Debunking Myths About Type 2 Diabetes, According to Someone Who Lives With It

For Nikki Nurse, a jewelry designer and caregiver for her mom, managing her Type 2 diabetes calls for mindfulness about her health.

For example, she attends to her mental health by incorporating therapy, yoga, and pet therapy into her routine.

But Nikki also doesn’t let her diabetes cramp her style. When she gets dry skin, she treats herself to her favorite lotion, and she’ll put on high heels if she’s in the mood.

“My personal philosophy when it comes to managing diabetes is to forgo the shame and flaunt the style,” Nikki says. “I never want to limit myself from enjoying things that I enjoy.”

Nikki says there are a lot of myths about having Type 2 diabetes that aren’t true. Here’s what she wants people to know:

• It’s not your fault that you have diabetes.

• It’s not just people with larger bodies who get diabetes.

• You don’t have to eat only “boring” food when you have diabetes.

• Diabetes isn’t caused by eating too much sugar.

• You can’t tell by just looking at someone whether they have diabetes.

You can read more about Nikki’s experience with Type 2 diabetes here and how she manages her A1C here.

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Written by:

Marisa Taylor Karas

Marisa Taylor Karas is a freelance journalist based in Brooklyn who has covered health, gender, and technology for 15 years. She previously worked at The Wall Street Journal, The Guardian, and Al Jazeera America, among other publications, and also served as managing editor of the Mellon Foundation in New York City.

Reviewed by:

Mera Goodman, MD, FAAP

Mera Goodman, MD, FAAP, is a board-certified pediatrician. Prior to practicing medicine, she worked as a management consultant.

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