Diabetes and Singing

[FlowerChild67]

Posted: 8/15/12 at 3:43pm

OK, so this might strike some of you as an odd question, but I'm a Type 1 Diabetic, and have been for the past 12 years. Recently, I've noticed a direct correlation between by Blood Sugar levels, and my singing ability. When my numbers are high, I have a harder time belting, my head voice is not as good, and my voice is constantly cracking. Whearas I can sing t o the best of my ability when my numbers are fine. I just figured there had to be some other Diabetics on this site, and was wondering if any of you had noticed the same thing? Thanks!

[Brian07663NJ]

Posted: 8/15/12 at 4:15pm

Not sure that it is specifically related to diabetes. For you it is. When anyone doesn't feel their best they are not going to perform at their best. Just a thought...

[henrikegerman]

Posted: 8/15/12 at 4:29pm

Also, aren't sugar levels among diabetics highly correlated to their physical fitness (at least this seems to be the case for Type 2 folks). Proper diet, exercise and weight loss are often prescribed for blood sugar management. And it seems to make sense that stamina, self-confidence and breath control might for many singers be related to their general physical conditioning.

Just a lay theory of course.

[FlowerChild67]

Posted: 8/15/12 at 10:06pm

To Henrikgerman, it is for Type 2's, but I'm Type 1, which has absolutely nothing to do with weight or lifestyle. No matter what we do, we still need insulin, and treatment, and it won't just go away. Not really related to my question, but I always jump on a chance to teach people the difference.

[dramamama611]

Posted: 8/15/12 at 11:00pm

Brian answered your question: when anyone's health is not up to par, it will affect one's voice.

[JP2]

Posted: 8/15/12 at 11:27pm

Also type 1 (boo!) but I'm not a singer.

[henrikegerman]

Posted: 8/16/12 at 8:14am

Thanks Flowerchild, I had a feeling that my answer might, to the extent it had any validity at all, only apply to type2,, though I wasn't sure.

Updated On: 8/16/12 at 08:14 AM

[Patash]

Posted: 8/16/12 at 9:09am

"To Henrikgerman, it is for Type 2's, but I'm Type 1, which has absolutely nothing to do with weight or lifestyle."

Wow, there must be many doctors who would be surprised that Type 1 diabetics need not concern themselves with weight or lifestyle! This is a major medical revelation!

Of course, your general well being can affect performance. It's that simple, whether you are on insulin or not!

[henrikegerman]

Posted: 8/16/12 at 9:19am

Of course everyone needs to be concerned about weight and lifestyle. Flowerchild's point was that blood sugar levels for type 1 diabetics aren't tied to the same set of general health factor as type 2s'. Now I"m curious (as a type 2 pre-diabetic I might add), Patash. Do you think they might be?

Updated On: 8/16/12 at 09:19 AM

[FlowerChild67]

Posted: 8/21/12 at 2:38pm

Patash: Whil I could answer you with the same ignorance and snottiness you clearly displayed in your post, (and I'm sure the result would be extremely amusing to anyone who happens upon it), but I won't.
I never said that Type 1's don't have to excercise, or maintain a healthy lifestyle. But ALL people do, and Type 1's simply need to in the same way everyone else does. And yes, excercise does lower blood sugars, but, again, it does in non-Diabetics too. When I said that, I was (as henrikegerman pointed out) that Type 1 Diabetics can neither get Diabetes, nor control blood sugars, or get rid of their Diabetes simply by controlling weight, and excercising. Again I say, I have this disease since I was 2, I think I know about it.

[FlowerChild67]

Posted: 8/21/12 at 2:39pm

JP2: Cool! (Well, not for you ahahahaha). Are you on shots or the pump?

[ChiChi]

Posted: 8/21/12 at 3:18pm

I was just talking to a friend who has bipolar disorder and apparently is supposed to follow a similar lifestyle to those with diabetes. He is a singer and said that when his diet is f'd up, the medications (all of which are very strong.) make it hard for him to perform vocally.

[bethnor]

Posted: 8/21/12 at 6:35pm

there is a general confusion about diabetes.

generally speaking, the type 1s are usually quite thin at presentation. their pancreas has been knocked out of whack and they don't make their own insulin. because of this their sugars can get quite high, so high that it promotes self-diuresis. e.g., they literally pee out their weight. type 2s comes essentially from the very rich western civilization diet. you have too much insulin in your body, and it gets used to it and resistant. hope that makes sense.

it is known that hyperglycemia knocks the immune system out of whack. there are receptors on your immune cells that literally become "coated" with the excess sugar. it is known to the do the same things to nerve cells and probably muscle cells, as well.

[hyperbole_and_a_half]

Posted: 8/21/12 at 9:05pm

Sugar can cause linings in the respiratory tract to swell and the throat to constrict. My violin teacher in college was diagnosed with sleep apnea and went through all manner of medical tests and programs with no positive results and then switched doctors. The first thing the new doctor did was to put her on a sugar-restricted diet and she had dramatic, favorable results in just a week. My guess is that a Type 1 diabetic in a hyperglycemic state could see throat issues, too.