“Emotionally Draining: Living With Diabetes. Day In Day Out.”

Managing diabetes is a continuous journey that demands constant attention and numerous medical decisions every day, with no holiday. Research indicates that individuals with type 1 diabetes make approximately 180 health-related decisions daily, a figure that underscores the relentless nature of diabetes management.

The daily decisions faced by those with diabetes can be categorized into four main areas:

1. Self-Care: This includes monitoring blood sugar levels, recognising symptoms of hyperglycemia or hypoglycemia, adhering to medication schedules, evaluating if outside influences could be influencing blood sugar, for example, illness, weather, etc.
2. Treatment: Decisions involve selecting the appropriate type of insulin, determining dosage, and scheduling medical appointments.
3. Food and Nutrition: Choices encompass meal planning, carbohydrate counting, and understanding the nutritional content of foods.
4. Lifestyle: This covers decisions related to physical activity, stress management, and sleep patterns.

Each of these areas requires careful consideration to maintain optimal health.

Several myths persist about diabetes that can lead to misunderstandings:

• Myth 1: Diabetes is solely about sugar intake. Fact: While sugar affects blood glucose levels, diabetes management involves a comprehensive approach, including balanced nutrition, regular exercise, good sleep, avoid stress and constant monitoring of your sugar levels.
• Myth 2: Insulin is only necessary for type 1 diabetes. Fact: Many individuals with type 2 diabetes also require insulin therapy as their condition progresses.
• Myth 3: Diabetics must avoid all carbohydrates. Fact: Carbohydrates are an essential part of any balanced diet. The key is moderation and understanding how different types of carbs affect blood sugar levels. For instance, simple potatoes, chipped different carbs to boiled, mashed or in their jackets. Each method turns the carbs within to different amounts. My how simple a potato is!
• Myth 4: Diabetes is only a physical disease.Fact: Diabetes management isn’t only about physical health; it also deeply affects emotional and mental well-being. The constant decision-making can lead to burnout, stress, and even depression.
• Myth 5: There is no ‘Bad’ or ‘Good’ Diabetes. Fact: Diabetes is bad. Simple. Best way to acknowledge is to acknowledge it, accept it, move with it, monitor it, control that beast within.

Living with diabetes means managing an ongoing, complex web of decisions every day. It’s a never-ending process that requires vigilance, responsibility, and resilience. By understanding the daily challenges of diabetes management,

If you want to support the diabetes community, consider learning more about the condition, advocating for better resources, and donating to diabetes research or awareness initiatives. Every small action counts in helping those living with diabetes lead healthier, more empowered lives.

Managing this condition isn’t a one-time decision; it’s a constant cycle of choices that require attention, care, and consideration. The medical decisions us diabetics make each day are part of an ongoing effort to maintain our health and quality of life. By dispelling myths and shedding light on the realities of diabetes management, we can create a more informed and compassionate society.

If you or someone you know is living with diabetes, take the time to learn more about the condition and show your support. Your donation could make a world of difference.