Being 5'7", having long legs, blue eyes, an impulsive temperament, having one arm significantly longer than the other, curly hair, or type 1 diabetes are all physical characteristics one is born with. Yes, because there is an essential distinction to be made between what is type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes. Type 1 diabetes is a chronic disease that depends on an alteration of the immune system, a genetic predisposition associated with hereditary and environmental factors which one is born with. On the other hand, type 2 diabetes is a metabolic disease that tends to present itself after the age of 30 to 40 years, with risk factors related to a diet too rich in sugar and fat, being overweight, familiarity of the disease, and a sedentary lifestyle. Type 1 diabetes, therefore, should not follow the stereotypical common conception of diabetes, because the first mental association people tend to make is diabetes = inability to eat sweets. In Germany, for example, type 1 diabetes is still considered to be "the sugar disease“, which is not entirely true. Yes, type 1 diabetes is the direct result of a failure of pancreatic cells to produce insulin, but no, it is not a disease that depends on excessive consumption of sugary foods or drinks and not allowing them to be consumed, quite the contrary. In some cases, and not even too remote ones, the diabetic person has sugar dips where it is essential to act with the intake of simple and then complex sugars. Type 1 diabetes is also called juvenile diabetes because it arises during childhood or puberty, a disease whose onset cannot be prevented. Instead, type 2 diabetes can be prevented by a healthy diet and regular physical activity, components that are often missing in the onset of this insulin-resistant disease. Another fundamental difference between the two types of diabetes is that type 1 diabetes manifests itself with a total inability and therefore absolute lack of insulin production by the pancreas, which therefore one must need multiple insulin administrations (produced in the laboratory) per day. Type 2 diabetes produces an insufficient amount of insulin, which, however, since it is in any case minimally present in the pancreas, must be administered with fewer insulin deliveries. Although these two types of diabetes are so different from each other in terms of mode of onset, treatment and impact on patients' lives, what do they have in common? Hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia. Going into more detail, hyperglycemia is the condition in which there are high fasting blood glucose values greater than 100 mg/dl while hypoglycemia is the lowering of blood glucose below the threshold of 70 mg/dl. Both are delicate situations but not impossible to manage.
What happens if diabetes is not properly treated?
Diabetes, if not taken seriously, can lead to acute or chronic complications. Acute complications are more common in type 1 diabetes and are related to the almost complete lack of insulin. In these cases, the patient may go into a ketoacidosis coma, due to the accumulation of the products of an altered metabolism, ketones, which cause loss of consciousness, dehydration, and severe blood changes. In fact, I remember being hospitalized immediately after an episode of dehydration, which is why I always carry my 2l water bottle with me. In type 2 diabetes, acute complications are quite rare, while chronic complications affecting various organs and tissues, including the eyes, kidneys, heart, blood vessels, and peripheral nerves, are very common.
But how does a diabetic live on a daily basis, what should they do to keep an eye on their condition? Definitely taking insulin several times a day; fortunately the state passes the monthly supply on to us, so we don't have to pay for our lifesavers. Next, exercising, quietly eating sweets and getting regular checkups. Diabetes is no joke, but thanks to the constant and growing awareness about this issue, the ever-improving studies, and the ever-improving management, a diabetic's life is being made easy and most importantly equal to everyone else's. Diabetes empowers and grows; it is not just something completely negative. Today, International Diabetes Day, let's try to raise awareness on this topic and eat a nice ice cream to break down stereotypes!