with love and diligence...and, if you don't know the reference to Steel Magnolias, all I can say is "why have you never seen that movie?!"...the first thing the doc who diagnosed C told me was, don't think about Steel Magnolias!
27. People with diabetes can do anything...it just takes a more preparation.  Once, we heard an inspirational speaker talk about his ascent to Mt. Everest...with type 1 diabetes!
28. Nighttime rest for parents of a type 1 forever changes with that diagnosis.
29. There are countless variables when it comes to managing diabetes from hormonal changes to illness to stress...and everything in between.
30. Diabetes is 24/7...every minute of every day...there is no break or vacation from it...until...there's a cure.

Whew!  In the beginning of the month I thought that it might become difficult to come up with statements.  Sadly, I could continue for a while yet.  However, I think I'll leave it at the above 30 issues until next November!