Myths and Facts

In the short two months since Carter's diagnosis I have been asked many interesting questions and have had some interesting suggestions as to how we can control or cure Carter's diabetes.

Here are the goods.  What many people think they know about Type 1 Diabetes and what the reality is.

Myth #1 - Eating too much sugar can cause Type 1 Diabetes
Fact - Type 1 Diabetes is an autoimmune disease.  The immune system produces antibodies and destroys the insulin producing cells of the pancreas.

Myth #2 - Children with Type 1 Diabetes can never eat foods with sugar
Fact - Children with Type 1 Diabetes must eat a balanced diet, like all people.  A T1D person must keep track of the amount of carbohydrates (starches, breads, fruit, sugar drinks, cookies, vegetables higher in sugar) and then inject an insulin dose to cover the number of carbs eaten.  All carbs break down into glucose in the body.  Sugar foods in moderation like everyone should have.

Myth #3 - Kids can outgrow Type 1 Diabetes
Fact - There is no cure for Type 1 Diabetes.  There is research being done on how to delay the onset, but at this point there is no cure.  Carter's pancreas will not produce insulin for the rest of his life.

Myth #4 - Insulin cures Type 1 Diabetes
Fact - Taking insulin helps manage Type 1, but doesn't cure it.  Insulin helps get glucose out of the bloodstream and into the cells, where it can be used for energy.

Myth #5 - Antioxidants, cinnamon, celery sticks and so on can naturally cure Type 1 Diabetes
Fact - There is no cure for Type 1 Diabetes.  The pancreas is not producing insulin thus insulin must be given to control the body's blood glucose levels.

A few interesting questions or comments from conversations in the last two months:

1.  My daughter is addicted to sugar, will she get Type 1 Diabetes?  She might get a lot of cavities but she won't get T1D from eating too much sugar.

2.  Will he have to take insulin injections for the rest of his life?  Yuppers, unless science comes up with a different way to deliver insulin.

3.  You have a lot of diabetes in your family, that's probably where it came from.  Yes, it's true we both have a lot of Type 2 Diabetes in both our families, but that has no impact on whether a child will develop Type 1.

4.  He can't eat sugar anymore, right?  Nope, as long as what he eats is covered by insulin he can eat sweets.

5.  If they're identical twins, Charlie will get it for sure.  I thought this as well, but the endocrinologist says Charlie has 40% chance of developing Type 1.