What the heck is Type 1 Diabetes???

These are my actual blood sugars from the last 24 hours. As you can see I had low blood sugar twice, I ate a high carb dinner and then went on a hike causing the first low and the second low was at the gym. The highs arent actually very high because… — These are my actual blood sugars from the last 24 hours. As you can see I had low blood sugar twice, I ate a high carb dinner and then went on a hike causing the first low and the second low was at the gym. The highs arent actually very high because i have my parameters set pretty tight so that i can be alerted early.

I have so many friends and family members that I love, but still don't understand what T1D is and what I go through day to day to stay alive and god willing, healthy. I'm not upset because it's confusing and is over shadowed by the more popular type 2 diabetes.

First off, forget everything you know about type 2!!!

T1D

An autoimmune disease where the pancreas stops producing insulin, the hormone that allows us to get energy from food.
Insulin must be taken to stay alive. The amount varies depending on carb intake, rest/wake times, exercise and intensity, stress, that time of the month, pregnancy, caffeine, the amount of fat consumed with carbs, illness and if its raining out. Just kidding about the last one, but seriously everything effects the amount of insulin needed which is why this disease seems impossible to manage.
Most commonly, low blood sugar is a result of taking too much insulin or by exercising with insulin on board, causing it to work faster than carbs are digested. In this case a fast acting carb must be eaten, such as a juice box or soda. Symptoms of low blood sugar are- shaky, sweaty, dizzy, cranky, uncoordinated, light headed... you get the picture, we basically stop functioning. I usually realize I have low blood sugar when I can no longer put sentences together. I try to continue a conversation and can't find the words I am trying to say.
High blood sugar is much harder to spot, the outward symptoms are increased thirst and frequent urination (your body trying to expel the excess glucose). It happens when a T1 diabetic doesn't take enough insulin, this is dangerous long term because your starving your brain and body from getting energy.

There is No cure, but you can help count carbs and be ready with a juice box or another sweet treat for someone with low blood sugar!

T1D is NOT

Self induced or reversible, if i want to eat a bagel, its fine because no matter what i'm still diabetic and eating perfect isn't going to cure me, its just going to piss me off even more.

Thank you for reading this post, please share and help raise awareness and understanding. Although currently there is not a cure, that could change and hopefully will.

Please comment if you have any questions!!!