Peripheral neuropathy is nerve damage affecting the long nerves that run from the spine to the arms, legs, and hands. Orthostatic hypertension is a form of autonomic (occurs unconsciously) neuropathy that affects a person’s balance. Both are often complications of type 1 and type 2 diabetes and the aging process. (For more about peripheral and autonomic neuropathies, see the chapter “How Diabetes Affects the Nervous System.”)
One possible complication of diabetes is peripheral neuropathy, which affects the nerves leading to extremities such as the feet, but it can also affect hands, arms, legs, facial muscles, and internal organs.
Who are some famous historical figures who have had diabetes?
Many historical figures have had diabetes, some with complications that greatly affected their lives and even their decisions over time. The following are only a few examples:
• American Thomas Edison (1847, 1931), inventor and businessman, managed to produce a prolific amount of patents while suffering from diabetes (this was before insulin was introduced), including the phonograph, motion-picture camera, and the long-lasting, practical lightbulb.
• George R. Minot (1885, 1950) received the Nobel Prize (with two others) for studies in anemia. He was also diagnosed with diabetes in 1921 and was one of the first patients to be treated with the “new drug” insulin by Banning and Best (see above for more information). He had developed complications from diabetes by 1940, had a serious stroke in 1947, and died in 1950.
Who are some famous authors who have had or have diabetes?
The list of famous people who have had diabetes is long, and authors are among them. They include some of the following famous writers:
• American writer Ernest Hemingway (1899, 1961) had diabetes, but some researchers suggest that Hemingway may have had hemochromatosis (also called “bronze diabetes”). This disease, also known as iron overload, along with other health problems such as depression, diabetes, and alcoholism, probably contributed to his suicide in 1961. (For more about bronze diabetes, see the chapter “Other Types of Diabetes.”)
• English writer H.G.
Wells (1866, 1946), often called the “father of science fiction,” was diagnosed with “mild diabetes” in his early 60s.
He was instrumental in helping fund a diabetes center, and because of public response, Wells further involved himself in diabetes education by advocating an association specifically for diabetes charity (for research and awareness of the disease) in 1934.
The result was the Diabetic Association, which developed into the British Diabetic Association in 1954 and was renamed Diabetes UK in 2000.
• Novelist Anne Rice (1941, ), most famous for her vampire novels, was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in 1998. At the time of diagnosis, her blood sugar was around 800, and her health was fragile. If her husband had not called 911, the diabetic coma she was experiencing might have been fatal. After losing and then gaining more weight, Rice underwent gastric bypass surgery, losing 100 pounds (45.3 kilograms) and is in better control of her diabetes.
Who are some famous contemporary people who have made special contributions to their field of interest, and who have diabetes?
U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor is one of many luminaries in America who struggle with diabetes but manage to lead productive lives anyway.
Many famous people in various fields of interest have had or have diabetes. The following are only a few examples:
• U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor (1954, ) is the first person with type 1 diabetes ever to serve on the high court. Sotomayor was diagnosed with type 1 at age seven after fainting in church and always being extremely thirsty and urinating a great deal. She still takes insulin and is an advocate of diabetes education.
• Nicole Johnson Baker (1974, ), a former Miss America (1999) and Miss Virginia (1998), became the first Miss America with diabetes (type 1) and the first contestant to publicize an insulin pump. She is also an advocate of diabetes awareness and education and helps others understand how to cope with the disease.
• Cynthia Ice (1959, 2008) was an accessibility expert at IBM, specializing in Lotus Notes. She was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at age seven and lost her eyesight to diabetic retinopathy in her twenties. Even though she lost her eyesight, she was instrumental in making certain programs accessible to the blind and disabled (among other computer-oriented contributions) in order to help them find employment and connect with the world.
Who are some famous musicians who have had or have diabetes?
Many musicians have had or have diabetes. The following lists only a few of them:
• Blues singer and bass player B. B. King (1925, 2015) was called “The King of Blues.” He was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes 20 years before his death and became an advocate of diabetes education, as he had watched both of his parents suffer from complications of the disease when he was a child. He died at age 89 from complications of diabetes.
• American guitarist, singer, and songwriter Jerry Garcia (1942, 1995) was a rock musician with the Grateful Dead. Later in life, Garcia was sometimes ill because of type 2 diabetes and in 1986 went into a diabetic coma that nearly cost him his life. Although his overall health improved somewhat after that, he still struggled with drug addictions. In 1995 he died of a heart attack while staying at a California drug-rehabilitation facility.
American singing great Ella Fitzgerald (1917, 1996), known as the “First Lady of Song,” was one of many people’s favorite singers, and she pushed herself to exhaustion in her performing years. By the 1980s, Fitzgerald was having serious health problems. She had heart surgery in 1986 and was diagnosed with diabetes. Eventually, the diabetes left her blind, and she had to have both legs amputated in 1994. Never fully recovering from her surgery, she died in 1996.
• American jazz musician Dizzy Gillespie (1917, 1993) pioneered the 1940s movement that changed the shape of traditional jazz into bebop. Gillespie was hospitalized in 1992 with uncontrolled diabetes and an intestinal blockage, which required surgery. He died in 1993 of pancreatic cancer.
• Country singer Johnny Cash (1932, 2003), called the “Man in Black,” was considered one of the most influential musicians of the twentieth century. Cash was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes in his fifties and eventually died of complications from diabetes.
• Pop singer and actress Patti LaBelle (1944, ). Patti LaBelle is her stage name; she was born Patricia Louise Holt-Edwards. She has type 2 diabetes, but it was not until she passed out onstage during a concert that she finally took charge of her health. (She was diagnosed in 1995.) The disease is also in her family, as her mother died of type 2 diabetic complications at age 58.
• American rock-’n’-roll singer Bret Michaels (1963, ), known for his work as lead singer for the band Poison, was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes when he was six years old. After an onstage collapse because of a low blood glucose level and rumors about drug use, he finally went public about his disease. Since then, he has become more active in diabetes education.
Who are some famous politicians who have had or have diabetes?
Many well-known politicians have had or have diabetes. The following lists only a few of those people:
• American politician Fiorello LaGuardia (1882, 1947), the former (and 99th) New York City mayor and namesake of LaGuardia Airport in New York, was a diabetic.
• Mikhail Gorbachev (1931, ) was the general secretary of the Soviet Union from 1985, 1991 and a Nobel Peace Prize winner (1990). He was also instrumental, along with U.S. President Ronald Reagan in ending the Cold War between the United States and the Soviet Union. In 2014 he was diagnosed with “an acute form” of diabetes.
• Yuri Andropov (1914, 1984) was the general secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union from November 1982 until his death 15 months later. Toward the end of his life, he had several health problems, including hypertension and diabetes, which were connected to chronic kidney deficiency. He eventually died from toxicity in his blood (mainly due to renal failure he had experienced the year before).
Who is Theresa May?
I n 2016, after the United Kingdom voted to leave the European Union and Prime Minister David Cameron resigned, Theresa May, 59 at that time, became Britain’s 76th prime minister.
She is also thought to be one of the first major world leaders with type 1 diabetes.
May was diagnosed with diabetes later in life, seeking medical attention in 2012 for sudden weight loss, fatigue, and thirst.
At first, she was misdiagnosed with type 2 diabetes, but then she was surprised to learn she had actually developed type 1. (Like many people, she assumed that at her age, she would not get the disease, but it can develop at any age; for more about adults and type 1 diabetes, see the chapter “Type 1 Diabetes.”) Since that time, she has been open about her diabetes, indicating that she has been able to effectively manage her condition and her responsibilities as prime minister.
According to several reports, she does admit that she has to be a little more careful about what she eats and has to take injections, but that situation, she has said, is something that millions of people have.
In fact, many people who have type 1 (and type 2) diabetes look to May as an example of what can be accomplished as long as they manage their diabetes sensibly.
Who are some famous sports personalities who have had or have diabetes?
Many famous sports personalities have had or have diabetes, including the following
• Tennis legend Billie Jean King (1943, ), a six-time Wimbledon champion and four-time U.S. Open champion, was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes in 2007. She has attributed her developing the disease to a fluctuating weight and sometimes unhealthful eating habits while on the tennis circuit.
• American professional baseball player Jack Roosevelt “Jackie” Robinson (1919, 1972) was the first African American to play Major League Baseball in the modern era.
After his retirement in 1957, Robinson was diagnosed with diabetes (after complaining of numerous ailments).
Although he took insulin, the medication did not stop Robinson’s physical deterioration from the disease.
Complications from heart disease and diabetes weakened Robinson and made him almost blind by middle age.
He died of a heart attack in 1972.
• Ty Cobb (1886, 1961), the baseball legend, considered one of the best baseball players of all time, had type 1 diabetes while he played for the Detroit Tigers and the Philadelphia Athletics. After he retired, he became overweight and along with diabetes had high blood pressure, both contributing to heart and kidney damage. He died in 1961 from cancer, complications of diabetes, and heart disease.
• English rugby player Chris Pennell (1987, ) was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes when he was 19 years old. He has become an advocate for diabetes education, especially for young people who may develop the disease.
American race-car driver Charles Newton “Charlie” Kimball (1985, ) was the first licensed driver with diabetes in the history of IndyCar racing (he competes in the IndyCar Series).