Effects on Relationships

     Diabetes is known as the “family disease,” the diabetic has a support system that is usually involved in the care and maintenance of the patient. Families, in particular, should adjust their diet to accommodate the diabetic. A healthy diet is also beneficial to everyone in the family. If a diabetic has a good and strong supportive family and friends, they are more likely to have better management of their glucose levels. Diabetes can also add some problems to a the family unit. A controlling family member may attempt to micromanage the decisions of the diabetic and raise the stress levels. Family members may start out with the right intentions, but the diabetic may take offense to their recommendations which could create a stressful environment for all that are involved.

     In the interview with Kendra Wendling, she was greatly affected by her husband's diabetes. She supported him throughout the entire way and she still continues to do so. Diabetes has brought her and her husband much closer. She shared a couple of stories of her experiences in an interview. In one story she shared that she has bad memories from the nights she would hear the beeping from her husband's insulin pump. She is much more aware of the beeping sensor. She still remembers the trips to the Emergency Room (ER), due to extreme low and high blood sugar levels, in the middle of the night (Wendling). After having a few nights like this, she realized how quickly these situations could escalate. These nights brought them closer together.

Image: Diabetes Co UK