The news of a new human trial in an effort to find a vaccine for Type 1 diabetes comes of particular interest to me as I was diagnosed with the condition nearly five years ago.
While the vaccine may be too late to stop any further deterioration of my insulin-producing cells, it could at least prevent me from passing it on to my children if I have a family.
When I first fell ill, I didn’t realize that I was exhibiting the classic symptoms of diabetes — constant thirst, the need to visit the toilet more frequently than usual, and a drastic amount of weight loss.
Luckily, my doctor recognized the symptoms and I was admitted to the hospital quickly enough to stabilize my condition.
The reason for my diagnosis is still a mystery; none of my blood relations have ever been diagnosed with diabetes, Type 1 or 2.
The exact cause of diabetes is thought to be buried deep within a person’s genetic makeup and makes the individual susceptible to external environmental factors that cause the body to attack itself (an autoimmune response), destroying the insulin-producing cells in the body.
Constant monitoring of blood sugar
Since I was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes, my life has involved a constant monitoring of blood-sugar levels, the food I eat (I am now an expert on reading the nutritional information panels on the back of store-bought foods), the amount of insulin I inject, and ensuring I do at least some form of physical exercise on a daily basis, even if I can’t get to the gym.
The condition doesn’t rule my life. I prefer to think of myself as having diabetes, not as being a diabetic.
Most days pass without incident, but it is always at the back of my mind. Most importantly, I make sure that I always have some quick-acting carbohydrate (a Snickers bar normally does the trick) with me whenever I go out and don't forget my insulin pen.
Even my wife can now tell when my blood-sugar levels are either too high or too low, and advises me accordingly.
I will be watching with great interest to see how the trials to find a vaccine progress and how the outcomes may affect my life.
“This is a disease which affects perhaps one in 200 individuals in the U.K. but is on the increase, particularly in children. It’s a disease that we need to get on top of,” said Professor Mark Peakman, a co-researcher from Kings College, London.
I couldn't agree more.