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'BRAVE FACE'
Strictly star opens up about the ‘invisible’ health battle that ‘almost ended his career’ and how his co-stars treat him
He also reveals what he wishes TV viewers knew
NIKITA Kuzmin dazzles on the Strictly dance floor.
But behind the scenes, the confident 26-year-old is fighting an "invisible" health battle.
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It has completely taken over his life - and the "scary" condition even threatened to end his career as a performer.
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 like 2am when we arrived at the children’s hospital because my blood sugar levels were extremely high.
"They were spiking, and I had been feeling very ill for about a week.
"I’m grateful to my father and mother for taking me to hospital, as they figured out that it might be diabetes."
Type 1 diabetes causes the level of glucose, or sugar, in the blood to become too high.
Unlike type 2 diabetes, it is not linked with age or being overweight, but neither has a cure.
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"At the time, I felt like my life was over, like my dance career might be finished," Nikita, who moved to Italy as a child, said.
"Obviously, at 13, that’s quite a big change in your life and daily routine, and I was afraid of needles.
Diabetes symptoms and the signs of all types of diabetes
"Seeing a needle straight away to jab me with insulin was quite scary, but I had to get over that.
"I was really scared and didn’t know what to do."
He began treatment, which involves injecting insulin, counting the carbohydrates, and getting regular health checks.
Now, he wears a continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) sensor, which is often visible in his Strictly Come Dancing costumes.
Viewers also spotted it in the diary room when the pro dancer appeared on Celebrity Big Brother (CBB) earlier this year.
Worn all the time, it lets him check his sugar levels without having to prick his fingers and alerts him when they get too low.
This enables 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, it doesn’t mean it’s easy. I wish people understood that
Nikita Kuzmin
"Even now, it's still a daily battle," Nikita, who came runner-up on CBB, said.
"But, I feel like it's my biggest superpower.
"There’s always a way to make things better, and thanks to my Dexcom G7 sensor, managing it is so much easier.
"Plus, now I no longer have to endure any finger pricks, and I can still receive accurate glucose readings in real-time."
Sensors alert users to hyperglycaemia (when a blood glucose reading is high) and hypoglycaemia (when it is low).
Both can be life-threatening so require urgent medical attention.
As well as monitoring his blood sugar, and potentially saving his life, Nikita's monitor allows him to stay active and continue to perform.
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"I think the number one misconception is that you can’t exercise," the star, who was partnered with Layton Williams in the latest series of Strictly, said.
"There is always a way.
"Of course, it is more difficult 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 everything you want.
"It’s your superpower, so use it to your advantage."
Nikita also wishes people understood how hard it can be to live with a chronic condition like diabetes.
"Just because someone is putting on a brave face and smiling, it 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 might not be seen, follows you 24/7.
"You need to take care of it all the time."
THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE
That, for Nikita, is the hardest part of being one of the 344,000 people in the UK with type 1 diabetes.
"The most challenging times are presented to you daily because living with the condition can be unpredictable," he said.
"Diabetes impacts different parts of your body and has a different outcome every single day.
"For me, the hardest part is trying to maintain a balanced lifestyle.
"One of the best allies for managing diabetes is stability and consistency.
"This means having meals at the same time, the same kind of carbohydrates, and the same type of food.
"However, in my line of work, it’s impossible to stick to such a routine.
"You need to adapt every single day, which sometimes comes at your expense. But, as always, we find a way."
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Asked how his type 1 diabetes impacts his time on Strictly and the producers and his co-stars treat him, Nikita said: "It definitely affects my day-to-day life and career - however, I think there is always a way out.
"Thanks to technology, we have so much help.
"I personally use my Dexcom G7 and Apple Watch so I don't have to carry my phone while dancing.
"This way, I can always monitor my glucose levels.
"It’s also very helpful to speak about it. Let your colleagues know, and let people around you know that sometimes you might need a break.
"I personally don’t like taking breaks; I prefer to keep going all the time.
"But sometimes you just need to stop, be kind to yourself, and have a five- to 10-minute break to recover, then you can go back to it.
"I believe you can overcome everything as long as you keep adapting.
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"I’m very lucky to have the most supportive crew.
"They always take care of me on Strictly; they have a special 'Nikita stash' with sugar, fizzy drinks, and quick remedies, so I’m really taken care of."
Type 1 vs type 2 diabetes
There are two main types of diabetes, which causes a person's blood sugar level to become too high.
Type 1 diabetes is a lifelong condition where 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 far more common, accounting for more than 90 per cent of the 4.4million adults with diabetes.
It occurs when the body doesn't produce enough insulin, or the body's cells don't react to it properly.
There are no lifestyle changes you can make to lower your risk of type 1 diabetes.
But you may be at higher risk of type 2 diabetes if you are overweight or obese, eat unhealthily, have a family history of the condition, take certain medications for a long time, have high blood pressure, and have had gestational diabetes during pregnancy.
People of Asian, Black African or African Caribbean origin are also at increased risk.
Source: NHS and Diabetes UK