Today, we're diving into the intersection of diabetes and the healthcare system with an incredible guest – Natalie Bellini, who brings over 50 years of lived experience with type 1 diabetes and expertise from the forefront of diabetes care. As an Endocrine Nurse Practitioner, Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist (CDCES), and Program Director for Diabetes Technology at University Hospitals in Cleveland, Natalie is also the host of Diabetes Dialogue: Technology, Therapeutics, & Real-World Perspectives. Throughout her career, she has been a trailblazer in advancing diabetes care, publishing studies on topics like GLP-1s and groundbreaking diabetes technology, and speaking nationally and globally to advocate for the community. In this episode, we discuss key issues in the doctor-patient relationship and what needs to change, the role of technology in improving outcomes when patients are empowered with education, the challenges many people with type 1 diabetes face, and the critical importance of early screening for type 1.

Time Stamps:

(02:58) "Diabetes kind of found me, I didn't find it."
(03:30) The Evolution of Natalie’s Career
(05:57) Being Diagnosed 50+ Years Ago & the Technological Advances Made Since
(12:50) How the Education Around T1D and the Complications Have Changed
(14:00) Balancing Patient Care with Healthcare System Demands & The Growing Crisis of T1D Misdiagnosis with Adults.
(16:00) Emotional and Psychological Aspects of Diabetes Management
(16:41) Barriers to Effective Diabetes Management
(19:54) “You should never say you’re fine when you walk into an endo’s office.”
(20:25) Why So Many T1Ds Are Still Struggling (With or Without Technology)
(32:00) The Importance of Addressing Emotions in Diabetes Management
(34:55) The Truth About AID
(40:26) The Importance of Early Detection
(41:00) “In the US, they are recommending first-degree relatives be screened and people aren’t doing a great job of it because we need to educate the right people.”
(42:26) The Science of Understanding Antibodies
(52:49) Finding the Support You Deserve

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Disclaimer: Nothing you hear on the Reclaim your Rise podcast should be a substitute for personalized professional medical advice. Please always consult your physician or other medical professional before making any changes to your diet, insulin dosages, or healthcare plan.