November 4

This is my diabetes alert tattoo. I got a tattoo because I hate wearing heavy jewelry and my bracelets and necklaces annoyed me. The alert jewelry or tattoos are there so that if I get into an accident or pass out, the first responders will know I am diabetic and can act quickly to save my life. I can pass out if my blood sugar levels drop into dangerous levels. Its on my wrist so that emts can easily locate it.

I also got a suggestion to describe diabetes a little bit. There are 5 types I can think of: 

Type 1 (this is what I have) where the cells that make insulin are attacked by the immune system and are destroyed. The trigger is unknown but some its hereditary and others can be caused by a virus or stressful situation. Type 1 is usually diagnosed in childhood. 

If its diagnosed in adulthood, its labeled as LADA (latent autoimmune diabetes of adults). It's just Type 1 diagnosed in adulthood. 

Type 2 is where the body doesn't use the insulin made very well and leads to insulin resistance. This is the most common type. Its associated with obesity and adulthood but is also seen in children more often now. Type 1 diabetics require insulin either through injections or a pump. Type 2 diabetics can either treat using diet and exercise, add a pill that improves insulin sensitivity and may require insulin depending on their situation. Being T2 and on insulin doesn't mean they are T1. 

There is also gestational diabetes that happens only during pregnancy. This increases the mothers chances for developing T2 later in life. 

There is a new Type 3 that is diabetes resulting from Alzheimer's Disease. There is little research on this right now.

I will talk about symptoms later in a different post and complications in a different post also.