Aishwarya Sakhuja on type 1 diabetes: 'Don't assume we're unhealthy'
Synopsis
Aishwarya Sakhuja's Instagram post on type 1 diabetes is more than a personal disclosure — it is a precise, point-by-point correction of the myths that make life harder for millions managing the condition in India. Her reminder that type 1 is autoimmune, not lifestyle-driven, challenges a stigma that is both widespread and damaging.
Key Takeaways
Aishwarya Sakhuja shared a detailed Instagram post on 10 July about living with type 1 diabetes .
She was diagnosed with the condition in 2018 after strong medication affected her pancreas.
Sakhuja clarified that type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition , not caused by lifestyle choices.
She described the daily cognitive burden — counting carbs, calculating insulin doses, and managing highs and lows — as a 'full-time job you don't see.' She urged friends to learn where diabetics keep their low-sugar supplies, as 'those few seconds matter' during a hypoglycaemic episode.
Television actress Aishwarya Sakhuja, best known for her role in Saas Bina Sasural, has spoken candidly about her experience living with type 1 diabetes, using her social media platform to dispel common misconceptions and urge greater empathy from friends and family of those managing the condition.
What Aishwarya Shared
In a detailed Instagram post shared on 10 July, Sakhuja addressed friends and loved ones of type 1 diabetics directly, listing practical things they should know. 'Know this if your friend is a Type 1 diabetic — being friends with someone with Type 1 diabetes isn't complicated but understanding a few things can make a world of difference,' she wrote.
Among the key points she raised: a hypoglycaemic episode can resemble intoxication, with symptoms including confusion, shakiness, and incoherence — and the correct response is glucose, not insulin. She also noted that unusual irritability or emotional swings can be blood-sugar-driven rather than personal, and urged friends not to take such moments personally.
The Hidden Weight of Managing the Condition
Sakhuja described the relentless cognitive load that accompanies type 1 diabetes. 'We're doing math all day long — counting carbs, calculating insulin, correcting highs, preventing lows. It's a full-time job you don't see,' she wrote. She also highlighted that everyday activities such as exercise, travel, and even social meals require significantly more planning than most people realise, with those living with the condition typically carrying insulin, glucose supplies, sensors, and chargers at all times.
Crucially, she pushed back against the stigma that diabetes is a consequence of poor lifestyle choices. 'Don't assume we're unhealthy. Type 1 isn't caused by lifestyle — it's an autoimmune condition,' she said, drawing a clear distinction between type 1 and type 2 diabetes, a nuance that is frequently missed in public discourse.
Her Own Diagnosis and Journey
Sakhuja revealed that she was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in 2018, after strong medication she had taken earlier affected her pancreas. She acknowledged that accepting the diagnosis was initially difficult, particularly knowing the condition was irreversible. Over time, however, she adapted to the necessary lifestyle adjustments, which have helped her maintain stable blood sugar levels.
Her openness is part of a broader pattern of public figures using their platforms to humanise chronic illness — an approach that health advocates argue significantly reduces stigma and encourages earlier help-seeking among those newly diagnosed.
About Aishwarya Sakhuja
Sakhuja has appeared in several popular Hindi television productions, including Saas Bina Sasural, Main Naa Bhoolungi, Trideviyaan, Yeh Hai Chahatein, and Zyada Mat Udd. She has also participated in reality shows Nach Baliye 7 and Fear Factor: Khatron Ke Khiladi 7. Her post has drawn widespread attention and prompted a conversation about diabetes awareness in India.
Point of View
Not just the patients themselves — a gap that most awareness campaigns miss. The conflation of type 1 and type 2 diabetes in popular culture is not a minor error; it attaches lifestyle blame to an autoimmune disease and delays support. India has one of the world's largest diabetic populations, yet public literacy on the type 1/type 2 distinction remains low. Celebrity disclosures like this one do measurable work that public health messaging often cannot.
NationPress
10 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is type 1 diabetes and how is it different from type 2?
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition in which the body's immune system attacks insulin-producing cells in the pancreas, and it is not caused by lifestyle or diet. Type 2 diabetes, by contrast, is largely linked to lifestyle factors such as diet, physical activity, and weight. Aishwarya Sakhuja specifically highlighted this distinction to counter the stigma that all diabetes is self-inflicted.
When was Aishwarya Sakhuja diagnosed with type 1 diabetes?
Aishwarya Sakhuja was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in 2018. She has said the condition developed after strong medication she took earlier affected her pancreas, and that accepting the irreversible diagnosis was initially difficult.
What did Aishwarya Sakhuja say about hypoglycaemia?
She explained that a hypoglycaemic episode — or 'hypo' — can closely resemble intoxication, with symptoms such as confusion, shakiness, and incoherence. She urged friends to respond by providing glucose, not insulin, and to know where the person keeps their low-sugar supplies, as 'those few seconds matter.'
Why does Aishwarya Sakhuja say managing type 1 diabetes is a 'full-time job'?
She described the constant mental effort involved: counting carbohydrates, calculating insulin doses, correcting high blood sugar, and preventing lows — all while managing work, travel, exercise, and social situations. She also noted that activities like flights, road trips, and even workouts require far more advance planning for someone with type 1 diabetes.
Which TV shows has Aishwarya Sakhuja appeared in?
Aishwarya Sakhuja is known for her roles in Saas Bina Sasural, Main Naa Bhoolungi, Trideviyaan, Yeh Hai Chahatein, and Zyada Mat Udd. She has also competed on reality shows Nach Baliye 7 and Fear Factor: Khatron Ke Khiladi 7.
