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...
Read more
Most people living with diabetes will remember conversations they’ve had with healthcare professionals about diabetes-related complications, and often, those memories...
Read more
It’s hard to deny that one of the main reasons diabetes causes fear and denial is due to the possibility...
Read more
We have been educated, maybe warned, or even “threatened” with diabetes complications since we’ve been diagnosed. Many of us have...
Read more
The unfortunate truth: having diabetes can significantly increase your risk of developing other health conditions. While some potential diabetes complications...
Read more
Almost 30 years ago research found that chronic hyperglycemia (high blood glucose), as well as the length of time a...
Read more
Neuropathy + Nerve Health
When you live with any type of diabetes, complications can happen over time—even when blood glucose control is tight. This...
Read more
A common complication of diabetes, peripheral neuropathy affects approximately 30 percent of people with type 1 diabetes and 42 percent...
Read more
One of the major diabetes complications everyone hears about is neuropathy. When people think of neuropathy they think of losing...
Read more
Living with diabetes isn’t easy, and the complications that can come with it can be overwhelming, scary and painful....
Read more
Diabetes can put a person at risk for developing a wide range of conditions. Often this is due to a...
Read more
Technology is changing how we treat diabetes complications, from AI-powered tools to neurostimulation devices. Here’s what’s making a difference.
Read more
Retinopathy + Eye Health
Diabetic eye disease, also known as retinopathy, is one of the most well-known complications of diabetes. People with diabetes (PWD)...
Read more
Taking good care of your eyes is especially important for people with type 1 diabetes. No matter what your blood...
Read more
Your annual diabetes eye exam can take anywhere between one to two hours because there are actually four parts to...
Read more
Retinopathy is one of the most common and most serious diabetes-related eye complications. It’s actually the leading cause of preventable...
Read more
One of the most common yet rarely talked about eye conditions in people with diabetes is dry eye, it affects...
Read more
While anyone can develop this eye condition, floaters are more common in people with diabetes who have developed diabetic retinopathy...
Read more
Other Complications
The effects of hyperglycemia are widespread in the human body. It is not surprising that our musculoskeletal system can be...
Read more
Gastroparesis, also known as delayed gastric emptying, is a type of autonomic neuropathy that affects the digestion of food. Gastroparesis...
Read more
When thinking about diabetes we don’t often think of the health of our mouth, gums, and teeth known as our...
Read more
Diabetes nephropathy, also known as diabetic kidney disease, affects 20-40 percent of people with diabetes. The leading cause of chronic...
Read more
Having diabetes means that you are more likely to develop heart disease and have a greater chance of a heart...
Read more
High blood glucose due to diabetes can cause damage to many parts of the body, including the heart. Chronically high...
Read more
Follow Us
Slay diagays 🏳️🌈🩸
Every story deserves to be seen, heard and celebrated 💛 Thank you for showing up as your full self
📣 Diabetes care is a human right 📣 Your voice matters in the pursuit of accessible care for all. Never doubt what this community can do together.
There are several bills introduced in Congress right now that would improve the lives of people with diabetes. Share your story with lawmakers to keep driving change.
Thank you to our ambassadors and @diabetespac for all the work they’re doing to push for equitable care and access.
If you want to become a Beyond Ambassador (we’re in this together!) sign up for updates in our profile.
#diabetesawareness #t1dlookslikeme #insulin
20 years with type 1 diabetes is not the only thing we`re celebrating Rachael (@thechronicallyillest) for this month. We sat down with her and talked all things pride, diabetes, and entrepreneurship. Read the full article on our website 💛🌈
Happy 20th diaversary @TheChronicallyIllest! You inspire us all
Every T1D and insulin-dependent T2D knows what it’s like to look in the fridge to count vials. Insulin is a medical necessity. No one should be forced to ration due to cost.
The INSULIN Act helps make insulin more affordable for people on private or employer-sponsored insurance. This week, we went to Capitol Hill with our ambassadors and friends at @diabetespac to urge Congress to support the bill.
Contact your lawmakers to take action for insulin—comment ACTION.
#insulinaccess #insulinaffordability #diabetesawareness
Diabetes care is a human right. Our reasons for advocating for diabetes are often personal, but we came together with one shared message: people with diabetes deserve affordable access to treatments, technology and screening.
Thank you to our incredible ambassadors and @diabetespac!
We’re in this together and your voice matters. If you’d like to contact legislators on the bills we advocated for today, get more information in our bio.
And sign up to become an ambassador to lend your voice in the future 📣
#diabetesawareness #type1diabetes #capitolhill
Lived experience drives legislative action. That’s why we’re in Washington, D.C this week with ambassadors and @diabetespac advocating on the Hill for people living with diabetes—for access, affordability and education.
Diabetes care is a human right. We’re advocating for the INSULIN Act because everyone deserves affordable access to insulin. We’re advocating for the DIABETES Act because quality diabetes care shouldn’t have an age limit. We’re advocating for the SCREEN for T1D Act because early detection can reduce the risk of life-threatening complications and have long-term health benefits.
Lawmakers remember people, not data points. Your voice matters. Make it heard by sending messages to your members of Congress in our bio.
And if you’re interested in lending your voice for future opportunities like this, sign up to become a Beyond Ambassador in our profile too. We’re in this together 💛
#insulinaccess #diabetesawareness
unraveled by diabetes some days. Chronic illness is hard. We do a lot of incredible things while living with diabetes. It’s also okay to acknowledge how difficult it can be 💛
This one’s for all the livies living with autoimmune out there!!!
#t1dlookslikeme #oliviarodrigo #thecure
Dads of T1Ds, we see you and we appreciate you 💛 @jordan.keltner, thank you for your story and continued advocacy. Reminder: 90% of people with type 1 diabetes have no family history. Ask your doctor for a T1D autoantibody test. Detecting it early gives you a head start on long-term health benefits.
Who else is looking for their Rainer? 🙋♂️🙋♀️🙋
Let`s celebrate these icons who always show up as their authentic selves and inspire us all
Not my fav site, but we live and we learn 🤷♀️ Every body is different, what doesn’t work for me might work for you and vice versa! Stay tuned for my Omnipod site 👀
Reminder: Stories shared are personal experiences, not medical advice. Always talk with your healthcare provider before making changes to your diabetes management 🙂
Support never has an age limit when it comes to T1D 💛
Imagine these legends listened to the haters telling them they couldn`t play soccer with diabetes.
Who`s your team for the World Cup? ⚽️
Welcome back to Keith’s Diabetes Firsts! 🎭 If you’re living with T1D, we want to hear what you do for work👇💛
And if you`re also newly diagnosed, get our Beginner`s Guide in bio!
Ultimate takeaway: I found a new favorite spot for my Dexcom 🙌
Where should I try my next site?
Reminder: Stories shared are personal experiences, not medical advice. Always talk with your healthcare provider before making changes to your diabetes management 🙂
Pride Month is here and we want to uplift people with diabetes who show up for themselves & their communities all year round!
Did you know about all of these icons? We have so many we had to make this one 2 videos! Stay tuned for part 2 👀
If you or someone you love is struggling to afford insulin, visit getinsulin.org
Friends and family, what’s something you’ve learned from being around someone living with diabetes?!
Sponsor
Educational content is made possible with support from Lexicon. Beyond Type 1 maintains editorial control over its content.
