Type 2 Diabetes: You Are Not Alone
“You are not alone.” We use that phrase a lot around here at Health Nuts Media. And, if you have type 2 diabetes, it is very, very true.
When it comes to kids, it used to be that people only thought of type 1 diabetes. (That’s how it got the name, which some folks still use, “juvenile-onset diabetes”.) But, unfortunately, that old idea just isn’t true anymore.
The truth is that more and more kids, some as young as seven years old, are developing insulin resistance. “Insulin resistance” is what happens in type 2 diabetes. What that means is that there is a problem with how well the insulin works on the cells in your body in helping blood sugar get into the cells. You have enough insulin, but the insulin you have isn’t getting “listened to” by the cells the way it should. This leads to out-of-control blood sugars. (Blood sugar is also called “blood glucose”.)
One of the main reasons for the increase of type 2 diabetes in kids is our “fast food and video” lifestyles. Too much food – and often not too healthy food choices – along with too little off-the-couch activity and too much video screen time (TV, computers, video games, etc.) have led to obesity rates in kids that have doubled in the past 10 years. Obesity, too many fat cells, is pretty much the main “bad guy” when it comes to getting type 2 diabetes. And now, there are over 160 million people with type 2 diabetes.
The good news is: “You are not alone.” And, the good folks at PBS have a web site devoted to that very idea called “Living with My Type 2 – My Life. My Stories“.
There’s a lot to learn about living with type 2 diabetes and that’s why we created our “Understanding Diabetes” animated video series. It’s sort of a starter for helping kids (and parents) come to a basic understanding about diabetes and some of the issues involved. But, there’s always more to know and learn.
One important thing to know is that others are out there, just like you, who have stories to tell and who would love to hear your stories. Sharing ideas and feelings with others who are dealing with the same problems and who have some of the same questions as you can be a very powerful tool in helping you deal with type 2 diabetes.
On the My Type 2 web site, there are lots of good video stories to watch and loads of helpful information. Plus, you can easily share your stories with others who may learn from you! I highly recommend you check out My Type 2…right after you get your daily dose of exercise!!!
Dr. Gregg
Posted – February 22, 2012