NIKITA Kuzmin dazzles on the Strictly dance floor.
But behind the scenes, the confident 26-year-old is fighting an “invisible” battle for his health.
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It completely took over his life – and the “scary” condition even triggered the potential end of his career as an artist.
Nikita was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in Ukraine at the age of 13.
“It was quite traumatic because I was diagnosed in the middle of the night,” he said.
“It was literally two in the morning when we arrived at the children’s hospital because my blood sugar levels were extremely high.
“They were increasing and I had been feeling really bad for about a week.
“I’m grateful to my dad and mom for taking me to the hospital as they discovered it could be diabetes.”
Type 1 diabetes causes the level of glucose, or sugar, in the blood to be very high.
Unlike type 2 diabetes, it is not related to age or being overweight, but it also has no cure.
“At the time, I felt like my life was over, that my dancing career might be over,” said Nikita, who moved to Italy as a child.
“Obviously, at 13, it represents a big change in your life and your daily routine, and I was afraid of needles.
“Immediately seeing a needle to inject me with insulin was quite scary, but I had to get over it.
“I was very scared and didn’t know what to do.”
He began treatment, which involves injecting insulin, counting the carbohydrates he eats and drinks, and regular health checks.
He now wears a continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) sensor, which is often visible in his Strictly Come Dancing costumes.
Viewers also saw it in the diary room when the professional dancer appeared on Celebrity Big Brother (CBB) earlier this year.
Used all the time, it allows him to check his sugar levels without having to prick his fingers and alerts him when they get too low.
This allows him to continue exercising, which can be risky with type 1 diabetes as blood sugar levels can drop dangerously quickly.
Just because someone is putting on a brave face and smiling doesn’t mean it’s easy. I wish people understood this
Nikita Kuzmin
“Even now, it’s still a daily battle,” said CBB runner-up Nikita.
“But I feel like it’s my biggest superpower.
“There’s always a way to improve things, and thanks to my Dexcom G7 sensor, managing that is much easier.
“Plus, now I no longer have to endure finger pricks and can still receive accurate real-time glucose readings.”
The sensors alert users to hyperglycemia (when the blood glucose reading is high) and hypoglycemia (when it is low).
Both can be fatal, so they require urgent medical attention.
In addition to monitoring his blood sugar and potentially saving his life, Nikita’s monitor allows him to stay active and continue performing.
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“I think the number one misconception is that you can’t exercise,” said the star, who partnered Layton Williams on the latest series of Strictly.
“There is always a way.
“Of course it’s harder than if you didn’t have diabetes, but you can still do everything, including exercise.
“I believe that no matter what you have in life, you can always find a solution and do whatever you want.
“It’s your superpower, so use it to your advantage.”
Nikita also wants people to understand how difficult it can be to live with a chronic illness like diabetes.
“Just because someone is putting on a brave face and smiling doesn’t mean it’s easy,” he said.
“I wish people understood that.
“In my case, I’m trying to be a role model, but it’s something that, although it may not be seen, follows you 24/7.
“You need to take care of it all the time.”
THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE
This, for Nikita, is the hardest part of being one of the 344,000 people in the UK with type 1 diabetes.
“The most challenging moments are presented daily because living with the disease can be unpredictable,” he said.
“Diabetes affects different parts of your body and has different results every day.
“For me, the hardest thing is trying to maintain a balanced lifestyle.
“One of the best allies for controlling diabetes is stability and consistency.
“This means eating meals at the same time, the same type of carbohydrates and the same type of food.
“However, in my line of work, it is impossible to maintain this routine.
“You have to adapt every day, which sometimes happens at your expense. But, as always, we found a way.”
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Asked how his type 1 diabetes affects his time on Strictly and the producers and his co-stars’ treatment of him, Nikita said: “It definitely affects my everyday life and my career – however, I think there is always a way out.
“Thanks to technology, we have a lot of help.
“I personally use my Dexcom G7 and Apple Watch, so I don’t need to charge my phone while I dance.
“This way, I can always monitor my glucose levels.
“It’s also really helpful to talk about it. Let your colleagues know and let those around you know that sometimes you may need a break.
“I personally don’t like taking breaks; I prefer to continue all the time.
“But sometimes you just need to stop, be kind to yourself and take a five to 10 minute break to recover, and then you can get back to work.
“I believe you can overcome anything as long as you keep adapting.
“I’m so lucky to have the most supportive team.
“They always look after me on Strictly; they have a special ‘Nikita stash’ with sugar, soft drinks and quick fixes, so I’m really well looked after.”
Type 1 diabetes versus type 2 diabetes
There are two main types of diabetes, which cause a person’s blood sugar level to become very high.
Type 1 diabetes is a lifelong condition in which the body’s immune system attacks and destroys the cells that produce the hormone insulin.
It affects around 344,000 people in the UK.
Type 2 diabetes, on the other hand, is much more common, accounting for more than 90% of the 4.4 million adults with diabetes.
It occurs when the body does not produce enough insulin or the body’s cells do not react properly.
There are no lifestyle changes you can make to lower your risk of type 1 diabetes.
But you may be at greater risk of type 2 diabetes if you are overweight or obese, eat unhealthy, have a family history of the disease, take certain medications for a long time, have high blood pressure, and have had gestational diabetes during pregnancy.
People of Asian, Black African or Afro-Caribbean origin are also at greater risk.
Source: NHS and Diabetes UK
This story originally appeared on The-sun.com read the full story
