What is Type 1 Diabetes?

Diabetes (medically known as diabetes mellitus) is the name given to disorders in which the body has trouble regulating blood glucose, or blood sugar, levels. There are two major types of diabetes: type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes. Type 1 diabetes, also called juvenile diabetes or insulin-dependent diabetes, is a disorder of the body's immune system. That is, its system for protecting itself from viruses, bacteria or any "foreign" substances. Type 1 diabetes diagnosed in adults over 30 may be Latent Autoimmune Diabetes in Adults (LADA), sometimes known as Type 1.5 diabetes. LADA is often misdiagnosed as type 2 diabetes because of age; however people with LADA do not have insulin resistance like those with type 2. LADA is characterized by age, a lack of family history of type 2 diabetes, a gradual increase in insulin requirements, positive antibodies, and decreasing ability to make insulin as indicated by a low C-peptide.


Type 1 diabetes occurs when the body's immune system attacks and destroys certain cells in the pancreas, an organ about the size of a hand that is located behind the lower part of the stomach. Beta cells normally produce insulin, a hormone that helps the body move the glucose contained in food into cells throughout the body, which use it for energy. But when the beta cells are destroyed, no insulin can be produced, and the glucose stays in the blood instead, where it can be very harmful to all the organ systems of the body.
For this reason, people with type 1 diabetes must take insulin in order to stay alive. This means undergoing multiple injections daily, or having insulin delivered through an insulin pump, and testing their blood sugar by pricking their fingers for blood six or more times a day. People with diabetes must also carefully balance their food intake and their exercise to regulate their blood sugar levels, in an attempt to avoid hypoglycemic (low blood sugar) and hyperglycemic (high blood sugar) reactions, which can be life threatening.

The warning signs and symptoms of type 1 diabetes include extreme thirst; frequent urination; drowsiness or lethargy; sugar in urine; sudden vision changes; increased appetite; sudden weight loss; fruity, sweet, or wine-like odor on breath; heavy, labored breathing; stupor; and unconsciousness.

Type 1 diabetes is generally diagnosed in children, teenagers, or young adults. Scientists do not yet know exactly what causes type 1 diabetes, but they believe that autoimmune, genetic, and environmental factors are involved.

7 Advantages (Blessings) and Disadvantages (Burdens) of My Life With Diabetes

These are the 7 advantages and disadvantages of diabetes according to my personal experience:

ADVANTAGES:

1.       Made me realize that I needed overall discipline in my life.
2.       I eat the way everyone is “supposed” to eat (food group portions).
3.       To be organized.
4.       Being responsible for getting what I need (insulin, food, syringes, testing supplies).
5.       Allowed me to open up to people that were going to be around me and that needed to know what diabetes is and how it affects me personally.
6.       I am under constant medical supervision.
7.       Allowed me to be aware of others in similar conditions and give advice.

DISADVANTAGES:

1.       Not being able to eat candy or sweets as much as I would like to.
2.       Extra things to carry around (insulin, syringes, glucose meter, testing strips).
3.       Health risks from High Glucose levels in the blood (Hyperglycemia).
4.       Health risks from Low Glucose levels in the blood (Hypoglycemia).
5.       The memory of my grandfather dying from diabetes complications.
6.       The frustration of the disease having “No Cure”.
7.       Constant medical supervision and supplies are very expensive.

I hope these advantages and disadvantages from my experience with type I diabetes give some insight as to what diabetics feel sometimes.

The Discipline That Gave Me Life

Ever since I could remember I wanted to play soccer. I saw the Mexican professional soccer league and I always wanted to know what it felt like to play and get paid at that level. I would go see my favorite team “Pumas” play and practice as well. It was amazing to think that someone would get paid to play soccer. That was what I wanted to do but I had a medical condition that needed to be taken care of first so that I could live and continue to dream.

I was diagnosed with type I diabetes when I was 10 years old and at the time the disease did not make sense to me at all. The first few years I was diagnosed with type I diabetes I was angry. I was upset at the world because I had to deal with this disease. I did not want to follow my doctor’s orders and I would eat all the candy and snacks that I wanted; why not, I was a kid. What I did not know is that I was slowly killing myself by doing that. I was eating what I wanted and felt good at the moment but what I did not know is that I was preventing myself from realizing my dreams.

I had blood glucose levels around 300mg/dL to 500 mg/dL because I ate whatever I wanted to eat. Most of what I ate at that time was not a diet suitable for a type I diabetic. At this point I was feeling the same way as I did right before I was diagnosed because the insulin that I was taking was not enough to lower the glucose levels in my blood. This made me feel tired with no motivation to do anything,  and began to  feel indifferent to my dream of playing soccer.

Once I realized I was not able to play soccer because I was not taking care of myself, I was determined to get back out on the soccer field. This meant that I had to take care of my diabetes by doing the following:

·         Take my insulin shots at the appropriate times.
·         Eat a reasonable diet of foods low in glucose.
·         Exercise regularly (Easiest part of my new regimen)
·         Get adequate rest

Once I started doing these 4 easy things in my life, I was able to better concentrate in school, able to train better during soccer practice and games: I was able to do more with my life. Once I had control of my diabetes, I was able to have the following accomplishments:

1.       Finished High School and played in the District 1-5A playoffs for soccer.
2.       Played for UTEP men’s soccer club while attending UTEP for a BS in Kinesiology and Sports Medicine (2000) and a MS in Kinesiology and Exercise Physiology (2005).
3.       Became a Licensed massage therapist in 2000.
4.       Started playing professional soccer at the age of 19 with the El Paso Patriots on the USISL A-League.
5.       Played for the Volcanes de Colima in Colima, Mexico (2000) and then promoted to Tecos de Guadalajara team in Guadalajara, Jalisco Mexico (2002).
6.       Became a Personal Trainer on 2005.
7.       Coach with the Premier Panthers Soccer Club.
8.       Director for one of the Recreation Centers in the City of El Paso Parks and Recreation Department.

These are only professional accomplishments that I am very proud of. The four changes I made in my life allowed me to accomplish my dreams and helped me realize personal achievements. Everything that I have done in my life personally and professionally, is due in part to being disciplined and determined to control my diabetes. Once in control of my disease, I was able to do what I wanted to do and the result could not have been any better.