Type 1 is completely unpreventable and there is no cure. Each type deserves it’s own level of understanding and the time to educate is now.
Being specific about Type 1 or Type 2 when referring to the condition is becoming increasingly important because with so much attention on obesity and it’s association with Type 2 diabetes, the condition overall is beginning to attract negative stigma.
Type 1 diabetes is not caused by being an unhealthy weight or lifestyle choices and is an auto-immune condition. We need to remain sensitive to the 120,000 Australian’s who must manage their condition on a daily basis for their entire lives. The condition can affect children from birth to young adults up to 30 years of age and there is no cure for Type 1 diabetes.
The confusion risks damaging those children with Type 1 who have been known to experience bullying from their peers. Many parents feel as if they have done something wrong when asked, “Why does your child have diabetes?” “That only happens to obese people, right?” “Did you feed them a high-sugar diet?”
It’s time to educate the public about the life-saving glucose that addresses a low blood sugar episode – a “hypo” – and how important this sugar is in being the difference between life and death.
Type 2 diabetes is, in most cases, genetic and is often caused by being an unhealthy weight, diet and lifestyle choices. It occurs mostly in people over 40 years of age or, in the case of obesity, can be earlier.
Of course, there is also Gestational Diabetes, which can occur during pregnancy in women.
Let’s deliver a one, two punch to the ignorance so people can understand and respect the difference and respect those who must learn to live with the condition.
