November is not only Diabetes Awareness Month, but November 14th is also World Diabetes Day! It’s hard to believe that next month will mark six months since Kay was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes. I’ve learned so much since her diagnosis and continue to pick up new insights every day!
Support groups have been a huge help along this journey, connecting me with other families and letting me learn from their experiences. Switching Kay’s endocrinologist a few months ago has made a big difference too. Her new doctor is incredibly responsive, always ready to assist whenever I reach out. Still, there’s something uniquely valuable about the insights shared within the diabetes community. Families who have navigated this road for a while have tried and tested tips, and I’m also a fan of podcasts that are both informative and entertaining.
In honor of Diabetes Awareness Month, here are a few important facts about Type 1 Diabetes:
- Type 1 Diabetes is a lifelong condition: People with Type 1 Diabetes need daily insulin for life. Insulin is the hormone that regulates blood sugar, but in Type 1 Diabetes, the immune system mistakenly destroys the pancreatic cells that produce it.
- It’s not caused by diet or lifestyle choices: Type 1 Diabetes is an autoimmune condition, meaning the body’s immune system attacks its own cells and organs without external causes.
- People with Type 1 Diabetes can eat the same foods as others: With careful planning, people with diabetes can enjoy the same foods as those without diabetes. Fast-acting sugars can also be used to treat low blood sugar when needed.