The Complications Playbook
Breaking Down the Complex
Take a Deep Breath
Diabetes complications can be scary to think about—and even scarier to talk about. They tend to come with shame and blame, but complications can happen to anyone, especially if you've been living with diabetes for a long time. The bottom line—shame has no place here. We're here to give you the information you need to get the help you deserve.
Talking About Complications
The idea of diabetes complications can be scary. But when we start talking about them, learning how to prevent them...
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Most people living with diabetes will remember conversations they’ve had with healthcare professionals about diabetes-related complications, and often, those memories...
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It’s hard to deny that one of the main reasons diabetes causes fear and denial is due to the possibility...
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We have been educated, maybe warned, or even “threatened” with diabetes complications since we’ve been diagnosed. Many of us have...
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The unfortunate truth: having diabetes can significantly increase your risk of developing other health conditions. While some potential diabetes complications...
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Almost 30 years ago research found that chronic hyperglycemia (high blood glucose), as well as the length of time a...
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Neuropathy + Nerve Health
When you live with any type of diabetes, complications can happen over time—even when blood glucose control is tight. This...
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A common complication of diabetes, peripheral neuropathy affects approximately 30 percent of people with type 1 diabetes and 42 percent...
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One of the major diabetes complications everyone hears about is neuropathy. When people think of neuropathy they think of losing...
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Living with diabetes isn’t easy, and the complications that can come with it can be overwhelming, scary and painful....
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Diabetes can put a person at risk for developing a wide range of conditions. Often this is due to a...
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Technology is changing how we treat diabetes complications, from AI-powered tools to neurostimulation devices. Here’s what’s making a difference.
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Retinopathy + Eye Health
Diabetic eye disease, also known as retinopathy, is one of the most well-known complications of diabetes. People with diabetes (PWD)...
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Taking good care of your eyes is especially important for people with type 1 diabetes. No matter what your blood...
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Your annual diabetes eye exam can take anywhere between one to two hours because there are actually four parts to...
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Retinopathy is one of the most common and most serious diabetes-related eye complications. It’s actually the leading cause of preventable...
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One of the most common yet rarely talked about eye conditions in people with diabetes is dry eye, it affects...
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While anyone can develop this eye condition, floaters are more common in people with diabetes who have developed diabetic retinopathy...
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Other Complications
The effects of hyperglycemia are widespread in the human body. It is not surprising that our musculoskeletal system can be...
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Gastroparesis, also known as delayed gastric emptying, is a type of autonomic neuropathy that affects the digestion of food. Gastroparesis...
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When thinking about diabetes we don’t often think of the health of our mouth, gums, and teeth known as our...
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Diabetes nephropathy, also known as diabetic kidney disease, affects 20-40 percent of people with diabetes. The leading cause of chronic...
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Having diabetes means that you are more likely to develop heart disease and have a greater chance of a heart...
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High blood glucose due to diabetes can cause damage to many parts of the body, including the heart. Chronically high...
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Follow Us
Anybody else told they have "some diabetes" when diagnosed?
Logging bull riding and bowling on strava >>> All movement is good movement. Our 4-week challenge, Your Type of Moves, starts today. 180 minutes of movement a week as a nod to the 180+ extra decisions a day those of us living with diabetes make every day. And we`re trying to raise a little money along the way to help people with diabetes survive and thrive.
Meet us in the Strava club all month long and cheer each other on—link in bio. Powered by @betabionics #diabetesawareness #t1dlookslikeme #stravaproveit
Ever seen one of the first blood sugar meters? The Ames Eyetone meter from 1972 measured blood glucose with reflectance photometry, or reading the intensity of light reflected off a Dextrostix reagent strip. And before that, it all came down to urine.
Diabetes tech is a right, not a luxury. If you`re getting pushback from your provider, find out what to say in our profile.
Sources:
Bender, C., Vestergaard, P., & Cichosz, S. L. (2025). The History, Evolution and Future of Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM). Diabetology, 6(3), 17–17. https://doi.org/10.3390/diabetology6030017
Schersten, B., Kuhl, C., Hollender, A., & Ekman, R. (1974). Blood Glucose Measurement with Dextrostix and New Reflectance Meter. BMJ, 3(5927), 384–387. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.3.5927.384
Insulin and Diabetes Management -- Glucose (Sugar) Monitoring. (n.d.). National Museum of American History. https://americanhistory.si.edu/collections/object-groups/insulin-and-diabetes-management/glucose-sugar-monitoring
#DiabetesAwareness #DiabetesHistory
What is your Diabetes Alert Mom known for doing? 🤔
180 minutes of movement a week. Sound like a lot? People with diabetes make 180+ extra decisions every single day. Your Type of Moves is a movement challenge dedicated to that number. Move anywhere, any way — walk, stretch, meditate, dance, breathe, etc.
If you`d like to fundraise and make an impact, each dollar we raise helps people with diabetes survive and thrive.
Challenge accepted? We`ll send you an invite to our Strava club (visit the link in our bio)
Powered by @betabionics
The diabetes rumor mill works overtime. Set the record straight.
There are way more than 2 types of diabetes. More like 20+. So stigma around type 1 vs type 2 doesn`t even tell the full story and fuels harmful narratives.
There are stages of type 1 diabetes. When you get diagnosed with type 1, you’re actually already in stage 3. In earlier stages, there may be opportunity to delay diagnosis and preserve beta cell function.
Insulin isn`t the only hormone impacted by diabetes. People with type 1 diabetes don`t make or can`t properly regulate several hormones like amylin, glucagon, and GLP-1.
Sources:
The Lancet Regional Health. Misdiagnosis of Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes in Adults. Vol. 29, 1 June 2023, pp. 100661–100661, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lanepe.2023.100661.
Hill-Briggs, F. (2020). Social determinants of health and diabetes: A scientific review. Diabetes Care, 44(1), 258–279. https://doi.org/10.2337/dci20-0053
Taheri, S. (2023). Type 2 Diabetes Remission: A New Mission in Diabetes Care. Diabetes Care, 47(1), 47–49. https://doi.org/10.2337/dci23-0062
#DiabetesAwareness #T1DLooksLikeMe #Type2Diabetes
Healthcare gaps are more than a statistic. It’s a misdiagnosis. It`s being denied the tech you need to survive. But the future of diabetes care is being shaped right now, by you. And we want to fund it.
We`re funding the people and organizations working to close these gaps—for earlier and more accurate diagnosis, expanded access to care and education, reduced stigma and new technologies.
Grants up to $50k. Apply by April 28 in our profile or share with someone who should.
#DiabetesAwareness
This Black Maternal Health week we spoke to Lexie (@thedivabetic) about her recent experience giving birth to her daughter as a person with type 1 diabetes and the advice she would give to others on a similar journey.
Are you currently pregnant (or planning to be) and living with type 1 diabetes? The Jaeb Center for Health Research is enrolling participants for an observational study exploring how continuous glucose monitors and automated insulin delivery systems support diabetes management during pregnancy.
Find more info on the study in our profile.
What are you bringing with you to be festival ready?
Statistically, my chances of a healthy pregnancy aren’t the same as everyone else`s. Pregnancy with diabetes isn’t simple. In some cases, more than 1 in 3 pregnancies with diabetes end early.
And that’s only part of the story. In the U.S., most pregnancy-related deaths are preventable…yet Black women are still over three times more likely to die and face more complications.
This is why Black Maternal Health Week is important. Because surviving pregnancy should never depend on who you are. Don`t be afraid to speak up and ask questions. You matter.
#DiabetesAwareness #BlackMaternalHealth
There’s a lot of misconceptions around the cost of insulin. Is it capped at $35? For who? We’re breaking it down — plus answering questions we got on the INSULIN Act.
Everyone deserves access to modern insulin and technology. Find a list of patient assistance programs in our profile that may be able to help with the cost of supplies etc. and if you or someone you know is struggling to afford insulin now, see what cost-saving options are available to you at getinsulin.org
#DiabetesAwareness #InsulinAccess #Type1Diabetes
Have you ever had a low where you needed someone else to step in?
Low blood sugar is no joke, and knowing what to do matters. If a loved one is low and conscious, give juice, soda (not diet), or glucose tabs. If they’re unconscious or too weak, use glucagon and call emergency services. These simple steps can save a life.
We’re making our mark on NYC. Learn the warning signs of type 1 diabetes. It could save a life.
Did you know that 40% of adults diagnosed with T1D were initially diagnosed with T2D? And that number could be a whole lot smaller with a simple c-peptide test done at diagnosis. Spread the word and let`s lower that percentage together 🤝
Social determinants of health screening in type 1 diabetes management | SIREN. (2024, March). Ucsf.edu. https://sirenetwork.ucsf.edu/tools-resources/resources/social-determinants-health-screening-type-1-diabetes-management
#t1d #type2diabetes #diabetesawareness #diabetesdiagosis #diabetesdiagnosis
How it started vs. how it’s going
#scrubs #diabetesawareness #diabetes #insulinpump
Diabetes isn`t a barrier to gender-affirming care and hormone therapy. Here`s a few questions to ask if you`re looking to start a conversation with your healthcare team about transitioning while living with diabetes. Share this so someone who could use it finds it.
- How might hormone therapy change my insulin needs?
- What baseline diabetes information should we review before I start hormones?
- How often should I monitor my glucose when starting hormone therapy?
- Who will help adjust my insulin if my numbers change?
- What warning signs should I watch for after starting hormone therapy?
Reminder: Beyond Type 1 has a zero-tolerance policy for hate speech. Comments that are discriminatory, harassing, or harmful will be deleted.
#TransVisibilityDay #GenderAffirmingCare #t1dlookslikeme
Calling all innovators and entrepreneurs in the diabetes space 🗣️ We are looking to fund those who are shaping the future of diabetes care.
If you or your organization are interested, apply by April 28! Or share with someone who might be a good fit.
Sponsor
Educational content is made possible with support from Lexicon. Beyond Type 1 maintains editorial control over its content.
