WHAT'S IN A NAME?

Bridget with Joe shortly after his diagnosis

What's in a name?

Type 1? Type 2? What's the big "Ta-Do"?

Well, it is a big "Ta-Do" for those of us living with type 1 diabetes. I don't want to offend persons with type 2 diabetes with this post as they are not at fault for their disease. Society puts a huge burden and plays the blame game on all persons with diabetes...clumping type 1s, 2s, etc. in one large group. Even in the year of 2010...Oprah had Dr. Oz on her show and once again, unfortunately, MISINFORMATION was disseminated. The end result of diabetes mellitus is the same...uncontrolled diabetes can result in cardiovascular disease, kidney disease, blindness, connective tissue disorders to name a few. However, the causes of type 1 and type 2 differ greatly. Type 2 has a strong genetic component and is related to life style choices. Type 1 is an autoimmune disorder...there is nothing that a type 1 diabetic could have done to AVOID getting this disease.

No wonder people hide their disease due to embarrassment, shame, and fear...when their condition is not well understood and the disease is blamed on our food structure, food choices, and sedentary lifestyle. Type 2's don't have a chance. I feel bad for them...knowing that they are heavily judged for every morsel of food they place to their lips and for their lack of activity. Considering this type of diabetes actually is more genetically linked than type 1, eating healthfully is expensive, and finding time to exercise may not be easy for those working full-time jobs, I feel the blame is misdirected. Unfortunately, persons with type 1 also suffer judgement from society thanks to the misunderstanding of diabetes and the generalization of all types of diabetes as type 2 diabetes (the most common form of diabetes).

TYPE 2

Type 2 diabetes is described as an "insulin resistant" state. The body is still making insulin, but the cells are resistant to the insulin the body is producing. It can be managed with diet and exercise. If diet and exercise do not work, medication (pills) can be used to decrease the insulin resistance of the cells. If one's body doesn't respond to the previously mentioned treatments then a person with type 2 diabetes may consider insulin therapy as directed by their physician. Yes, like with ANY disease, the diagnosed must take responsibility for their care to manage it well.

TYPE 1

In type 1 diabetes there is a lack of insulin production. It is an AUTO-IMMUNE disease. The body attacks it's own beta cells (the cells in the pancreas that produce the hormone insulin). The body sees these cells as "foreign"....as an "invader". Persons who develop Type 1 diabetes are genetically predisposed to it...but just because they have this genetic predisposition does NOT mean they will necessarily develop type 1 (only around 10% of people with type 1 diabetes have a close relative with the disease).

For the genetically predisposed person to develop type 1 diabetes they must be exposed to an environmental TRIGGER. This in turn will set off a chain of events... that will lead to the attack on the beta cells. Many studies have been done on the environmental trigger. It is thought perhaps to be a virus.

So what needs to happen is:

1. You must have the right antibody type (genetic make-up)

2. You must be exposed to the environmental trigger...and

3. You will see type 1 signs and symptoms once 80% or so of your beta cells are destroyed.

The signs and symptoms are increased thirst, excessive urination, and hunger. I remember them so vividly right before Joe's diagnosis...ignoring them...thinking it was all my imagination...hoping it would just go away. The only treatment is insulin replacement. To manage it well...it requires a constant state of vigilance BALANCING insulin, food, and activity 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, ALWAYS.

Questions I have been asked:
1) When will he outgrow it? A person with type 1 diabetes will NEVER outgrow it. They will always have it, unless someday a cure is found.

2) Did you feed him too much sugar? Is that why he got it? Feeding someone too much sugar will NOT give them diabetes.

3) How did you know something was wrong? He was extremely thirsty ALL the time (we couldn't even be in the car to go to the store without his water bottle the week before he was diagnosed) and his diapers weighed a TON. For diagnosis story click here.

4) Will he always need insulin (shots)? Yes. Without insulin, Joe would die.

So WHAT'S IN A NAME?

A LOT I would say.

As a parent of a type 1 kid, I just wanted to share the above to help (even if it is one person at a time) clarify that I did NOTHING to cause this disease in my child, my child has done NOTHING to illicit this disease...and EVERYTHING is in a name when trying to explain complicated topics to the general public.