I am a type 2 diabetic and this morning I found a great article that explains the differences between Type 1 and Type 2 along with how Type 2 diabetics are not to blame for the disease. If your someone who thinks we are, I encourage you to read this article: Diabetes Civil War.

This article is really about how some people want to change the name of Type 1 diabetes because they feel they are overshadowed by us “fat” type 2 diabetics.  Personally I think this is a horrible idea because it will actually harm diabetics more then help. Many type 2 diabetics are overweight, including myself, but many are not and I in fact was told that I more then likely would have been a diabetic even if I was a size 2.  Many type 2 diabetics fall into the physically fit category, even at the time of diagnosis.

The big difference, in case you have not clicked that link yet, is that all type 1 diabetics need insulin to survive, while some type 2 diabetics also need insulin to stay alive as it may be the only way to control there blood sugar levels. Type 2 also can use pills to help with the condition.

Exercise helps all diabetics and personally I think that if all diabetics could qualify for health insurance though the state we would see a decrease in diabetes related death and illness. I myself do not have insurance. I make about $300 a month working online right now and am unable to afford insurance, medications and so on because of student loans and car insurance. I need a car to look for a job right? So I sacrifice my health to hopefully one day afford insurance.

What I would like to see is more health classes at the high school level covering the differences between type one and type 2 diabetes as so many people believe that all diabetics just need to lose weight and eat less sugar. Guess what, sugar is not our enemy, carbohydrates are and that is what we need to watch. If your not diabetic think about how many carbohydrates you eat. There are many foods with carbohydrates in them, pasta, bread, milk, peas, corn, potatoes, candy and fruits. Do you eat these items without worrying?

Though I do disagree with the point of this article I do hope you will check it out and share it with others so that maybe a few more people can learn the truth about diabetes and maybe just maybe we can find a cure for all types.

Here are a few diabetes statistics:

Mortality

• Number of deaths:  71,382 *
• Deaths per 100,000 population: 23.7
• Cause of death rank: 7

Source: Deaths: Final Data for 2007, tables B, 10, 11

* this number may not be correct as many times diabetes is not listed as the cause, but diabetes could cause the illness that caused death.

Morbidity

• Percent of noninstitutionalized adults 20 years and older with diabetes (diagnosed or undiagnosed): 10% (2003-2006)
• Percent of noninstitutionalized adults 20 years and older with diagnosed diabetes: 7.7% (2003-2006)
• Percent of noninstitutionalized adults 20 years and older with undiagnosed diabetes: 2.5% (2003-2006)

Source: Health, United States, 2009, table 51

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