Having Type 1 Diabetes is not the same as having a friend with diabetes. What to say? How to say it? It can be hard and confusing. Luckily, Joe Morris, who offers people relationship advice on Best Online Dating Sites has written a couple of tips to help those people who have friends with diabetes.

Thanks Joe!

How to Support a Friend with Diabetes
If you have a friend with diabetes, naturally you want to be there and help with any struggles that they are going through. However, helping isn’t always easy. To really be supportive and show your friend that you want what’s best for them, be sure to follow the tips below:
Learn about diabetes. To better understand what your friend is going through, it is important for you to understand what exactly the disease is. Throw any myths you’ve heard out the window and get the facts. Head to the web to research credible sites and don’t be afraid to talk to your friend, doctors, or family members you know who have diabetes. Everyone’s diabetes is different and those who have the condition also manage their medication, diet, activity and blood sugar monitoring differently. Finding out the specifics of your friend’s condition will make it easier for you to truly support them.
Don’t label your friend. One of the most important aspects of helping a friend with diabetes is recognizing that diabetes doesn’t define your friend and it doesn’t make them a person who isn’t “normal.” Your friend’s condition is not the center of their lives, so do not make it the center of your friendship. Of course, it is a serious disease, but the millions of people inflicted with it are still able to enjoy full, active and happy existences. If your friend has a difficult time accepting the disease, just try your best to be understanding and a shoulder on which to lean.
Encourage healthy practices. So that your friend can have an easier time managing their blood sugar, help by encouraging healthy habits that involve activity and the limitation of foods and drinks that are chalk-full of extra sugar. To not come across as a nag (and to improve your health as well!), try making healthy choices together. Leading healthy lifestyles doesn’t have to be boring—have some fun by cooking meals with one another, going for walks/runs, joining fitness classes, and by just encouraging each other to be healthier in general.
Know how to react. To be able to help your friend, it is crucial to learn how to respond should your friend’s blood sugar level fall. Talk with your friend so that you can come up with a plan if a problem happens to arise. If you notice that your friend seems very dazed, weak and tired, there could be a problem. Explain to your friend the signs you’ve noticed and ask if they might need to do a blood sugar check or eat something to raise their blood sugar levels. Remember to stay calm, and notify someone if the problem is serious. Your friend will appreciate the fact that you are able to help in a scary situation.

Joe Morris is a guest post author who shares with us his ideas for supporting a friend with diabetes. Joe also spends his time working for Best Online Dating Sites where he offers his advice for successful relationships.