Life, Love, and… Diabetes

World Diabetes Day is commemorated every year on November 14. It's a day to spread awareness about the impact that diabetes has on the health of people.

According to the International Diabetes Federation, 537 million adults between the ages of 20-79 years have diabetes. What's more, almost half of them have no idea that they're living with the condition! By 2030, this number is predicted to rise to 643 million.

We may not give these numbers much thought– that is, until someone we care about, or even we ourselves, are diagnosed with diabetes. In that case, suddenly, we're more interested in these statistics and start to see them differently.

Just imagine. You (or your loved one) are simply living your life as usual. Then you notice that you've been feeling more thirsty than usual, and you also seem to be hungry constantly. You've started losing weight without even trying, and you're feeling tired and weak. The mood swings come and go with more frequency than before. You decide to visit the doctor, who advises you to do a blood test. The results come in, and Bam! 

Of course, getting diagnosed with a chronic illness like diabetes impacts the person who has been diagnosed. But, it also invariably has some effect on their relationships as well. In some cases, the effects might be minor, but in others, diabetes can hang around as a constant source of friction.

The Bitter Side of Diabetes

In short, diabetes is a disease that occurs when the glucose levels in your blood are too high. If you have diabetes, your body is either unable to make or use insulin, the hormone that brings glucose into your cells, which they need for energy. So, instead, the glucose doesn't reach your cells.

The most common types of diabetes are type 1, type 2, and gestational diabetes.

If you have type 1 diabetes, your body makes little to no insulin. That's because your immune system attacks and destroys the cells in your pancreas that make insulin. Although it can appear at any age, this type of diabetes is usually diagnosed in young adults and children. 

Type 2 diabetes is the most common type of diabetes. If you have it, the cells in your body aren't able to use insulin properly. The pancreas may make insulin, but it's just not enough to keep your blood glucose level in the normal range. You can develop type 2 diabetes at any age. And if you have risk factors, such as obesity or a family history of the disease, then your chances of developing the disease are even higher.

The third type, gestational diabetes, develops during pregnancy. But, for the most part, it goes away after the baby is born.

When diabetes enters as a permanent, uninvited guest in your life, it can also bring a whole load of challenges for your relationship.

The very first challenge is the adjustment that needs to be made to your lifestyle. You might have to make changes to your diet to reduce high-risk foods and add healthier options. You may also need to think about your physical activity levels and make changes in that area as well. These adjustments can affect both partners, as they may need to modify their shared routines and activities. 

Not only that, managing diabetes is associated with everything from medicines, medical supplies, and doctor's visits. And what if just one partner is responsible for covering these expenses? The financial burden can add stress to the relationship.

"Communication is one factor that can sometimes be challenging in any relationship- diabetes or no diabetes." 

Living with diabetes often requires open and frequent dialogue about blood sugar management, dietary choices, and medication schedules. When one partner doesn't fully grasp the intricacies of the condition, misunderstandings can happen.