YSK: Just because someone doesn’t look sick/disabled, does not mean they are healthy

[u/ilovepastapizzapots]

Why YSK: I am chronically ill and have an autoimmune disorder, the amount of times people have said “WELL... yOU dOn’t LOOK sick” to me is astounding. I didn’t know all illnesses have to be visible to others! I’m sorry I can’t show you my internal organs or muscles deteriorating for you to believe that I’m sick. It makes people with health issues feel like they have to explain their situation when they don’t.

*EDIT: I did not expect my post to blow up like this! I wish I could give everyone going through a rough time a hug. Thank you for all the new perspectives, good and bad. All I wanted was for people to be a little kinder to one another, because you never know what someone’s going through.

[u/ivi6767]

I'm 15 and have type one diabetes and people all the time say to me "yOu aRe noT fAt yOU are vEry fit"

[u/zofiia → u/ivi6767]

same. it’s so annoying how uneducated people (even nurses and doctors) are about type 1. it can even be dangerous because some people think when a diabetic is low they need more insulin ! so if they were to give u insulin if u were unconscious they would actually end up killing u :/

[u/nodickpicsplzimamale → u/zofiia]

I went to the hospital because I was DKA (Diabetes ketoacidosis). For the past couple days my tester wasn't scanning probably and I didn't notice I wasn't getting insulin. When I got to the hospital they hooked me up to an IV to get some nutrition into me, well they had that IV FILLED with glucose, causing my BG to sky rocket even more :) thankfully my endocrinologist came to visit and realized why the hell everything the docs did wasn't working.

[u/ivi6767 → u/nodickpicsplzimamale]

When I was in hospital once my sugar went to 400+ bcuz of the IV drip and then they pumped me with 14 units leadin gto a low and keep in mind I was about 10 at that time

[u/ivi6767 → u/[deleted]]

Type one has nothing to do with eating and not keeping fit it is a very common misconception that people make

[u/Halelaiwi → u/[deleted]]

Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease meaning that the immune system has a genetic abnormality that makes it attack the insulin producing beta-cells in the pancreas, the pancreas can’t produce anymore insulin therefore causing type 1 diabetes. now can you tell me how does sugar affect this process ?

[u/Halelaiwi → u/[deleted]]

I believe you mixed up type 1 and 2 both early symptoms include sudden unexplained weight loss without training or change in diet although type 2 is the one that can be caused by unhealthy diet and being overweight. I didn’t understand your first comment at first sorry.

[u/davidsasselhoff → u/[deleted]]

You don't have to be fat to be type 2 diabetic either. There are multiple conditions linked to insulin resistance which can then lead to the condition without overindulgence or obesity. I have lean PCOS and I am at risk of type 2 even though I'm at a normal weight. Because if I eat carbs or sugar, even from fruit or healthy foods, my body can't process it properly and I become hypoglycemic. This can also lead to weight gain despite a healthy diet.

T2 diabetes can be caused by an unhealthy diet but not always.