Loving Someone with Diabetes

You couldn't tell by looking at him that he is. He is still as hot and sexy as he was 20 years ago, but Diabetes plays a part in his busy everyday life. I'm sure as it does for millions of others.

Diabetes is a disease that can adversely affect someone's life, but it doesn't need to put up barriers.

Raising awareness is key in everyone understanding what this disease is all about.

Diabetes is a very serious disease in which the body does not produce or properly use insulin. Insulin is a hormone that is needed to convert simple sugar, starches and many other foods into energy needed just for daily life. The actual cause of diabetes continues to be a mystery, although it is proven that genetics and many environmental factors such as being overweight, obese and also the daily lack of physical exercise appear to play a part.

There are over 20.8 million children and adults in the United States, or roughly around 7% of the American population, who currently have diabetes. Sadly, It is estimated that as many as 6.2 million people are totally unaware that they even have the disease.

Early detection and on going maintenance is essential to maintain optimal health and wellness.

A good diet high in fiber, whole foods and low in sugar will help Diabetics love long healthy lives.

My husband was initially diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes almost ten years ago, when he wasn't feeling well and went to the doctor and his blood sugar was unstable at 550, he had to be admitted to the hospital and put on an insulin drip.

At first he went from being on pills to try to stabilize his blood sugar to an insulin dependent diabetic. He has to watch his diet and he exercises regularly. He has many unwanted side effects such as sweating, crankiness, hunger pangs, and Diabetic Neuropathy, Which means he experiences a great deal of pain and numbness in his extremities. He also gets very sick when he gets the cold or flu, almost twice as bad as I or our children do. He has also been in the ICU for pancreatitis. He sees his doctor regularly and has since been able to keep it under control.

If a person you know is diabetic you know then they can go into a mode called Insulin shock.

This occurs when the body has had too much insulin either from injection or too many meds. Lack of eating a regular meal after taking insulin can also lead to this problem. A sugary snack or emergency glucose injection may be needed. If not treated right away and the Diabetic's blood sugar drops below 30, they could slip into a diabetic coma and even die.

The most important thing you can do right now is to raise Diabetes awareness, not just during Diabetes Awareness month, all the time! Support the American Diabetes Association and lets end finger pricks and find a cure soon!

Living with someone who has diabetes is definitely not mainstream, everywhere you go together 24/7, you have to be made aware that they are diabetic and they have to eat and rest at certain times.

Being a good support system is what it is all about.