NiVZ
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
Hoping to watch this tonight, but everyone seems to be talking about it.
I can't comment on the programme itself yet, but from the comments I've seen it seems we still aren't getting the fundamental point across about the different types of diabetes, and also that everyone focuses on the negatives instead of the successes.
Diabetes is not a straight forward condition that can be pigeon holed. Just looking at the many different types of diabetes shows that but all too often sweeping generalisations are made especially on TV and in the press.
I also disagree with the argument that all diabetes comes under one umbrella because the symptoms are the same, that being our bodies cannot convert food to energy.
Yes on a very general level that statement is true, but often it's for very different reasons.
I'd prefer to see some distinction along the lines of:
Type 1's generally produce little or no insulin whereas
Type 1's must take regular injections of insulin (or use a pump) to replace the insulin their bodies no longer produce.
Type 2's are unable to use the insulin they are producing.
Type 2 can be controlled by diet and exercise but often need tablets to encourage their bodies to produce more insulin (or help use the insulin more efficiently) or may also need injections to provide more insulin if they have become insulin resistant.
I accept that the diabetes charities endeavor to help all types of diabetics, but i feel they could do more.
It's about time they tried to educate about the different types and treatments by challenging the often frightening generalided statements that are made instead of sitting back and letting the confusion continue! Maybe then we'd start to see a change in attitudes towards our testing and injecting in public and people would actually know what to do if they come across an unconcious diabetic in the future.
With the prevelance of diabetes continuing to rise, it won't be long before non-diabetics are in the minority anyway!
NiVZ
P.S @stangi - Great letter to Channel 4 😉
I can't comment on the programme itself yet, but from the comments I've seen it seems we still aren't getting the fundamental point across about the different types of diabetes, and also that everyone focuses on the negatives instead of the successes.
Diabetes is not a straight forward condition that can be pigeon holed. Just looking at the many different types of diabetes shows that but all too often sweeping generalisations are made especially on TV and in the press.
I also disagree with the argument that all diabetes comes under one umbrella because the symptoms are the same, that being our bodies cannot convert food to energy.
Yes on a very general level that statement is true, but often it's for very different reasons.
I'd prefer to see some distinction along the lines of:
Type 1's generally produce little or no insulin whereas
Type 1's must take regular injections of insulin (or use a pump) to replace the insulin their bodies no longer produce.
Type 2's are unable to use the insulin they are producing.
Type 2 can be controlled by diet and exercise but often need tablets to encourage their bodies to produce more insulin (or help use the insulin more efficiently) or may also need injections to provide more insulin if they have become insulin resistant.
I accept that the diabetes charities endeavor to help all types of diabetics, but i feel they could do more.
It's about time they tried to educate about the different types and treatments by challenging the often frightening generalided statements that are made instead of sitting back and letting the confusion continue! Maybe then we'd start to see a change in attitudes towards our testing and injecting in public and people would actually know what to do if they come across an unconcious diabetic in the future.
With the prevelance of diabetes continuing to rise, it won't be long before non-diabetics are in the minority anyway!
NiVZ
P.S @stangi - Great letter to Channel 4 😉
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