Why is all this misinformation circulating about type 2?

I'm amazed by the ignorance of people purporting to know about diabetes. This includes doctors and pharmacists, and even other diabetics.

One thing that keeps popping up for me is that everyone is quoting outdated and incomplete information regarding the genetics and causes of type 2.

There aren't 6 or 7, or even 13 genes that can involved in type 2.

In fact there are at least 38!

That's right - 38!

This information was published in the summer of 2010. Check the dates on internet sources you quote people! Please look for more up to date info!

And the more of these defective genes you have, the greater the likelihood of getting it.

Your family history should be a clue. Mine is rife with diabetes and weight problems caused by insulin resistance and defective genes, on BOTH sides of my family.

Other factors that contribute to the development of type 2 diabetes include, among many many others:

Beta blockers can increase your risk by 20 to 50%. If you already have the genes (look at your family history), and your doctor prescribes beta blockers, your chances increase dramatically even if nothing else changes.

Beta blockers can be enough to tip you over the edge into diabetes. I know because this happened to my husband and almost happened to my sister. Luckily I found out about this and let her know in time.

Other factors include under active thyroid - check, had that ALL my life! Its still undertreated because I can't tolerate the dose of thyroid hormone that I actually need.

Certain medications for other conditions - check, I was never told of the risks involved with certain treatments until well after the damage was done. This can include treatments for PCOS, asthma, infections, and much more.

Exposure to pesticides, and highway smog. Yep, been there, done that, it was not my choice, but none the less, I have to suffer the consequences of it.

Family history: I have not one, not two, but several people with diabetes in my close family. According to scientific research my chances of getting type 2 were pretty much 100%, given my family history. This probably goes back several generations. 

Other factors, for me include injuries from accidents that kept me from exercising.

Inflammation and allergies: Yes, this can have an effect!

Inherited joint disorders: which have not only kept me from riding my bike, roller skating, and dancing, (all of which I love). They have also put me into a wheelchair. I cannot get enough exercise to stay fit, let alone fight back against insulin resistance.

Insulin injections: yes, they saved my life, but they are also making me gain weight, and increasing my insulin resistance. Its a lose/lose situation for me.


Update, since this was originally written, I have read further articles that state that there are over 40 known genetic factors involved in getting Type 2 diabetes. 

Essential Resources for Diabetics

The best page for help with daily testing: Jennifer's Page at
http://alt-support-diabetes.org/newly-diagnosed/testing


Right click on this link and save to hard drive, for a printable page of Jennifer's testing guidelines, for the USA:
How to test to get results


Right click on this link and save to hard drive, for a printable page of Jennifer's testing guidelines, for Canada and anyone else using the mmol/L system:
How to Test to Get Results, for Canadians


Great reliable online information about diabetes:

Blood Sugar 101
Blood Sugar 101

David Mendosa's Diabetes NEW website

http://www.mendosa.com/

 and his blog at

http://www.mendosa.com/blog/




Recommended Books


Diabetes for Dummies, or

Diabetes for Dummies for Type 1, or

Diabetes for Dummies for Canadians

The First Year: Type 2 Diabetes: An Essential Guide for the Newly Diagnosed by Gretchen Becker. This is a really good book for anyone with type 2 diabetes, even someone whose had diabetes for a few years.

And for low carb recipes, have a look at The South Beach Quick and Easy Cookbook.

Also look at Protein Power: The High-Protein/Low-Carbohydrate Way to Lose Weight, Feel Fit, and Boost Your Health--in Just Weeks! (Paperback) By Michael Eades

Also, sign up at TuDiabetes...
http://www.tudiabetes.org/

If you're a Canadian  diabetic you can join a new group at Facebook called 
Canadian Sugar (Diabetics)
Canadian Sugar at Facebook!

If you're a Type 2 diabetic and English speaking, this group might interest you:

Diabetes - Type 2 - Living With It!
Type 2 - Living With It! (Group at Facebook)

Where Can I Get Reliable Information on Diabetes?

If you have just been diagnosed with diabetes, 

you’re probably feeling a bit overwhelmed. 

 

You may be asking yourself questions like; where do I get started, how do I eat, what can I eat, what medications do I need?

And if you have been prescribed insulin, how do I adjust my insulin?

If you have type 2, and your doctor said “just cut back on carbs”, you wonder what does that mean?

It can be confusing and overwhelming.


For help with food, ask your doctor for a referral to a diabetes dietician, who can help you learn about healthy eating with diabetes, and how it relates to your medications, including insulin, if you need it. This is a good place to start. It might take a while to get an opening, so ask now.

You may decide later that you need or want to reduce your carbs further, but at least you can get a good grounding in nutrition and what types of foods you should be eating, and what you should avoid, like processed foods, and fried, high fat, high sodium foods. It’s a good place to get started.

You also need to work with a good doctor, one who knows diabetes and understands the treatment options. Your family doctor may not be very familiar or up-to-date.

You need a well informed diabetes nurse educator too. They can often help out more than the doctor can, because they can take the time to answer more of your questions, and may be more up to date than the average family doctor.  Most doctors don’t have a lot of time to go into details with you, whereas time spent with a good diabetes nurse educator can make all the difference.

Look for reliable sources for information.

Relying on just the internet, and word of mouth information is not a good idea when dealing with prescription medications, including insulin. You need to educate yourself, and the internet is not the most reliable source out there.

Yes, its ok for getting opinions, but when it comes to a serious disease like diabetes, you need to check out at least a couple of reliable sources before making decisions on diet, or learning about medications.  You should make an effort to learn the basics from a reliable source, and for that, you’ll need a few well written books.

So head over to Amazon, your local library or book store and look for these titles:

The best place to start is with general knowledge.  

For all types of diabetes, get Diabetes for Dummies by Alan Rubin, MD.

If you’re Canadian look for Diabetes for Dummies, for Canadians. 

In Canada and some other countries, blood glucose meters, (AKA glucometers) use a different system of measurement for blood glucose, and prescription medications can have slightly different names, so finding a book relative to your country can help.

If you have Type 2, I highly recommend that you get started with Gretchen Becker’s  

The First Year: Type 2 Diabetes: An Essential Guide for the Newly Diagnosed, 

also available at Amazon. It will walk you through the first year. 

Even if you’ve had type 2 for a while, this book can be helpful. It not only gives you the basics, but also deals with the emotional side of diagnosis, not just the medical side. Feelings of guilt are very common when your doctor tells you that you have type 2 diabetes. TV shows and internet articles indicate that type 2 is a lifestyle disease as if those with type 2 made a conscious decision to get diabetes. This is crazy. Most people don’t know that there are over 38 genetic defects that can be causal factors in developing  type 2. You can’t control your genes. Those who develop type 2 usually have type 2 in their family, although some do not. In any case, without those defective genes, you could eat your way to supersized obesity and still never get diabetes.

The media blames type 2’s for their disease, which is unfair, and puts a lot of pressure and guilt on someone already going through a major life crisis. Its not helpful. Gretchen Becker’s book helps you deal with these issues.

For Type 1, there is  Type 1 Diabetes for Dummies,  which is a great place to get started. I'd also recommend Think Like a Pancreas.


Ok, so your books are on order, and you’re waiting for them to arrive. What do you do in the meantime? 
 
Well, you have internet access, so I highly recommend that you start reading Jennifer's Information for the Newly Diagnosed. She gives very useful information on testing: what blood glucose targets to aim for, how often and when to test, record keeping, and getting your blood glucose down to your target range. http://alt-support-diabetes.org/new.php

If after all that, you finding yourself wanting to know more, you can really dig into Blood Sugar 101, written by Jenny Ruhl, and available on line at Amazon.

Jenny Ruhl also has a great website, at Diabetes 101

The books and websites I've mentioned have a lot of very valuable info and have proven reliable, and well researched, but remember: always check with your doctor before making changes to medications, especially when you first start them.