Normal illness?

[Aftiel]

I was thinking the other day - all last year (and so far this year) I haven't had a cold, flu, sinus infection, or any other normal illness for that matter.

Do you think that is due to genetics? or is it a benefit of healthy diet, exercise and proper rest?

Someone in the office mentioned the fact that I "never get sick," - which is what got me thinking.

- Aftiel

[lelggren]

Personally, I think that it is a benefit of you taking care of yourself. As diabetics, we learn how to take care of ourselves and our bodies properly making us less prone to other illnesses (if we practice what we are taught). I feel that diabetes has been a blessing in that way to me just because I know what I need to do to take care of myself (and I am getting better at putting it into practice). I don't abuse my body in ways that many other non-diabetics do. We are really lucky to have all the education that we do. Not everyone gets to learn about this stuff.

I was thinking the other day - all last year (and so far this year) I haven't had a cold, flu, sinus infection, or any other normal illness for that matter.

Do you think that is due to genetics? or is it a benefit of healthy diet, exercise and proper rest?

Someone in the office mentioned the fact that I "never get sick," - which is what got me thinking.

- Aftiel

[Cinnabon]

I a benefit of healthy diet, exercise and proper rest


Most definite!

[Doetsch]

Since my diagnosis back in 99', I have had 1 Cold and I had my Tonsils removed recently. I have not been sick at all other than these 2 in the past 6 years. I think it has something to do with that I know how my body works and how to take care of it. Kind of funny considering that Diabetes is caused by your Immune System attacking the cells in your Pancreas.

[rzrbks]

Cinnabon

Aftiel
I a benefit of healthy diet, exercise and proper rest



Most definite!



:eviltongu


Some of us are Not as well Trained as the rest of you.

[Erin]

I am just as well trained as the next one of us crazy D heads... but sometimes I choose to ignore my training (not in letting my numbers go too far off, but in eating **** and just taking insulin to cover it... I also let caffeine replace sleep far too often).

I notice a DISTINCT rise in the amount of cold / flu / sinus infections and just various pain in the rear "normal" illnesses i get, when I stop being a good diabetic. There is definitely something to the healing properties of a good night's sleep and 3 square meals a day. I've been pretty "good" this past year, and haven't been sick yet (*knocks on wood*) Last winter I was a "bad diabetic" and I had the flu, about 3 colds, and felt awful the whole time.

[Erin]

Kind of funny considering that Diabetes is caused by your Immune System attacking the cells in your Pancreas.

hrm... maybe you've got something there... we have the Arnold Schwarzeneggers of Immune Systems. They're too bad to be content beating up on the nasty cold and flu bugs, so they need to beat up on the poor innocent islet cells who were just minding their own business. It makes sense that we'd get sick less than "normal" folks. Our Immune Systems are so tough they fight fights they don't even need to!

[duck]

I went from late 2001 through Sept. of last year getting sick only once, and it wasn't too bad. Since then, I have been sick as a dog twice, and have had a couple of those "feel like ****" for a couple days and then I'm fine. It can come and go in cycles, but it does definitely help if you observe good hygene.