Earlier in the week Crystal was rushed to the hospital reportedly from complications from her Type 1 diabetes. As a result, American Idol moved the men’s portion of this week’s show to Tuesday and pushed the women back to Wednesday. It is still unclear what happened to Bowersox, or how severe her illness was, but she came back strong on Wednesday night.  

“Crystal, I know how sick you were actually over the last 24 hours. It wasn’t just like catching a cold or something, you really were ill and I didn’t know whether you were going to be back here this week,” said judge Simon Cowell. “What’s great about you is you didn’t play the whole sympathy thing. You chose a great song…I completely misunderestimated you last week. … The vocal was incredible. This was like the moment we realized with Kelly Clarkston that we’ve got a serious artist here. “

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In fact, women that pack on more pounds than recommended by the Institute of Medicine had a 50% greater chance of developing gestational diabetes, a form of the disease that appears during pregnancy. Gestational diabetes typically only lasts the length of the pregnancy, but can remain as Type 2 diabetes, also known as “insulin-resistant” diabetes. Insulin is the hormone that regulates the amount of sugar in the blood.

Gestational diabetes can cause complications in 7% of pregnancies in the U.S, including early delivery, C-sections, oversized babies, and an increase risk of Type 2 diabetes for the child later in life. Additionally, women that have gestational diabetes are also more likely to develop Type 2 diabetes later on in life as well.

For this particular study, Kaiser Permanente examined 1,145 pregnant women from an ethnically diverse population – 345 of which had gestational diabetes. The association between weight gain and gestational diabetes risk was more pronounced among overweight, non-white women.

Most women are typically screened for the condition between the 24^th and 28^th weeks of pregnancy. While the exact cause of any form of diabetes is not known, researchers hypothesize that with gestational diabetes, rapid weight gain early in pregnancy ultimately leads to the “exhaustion” of the beta-cells in the pancreas that make and release insulin. This could reduce beta-cells’ capacity to secrete adequate levels of insulin, leading to the development of gestational diabetes.

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Last year at the World Championships, he finished in fourth at the same event.  However, in what he described as his worst race in two years, Freeman said his skis weren’t well-suited for the Olympic course. He also took a wrong turn down the homestretch, landing him in 59^th place, 3:05.3 behind the winner.

Dario Cologna of Switzerland took the gold, while Pietro Piller Cottrer of Italy took the silver and Lukas Bauer of the Czech Republic earned the bronze medal.

Freeman, who said his blood sugar levels were not a problem, expects to do better in his other races at the games. He is scheduled to compete in Men’s Individual Sprint today and the Men’s 30km Pursuit on Saturday Feb. 20^th. He will also be competing in the Men’s Team Sprint on Feb 22 and the Men’s 50km Mass Start on Feb. 28.

Check out (below) a clips of Kris in training. You can also view an article we ran on Kris on Monday, which includes his video interview with the Today show. (see Diabetic Olympian: ‘No Limits’ )

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Check out this interview Freeman gave to Today. (Article continues below the video)

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Freeman is one of only a few athletes with diabetes to compete in an Olympic sport that requires such endurance, and is considered the second most successful American cross-country skier of all time. Freeman, who wears an Omnipod system, has a busy week. He will be competing in the Men’s 15km Individual Freestyle event on Monday, Feb. 15^th, the Men’s Individual Sprint on Wednesday Feb. 17^th and the Men’s 30km Pursuit on Saturday Feb. 20^th. He will also be competing in the Men’s Team Sprint on Feb 22 and the Men’s 50km Mass Start on Feb. 28.

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With Type 2 diabetes, the body becomes insulin resistant, meaning it produces insulin but doesn’t use it properly. As a result, people with the disease must take pills or insulin to help regulate their glucose levels. Uncontrolled diabetes can lead to serious complications, including blindness, heart disease, stroke, amputations of limbs and more.

There are an estimated 28 million diabetics in the United States — the vast majority of them are Type 2 diabetics. It is estimated that a quarter of the people with Type 2 don’t know they have the disease. There are another 57 million with Pre diabetes, a condition that is the pathway to Type 2 diabetes. Diabetes is listed as the sixth leading cause of death, but according to the Digital Journal, it is the leading killer when all the side-effects are factored in.

Dr. Oz, who also has his own show, was a special guest on the Oprah show and helped explain the disease and the consequences of uncontrolled blood sugar.  He also helped to spell out the symptoms, which includes dire thirst, frequent urination and blurred vision.

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DNH: What’s the movie about?

Wylder: “One Shot” chronicles the journey of Team Type 1 as they battle to become the first professional cycling team with Type 1 diabetes to compete in the Tour de France 2012.

DNH: Why is this film important?

Wylder: 1 in 3 people born after 2000 will have diabetes, according  to the Center for Disease Control (CDC). Type 1 diabetes is a life threatening, incurable autoimmune disease. Fourty children a day are diagnosed with little or no warning. These numbers alone demonstrate that there is a massive market for a searing documentary about living with and overcoming diabetes.

“One Shot” will help inspire those struggling with diabetes and educate those who are not aware of the extent of this illness. The subjects of the film, Team Type 1, strive to instill hope and inspiration for people around the world affected by diabetes. The team believes that through active management with the latest medical innovations, one can
achieve their goals, dreams, and potential. But we won’t sugarcoat what it’s like to live with this disease. That’s very important to us.

DNH: Who is making it and what connection do they have to diabetes?

Wylder: The project is comprised of veteran documentary filmmakers, Guy Mossman and Lisa Hepner of Vox Pop Films and Jon Dunham who feel impassioned by the subject.  They are in a unique position to tell this story. Hepner, the director has had Type 1 diabetes for 18 years, and is very familiar with the challenges of living with the condition. She will bring that empathy and sensibility to the film.

DNH: How did you get involved?

Wylder: I am very passionate about Type 1 diabetes research and finding a cure. I’m on the board of Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF), and one of my four sons, Tristan, 18, was diagnosed four years ago. I know the minute-to-minute struggles that diabetics go through. They never get a break from their disease.

I was introduced to the filmmakers and Phil Southerland, Team Type 1’s founder last year at an event and I was so impressed by what they are setting out to accomplish. I believe this film will inspire my son and others to believe that despite having diabetes, anything is possible. And the end goal is to spread awareness, and ultimately find a cure to save lives.

DNH: Where can people see this film?

Wylder: This film will reach a worldwide audience. Because the filming of “One Shot” will be over the course of two years, the documentary will be delivered episodically throughout each year on the Internet, and as a feature documentary for theatrical and broadcast release in 2013. We also envision the film screening at schools around the world, in hospital rooms where someone newly-diagnosed with diabetes is coping with the news. You can view the trailer below.

DNH: How is the film being funded? 

Wylder: “One Shot” depends heavily on the generosity of people who have been affected, either directly or indirectly, by diabetes. Tenth Muse Films welcomes tax-deductible contributions of any size. Donors will be acknowledged in the credits of the film. You can check out the film’s website here or find more info on the filmmakers here.

JDRF has endorsed “One Shot”. So has Taking Control of Your Diabetes (TCOYD). 

Everyone with diabetes has a story, it’s time that story is told.

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Some in the media have questioned whether Cutler’s shaky performances at times this season is due to his diabetes. Cutler is a league leader in interceptions.

Also this month, Cutler and Eli Lilly and Company announced that they are helping to send 44 kids to American Diabetes Association camps next summer through the Touchdowns for Diabetes program. In the program, Lilly donates $1,000 for every touchdown Cutler throws and $100 for ever pass he completes.

Also see:

Newest Video From NFL’s Jay Cutler Focuses on Football With Diabetes

NFL’s Jay Cutler Releases Diabetes Webisodes

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Essentially, an artificial pancreas is a technology that combines continuous blood sugar testing with an insulin pump. Both technologies are currently available independently, but do not coordinate with each other. With the artificial pancreas, the pair work together to measure blood sugar levels and distribute insulin accordingly.

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“The worst thing imaginable is to get really low and pass out in the middle of a play or in the huddle or something,” Cutler said in the video. “I think that would scare a lot of people — not only myself, but fans and the public in general. We try to avoid it as much as possible but it’s still a reality.”

He also notes how living with diabetes in the public eye makes things harder. “There is no real room for error. Every day I have to be on. If I go out and have a bad game and my numbers are way off I’m going to get criticized for it. I can get real low and not know exactly what’s going on and get hit the wrong way and hurt myself. There are definitely dangers out there.”

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