Type 2 diabetes affects nearly 23 million in the United States alone, but "Most people don’t appreciate the gravity of a diagnosis of Type 2 diabetes. If they did, the thought of diabetes would strike fear into their hearts and they would do everything in their power to avoid developing the disease" said the late Richard Hayes, M.D., a diabetes specialist. This laid-back attitude is due to several factors:
- Diabetes is a "manageable" disease, and it doesn’t interfere much with a person’s activities.
- The technology available now makes testing and regulating blood glucose levels something that patients can do on their own.
- Testing and regulating blood glucose levels can take only minutes a day and can be done in public.
- Nearly everyone knows someone who has diabetes; More people have it and it’s no longer mysterious.
- Several celebrities have become spokespersons for medications and glucose meters (blood sugar testers), talking about how easy it is to manage diabetes.
- Celebrities remove the stigma from having Type 2 diabetes. Many of these celebrities are adults, but some diabetic celebrities are young. Youths around the world know that Nick Jonas of the Jonas Brothers has diabetes (although his is Type 1, or juvenile onset diabetes).
Misconceptions About Diabetes and Diabetes Treatment
The common perception is that if a disease or condition doesn’t interfere much with one's life, it must not be serious. For example, people may believe that
- If a condition (such as prediabetes or Type 2 diabetes) can exist for years before being diagnosed, then it must not be dangerous.
- If a doctor isn’t needed for the procedure (such as blood sugar testing or an insulin shot), then the procedure must not be important and/or the condition must not be serious.
- If a medical condition doesn’t take much time to manage, then it must not be hard to handle, and
- If the disease isn’t hard to handle, then it can’t be serious.
These notions may be true in other instances, but not when applied to diabetes in any form, whether it's prediabetes, Type 1 diabetes, Type 2 diabetes, or what some are now calling Type 3 diabetes (a combination of both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes). Blood sugar and insulin problems in any form should be taken seriously.
Diabetes Diagnosis More Common and Diabetes Testing More Visible
Diabetics are more visible in society now, as a result of their age and presence in the workplace, and a combination of other factors:
- Testing and regulation are simpler, faster and more convenient now.
- Diabetics take medications in public, and there are several options now, including pills and inhaled insulin.
- Blood glucose testing can be done in public because it only requires a minute blood sample which can be taken from a finger or forearm.
- Nearly everyone knows a diabetic and/or has a cursory knowledge of diabetes.
- Commercials for diabetic testing supplies and medications are common.
- Celebrities make the public more aware of diabetes
Diabetes treatment, testing and regulating are becoming easier. The added visibility of diabetes and the advocacy of diabetic celebrities equal “Diabetes is no big deal” in the minds of many. The familiarity, manageability and lack of social stigma breed complacency.
Diabetes in Children Young People with Diabetes Face Special Challenge
Children and teenagers, who are now developing prediabetes and Type 2 diabetes at an alarming rate, often cannot comprehend the gravity of diabetes. This is due to their stage of mental and emotional development – they simply cannot “see” that far ahead in time, and the dangers do not seem real to them. It's the famous "it can't happen to me" belief of youth.
A prediabetic teenage girl named Lakeisha (surname withheld) who is at very high risk for developing full-blown Type 2 diabetes, shared her perspective. "Diabetes? That's not even on my radar. This bag of chips and that bottle of Coke, oh, and that pizza over there? Those are. I need those for watchin' my movies. 'Scuse me."
Diabetic Testing Important to Keep Blood Sugar Level Normal and Prevent Diabetes Complications
Diabetics are younger than ever before, and many aren't familiar with deadly complications of diabetes. While it's fortunate that most young diabetics haven't experienced complications, it is unfortunate that they don't take diabetes complications seriously. The American Diabetes Association advises diabetics to test their blood sugar level as directed by their doctors, in order to manage diabetes effectively and prevent diabetes complications.
In order to begin taking diabetes seriously, one only need consider the consequences diabetes can carry. The list of possible complications is long; risk of amputation and blindness are only two of the dangers of diabetes. Imagining vividly what it would be like to lose a finger or a foot might be just what the doctor ordered. When people begin to take diabetes seriously, they begin to take action.
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