When there are two types of diabetes in the medical dictionary, the differences between them are confusing and hard to distinguish. Type two diabetes is the most common type in America today. When you hear that “everyone knows someone with diabetes,” they are usually talking about someone with type two diabetes.
So what’s the difference? Well, in short, type two can be prevented and type one cannot.
That’s right, type one diabetes cannot be prevented.
The problem is, scientists are unsure of the causes, and there is no known cure for type one diabetes. Many doctors today think that type one diabetes is hereditary. As a type one diabetic, diet and exercise are important, but improving upon both will not make diabetes disappear. Type one diabetes stays with a person forever (until a cure is found). The best thing that one can do is to stay in close control. Keeping track of blood sugar, food intake and exercise levels are really the only ways to monitor type one diabetes.
What can be “prevented” are the complications that arise from living with type one diabetes. The complications listed in a previous post can be very dangerous and in some cases life threatening. However, with proper care and control of blood sugar, one can prevent these complications from happening.
Another way to “prevent” complications from type one diabetes is to wear a medical ID bracelet to let people know about diabetes in the case of an emergency. There are many styles and ways to wear these medical IDs, so there is something for everyone.
I know it’s difficult to hear that you’re living with an incurable disease, but believe me, a normal life is possible – and encouraged – even with this disease. As always, go out there and live your life and don’t let your diabetes live life for you!