Living with diabetes. An interview

One in ten people worldwide have diabetes, a multitype chronic condition involving high blood glucose levels resulting from the body’s inability to produce enough or any insulin. Over time, diabetes can lead to serious health complications such as blindness, kidney failure, and heart attack, making diabetes a major cause of global morbidity and mortality. Despite being a global health issue for centuries, there is no cure for diabetes. Depending on the type of diabetes, clinical management, prevention of any potential complications, and severity differ. To understand the struggles a diabetic person faces and to raise awareness, we interviewed three people, one living with type 1 and the others with type 2 diabetes. 

To learn more about diabetes and its different types, read our blog article Diabetes: An ancient disease that is more relevant than ever today.

The questions covered in this interview are:

• How long ago and how did you find out you had diabetes?
• What was your reaction to your diagnosis? How did your family and friends react?
• When you found out you had diabetes, did your doctor give you immediate guidance and treatment?
• Did you look elsewhere for information?
• Did you receive any support when you were diagnosed? Are there any support groups or communities that help one another?
• How has your treatment changed over the years?
• How do you feel about the treatment you’ve had, and do you know whether the treatment options differ among countries?
• Are there any difficulties, limitations, or side effects concerning treatment?
• Are there any specific precautions you need to be taking for specific events, such as traveling?
• Do you feel like things are changing and there are improvements in how diabetics are being treated?
• How does having diabetes affect your everyday life?
• Is there any advice you would offer to someone newly diagnosed with diabetes or anything you would like to share?

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