Why Does Diabetes Happen? | The Mechanism of Onset and Correct Understanding for Families
"It's your own fault for eating nothing but sweets, right?"
Careless words directed at people with diabetes.
Is that really the case?
No, the answer is NO.
Diabetes is not simply a "disease caused by sweets."
And to fight diabetes, it is a disease that requires constant effort and restriction, adisease that involves facing life itself.
However, it is very unfortunate that there are many patients suffering because their illness is not understood.
So this time, I would like to talk about "what kind of disease diabetes is and why it develops" and "how family understanding is a guide that can lead the disease in a positive direction."
Please stay with me until the end.
🍬 "Diabetes = eating too many sweets" is not true
After being diagnosed with diabetes, what my daughter was told by her husband was
"It's because you're always eating ice cream!"
"It's your own fault!"
Moreover, he would eat snacks silently all by himself in front of my daughter, who was trying to restrain herself.
"If you're frustrated, just cure it!"
What heartless words.
My daughter said to me with teary eyes,
"I don't eat that much ice cream. Even though I'm trying to hold back, it's terrible that he eats it right in front of me..."
I certainly think it is terrible.
Diabetes also includes genetic factors.
Also, it is a fact that
the function of a hormone in the body called "insulin"is deeply involved."It's okay, it's not your fault. You're not wrong."That was all I could say as a mother.
There are many people suffering from this kind of lack of understanding from their families.
🧪 What is insulin?
Insulin is a hormone released from the pancreas, and it is like a
key to taking what you eat (especially carbohydrates) into the body as energy.
When you eat food
→ Blood sugar (glucose in the blood) increases
→ Insulin is released and carries sugar to the cells
→ Blood sugar levels drop
This flow is normal.
⚠️ When you have diabetes, this mechanism goes wrong
Diabetes is a disease where this "insulin function" does not work well.
There are two main types:
① Type 1 diabetes
Due to immune abnormalities, etc.,insulin itself cannot be produced
It can also occur in younger generations and children
The cause is often unknown, and unrelated to lifestyle habits
② Type 2 Diabetes
Insulin is being produced, but its effectiveness decreases (insulin resistance)
Diet, lack of exercise, obesity, and genetics are contributing factors
90% of diabetes cases in Japan are this type
🧬 Is genetics involved too?
It is believed that for diabetes, just having a family member with the condition increases the risk of onset. In other words, even if you avoid sweets, you can still develop it due to:
・Physical constitution
・Stress
・Lack of exercise
・Hormonal imbalances such as pregnancy, etc.
🧊 The pain of being told, "You don't really need to worry that much..."
When looking at social media, I see words like these:
"It's fine to eat a little, right?"
"It's your own fault, so there's no need to hold back"
"How pitiful, not being able to live a normal life"
Those words might come from "concern" or "ignorance."
But every time I am told that, I scream in my heart, "I want to eat normal meals too!" "I want to have fun with everyone!"
🔄 The "management" required precisely because it's not a normal life
For example, when going out to eat.
While those around you order freely,
"What should I eat?" "What about the carbohydrates?" "What about the fats?" "What is my blood sugar level?"
These things are likely constantly being calculated in the person's mind.
Because of this, they gradually become estranged from friends.
It is the same at home; if sweets are eaten right in front of them, it is natural that they cannot resist.
It is normal to fall into self-loathing after secretly eating in the middle of the night.
That is why I believe the understanding of family and the resolve to fight together are necessary.
✨ In conclusion
Diabetes is not just one person's problem.
The unseen efforts and consideration of the family supporting them accumulate every day.
That is why—
I want you to ask your loved one with diabetes this:
“What can I do to help you feel at ease?”
That one sentence should be the big first step in turning a family's “understanding” into “support.”